Choose one of the broad topics from the list below.
The Electoral College in the US
Learning to Speak another Language
Going to an Online University
Immigration
Art and Artists
Owning a Home
The Director’s Role in Filmmaking
Repairing a Car Engine
The Environment
Music
Refine your chosen topic to something manageable; it is impossible, for example, to write all there is to know about music.
Too broad: Many musicians have had a great influence on history.
Refined: Beethoven’s accomplishments as a musician, his loss of hearing, and his continued influence on today’s music make him one of the finest composers of all time.
Write a thesis statement that includes the refined topic + argument/assertion + 3-point map.
Example below.
Music
Refined Topic: Music is the best form of art.
Thesis Statement: Music is the best form of art because it is universal, easily created by anyone, and requires no external tool to create.
Topic Sentence with transition words:
(Body Paragraph 1) First, music is universal and able to be found in any culture around the world
(Body Paragraph 2) Furthermore, most people are able to sing, although there are different levels of being able to sing.
(Body Paragraph 3) Finally, no external tools are required to make music which makes it more accessible than other types of art.
