This document provides guidelines for writing a thesis statement for a paper on subcultures and includes examples of weak and strong thesis statements. It instructs students to post their own thesis on their chosen subculture. They are then asked to comment on the theses of 5 classmates based on whether the statement is arguable, a complete sentence expressing a position, narrows the topic to a specific focus, and establishes the paper's direction. Sample weak theses are presented on political cults, swingers, and emos that are then improved upon with stronger thesis statements. Students are prompted to follow the guidelines and post their thesis by a deadline so others can comment.

1. Thesis Statement
1.
Create a new thread where you
post your thesis for your subculture
.
2. Once you have posted your thesis,
comment on the thesis statements of 5 (five) classmates using
the following guidelines to give feedback
:
Thesis statement guidelines:
It is an arguable statement.
It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion
on a given topic.
It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of
investigation.
It establishes a direction for the entire paper.
It is stated in your introduction.
A thesis is
never
a question; it could be the answer to a question.
A thesis is
not
an announcement of purpose.

2. A thesis is
not
simply a topic.
A thesis is
not
a fact.
Here are sample theses for the same subculture. Know that one
of them is a solid thesis; the other does not work:
Weak:
Political cults are dangerous even though many people freely
join them.
Stronger
: Political cults, which are one type of many distinct versions
of cults, focus on changes or interests in the government;
however, they are not always effective in achieving the change
that they may desire due to their one-sided viewpoints and
ideologies, which in turn only harms its members, both
physically and psychologically.
Weak
: The swinger subculture is controversial.
Stronger
: Beyond the obvious level of sexual satisfaction, swinging has
been proven to strengthen the emotional and spiritual

3. relationship two committed individuals share with each other.
Despite what mainstream population says about this subculture,
swinging can be a very beneficial lifestyle.
Weak:
Emos are dark and moody people, mostly teens, who often
participate in activities that are questionable.
Strong:
In a culture equally fascinated with creating and refuting labels,
emo kids are a
phenomenon that resists total and/or absolute identification,
presenting multiple contradictions while simultaneously emo
culture consists of participants whom other individuals could
immediately identify as emo.
Follow the prompts here. Be specific in your feedback. Post
your piece by midnight Friday night so that you can comment
on the posts of 5 classmates
My
subculture : Roller der
by