Persuasion -- From Topic to Thesis

How to select a topic and develop a thesis:

1. Choose a topic.
2. Narrow the topic.
3. Write a thesis.

1. How to choose a general topic for your persuasive speech/essay:
   • Consult this list of persuasive speech/essay topics.
   • Pick an issue or subject that you really care about.
     Do you feel passionate about this topic? Do you care about it?
   • Pick something that is extremely controverial.
     Are there two sides to the topic? Is there a reason to persuage people to think a certain way about this topic?
   • Pick something for which there is evidence.
     Can you find sources? (in the high school library? the public library?)
   • Pick something that your audience will be interested in hearing.
   • Pick something that is not overdone.
   
   Example: Year round school.
   
2. How to go from a general topic to a narrowed topic:
   • Decide whether you are for or against your issue.
     Why do people need to be persuaded about this topic?
   • Put your topic in a question form and answer it.
     Usually this question will begin with the world "should" and can be answered with a "yes" or "no."
   
   Example: Should the school year be extended year round?
   
3. How to go from a narrowed topic to a thesis:
   (The thesis is the main idea of your speech/paper. It is the point you are going to prove.)
• Reword your question into a statement.
  If you want to, include your best support or an overall phrase about your ideas.
• Make it unique - it will make your topic more interesting and fun.
  
  -- from http://www.personal.kent.edu/~hnsmith/topichow.htm