Argument & Thesis Statements

Main navigation, rhetorical mad libs.

In this activity, student groups experiment with different rhetorical appeals and strategies of argumentation (assigned randomly) to write a fake letter to a specific audience.

Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Workshops

These two activities are designed to introduce students to the idea of a thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis essay and provide structured peer feedback on their draft thesis statement.

The Empath, the Sweetheart, and the Skeptic

This innovative modification of a peer response activity asks students to pitch their thesis statements to each other in small groups, with respondents playing the roles of an active listener (empath), a "Sweetheart" (someone who really loves the thesis statement), and then the Skeptic (someone critical of the thesis statement).  

Identifying Warrants or Assumptions

This activity is designed for students to work through the warrants and assumptions they may have for their arguments and identify possible gaps at the early stage of the research process. They can use this activity to consolidate the research process and locate useful sources and materials to formulate a coherent argument.

Evolving Your RA Argument

In this workshop, students apply the Evolving Thesis method to their RA pre-write, using the pre-write as a foundation to develop their first working thesis. 

Visualizing the Argument

Through creative use of the whiteboard, this activity challenges students to think creatively about their developing research arguments to re-assess what they truly wanted to argue in their upcoming RBA.

The Elevator Pitch

This speaking activity encourages students to focus their argument by asking them to construct a pithy, brief "pitch" that they iteratively revise after delivering.

The Elevator Pitch with Peer Response

This activity helps students continue to develop their focus and argument for their RBAs. It is intended to show students that research is an ongoing process.

Find additional activities here:

Jumbo ‘Spectra’ Worksheets for Narrowing Topics and Locating Positions

Types of Argument

Reaching In to Reach Out to Skeptical Readers

Prestwick House

Top 3 Product Matches

Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Retail Price: $9.95 Our Price: $7.46 or less

Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Reproducible

Our Price: $19.95

Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Downloadable PDF File

Our Price: $14.95

Free Lesson Plans For Teachers

Sign up to get the latest posters, lesson plans, eBooks, puzzles, How to Teach guides, and webinars - for free!

  • Crossword Puzzles
  • Lesson Plans
  • How to Teach Guides
  • Other Resources

Writing a Thesis Statement

Writing a Thesis Statement Free Lesson Plan

Here is a guided writing workshop to teach students how to brainstorm and draft a thesis statement. This activity provides students an opportunity to consider their prompt and develop a claim that is effective and arguable. Three handouts are included in each download, with the teacher version also containing instructions on how to conduct the workshop.

This lesson plan can be used with any persuasive, argumentative, or research-based essay.

Newsletter Signup

Information and Products

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Popular Searches
  • Payment Information
  • Grammar & Writing
  • More Resources
  • Order By Catalog Code

Customer Service

1.800.932.4593

Connect With Us

Copyright 2024 Prestwick House. All Rights Reserved.

Norton Shopping Guarantee