AIW: Lesson - Thesis Statements - Considerations

Image: a figure strikes a thoughtful pose.Thesis Statements - Considerations

Three-Part Thesis Statements

You might have heard of the idea of a three-part thesis statement. Such a thesis statement makes a claim and is followed by three reasons. For example:

School start times should be moved to no earlier than 8:00 am because it will allow students to get the sleep they need, keep teenage drivers safe, and alleviate concerns of working parents who drive their children to school. 

This type of thesis statement provides clarity regarding organization. Each of the reasons (sleep, safety, and working parents) can be used as sub-claims that would be developed and supported in a body paragraph of the essay. However, it is important to note that the three-part thesis is not a requirement for the essays you will compose in AP English Language and Composition.

Opposing Viewpoints

One other way you might compose your thesis statement is to address the opposing viewpoint in a subordinate clause. Such a thesis statement may be written like the following:

While some people argue that schools should start before 8:00 am, more enlightened minds contend that school start times should be no earlier than 8:00 am because of sleep and safety concerns.

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