Thesis Statements and the Drafting Process Practice

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Thesis Statements and the Drafting Process Practice 

Practice 1: Drafting Process

Briefly describe your typical writing process. How have you handled drafting in the past? What can you do to make drafting more productive?

Practice 2: Revise and Improve

Revise and improve the following weak thesis statements.

1. In this essay, I will explain why I want to attend Briarwood College.  



2. The death penalty is a controversial issue.

   

 

3. This novel had an important impact on my life.

   

4. What would the consequences of censorship on the Internet be?

   

Answers

Practice 1: Drafting Process

Here's a possible response:

I never spend much time planning an essay. A lot of times I procrastinate and wait until the day before the paper is due to get started—especially if I don't like the assignment. Then I'll just sit down and write a draft. Sometimes I get stuck for a long time on the introduction. I have to have my introduction done before I write the body of an essay. Sometimes I get stuck too because I have trouble organizing my ideas. I usually don't outline unless my teacher says I have to. I should start doing outlines (at least rough ones) and start working on my essays earlier. I also need to make sure I am clearer about my audience and purpose. I think I'd write better (and be more relaxed) if I did some brainstorming as soon as I got the assignment, then drafted a thesis and outline, and then wrote a draft.

Practice 2: Revise and Improve

Here are some successful responses:

1. Briarwood offers everything I'm looking for in a college: a renowned child psychology department; a small, beautiful campus not too far from home; and opportunities to develop my leadership skills through extracurricular programs.
2. The use of DNA evidence in the appeals of death penalty convictions has changed the nature of the controversy surrounding this important issue.
3. My fascination with American history began when I read The Grapes of Wrath.
4. The Internet must remain a completely uncensored environment.