Hello, I need help with my thesis stement. This is my essential question: To what degree can an individuals choice and actions influence the direction of his and hers life?
This is my thesis: "Our choices and actions have a significant impact the direction of our lives because it shapes the way we live, and more importantly, it affects others around."
Thanks.
2 years ago
Answered By Ravonna D
Firstly, your statement is not worded correctly. The correct wording of your statement would be:"Our choices and actions have a significant impact ON the direction of our lives because THEY shape the way we live, and more importantly, they affect others around us."However, I feel your statement is not strong enough. The purpose of the thesis statement is to take a stand on the issue.
An individual's choices and actions affect the direction of their life because...or An individual's choices and actions do not affect the direction of their life because...
But your 'because' needs to be much more specific. Basically what you have said here is
Someone's choices affect their life because they do.
This is not a compelling argument. The specific question is "TO WHAT DEGREE?" A little or a lot? "Significant" is not specific enough. Think of your own choices in life - Where should I go to school? What should I study? Should I stay here or go away? What should I care about? Whom should I marry? What do I want out of life? Do you believe you have the power to steer your life in a conscious direction, or do you believe stuff will just happen and you're just along for the ride? You make a choice, you take an action based on that choice, you get a result. Do the choices you make now affect you going into your future or not? How much? Why or why not?
Also, the question specifically asks about 'AN INDIVIDUAL' and 'THEIR LIFE', it does not ask how an individual's choices affect other people. This is not relevant to the question, so it is not 'more important'.I hope that helps, this one is really tough! I've seen this question come up again and again, so know you're not alone! Let me know if I can help more. Happy Writing!Ravonna
2 years ago
Answered By Ravonna D
Firstly, your statement is not worded correctly. The correct wording of your statement would be:"Our choices and actions have a significant impact ON the direction of our lives because THEY shape the way we live, and more importantly, they affect others around us."However, I feel your statement is not strong enough. The purpose of the thesis statement is to take a stand on the issue.
An individual's choices and actions affect the direction of their life because...or An individual's choices and actions do not affect the direction of their life because...
But your 'because' needs to be much more specific. Basically what you have said here is
Someone's choices affect their life because they do.
This is not a compelling argument. The specific question is "TO WHAT DEGREE?" A little or a lot? "Significant" is not specific enough. Think of your own choices in life - Where should I go to school? What should I study? Should I stay here or go away? What should I care about? Whom should I marry? What do I want out of life? Do you believe you have the power to steer your life in a conscious direction, or do you believe stuff will just happen and you're just along for the ride? You make a choice, you take an action based on that choice, you get a result. Do the choices you make now affect you going into your future or not? How much? Why or why not?
Also, the question specifically asks about 'AN INDIVIDUAL' and 'THEIR LIFE', it does not ask how an individual's choices affect other people. This is not relevant to the question, so it is not 'more important'.I hope that helps, this one is really tough! I've seen this question come up again and again, so know you're not alone! Let me know if I can help more. Happy Writing!Ravonna