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EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements

In each pair, click on the passage that answers the question about the paper described. Click Save to save your work and return to it. Click Submit to see your score and item-by-item explanations; your activity will be recorded in your instructor's gradebook.

Example

1 of 10

Which passage would work better for a two-to-five-page argument essay in an introductory composition course?

Many residents support a merit-pay system for teachers because they think it will raise student achievement levels.

To raise student achievement levels, the state Education Department should abolish the tenure system for teachers in favor of a merit-pay system.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 1 of 10: Which passage would work better for a two-to-five-page argument essay in an introductory composition course?

2 of 10

Which passage would work better for a four-to-eight-page literature analysis in an English literature course?

Stream-of-consciousness narration is a characteristic of modernist literature used widely in the 1920s.

The stream-of-consciousness narration in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway emphasizes the depth and complexity of the title character’s personality.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 2 of 10: Which passage would work better for a four-to-eight-page literature analysis in an English literature course?

3 of 10

Which passage would work better for a four-to-eight-page argument essay in an advanced composition course?

To alleviate the energy crisis in the United States, Congress should not promote an expansion of existing fossil fuel technologies but should subsidize states’ efforts to consume less energy.

Congress should try to alleviate the energy crisis in the United States by supporting state governments.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 3 of 10: Which passage would work better for a four-to-eight-page argument essay in an advanced composition course?

4 of 10

Which passage would work better for a six-to-twelve-page research paper in a world history course?

The Soviet Union began its nuclear weapons program after the US bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in World War II.

While the controversial bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima may have hastened the end of World War II, they also ushered in the cold war by prompting the Soviet Union to develop its own nuclear weapons program.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 4 of 10: Which passage would work better for a six-to-twelve-page research paper in a world history course?

5 of 10

Which passage would work better for a two-to-five-page visual analysis essay in an introductory composition course?

The Satin Body Wash advertisement uses muted flower images, a script font, and soft, rosy pastel colors.

The advertisement’s muted flower images, script font, and pastel colors communicate the core message that Satin Body Wash will give its users soft, petallike skin.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 5 of 10: Which passage would work better for a two-to-five-page visual analysis essay in an introductory composition course?

6 of 10

Which passage would work better for a four-to-eight-page argument essay in an advanced composition course?

In this essay, I will prove that border fences are both culturally and environmentally destructive; in my opinion, the government should abandon its efforts to build a fence along the US-Mexican border and should pursue other methods of increasing national security.

Because border fences are both culturally and environmentally destructive, the government should abandon its efforts to build a fence along the US-Mexican border and should pursue other methods of increasing national security.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 6 of 10: Which passage would work better for a four-to-eight-page argument essay in an advanced composition course?

7 of 10

Which passage would work better for a two-to-five-page argument essay in an introductory composition course?

Because students can learn as much from an engaging group discussion as they can from a teacher-centered lecture, the college should impose a campuswide attendance policy that discourages absenteeism.

Maintaining that students can learn as much from an engaging group discussion as they can from a teacher-centered lecture, the college trustees voted to create a campuswide attendance policy that discourages absenteeism.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 7 of 10: Which passage would work better for a two-to-five-page argument essay in an introductory composition course?

8 of 10

Which passage would work better for a four-to-eight-page literature analysis essay in an American literature course?

John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath is a powerful social-protest novel, similar to Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle.

John Steinbeck’s straightforward, journalistic prose in The Grapes of Wrath enhances the novel’s effectiveness as a work of social protest.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 8 of 10: Which passage would work better for a four-to-eight-page literature analysis essay in an American literature course?

9 of 10

Which passage would work better for a five-to-ten-page research paper for an introductory marine biology course?

Humpback whales are interesting animals that produce long, complex songs.

Though scientists admit that more research is needed, humpback whales most likely produce songs for mating, defense, and echolocation.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 9 of 10: Which passage would work better for a five-to-ten-page research paper for an introductory marine biology course?

10 of 10

Which passage would work better for a one-to-three-page persuasive letter to be published in the editorial section of a local newspaper?

The proposed parking garage will be built on Parker Square, one of our city’s most treasured natural, open spaces.

The parking garage proposed for Parker Square should not be built; it will not only destroy animal habitat but also rob citizens of one of our city’s most treasured natural, open spaces.

EXERCISE 1–6 Thesis statements - 10 of 10: Which passage would work better for a one-to-three-page persuasive letter to be published in the editorial section of a local newspaper?