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media type="custom" key="4038969" Standing up for school lunch:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5986/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3094

research paper guidelines: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/ug/research/paper.html http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/17_Writing_Introduction.asp

Rubric: http://staff.tuhsd.k12.az.us/gfoster/standard/evalua.htm http://www.winona.edu/air/resourcelinks/science_rubrics.pdf

=== The Marine Science Academy is an intensive four year academy designed to prepare students for success in high school and college. The MSA English classes follow the core principles of the academy and work to build students English skills in preparation for the mandatory California High School Exit Exam, rigorous Honors and Advanced Placement classes, as well as future college classes. As MSA students move through their high school curriculum MSA English class rigor as well as expectations of the students increase. media type="custom" key="4021637" media type="meebo" key="nMDVmJkwuw" height="300" width="250"=== Thesis Statement Basics I. What is the purpose of a thesis statement? • A thesis statement informs the readers of the content, the argument, and often the direction of a paper. II. Do I need to write a thesis statement? Students should always write thesis statements in their essays. III. What is a thesis statement? A. A thesis statement is a declarative sentence. • Title: My First Smoking Experience • Thesis: Although all my friends thought cigarettes were stylish, I discovered that smoking is actually a disgusting habit with many health risks. 2. Thesis statements are not questions. • Question: How could we still tolerate sexism in the military today? • Thesis: Even though Americans claim to be enlightened about sexism, sexist language and behaviors still prevail in the military. 3. Thesis statements are not commands. • Command: Note the differences between cooks and chefs. • Thesis: Although meals prepared by either cooks or chefs can be equally delicious, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment, and artistry. B. A thesis statement is an arguable idea. 1. Thesis statements are not facts. • Fact: When I was six, my parents took me on a trip to Alaska where I experienced my first tragedy. • Thesis: Witnessing the death of my brother in an Alaskan avalanche last winter horrified me at the time but in retrospect taught me to appreciate the small things in life, to value my relationships, and to trust in God. 2. Thesis statements are not announcements of the author's purpose or assignment. • Announcement: This essay will explain my reasons for supporting capital punishment for first-degree murderers. • Thesis: First-degree murderers should receive capital punishment because there are too many repeat offenders, because rehabilitation programs have proved ineffective, and because murder is too heinous a crime to be punished by anything less than death. 3. Thesis statements are not merely observations of the obvious. • Obvious: Litter creates pollution of the environment. • Thesis: Recycling programs, though expensive at first, are ultimately an efficient, cost effective, and environmentally sound means of reducing waste in our environment. 4. Thesis statements are not unarguable personal opinions. • Opinion: I like chocolate. • Thesis: Even though chocolate tantalizes my taste buds and satiates my emotional need to be loved, it causes weight gain, clogs arteries, and contains caffeine. C. A thesis statement is specific and narrowed. 1. Thesis statements are not broad overgeneralizations. • Broad: Men are chauvinists. • Narrow: Men who repress their true feelings leave themselves open to physical, psychological, and relationship difficulties. 2. Thesis statements cover only one topic. • Many topics: Marijuana and television pornography should not be legalized because they negatively influence young children. • One topic: Medicinal marijuana use should not be legalized because it creates problems for peace officers, physicians, and parents. 3. Thesis statements often focus the essay and guide its direction. • Unfocused: Martin Luther King, Jr. is a role model for everyone to follow. • Focused: Because of his determination, his courage to follow his beliefs; and his unwavering sense of justice, Martin Luther King, Jr. is a symbol of American freedom. D. Thesis statements are worthy of development in an academic paper and interest an adult audience. 1. Thesis statements are not simplistic. • Simplistic: Cats and dogs look different and act differently. • More interesting: Though seemingly adorable and tame, mountain lion cubs are actually wild, dangerous predators. 2. Thesis statements are not immature or tasteless. • Tasteless: Passing gas in an elevator was an extremely embarrassing moment for me because I learned that I had a problem and that others are more observant than I had thought. • Suitable: Though the product of slick advertising, psyllium does not effectively deal with flatulence, diverticulosis, or colon cancer. (The topic is now more academic.) E. Thesis statements are concise. • Wordy: Censorship should be banned by everyone in all circumstances and all states in the nation because it destroys the rights of free speech guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States since the Constitution was written by John Hancock and all of the other statesmen. • Concise: Censorship should be banned in the United States because it destroys the constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech. IV. How do I write a thesis statement? A. Decide on your topic. • poetry in my English textbook B. Narrow your topic. • Contrast gender characteristics in two poems Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death" contrasted with John Donne's "Death Be Not Proud" C. Put your topic in a sentence. • Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death" is different from John Donne's "Death Be Not Proud." D. Add your argument, viewpoint, or opinion to your topic to make your thesis persuasive. • Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death" is essentially a more feminine poem, while John Donne's "Death Be Not Proud" is more masculine. E. Elaborate on your thesis so that it addresses all parts of your assignment. • Although Emily Dickinson and John Donne both personify death in their poems, the tone, language, and images are clearly feminine in "Because I could not stop for Death," and masculine in "Death Be Not Proud." F. Organize your thesis to guide the direction of your paper. • Although Emily Dickinson and John Donne both personify death in their poems the tone, images, and language are clearly more feminine in "Because I could Not stop for Death," than in "Death Be Not Proud." V. Where should I put my thesis statement? • the most common, and often required, spot for a thesis statement is at the end of the introductory paragraph or paragraphs.