Question

here is a pro & con t - chart for an essay about cell - phones being allowed in classrooms.
thesis statement: cell phones should not be allowed in university classrooms.
pro

1. cell phones distract students from learning if they send messages or play games in class.
2. cell phones might ring in class and disturb the teacher.
3. students could use cell phones to cheat on tests.

con

1. cell phones can easily be turned off and kept out of sight.
2. university students are not children and cellphones are important in an emergency.
3. cell phones can be useful tools for education such as being used as a dictionary or to make memos.

activity brainstorming supporting ideas
read the thesis statements and complete the pro & con t - charts. write three ideas to support each statement. then write three ideas against each statement. finally, choose an original topic and write a thesis statement of your own. then fill in the pros and cons for your new topic.

1. thesis statement: adults should be required to pass a test before they can become parents.

pro
1.
2.
3.
con
1.
2.
3.

1. thesis statement: the drinking age in japan should be lowered to 18 years old.

pro
1.
2.
3.
con
1.
2.
3.

1. original thesis statement:

pro
1.
2.
3.
con
1.
2.
3.

Explanation:

1. Thesis: Adults should be required to pass a test before they can become parents

• PRO:
• Ensures parents have basic child - care knowledge. Parents need to know how to feed, bathe, and care for a baby's basic needs.
• Reduces child abuse and neglect. Knowledgeable parents are less likely to harm or neglect their children.
• Helps in raising well - adjusted children. Properly prepared parents can contribute to a child's healthy development.
• CON:
• Infringes on personal freedom. People have the right to start a family without such restrictions.
• Difficult to standardize the test. It's hard to define what exactly should be on the test.
• Discriminates against certain groups. Lower - income or less - educated people may be unfairly affected.

1. Thesis: The drinking age in Japan should be lowered to 18 years old

• PRO:
• Treats 18 - year - olds as adults. At 18, people are considered adults in many other aspects like voting.
• Can boost the economy. More young consumers can contribute to the alcohol industry.
• Allows for more responsible drinking education. Starting earlier may lead to better long - term drinking habits.
• CON:
• Increases health risks. Younger people's bodies may be more vulnerable to alcohol's effects.
• May lead to more drunk - driving accidents. Inexperienced young drivers and alcohol are a dangerous combination.
• Encourages underage drinking culture. Lowering the age may send the wrong message to younger teens.

1. ORIGINAL Thesis statement: Public transportation should be free for all

• PRO:
• Reduces traffic congestion. More people will use public transport instead of driving.
• Increases access for low - income groups. Everyone can afford to travel, improving equality.
• Reduces carbon emissions. More public transport use means fewer cars on the road.
• CON:
• High cost for the government. Funding free public transport can be a huge financial burden.
• Potential over - crowding. With free access, more people may use it, leading to overcrowded buses and trains.
• Decrease in service quality. Lack of revenue may lead to reduced maintenance and service levels.

Answer:

1. Thesis: Adults should be required to pass a test before they can become parents

• PRO:
• 1. Ensures basic child - care knowledge.
• 2. Reduces child abuse and neglect.
• 3. Helps in raising well - adjusted children.
• CON:
• 1. Infringes on personal freedom.
• 2. Difficult to standardize the test.
• 3. Discriminates against certain groups.

1. Thesis: The drinking age in Japan should be lowered to 18 years old

• PRO:
• 1. Treats 18 - year - olds as adults.
• 2. Can boost the economy.
• 3. Allows for more responsible drinking education.
• CON:
• 1. Increases health risks.
• 2. May lead to more drunk - driving accidents.
• 3. Encourages underage drinking culture.

1. ORIGINAL Thesis statement: Public transportation should be free for all

• PRO:
• 1. Reduces traffic congestion.
• 2. Increases access for low - income groups.
• 3. Reduces carbon emissions.
• CON:
• 1. High cost for the government.
• 2. Potential over - crowding.
• 3. Decrease in service quality.