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Student Question

How can I state a thesis about "single mothers" in an argumentative essay?

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First, what is your argument? That single moms should finish their education? That single moms need to receive more benefits from the state? That single moms are the hardest workers?

Your thesis must contain whatever your argument is.

Some teachers want you to have a 3-part thesis statement. If yours is one of those teachers, you will also need to include the THREE REASONS YOU ARE RIGHT about your opinion.

For example, if your opinion is that Jiffy Peanut Butter is the best kind of peanut butter you must give 3 reasons why:

Jiffy Peanut Butter is far superior to any other type of peanut butter because it is the creamiest, most flavorful and least expensive.

Then, in your essay, you would have an intro paragraph, a para about how creamy it is, a para about how flavorful it is, and a para about how it so cheap and then a conclusion para.

Remember--this is an argumentation essay! You must focus on WHY YOU ARE RIGHT!

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I think that your thesis statement is having a bit of trouble because you will need to point out something distinctive and unique about single mothers that you will be proving in the course of your paper.  If you are focusing on why there are many challenges in being a single mother, perhaps your thesis should be something like, "There are many social and economic challenges in being a single mother."  If you are focusing on the strength in being a single mother, perhaps something like this:  "Being a single mother requires a tremendous amount of strength and courage."  I think that you need to determine A)  What your paper is going to say about single mothers (what point you will prove) and B)  How can you summarize this point in one clear, distinct, and effective sentence.  When you have both of these, you have got your thesis statement.

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