Thesis Statement Writing

Using each of the prompts from Monday, write a thesis statement that takes a position on the topic and
establish your line of reasoning.

1. “Technology is supposed to make us more connected. We can stay in touch with our friends all
the time on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, and, of course, by texting. But are our smartphones
getting in the way of real socializing? Could technology be making us more alone?”

This question was posed by a 2016 article in the New York Times newspaper. Write an essay
taking a position on the author’s suggestion that technology makes us feel more alone and
isolated.

Addressing the New York Time's speculation, technology does not help people develop
meaningful connections since it does not provide the users the complete experience of face-to-
face interaction, and this is evident after analyzing the World Happiness Report's research that
addresses the correlation between technology and adolescents, observing teenager's
experiences on online apps, and comparing the lifestyles of children in the 20th century and the
21st century.

2. “We have women in the military, but they don’t put us in the front lines. They don’t know if we
can fight, if we can kill. I think we can.”

Comedian Elaine Boosler discussed women in the military as part of her act in the 1980s. Today,
we have women in the military in many important roles, but leadership still resists allowing
women to fight on the front lines. Write an essay in which you take a position on whether
women should be able to fight alongside their male counterparts on the frontlines during armed
warfare.

Looking at the heroic acts of Deborah Sampson Gannett, MJ Hegar, and Kurdish women fighters,
it is clear that women are capable enough to fight alongside their male counterparts on the
frontlines of the warfare even though society establish gender stereotypes that emphasizes the
strength and superiority males possess over females.

3. “Sometimes you have to censor books. When I read 'Peter Rabbit,' I skip the part about Peter's
father ending up in one of Mrs. McGregor's pies. I also hid the book of 'Grimm Fairy Tales.'
They're just too grim for my grandkids. Reality will come soon enough.”

Author and journalist, Regina Brett, is in favor of some forms of censorship regarding younger
readers. Others believe that censorship in any form is never acceptable. Write an essay in which
you take a position on the question of whether censorship of literature is ever okay.

 Regina Brett's experience of rereading Peter Rabbit and Grimm Fairy Tales reveals that

writers must consider censoring their contents since some of the audiences are very
sensitive to certain topics, and this behavior is evident after reviewing the decision of two
California school districts towards Little Red Riding Hood, explaining the controversy
over And Tango Makes Three, and discussing reactions of certain teenagers towards To
Kill A Mockingbird.