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Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Writing Workshop: Persuasive Writing

For Students 4th - 8th Standards
This site has a great unit that leads students all the way through the writing process while composing a persuasive paper. Includes a teacher guide, mini-lessons, assessment rubric, and worksheets to help out at each step of the way.
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Activity
University of Washington

Guide to Writing Thesis Statements

For Students 9th - 10th
These guidelines show how to write effective thesis statements with examples of effective and ineffective statements.
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Handout
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School

Cambridge Rindge & Latin School: Writing a Thesis Statement

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An excellent tip sheet for creating and perfecting a thesis statement. Also includes information about statement of purpose and examples.
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Handout
University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania: The Thesis Statement

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has an examination of five different thesis statements with examples of how to write each of the statements.
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Handout
Indiana University

Indiana University: How to Write a Thesis Statement

For Students 9th - 10th
This page defines the thesis statement and tells how to develop one when the topic is assigned and when the topic is not assigned. Also gives guidelines for determining whether the thesis statement is strong or weak.
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Handout
Other

Livingston: Basic Guide to Essay Writing

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This tutorial lists and discusses the steps to writing a good essay and provides a downloadable guide. It also allows you to view a sample essay. W.11-12.2a Intro/Format
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Handout
University of Wisconsin

Univ. Of Wisconsin Madison: Writing Center: Thesis and Purpose Statements

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Explains the thesis statement and distinguishes it from the purpose statement. Gives an example of a paragraph containing both. Be sure try the link at the bottom of the page, "Developing a Thesis Statement." This page goes into further...
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Handout
The Write Place

Literacy Education Online: Thesis Statement

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes the thesis statement in a series of "A thesis is a ____, not a ____" statements. Gives examples of improper and improved thesis statements.