Thesis papers

The 10th grade students have just completed their first thesis papers ever. Teaching students how to compose a thesis paper is a process I find extremely difficult. Kids seem to find it as strange a concept as the initial introduction to negative numbers in math. Every time I teach thesis writing, I find new ways of approaching it. I have tried giving students large index cards for evidence paragraph drafts. This time around, I gave them a worksheet. The worksheet eliminated the problem of losing index cards and gave students a better feel for the paper as a whole.

I think these 10th graders understand that the paper centers around a central argument. In their next paper, I will need to work with them on composing thesis statements, creating transitions, incorporating quotes, and leaving readers with something to think about in the conclusion. Learning to write is like learning a new sport; there are so many different tasks to manage simultaneously. Now if I could figure out a way to work in crowds and trophies…perhaps persuasive papers later in the spring?