Assignment 1: Discussion A thesis statement is the central crux of your paper. In the case of the argumentative research essay, it is one sentence that clearly states the topic as well as the argument of your paper. A thesis statement must not be a fact; it must be an arguable position on a topic. Consider the following two statements: Example 1: Many high school students play after-school sports. Example 2: While many feel that participating in sports in high school may decrease the amount of time and attention spent on schoolwork, high school athletics promote physical fitness, teamwork, and opportunities for higher education.  Of these two sentences, which would make the better thesis? Which one is arguable and has multiple points of view? Example two is the better thesis because it is an argument. Example one is a fact. It is not arguable. Your task is to craft a thesis statement that clearly and concisely states your argument. Do not use first or second person—keep your thesis statement objective by using third person and excluding any personal opinions. After you present your thesis statement, provide at least one paragraph explaining why your thesis statement is argumentative and how you can support your thesis statement throughout your paper. Though not all debates are so black and white as to have only two sides, you should aim to identify at least two sides of the issue at hand (both the side represented by your thesis statement, and at least one other). Then, discuss a few potential supporting points you could develop within the body of your paper and back up with information from your research. Discussion Rubric  Discussion Grading Criteria Maximum Points Initial Discussion Response 16 Discussion Participation 16 Writing Craftsmanship and Ethical Scholarship 8 Total: 40 Unsatisfactory Emerging Proficient Exemplary Initial Discussion Response * Initial response:  •  Did not relate to the concepts or ideas presented in the discussion topic(s)  •  Claims were not supported. Initial response:  •  Lacked substance •  Was not original •  Relied on personal experience only to support ideas  Initial response was: •  Original and accurate •  Substantive  •  Demonstrated basic understanding of concepts •  Discussed key theories and concepts from the readings  Initial response was: •  Insightful •  Original and accurate •  Substantive and  •  Demonstrated advanced understanding of concepts   •  Compiled/synthesized theories and concepts drawn from a variety of sources to support statements and conclusions. Discussion Participation * Discussion Responses:  Were off-topic or irrelevant to discussion.  Discussion Responses:  Contributed a few points of view but mostly repeats information posted by others.  Discussion Responses:  •  Contributed to the discussion offering points of view and/or opinions, •  Did not make clear connections between one or more points in the discussion. Discussion Responses: •  Offered points.

1. Assignment 1: Discussion
A thesis statement is the central crux of your paper. In the case
of the argumentative research essay, it is one sentence that
clearly states the topic as well as the argument of your paper. A
thesis statement must not be a fact; it must be an arguable
position on a topic. Consider the following two statements:
Example 1: Many high school students play after-school sports.
Example 2: While many feel that participating in sports in high
school may decrease the amount of time and attention spent on
schoolwork, high school athletics promote physical fitness,
teamwork, and opportunities for higher education.
Of these two sentences, which would make the better thesis?
Which one is arguable and has multiple points of view?
Example two is the better thesis because it is an argument.
Example one is a fact. It is not arguable.
Your task is to craft a thesis statement that clearly and
concisely states your argument. Do not use first or second
person—keep your thesis statement objective by using third
person and excluding any personal opinions.
After you present your thesis statement, provide at least one
paragraph explaining why your thesis statement is
argumentative and how you can support your thesis statement
throughout your paper. Though not all debates are so black and
white as to have only two sides, you should aim to identify at
least two sides of the issue at hand (both the side represented by
your thesis statement, and at least one other). Then, discuss a
few potential supporting points you could develop within the
body of your paper and back up with information from your
research.
Discussion Rubric
Discussion Grading Criteria
Maximum Points

2. Initial Discussion Response
16
Discussion Participation
16
Writing Craftsmanship and Ethical Scholarship
8
Total:
40
Unsatisfactory
Emerging
Proficient
Exemplary
Initial Discussion Response *
Initial response:
•
Did not relate to the concepts or ideas presented in the
discussion topic(s)
•
Claims were not supported.
Initial response:

3. •
Lacked substance
•
Was not original
•
Relied on personal experience only to support ideas
Initial response was:
•
Original and accurate
•
Substantive
•
Demonstrated basic understanding of concepts
•
Discussed key theories and concepts from the readings
Initial response was:
•
Insightful
•
Original and accurate
•
Substantive and
•
Demonstrated advanced understanding of concepts
•
Compiled/synthesized theories and concepts drawn from a
variety of sources to support statements and conclusions.
Discussion Participation *
Discussion Responses:
Were off-topic or irrelevant to discussion.

4. Discussion Responses:
Contributed a few points of view but mostly repeats information
posted by others.
Discussion Responses:
•
Contributed to the discussion offering points of view and/or
opinions,
•
Did not make clear connections between one or more points in
the discussion.
Discussion Responses:
•
Offered points of view supported by research
•
Asked challenging questions that promoted discussion
•
Drew relationships between one or more points in the
discussion.
Writing Craftsmanship and Ethical Scholarship *
•
Demonstrated little attempt to organize thoughts
•
Writing was not clear, concise and formal.
•
Writing contained numerous errors in spelling, grammar, and/or
sentence structure that severely interfered with
readability and comprehension.
•
Information from sources was not paraphrased and attribution of
sources was lacking.
•
Demonstrated some attempt to organize thoughts

5. •
Writing was not clear, concise and/or formal.
•
Errors in spelling and grammar somewhat interfered with
readability
and/or comprehension.
•
Information from sources was paraphrased and cited, but major
errors were present.
•
Wrote in a clear and organized manner
•
Writing was not concise or formal in language.
•
Writing followed conventions of spelling and grammar
throughout. Errors were infrequent and
did not interfere with readability or comprehension.
•
Information from sources was paraphrased and cited, but minor
errors were present.
•
Wrote in a clear, concise, formal and organized manner.
•
Responses were error free.
•
Information from sources was paraphrased appropriately and
accurately cited.