Thesis and Claims Identification Practice

What is a thesis?

• A 150 character opinion you post on Twitter, roasting someone

• A statement of belief and the reasons why

• Random facts one might know for Jeopardy

• A logical conclusion based on facts and reasoning

What is a claim?

• An opinion

• A statement of belief

• A sea animal

• A fact that supports the opinion in a thesis

Is the following sentence a complete thesis:

Students should be allowed to choose whether or not they take all four core classes starting in high school.

• Yes

• No

Is the following sentence a complete thesis:

Blue pens have blue ink.

• Yes

• No

Is the following sentence a complete thesis:

Sweaters are the best article of clothing for winter because they keep the wearer insulated, they look nice, and they feel soft.

• Yes

• No

Is the following sentence a complete thesis:

Because I think unicorns are awesome.

• Yes

• No

Is the following sentence a complete thesis:

The United States should establish a Space Force as a branch of the military because technology is progressing at such a rate that space warfare is becoming increasingly likely, it would set the United States apart from other countries as a military power, it could help scientific space advancements.

• Yes

• No

Is the following sentence a complete thesis:

She should be our student council president because she has served on student council for three years and is thus experienced, she has well established positive relationships with members of the community, and she embodies the values of the majority of students.

• Yes

• No

Because it could aid the poor, help the sick, and soften the hearts of those more fortunate to the plight of the impoverished, members of society should participate in community service and charity work across social and economic classes.

• Yes

• No

The best thing to do with your life is pursue your dreams with an understanding that pursuing your dreams does not have to mean making your passion your job; you can have a good stable job in something you are good at and at the same time pursue something you love and are passionate about on the side in your leisure time.

• Yes

• No