Thesis Response Instructions

You will read each of your classmates' theses and offer a brief response. You may write whatever you like as long as you keep your response constructive. Here are some things to consider:

• Do you agree or disagree with the thesis? Why or why not?
• What are some counterarguments to the thesis?
• What would it take to persuade you to agree with the thesis?
• Is the thesis arguable? If not, what would it take to make it more arguable?
• Do you know much about the topic? What?
• What would you like to know about the topic?
• Does the thesis matter to someone somewhere? Why or why not? If not, how could the focus be shifted?
• What is the most interesting aspect of the thesis?
• What do you think the author most needs to hear?

Here are some sample responses:

• I agree that the new World Trade Center tower is unimaginative, but demolishing it is an extreme and impractical proposal.
• What does the pork industry say about your proposal to alter school lunches?
• "Black male kindergarten teachers" is more of a topic than a claim. What can you say about them? Do we need more of them? Would they be good role models?
• I love the idea of banning cars from downtowns, but I don't think the auto industry would ever let this happen.
• Why does it matter that accordion sales have been declining steadily since the 1950s? Isn't this fairly obvious?
• Is it possible to prove that the Eagles have the best logo in the NFL? Isn't this more a matter of opinion?