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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.
A Practice Sequence: Developing a Working Thesis
Below is a series of working theses. Read each one and then identify the model — misinterpretations, gap, modification, or hypothesis-testing — that it represents. Use the space provided to answer each question. Click the “submit” button for each question to turn in your work. The activities below will help you practice the strategies of observing, asking questions, and examining alternatives. See Chapter 6, Developing a Working Thesis: Four Models in your book.
1. A number of studies indicate that violence on television has a detrimental effect on adolescent behavior. However, few researchers have examined key environmental factors like peer pressure, music, and home life. In fact, I would argue that many researchers have oversimplified the problem.
A successful response to this question will consider the concepts reviewed in Chapter 6. Refer to Chapter 6, From Formulating to Developing a Thesis as you reflect on your response to this activity.
2. Although recent studies of voting patterns in the United States indicate that young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are apathetic, I want to suggest that not all of the reasons these studies provide are valid.
A successful response to this question will consider the concepts reviewed in Chapter 6. Refer to Chapter 6, From Formulating to Developing a Thesis as you reflect on your response to this activity.
3. Some reformers have assumed that increasing competition will force public schools to improve the quality of education, but it seems that a number of recent initiatives can be used to explain why students have begun to flourish in math and reading, particularly in the primary grades.
A successful response to this question will consider the concepts reviewed in Chapter 6. Refer to Chapter 6, From Formulating to Developing a Thesis as you reflect on your response to this activity.
4. It is clear that cities need to clean up the dilapidated housing projects that were built over half a century ago; but few, if any, studies have examined the effects of doing so on the life chances of those people who are being displaced.
A successful response to this question will consider the concepts reviewed in Chapter 6. Refer to Chapter 6, From Formulating to Developing a Thesis as you reflect on your response to this activity.
5. More and more policymakers argue that English should be the national language in the United States. Although I agree that English is important, we should not limit people’s right to maintain their own linguistic and cultural identity.
A successful response to this question will consider the concepts reviewed in Chapter 6. Refer to Chapter 6, From Formulating to Developing a Thesis as you reflect on your response to this activity.