Sample Thesis Statements

Buckley:

I agree strongly with Buckley’s theories.  I think that American people do not complain in situations where a complaint is needed.

Estrada:

As Richard Estrada pointed out, the names of the teams are very controversial in our society today.  In my opinion, the names of the teams are not meant to ridicule, exploit, and/or diminish the Native American in our society today.  Rather, the names are a symbol of pride and are only meant to bring positive outcomes to our society.

Etzioni:

I can’t say that fast food jobs are made for everyone, but I don’t think they are as bad as Etzioni’s essay made them out to be.

In the essay, Etzioni shares his strong belief that working, especially at McDonald’s-type restaurants, is bad for teenagers.  I would agree that working is not a good thing for teenagers under some circumstances, but at other times it is good.

What kinds of jobs, then, would be useful for teens, and what jobs would help make good choices and decisions?  I believe that there are plenty of jobs that would be excellent life-long learning experiences for teens.

Jackson:

I believe the liberal arts curriculum, although expensive and time-consuming, is a vital part of a college education that can only shape who you are as a professional, but also who you are as a person.

King:

On the whole, like King, I believe horror movies, and all other movies, are important, and we watch them for basically the same reasons.

King is right to a certain degree, but he should have used a different genre is his essay.  Science fiction makes people think.  Sci-fi stimulates the brain with intelligent stories, characters, and ideas.  The moral public should crave sci-fi movies rather than horror flicks to stay sane in this world.

On the whole, my opinion of King’s essay is that it is highly assuming and generalizing of society.

I partially agree with one of these points and disagree all together with the other.

Reflecting on these three arguments, I agree with King that there are both normal and not so normal reasons why we crave horror movies.

Sarton:

I, however, disagree that a solitary life is the best way to live, and I have some interesting information to support my beliefs.

Zinsser:

While I agree with Zinsser that these four kinds of pressure exist, I also think that there are new and different pressures today.