5.+Formulating+a+Thesis

In your position paper you are entering a conversation. You will:
 * engage your reader in an academic arguement
 * write to a specific issue
 * summarize what others are saying about the issue
 * take a stance
 * defend your position taking into account the ways local, state, and national governments preserve individual rights and promote the common good
 * address our democratic ideals and/or principals in your arguement

You will do this by including:
 * factual knowledge
 * statistical evidence
 * informed opinions
 * authorative testimony

Directons for [|Writing a Thesis Statement] from Fay School Library

A tutorial on How to Write a Theis Statement by Joyce Valenza at Springfiled High School

**Possible Templates**
Most people think/assume __(topic)__ because (main argument against your opinion), however, for reasons that (arguments supporting your opinion) (state your postion).

Even though there may be considerable advantages to __(main argument against your opinion)__, __(state your position)__ becasue __(arguments supporting your opinion).__

Although __(main argument against your opinion)__, a closer look at the issue suggests that __(state your position)__ becasue __(arguments supporting your opinion).__

These are some interactive tools that may help you map out your thought and formulate your thesis.

[|Interactive Persuasive Map]

[|Persuasive Map Grahpic Organizer]

[|Thesis Builder]

[|Interactive NoteTaker using an Outline Format]

Useful templates to incorporate in your writing From the Book, [|They Say / I Say]