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UNIT 7 - Thesis Statements

Exercise 1

For each of the following, decide whether it is a general topic (GT), narrowed topic (NT), argumentative thesis statement (ATS), or report thesis statement (RTS). Start by deciding if the sentence is a grammatically complete (that is, whether it has a full verb and is an independent clause). If it is a complete sentence, then it will be either a report thesis statement or an argumentative thesis statement. If it is not a complete sentence, then it states either a general topic or a narrowed topic.

1. Small business enterprises in China's northern regions.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

2. Cotton is a subtropical plant that has many uses.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

3. Although many medical students study in foreign countries, it is better to do medical training in one's own country.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

4. Despite the fact that most people believe that the Knights Templars Order disappeared after its trial, there is some evidence that the Order was maintained and became the current Masonic Order.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

5. Use of an EKG recorded during twenty-four hours in the diagnosis, evaluation, and rehabilitation of patients with arrhythmias.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

6. Languages of the world.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

7. Because Italy is in danger of losing an important part of its cultural tradition -- opera, the Italian government should step in and try to make it more accessible to the public and encourage new talent.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

8. The piano as a keyboard instrument.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

9. Keyboard instruments are of many types.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS

10. Schools need to train students to play keyboard instruments because it builds hand-eye coordination, as well as developing a love for music.

GT

NT

ATS

RTS




Exercise 2

1. Which of the following is a general topic?

Funding for the internet in Japan

The Japanese government should promote the development of the infrastructure for the internet using state funds

The internet in Japan

The Japanese government has promoted the use of the internet in some ways

2. Which of the following is a narrowed topic?

Different people and cultures have different ways of taking baths

Soaking one's body in a hot tub as a way of improving health and composure

In spite of some disadvantages, soaking one's body in tepid water in a bathtub is more effective than just taking a shower

Ways of washing one's body

3. Which of the following is an argumentative thesis statement?

Effective application and development of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is an important and developing field within Computer Science and is getting more and more attention

Artificial Intelligence: An important and developing field in Computer Science

Artificial Intelligence researchers should not try to make computers think like people but should instead try to develop computers that will have special applications only

4. Which of the following is a report thesis statement?

The market for vending machines is so competitive that we can see a variety of them everywhere

Vending machines in office buildings

The history and development of vending machines for the mass consumer market

Although many office buildings have some vending machines, there are not enough small, convenient machines, so vending machine companies must make more effort to meet this demand

5. Which of the following is a general topic?

City planning as an art and science.

There are three important aspects of city planning: people, buildings, and services such as electricity supply.

Issues in city planning.

City planners must get together with sociologists and anthropologists in order to improve designs for future cities.

6. Which of the following is a narrowed topic?

Problems of the United Nations.

The cost of maintaining the United Nations buildings in New York.

The United Nations organization should be abolished.

There are three major problems with the United Nations organization.

7. Which of the following is an argumentative thesis statement?

Lima beans are an excellent source of nutrition.

There are many different types of corn that can be used to feed humans and animals.

Soy beans should be cultivated more widely.

Milk is a good source of nutrition.

8. Which of the following is a report thesis statement?

Epidemics must be controlled by persuading all people to accept immunization.

Three ways of controlling the spread of disease are to be described.

Immunization of all of the world's population.

Persuading people through media campaigns to accept immunization.

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