Writing a Thesis Statement

Directions: Below are several thesis sentences. Please evaluate each; then decide which rhetorical pattern you would recommend the writer use to develop the thesis sentence.

1. My essay will tell you why saving money might be a bad idea.

2. One lesson I have learned through the years is that we are what we do.

3. The purpose of this paper is to make an argument for open-borders immigration.

4. To make the perfect gourmet milkshake use Dryer’s ice cream, goat’s milk, and Brazilian flavorings.

5. A perfect gourmet milkshake requires special ingredients.

6. My thesis is that college instructors should be paid in bottle caps.

7. I saw a UFO yesterday.

8. Our school paper is full of useless ads.

9. Our school paper has ads.

10. I loved my job, so I did many things to improve production.