Title ABC/123 Version X 1 Thesis Statement Worksheet: Persuasive COM/170 Version 7 1 University of Phoenix MaterialThesis Statement Worksheet Persuasive Step One In Week 1 you chose a topic and rhetorical mode to use for your final essay. You have chosen to write a persuasive essay. Take a few moments to prewrite about your topic by considering three to five positions on that topic. Do not limit yourself to your own opinions; rather, try to identify positions that others might hold as well. For example: Topic (Issue): Gun Control Some positions on gun control: · American firearm possession should not be restricted in any way. · Americans should not be permitted to own firearms for personal use. · Americans should be able to own firearms, but not be permited to carry them outside of the home. · Americans should have to pass a test to own a firearm and an advanced test to carry a concealed firearm out of the home. Use this space for your prewriting activity. Answer the questions using complete sentences. 1. What is the topic your instructor approved in Week 1? 2. What are some possible positions on your topic you could discuss in your essay? Step Two As discussed in your reading (The Everyday Writer Plus, “Argument”), you are persuading your reader to think or believe something about your topic. You will acheive this more easily by clearly defining your audience before writing. This allows you to gauge how much or how little information you should share in your essay. Answer the questions using complete sentences. 1. Who is your audience and how much does it already know about your topic? 2. Will your audience have any particular views on your topic that you need to consider as you write? Step Three Create a thesis statement by using your selected topic and the position on it you have selected in Step One by following the pattern offered in “Argument” of The Everyday Writer Plus: Issue (Topic) + Position = Thesis statement The increase in random acts of violence as a result of weak gun control laws makes it clear that Americans should not be permitted to own firearms for personal use. Keep in mind that you must make your position as clear and specific as possible, so that your audience can clearly see where you are headed in your essay. Using the pattern above (or some variation of your own), write a thesis statement: Reference: Lunsford, A. (2014). The everyday writer plus. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Copyright © XXXX by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2015 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Thesis Statement Worksheet: Cause and Effect COM/170 Version 7 1 University of Phoenix MaterialThesis Statement Worksheet Cause and Effect Step One In Week 1 you chose a topic and rhetorical mode to use for your final essay. You have chosen to write a cause and effect essay. Take a few moments to prewrite about your topic to identify some causes and effects related to your topic. For example: Topic: ...

1. Title
ABC/123 Version X
1
Thesis Statement Worksheet: Persuasive
COM/170 Version 7
1
University of Phoenix MaterialThesis Statement Worksheet
Persuasive
Step One
In Week 1 you chose a topic and rhetorical mode to use for your
final essay. You have chosen to write a persuasive essay. Take a
few moments to prewrite about your topic by considering three
to five positions on that topic. Do not limit yourself to your
own opinions; rather, try to identify positions that others might
hold as well. For example:
Topic (Issue): Gun Control
Some positions on gun control:
· American firearm possession should not be restricted in any
way.
· Americans should not be permitted to own firearms for
personal use.
· Americans should be able to own firearms, but not be permited
to carry them outside of the home.
· Americans should have to pass a test to own a firearm and an
advanced test to carry a concealed firearm out of the home.
Use this space for your prewriting activity.
Answer the questions using complete sentences.

2. 1. What is the topic your instructor approved in Week 1?
2. What are some possible positions on your topic you could
discuss in your essay?
Step Two
As discussed in your reading (The Everyday Writer Plus,
“Argument”), you are persuading your reader to think or believe
something about your topic. You will acheive this more easily
by clearly defining your audience before writing. This allows
you to gauge how much or how little information you should
share in your essay.
Answer the questions using complete sentences.
1. Who is your audience and how much does it already know
about your topic?
2. Will your audience have any particular views on your topic
that you need to consider as you write?
Step Three
Create a thesis statement by using your selected topic and the
position on it you have selected in Step One by following the
pattern offered in “Argument” of The Everyday Writer Plus:
Issue (Topic) + Position = Thesis statement
The increase in random acts of violence as a result of weak gun
control laws makes it clear that Americans should not be
permitted to own firearms for personal use.
Keep in mind that you must make your position as clear and
specific as possible, so that your audience can clearly see where
you are headed in your essay.
Using the pattern above (or some variation of your own), write
a thesis statement:
Reference:
Lunsford, A. (2014). The everyday writer plus. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s.

3. Copyright © XXXX by University of Phoenix. All rights
reserved.
Copyright © 2015 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Thesis Statement Worksheet: Cause and Effect
COM/170 Version 7
1
University of Phoenix MaterialThesis Statement Worksheet
Cause and Effect
Step One
In Week 1 you chose a topic and rhetorical mode to use for your
final essay. You have chosen to write a cause and effect essay.
Take a few moments to prewrite about your topic to identify
some causes and effects related to your topic. For example:
Topic: The increase in cell phone usage
Some possible causes of increasing cell phone usage:
· Maintaining close contact with children, other family
members, and friends
· Safety and roadside assistance
· Easy access to information with a smart phone
· Easy access to games and entertainment with a smart phone
Some possible effects of increasing cell phone usage:
· More interaction with more friends and family
· Decline in quality of interaction between friends and family
· Distractions
Use this space for your prewriting activity.
Answer the questions using complete sentences.

4. 1. What is the topic your instructor approved in Week 1?
2. What are some possible causes related to your topic you
could discuss in your essay?
3. What are some possible effects related to your topic you
could discuss in your essay?
Step Two
As discussed in your reading (The Everyday Writer Plus,
“Cause and Effect”), some cause and effect essays focus on
causes, some focus on effects, and some address both.
Based on the ideas you generated in Step One, do you think you
will focus on causes, effects, or both? Explain.
Step Three
Create a thesis statement by using your selected topic and the
causes and/or effects you have chosen in Steps One and Two to
discuss by following one of the patterns offered in “Cause and
Effect” of the text The Everyday Writer Plus.
Topic + Cause + Effect = Thesis statement.
Increasing cell phone usage encourages more interaction among
friends and family but has caused a decline in the quality of
interaction and leads to distractions.
Topic + Cause + Effect = Thesis statement.
Increasing cell phone usage has caused a decline in the quality
of interaction among friends and family and an increase in
distractions.
Here is a third option:
Topic + Causes = Thesis statement
Cell phones have become more popular because they promote
interaction with friends and family, provide easy access to
information and assistance, and offer entertainment
opportunities.
Keep in mind, if you address key points in your thesis statement

5. in a specific order, you will want to address them in the same
order in your essay.
Choose one of the patterns above (or some variation of your
own), and write a thesis statement::
Reference:
Lunsford, A. (2014). The everyday writer plus. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Copyright © 2015 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Thesis Statement Worksheet: Comparison and Contrast
COM/170 Version 7
1
University of Phoenix MaterialThesis Statement Worksheet
Comparison and Contrast
Step One
In Week 1 you chose a topic and rhetorical mode to use for your
final essay. You have chosen to write an essay in which you
will compare and contrast two subjects. Take a few moments to
prewrite about your topic to identify at least three possible
points of comparison. For example:
Topic: Comparing and contrasting owning a house and renting
an apartment.
Some possible points of comparison:
· Cost and expenses
· Decorating
· Conveniences

6. With this topic, the writer might compare advantages and
disadvantages instead:
· Homeownership advantages
· Homeownership disadvantages
· Renting advantages
· Renting disadvantages
Use this space for your prewriting activity.
Answer the questions using complete sentences.
1. What is the topic your instructor approved in Week 1?
2. What are your possible points of comparison for your topic?
Step Two
As discussed in your reading (The Everyday Writer Plus,
“Compare and Contrast”) you must decide on your purpose for
comparing your two subjects. Do you want to write an
informative paper in which you compare and contrast the
subjects to help the reader understand both better? Or do you
want to demonstrate to the reader that one subject is superior or
preferable to the other?
What is your purpose for writing to compare and contrast your
two subjects?
Step Three
Create a thesis statement by using your selected topic and the
points of comparison you’ve chosen from Steps One by
following one of the patterns offered in “Compare and Contrast”
of the text The Everyday Writer Plus:
Subject 1 + Subject 2 + Indication of similarities or differences
= Thesis statement.

7. Owning a house and renting an apartment both offer advantages
but differ in cost, decorating options, and conveniences.
Subjects + Main idea + Indication of difference = Thesis
statement.
Owning a house and renting an apartment both come with
advantages and disadvantages.
If you want to be specific about your preference for one subject
in your thesis statement, you could write something like this:
While homeownership offers many advantages, renting an
apartment offers short term savings, additional conveniences,
and ease of mobility.
Keep in mind, if you address key points in your thesis statement
in a specific order, you will want to address them in the same
order in your essay.
Choose one of the patterns above (or some variation of your
own), and write a thesis statement:
Reference:
Lunsford, A. (2014). The everyday writer plus. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Copyright © 2015 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.