Unguided Timed Practice for Restating the Question in the Form of a Thesis: In the unguided "timed" practice, you will see a TWE question. Then you have three minutes in which to write a thesis statement which forecasts the plan of your essay. Your goal is to take everything that you have learned so far in this course and use it in a timed setting. After you have read and decoded the question, don't forget to compile a short shopping list of ideas. Then create your thesis with the following characteristics: General statement about TWE question + main idea + three support points.
To illustrate, if you saw the TWE question,
Some people believe that it is very important to make large amounts of money, while others are satisfied to earn a comfortable living. Analyze each viewpoint and take a stand.
You could write a thesis such as this:
Some say it is important to make large amounts of money, perhaps for their children and grandchildren. They also believe that money will help them to lead a problem free life. Other people are satisfied to earn a comfortable living arguing that the more money they have, the more sleep they lose over it. Also, they believe that it is not fair for one person to be very rich while others are extremely poor. Each position deserves some discussion after which I will argue why I prefer the latter one.
This writer has written an effective thesis:
1. Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Sample thesis: Whenever there is available money from the government, people have varying ideas about where the money should go. Some people would like to have the money earmarked for possible space exploration, whereas others would like this money to be spent on basic needs on Earth. The available money will best be served to help the hungry, to improve medical facilities, and to enhance the quality of education, which is why I agree with the opnion that "governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth ".
2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Sample thesis: Perhaps, the most important thing a country can do is educate its children. In order to accomplish this, there must be well-trained teachers who can prepare these youngsters for future careers. So, should we pay teachers according to how much the students learn? Will this be the answer to ensuring a high quality of education. I think not. Learning cannot always be measured, there are external factors aside from teaching which may affect learning, and basing teachers' salary on students' learning would create added stress in schools both for students and faculty alike.
3. In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humor) that a person can have to be successful in life? Use specific reasons and examples from your experience to explain your answer. When you write your answer, you are not limited to the examples listed in the question.
Sample thesis: Many people define success as having respect, wealth, and power. But the $64,000 question is what the secret is in achieving these scarce societal resources. In this pursuit, it is important to consider certain qualities such as honesty, intelligence, and a sense of humor? While all of these are important qualities and while I recognize that there is no single quality that determines success, a person who is a hard worker will definitely have an advantage over others. A hard worker will gain respect from his co-workers, will amass a great deal of money for his company and himself, and will ultimately get a lot power over those who do not work as hard.
4. You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Sample thesis: My grandmother has a tradition of giving all of her grandchildren a $100 cash gift for their birthdays. Upon receiving the money, each of the grandchildren must decide how to spend the money-myself included. If I were given the choice to buy either a piece of jewelry I like or tickets to a concert I want to attend, I would choose the jewelry for its investment value. Also, the jewelry would be a constant reminder of my grandmother's generosity and love; it could also become a family heirloom that I could pass down to my children.
5. Businesses should hire employees for their entire lives. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: The decision to hire a worker and the decision for a worker to choose to work for a company is an important choice for both parties. The business owner has to choose how much of an investment he should make in an employee, which is why he must consider whether to hire a worker for his entire life. Moreover, the employee must decide how long he will work for the company. Should a business hire employees for their entire lives? The answer is no. A company's hiring and retention of an employee must be based on job performance, his compatibility with co-workers, and his leadership and potential management abilities.
6. Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why you think it has changed people's lives.
• automobiles• bicycles• airplanes.
Sample thesis: As the world changed from an agricultural society to a more industrialized one, there was a greater need for people to become more mobile. The invention of automobiles, bicycles, and airplanes have all revolutionized transportation by helping to meet this demand, albeit at different times in our history. But which of these three has made the greatest impact? The answer would have to be the automobile because it is more convenient, is more accessible, and caters to the demands of those living in urban environments, hence significantly changing those who can afford to pay for its luxury.
7. Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: There is a saying in some cultures: "dead men tell no tales." It means that people who have died in the past can not come back to tell us any stories. But even though they are dead and they cannot speak, we can learn from them and their past events. Disagreeing that "learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present," I believe the past can teach us about how we can help people in the present who are unemployed, it can teach us about how we can solve economic problems resulting from a downturn in the stock market, and it can teach us about what role the government can play in stimulating a country's economy. The U.S. Great Depression of the 1930s is a history lesson which has taught us these three things.
8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer
Sample thesis: With the invention of the Internet, a new form of technology, information has become more available to anyone who jumps onto the "Information Super Highway." And this is no exception for students, which is why I strongly agree that "with the help of technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly." Three technological results of the Internet, distance learning, online libraries, and popular search engines such as "Yahoo" and "Google" make it possible for students to learn extensive amounts of information and have access to it at lightning speeds.
9. The expression "Never, never give up" means to keep trying and never stop working for your goals. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: To disagree with this quote would be to discount the many businesspeople who went bankrupt several times before making their first million. Had they given up and stopped working for their goals, they would have never been able to achieve success. Consequently, a person should never give up on his goals. Had I given up on my educational, career, and my physical fitness goals, I would have never achieved the success I am experiencing today. My current success in these areas implies that I agree with the expression "never, never give up."
10. Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important
than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: We live in a world with a population of approximately 6.5 billion people. This ever increasing population demands farmland, housing, and industry, which in some cases makes it difficult to save land for endangered species. Despite this drawback (i.e., not saving land for endangered species), I agree that "human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered animals." All countries have a responsibility to feed the hungry, to provide shelter for the homeless, and to create jobs for the unemployed. Once we have accomplished these basic objectives, we can set aside additional land for endangered species.
11. What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Sample thesis: Every person would like to have a successful job, have a lucrative income, and be able to move up the corporate ladder. But what skills would allow a person to accomplish these things? Having a skill for working with computers (i.e., programming, webmastering) would certainly help someone achieve success for the following reasons: 1). Computer skills are in high demand in the job market right now. 2). Computer related jobs command high salaries. 3). A computer programmer or engineer has many opportunities for promotion
12. Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: Most people take time from their busy schedules for recreation such as boating, hiking, and snow skiing. However, there is a small percentage of people who participate in more dangerous forms of activities, which in some cases puts their lives in grave danger. While the first group recreates for leisure and entertainment purposes, the second group is attracted to more dangerous activities because they are addicted to the adrenalin rush of "dancing with death." Consider the sport of base jumping, an extremely unsafe and often illegal sport, whose participants consist of an elite group who must be extremely skilled at each and every jump.
13. Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Sample thesis: There are many important things to consider when going on vacation, one of which is to choose the company that a person will keep. Some vacationers like to travel with a companion such as a significant other or a close friend while other people prefer to travel alone. Of the two choices, I prefer to travel with a companion with whom I can share my good experiences, with whom I can plan out our daily activities, and with whom I can divide the costs of food, hotel, and entertainment.
14. Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day's work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Sample thesis: Work is a part of most adults' routines, the schedules sometimes varying from getting up early in the morning and starting the day's work to getting up later in the day and working until late at night. Upon thinking about these two choices, I remembered a saying popular in American culture which has influenced my way of thinking since I was a child: "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." As a student and former employee of an accounting firm in Taipei, Taiwan, I have found each aspect of this quote to be true.
15. What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: Desiring to be proud of their children's accomplishments, parents hope that their children will pass on a respectable legacy to future generations. But what type of qualities do parents want their children to possess? Obedience, honesty, and perseverance, three qualities which haven't changed much over the last few generations, are preferred by most parents. Each quality will ensure that children will be able to prepare for getting good jobs and for raising successful families.
16. Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
Sample thesis: After graduating from college, I suppose it will be important for me to decide whether to work for a large or a small company. Though there are legitimate reasons for choosing to work for a small company, I would prefer to work for a larger company since it will provide better health care, a more secure retirement plan, and more opportunities for advancement, hence giving me a strong sense of security and belonging to a company.
17. People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to support your answer.
Sample thesis: The obvious reason that people work is to be remunerated for their efforts. But aside from that, are there other reasons that people work? The need to express creativity, the desire to accomplish difficult tasks, and the altruistic desire to help others are additional factors that encourage people to work. These three reasons make a job a worthwhile, stimulating endeavor.
18. Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your opinion, where does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: Every person desires success whether it be defined as having a lot of money or having a lot of influential friends. Some people believe that they can achieve these things by taking risks or chances. Conversely, others believe that success results from careful planning. In my opinion, success comes by hard work, by effective networking with people in positions of power, and by making conservative investments in the New York Stock Exchange.
19. What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Sample thesis: Though I am proud of my hometown and though I like the many options it offers young adults such as myself (i.e., movie theaters, fun parks, and bars), there is one thing that my city could do to become more attractive to people my age--my hometown should build a singles' lounge. Building a singles' lounge would give single people a central location in which to meet, it would allow them to date and hang out with others of the same age and status, and it would save them a lot of gas and time since they would not have to drive to other cities to socialize.
20. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One should never judge a person by external appearances. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Sample thesis: I agree that "one should never judge a person by external appearances" despite the saying that the first impression is the best impression. Aside from external appearances such as dress, body language, speech style and clothes, a person has internal qualities such as compassion, honesty, and humor. It is more important to judge a person based on these internal qualities, for they will determine what kind of friend this person will really be.
21.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person should never make an important decision alone. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: There is a saying in my culture: "He who claims that he can live alone is either a God or a beast." This saying implies that must rely on others in order to live. This seems especially true when one needs to make an important decision. Consider the case of buying a house. To make this decision, one would need to consult with family, with a real estate agent, and with people in the new neighborhood. Consequently, I agree that "a person should never make an important decision alone."
22. A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: As a lover of the arts and a protector of the environment, I would find this a very difficult decision to make. On the one hand, the arts provide culture, entertainment and beauty to the community. On the other hand, the environment is fragile and in great need of additional funds, which is why I would like to see the company donate its money to the environment. Just outside of my city is a large lake, from which drinking water is taken. The money could be used to clean up debris that has been thrown into the lake, it could be used to set up a water purifying plant to filter the water, and it could be used to restock the lake with freshwater fish.
23. Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: Watching movies is a great way to escape the stresses of daily life. Some people view serious movies (i.e., Titantic, Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan), perhaps so they can think critically and pose questions about serious societal issues. Others prefer to watch amusing or entertaining movies (i.e., Meet the Parents, American Pie, and Rat Race), perhaps so they can laugh and relax from a hard day's work. Personally, I prefer serious movies because they can cause us to concentrate on some of the problems we have in our society, they can stimulate our critical thinking abilities, and they can be educational.
24. Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done. Other people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: In choosing whether to be in a hurry to go places and do things or to take time and live life at a slower pace, I would definitely have to say that I agree with the latter point of view. Living life at a slower pace reduces stress, allows us to learn the important virtue of patience, and gives us the opportunity "to take time to smell the roses."
25. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Games are as important for adults as they are for children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: Since I am advocate of the saying that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," I agree that "games are as important for adults as they are for children." Adult games such as bowling, golf, and basketball reduce stress, give adults a chance to exercise, and help them to establish solid relationships among family, friends, and co-workers.
26. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15 to 18 year-old) teenage children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Sample thesis: As the children get older into their teens, they gradually begin to interact with peers outside of family. And with these interactions, teens have important decisions to make (i.e., dating partners, choosing friends, and setting academic goals). Wanting the best for their children, parents sometimes make some of these decisions for their teens. However, teenagers need to learn how to become independent, they need to be able to learn from their mistakes, and they need to grow mentally and emotionally, which is why I disagree that "parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15 to 18 year-old) teenage children."
27. What do you want most in a friend -- someone who is intelligent, or someone who has a sense of humor, or someone who is reliable? Which one of these characteristics is most important to you? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.
Sample thesis: My father once told me: "If you can find five good friends in your lifetime, you have probably lived a life worth living." Since then I have looked for friends with certain qualities, friends who would be around in both good and bad times. In considering the qualities of intelligence, humor, or reliability, I would have to choose the quality of reliability as being the most important. A reliable friend will follow through on commitments, will help teach me to be reliable as well, and will be capable of being depended on.
28. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future. Use reasons and specific examples to support our answer. Some people prefer to work for themselves or own a business.
Sample thesis: Unfortunately, life is not just a field of roses. There are many thorns that prick us along the way. But is there something that we can learn from these hardships? Yes, therefore, I agree that difficult times can be valuable lessons for the future. In High School, I was cut from the soccer team. From that difficult experience, I learned how important consistency, teamwork, and obedience is to being part of a team. I learned to develop these three qualities after being dropped from the soccer team.
29. Some people choose to be self-employed or own a business. Others prefer to work for an employer. Would you rather be self-employed, work for someone else, or own a business? Use specific reasons to explain your choice.
Sample thesis: Many people are either small business owners or are self-employed while others prefer to work for a company. While working for oneself or owning a business has its advantages such as freedom to control one's finances, and the luxury to not have to answer to a boss, I still prefer to work for a company. Working for a company will give me job security, health benefits, and a regular job routine.
30. Should a city try to preserve its old, historic buildings or destroy them and replace them with modern buildings? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Sample thesis: As a city grows, there is less available commercial space, in which case the zoning commission, or the committee in charge of issuing new building permits, must decide whether or not to tear down old, historic buildings. While I recognize the need to modernize a city, I believe that old buildings should not be torn down if its historical significance relates to artifacts or pioneers who settled the city, if the building was constructed prior to 1900, and if the building once housed a famous politician or celebrity of yesteryear.
31. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child's success in school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: It can't be denied that classmates have a profound influence on a child's success in school. However, parents influence a child more since they are the ones who motivate the child to study, they are the ones who make sure the child completes the homework assignments, and they are the ones who provide a loving environment in which learning can take place. Therefore, I disagree that "classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child's success in school."
32. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Do you agree or disagree that progress is always good? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: Whenever I hear absolute words such as "always," I immediately become skeptical. On the one hand, there is no argument that we need progress and that it is beneficial to a society. But, on the other hand, is it always beneficial? I would have to say no since sometimes progress can encroach on our environment causing destruction to forests, fresh water sources, and animals.