CREATING A THESIS STATEMENT

OVERVIEW

The subject of your essay for this course is “Changing Our Lives.” You have taken a marvelous, brave step on an educational journey. Congratulations! You have likely done a great deal of soul-searching to come to this enormous decision. The purpose of this essay, therefore, is for you to tell your readers (your instructor and your classmates) why you came to this decision. In your “Changing Our Lives” essay, you will present and then explain three reasons why you decided to go to college at this time in your life.

In this assignment, you will create a thesis statement for your “Changing Our Lives” essay.

PREPARATION

Download and review the Student Sample of Thesis Statement [PDF].

INSTRUCTIONS

You will create and submit your thesis statement by using Ecree. Just click on the link and start writing. Your work will be saved automatically. You’ll see some feedback on the right-hand side of the screen; ignore any red feedback that does not relate to your thesis. When you’re ready, you can turn in your assignment by clicking Submit at the bottom of the page.

REQUIREMENTS

Write a 20–25 word thesis statement in which you do the following:

• Construct a one-sentence thesis statement that clearly states the narrow topic and main point of the essay.

• Identify the narrow topic of the thesis statement by bolding the text.

• Identify the main point of the thesis statement.

• Minimize mechanical, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and stylistic errors.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Describe the narrow topic and main point of an essay using a thesis statement.

OUTLINE

OVERVIEW

Remember, in this course, you will develop one essay. The subject of your essay for this course is “Changing Our Lives.” In your essay, you will present and then explain three reasons why you decided to go to college at this time in your life.

In this assignment, you will create an outline to help you organize your ideas for your essay.

PREPARATION

For guidance, download and review the Sample Student Outline [PDF].

REQUIREMENTS

You will create and submit your outline by using Ecree. Just click on the link and start writing. Your work will be saved automatically. You’ll see some feedback on the right-hand side of the screen—ignore the red feedback for now. When you’re ready, you can turn in your assignment by clicking Submit at the bottom of the page.

Create a topic outline in which you do the following:

• Use short phrases and not complete sentences.

• Identify at least three main points.

• Identify at least two supporting points for each main point.

• Minimize mechanical, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and stylistic errors.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Identify the main points and supporting points of a given topic.

OVERVIEW

Remember, in this course, you will develop one essay. The subject of your essay for this course is “Changing Our Lives.” In your essay, you will present and then explain three reasons why you decided to go to college at this time in your life.

In the first two assignments, you chose your topic, created a thesis statement, and prepared an outline. Now you will create the introduction and the conclusion paragraphs for your essay.

PREPARATION

Download and review the Sample Student Essay – Introduction and Conclusion [PDF].

REQUIREMENTS

Write an introduction and conclusion in which you do the following:

• Develop an introduction paragraph that attracts the reader’s attention and introduces the topic of returning to school.

• Include the revised version of the thesis statement you wrote in the outline, making sure to use instructor feedback in your revision.

• Develop a conclusion paragraph to the essay, making sure the conclusion signals an end to the essay and provides a closing thought.

• Meet the assignment word count of 5–7 sentences for each paragraph.

• Minimize mechanical, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and stylistic errors.