Module 3: Writing an Argumentative Paper
Lesson 1: Developing a Thesis Statement

Objectives

In this lesson you will think about:

• Choosing a topic and narrowing it
• Developing a thesis statement

Pre-Class Activities

What to read

• Brainstorming
• Argument topics
• AUI Argument topics
• AUI on developing a thesis statement
• Examples of topics
• Paradigm: Choosing a subject
• Ideas: Quick stop for topics

What to do

• Think of a topic you would like to develop an argument about. Take your topic through the approaches on the Pragmatics site and narrow it to a statement you can defend in 1000 words.
• NOTE : Some topics are banned
• Remember what an argument is.
• Frame your idea in terms of an argument.
• Be able to assign a level on Bloom's Cognitive Domain to your idea

What to keep

• Bring two carefully thought out thesis statements to class