Argumentative Writing © Cult of Pedagogy
M I N I – L E S S O N
WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT
A thesis statement is a sentence in which you state your main argument and a
brief description of how you will prove it. There are many ways to structure a
thesis statement, but we will work with one specific model: concession-
thesis-reasons. Here’s an example:
Although surveillance cameras may be expensive, schools should install
them because they increase safety, reduce vandalism, and keep both
teachers
and students accountable for their actions.
The first part of the statement is the concession, where you recognize the
opposing side’s most important counter-argument:
Although surveillance cameras may be expensive,
Next comes the thesis, a simple statement of your main argument:
schools should install them
Last comes a preview of the reasons that support your argument:
because they increase safety, reduce vandalism, and keep both teachers
and students accountable for their actions.
Here are a few other examples of thesis statements written in the concession-
thesis-reasons format:
While it’s true that the person you are inside is what’s most important, you
should take care of your appearance because it will increase your confidence,
it shows respect to others, and it will give you opportunities you might not
otherwise have.
26
BACK TO CONTENTS
Argumentative Writing © Cult of Pedagogy WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT —
Despite the fact that buying locally grown food can be inconvenient, we
should make every effort to “eat local” because it’s better for our health, it
supports our local community, and it benefits the environment.
Even though serious behavior problems need serious consequences, schools
should not suspend students. This practice creates academic problems, it
leads to further disciplinary issues, and to some students, it can feel more
like a reward than a punishment.
Notice the last example is actually two sentences. Instead of using the word
because to link your thesis to your reasons, you can simply start a new
sentence.
27
What to Do Now
Using the concession-thesis-reasons style, write the full thesis statement
for your essay.
Now move to your Essay Planner and transfer your thesis statement and
three points to that chart. To see an example of this for another essay, look
at Essay 1, Draft 1, and the Essay Planner for that draft. Notice that the three
points aren’t previewed in the thesis statement box on the planner, but
they are included in the first paragraph of the essay.
BACK TO CONTENTS
Argumentative Writing © Cult of Pedagogy
ESSAY 1 • DRAFT
1
Although opportunities to earn a good living without a college degree
seem to be growing, attending college is still a smart career move for students.
It opens up more opportunities for getting a job, it helps you figure out what
kind of job is right for you, and it will help you earn a lot more money over
your lifetime
.
First, having a college degree increases your chances of getting a job. To
become a web designer, real estate agent, or chef, you don’t have to have any
type of college degree, but having a degree won’t prevent you from getting any
of those jobs. On the other hand, you can’t become a teacher, an accountant, a
doctor, or an engineer without a degree. The math is simple: The more
education you have, the more job options you have. And more options will
give you a more financially stable life.
Attending college is also a good career choice because it gives students
a safe place to figure out what kind of work they want to do, trying out
different things until they find a good fit. That was the case for University of
Maryland student Stacey Skulnik, who laughed when she heard that the
average college student changes their major twice. “I had always considered
myself to be decisive and positive of my future,” she said. Then she went on to
change her own major—first from business to communications, and then to
journalism. “Now, as a junior,” she says, “I am happier than ever. I am
stimulated by my academic work and enthusiastic about my growth as a
writer.” Many other college students like Stacey go through the same process:
thinking they want to do one thing, but realizing later it’s not right for them.
Within a college environment, you can explore interests easily, without
having to change jobs or move to a new location, and having experts available
to help you learn about different careers means you’re more likely to find just
the right path.
Yes, College Is Worth It
53
Argumentative Writing © Cult of Pedagogy
Essay 1 • Draft 1 (continued)
Finally, a college education is more likely to help you earn more money
over your lifetime. College graduates earn far more money than those who do
not get the degree. A 2014 study by the Economic Policy Institute estimated
that people with four-year college degrees earned 98 percent more per hour
than those who did not finish college. So even if it seems like you’d be able to
earn some good money right out of high school, take a look at the long term
and you’ll see that college definitely pays off over time.
54
55SAMPLE PLANNER, ESSAY 1, STAGE 3 —
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