July 2013

How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Persuasive or Expository Essay

by Brianna Mei on July 9, 2013

When people write a persuasive or an expository essay, it is mandatory to have a thesis statement. A persuasive essay is when people make a opinion on a topic and try to convince and change other people’s minds. A expository essay is an essay that goes in depth into analyzing a topic.  A thesis statement is a sentence that is put at the end of the introductory paragraph and states the main points of the argument or the topic of the essay.  It provides limits to the scope of the paper.

 

The pattern of thesis statement is:

 

1.What do you want to write about?

Example:  Seeing a real dinosaur.

 

2.What is your opinion of the topic?

 

Example: It would be very interesting and cool to see a real dinosaur.

 

3.What is the main reason supporting your opinion?

 

Example: Dinosaurs have many different abilities compared to human beings.

 

4.What is another reason supporting your opinion?

 

Example: Dinosaurs are extinct now, so no one can see one anymore.

 

5.What is another reason supporting your opinion?

 

Example: They have fascinating physical features.

 

Then, you add these answers up: Therefore/Thus, 2 because 3,4 and 5

 

Therefore, it would be very interesting and cool to see a real dinosaur because dinosaurs have many different abilities compared to human beings, dinosaurs are extinct now, so no one can see one anymore, and they have fascinating physical features.

 

After the thesis statement, write the body paragraphs according to the reasons supporting your opinion in the thesis.  Your body paragraphs should follow the same order as they are listed in your thesis.

 

This formula makes writing a thesis for a persuasive or expository essay much easier.  For more help with essay writing or essay editing, find a tutor with Think Out Here.

 

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How to Survive Grade 8 (from a student at Little Flower Academy in Vancouver)

by Phoebe on July 3, 2013

Many think that Little Flower Academy (LFA) is a scary, academically-driven school with terrifying nuns that hunt down girls from wearing makeup and short kilts.  However, it is nothing like that at all.  LFA is a very normal school; there are high expectations, but that is what makes the school great.  The only exception from a public school is that it is all-girls and girls need to wear uniforms.

Grade 8 is not easy to survive.  For a girl new to high school, many problems, such as teachers, homework, projects, and peers, can be hard to manage.  However, being aware of the academic expectations, the policies and rules, and the daily life, helps when trying to survive grade 8 at LFA.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Category A: Academics

1) Lined Paper: Even though it seems obvious to have your own lined paper, it is important to have enough.  It seems like we go through whole trees in each class.  Keep a good supply, and you’ll be in good shape.

2) French: Many students declare their hatred for French.  Do not worry.  If you study and pay attention in class, it will be fine.  Rien set impossible, non?  The French tests are not that difficult.  They are mostly in multiple choice format.

3) Tests:  We get a lot of tests; probably every week or two.  At times, it can be three subject tests in one day. The majority of the tests/quizzes come from social studies.

4) Social Studies: Many students consider socials a “deadly” subject.  You will need to memorize a lot of facts and dates.  Teachers like to give out a lot of quizzes that do not count for a lot of marks, but they are good practice for exams.  Teachers also give out assignments and paragraphs to write.  Be prepared for a lot of work!

5) Projects: Most of the projects are from Socials class. The teacher gives you a very short amount of time for each assignment.

 

Category B: Policies and Rules

1) Uniforms: Many girls get in the habit of rolling up their skirts to make “mini-kilts”.  Our school allows girls to roll it up once only, and shirts can only have the top two buttons undone!

2) Honour Roll/Distinction: To get on Honour Roll, you need an average of 86% and above.  To get on Distinction, you average needs to be 80-85%.

3) Rules: School starts at 8:17am, and Homeroom starts at 8:20.  Do not be late.  If you are, you will need a late slip from the office, and it goes on your report card.  It does not look good.

 

Category C: Socializing

1) Contact with Other Schools: LFA participates in many sports events that involve other schools.  Most of them are Catholic schools, such as Notre Dame, St. John Brebeuf, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Thomas Moore.  This year, we hosted the provincial volleyball championships, so we interacted with various schools in BC.

2) Brother School: Vancouver College (VC), an all-boys Catholic school in Vancouver, is the brother school of LFA.  At the beginning of the year, we invited the VC boys over for an Internet Safety seminar.  Moreover, our LFA proms include the VC boys.

 

Now that you know a little bit more about LFA, you do not have to worry about grade 8.  You can just concentrate on working hard, making friends, and trying out new clubs and activities!

 

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