Practice 1: Thesis Statement

Which thesis statement about 'The Gift of the Magi' is most debatable?

• The main characters exchange gifts

• The story takes place during Christmas

• 'The Gift of the Magi' is a story by O. Henry

• O. Henry uses irony to emphasize the couple's love

Answer explanation

The statement 'O. Henry uses irony to emphasize the couple's love' is debatable because interpretations of irony can vary, while the other statements are factual and universally accepted aspects of the story.

What is the primary purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?

• To list literary devices used

• To summarize every paragraph

• To articulate the main argument

• To provide background history

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of a thesis statement is to articulate the main argument of the essay, guiding the reader on what to expect and providing a clear focus for the writing.

Arrange the steps of the 'Restate and Answer' method in the correct order.

• Step 1

• Answer the prompt

• Step 3

• Combine into thesis

• Step 2

• Restate the prompt

A strong thesis should be debatable. Which option best illustrates a debatable claim?

• 'The Necklace' is a short story

• Oranges are a type of fruit

• Irony exists in many texts

• Madame Loisel’s vanity causes her ruin

Answer explanation

The claim 'Madame Loisel’s vanity causes her ruin' is debatable because it invites discussion and differing interpretations, unlike the other options, which are factual statements and not open to argument.

Which combined thesis best follows 'Restate and Answer' for O. Henry's story?

• O. Henry’s tale includes characters

• The story uses vivid description

• O. Henry’s 'The Gift of the Magi' uses irony

• O. Henry’s 'The Gift of the Magi' uses irony to highlight selfless love

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'O. Henry’s 'The Gift of the Magi' uses irony to highlight selfless love', effectively restates the story's theme and answers the question by emphasizing the use of irony in conveying love.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Select all qualities of a strong thesis highlighted in the Tips for Success.

• Lengthy

• Proofread

• Arguable

• Specific

Answer explanation

A strong thesis must be arguable, presenting a claim that can be debated. It should also be specific, clearly outlining the main point. Lengthy and proofreading are not essential qualities for a strong thesis.

Why is the 'Combine' step necessary after restating and answering?

• It merges claim into one clear sentence

• It adds quotations to support points

• It turns the essay into an outline

• It checks for spelling and punctuation

Answer explanation

The 'Combine' step is necessary because it merges the claim into one clear sentence, ensuring clarity and coherence in the argument presented in the essay.

In Gary Soto’s 'Oranges,' what meaning does the orange’s symbolism support when used in a thesis?

• Warmth and young affection

• Isolation and jealousy

• Danger and betrayal

• Wealth and social status

Answer explanation

In 'Oranges,' the orange symbolizes warmth and young affection, reflecting the innocence and tenderness of first love, which is central to the poem's theme.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

What is the thesis statement?

• The main idea of a paragraph

• The controlling idea of the essay

• The main idea of the concluding paragraph

• All of the above

Match the following

• Incomplete Thinking

• The top three qualities of a good leader are wisdom, kindness, and bravery.

• Complete Thinking

• Martin Luther King, Jr., was a great leader because of the drive he had to ensure equal rights and because of the respect Americans still have for him.

• Complete Thinking

• Martin Luther King, Jr., an important leader of the civil rights movement, is an excellent example of a great leader. People have great admiration for him.

• Incomplete Thinking

• People need to be smarter and stronger.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2