Topic: Children should/should not be exposed to computer technology until late in the education process because computers often distract young learners from learning the basics.

POST 1: (5 to 6 lines long) 

1. What is your selected topic (See a list of topics in the Syllabus).

2. What is your argument (Take aside).

3. What is your audience?

4. What is your working thesis/essay map?

5. What is your counterargument (The argument from the other side)?

[Note that this thesis statement is only ONE sentence long. Yours should be, too. It should include the specific argument plus three supporting elements as illustrated here.]

EXAMPLE:

TOPIC: Suicide rates in the state of Wyoming

Purpose: I intend to argue that weather events are most responsible for the high number of suicides in Wyoming.

Audience: My audience will consist of my peers and my professor. 

Working Thesis Statement/Essay map: The high winds (1), lengthy cold weather (2), and furious snowstorms (3) contribute greatly to the suicide rates in the state of Wyoming.

[Note that this thesis statement is only ONE sentence long. Yours should be, too. It should include the specific argument plus three supporting elements as illustrated here.]

Counter argument: Many people do not believe that suicides occur in such a calm state, or they may not understand how weather can cause challenges for the citizens’ state of mind.