What: the very basis of your essay: what you will be arguing?
Where: At the end of your introduction
How: By formulating a sentence that contains a topic and a claim.
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Topic + claim
High school should be mandatory
Social media has a negative impact on mental health, especially among teenagers
The climate crisis is a global emergency that requires immediate action.
.
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Don't
Argue facts (He is only a child)
Argue something you cannot prove (These blue socks are the prettiest socks I own)
Avoid using phrases like "I believe" or "In my opinion."
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Improve this thesis statement: "I'm going to talk about dogs in this paper."
Slide 8 - Open question
Improve this thesis statement: "Fast food is available in many places."
Slide 9 - Open question
Improve this thesis statement: "I think social media is bad for you."
Slide 10 - Open question
Improve this thesis statement: "Drinking alcohol can have both positive and negative effects"
Slide 11 - Open question
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And then?
Once you have formulated your thesis statement you can start developing your arguments.
Every argument should get its own paragraph.
That means 3 arguments/body paragraphs
Each argument should be directly linked to the thesis statement.
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Example:
Thesis statement: School uniforms should be required in all schools in the Netherlands.
Argument 1: They take away socio-economical differences
Argument 2: They encourage school spirit
Argument 3: They save parents and students money and time
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Keeping your essay focused
For every paragraph / argument, ask yourself: Does this link back to the thesis statement? Is it relevant to prove my point made in the thesis statement.
No? -> change either the statement or the argument!
Within every paragraph, ask yourself: Is what I'm saying here relevant to the topic sentence? Does it explain or illustrate the argument made in the topic sentence? No? -> change either the topic sentence or your content
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Goals
Students can write a short essay on the ethics of horse riding, using the basic structure of an essay and formulating a thesis statement