Question

HELP? I need help formulating a thesis statement!

My Prompt:
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
Often we see people who persist in trying to achieve a particular goal, even when all the evidence indicates that they will be unlikely to achieve it. When they succeed, we consider them courageous for having overcome impossible obstacles. But when they fail, we think of them as headstrong, foolhardy, and bent on self-destruction. To many people, great effort is only worthwhile when it results in success.
Adapted from Gilbert Brim, "Ambition"

Assignment:
Is the effort involved in pursuing any goal valuable, even if the goal is not reached? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

MY RESPONSE:
Does effort matter whether you succeed or fail? Say you studied hard for a test, but still got an F; would you still have studied if you knew you were just going to fail anyway? What if you were an aspiring musician who wanted to write and perform music for people; would you give up a passion just because you know you won’t be like your favorite band? No, I believe that whatever it is you’re working towards, big or small, should always be performed with maximum effort because you will never know the outcome of an event until you try. When you try something and put forth maximum effort, you know you’ve done all you can in the situation.

Answer 1

@Vocaloid

Answer 2

I can write the essay (and I will) I just need help formulating a thesis statement on which I can write the essay. I was thinking something like:

"So whether you're studying for a test, playing a game and a carnavel, or chasing a life dream, you should always try your best no matter what people think of the outcome"

but I don't know how I would make a 3 body paragraph out of that because they're basically the same thing just on different levels.

Answer 3

Your thesis statement should say: what position you are taking, and why

so a basic template could be:

Effort is important, regardless of outcome, because _______, _______, ______ and summarize your main arguments in the blanks.

Answer 4

^"So whether you're studying for a test, playing a game and a carnavel, or chasing a life dream, you should always try your best no matter what people think of the outcome"

this is more of a conclusion than a thesis because it doesn't summarize your argument (doesn't say why effort is important)

Answer 5

I would pick three main reasons why effort is important, and then dedicate one body paragraph to each reason

Answer 6

Oh, okay. I could use that for a conclusion then, that works XD

So my thesis statement should be like "Putting forth maximum effort is always important because you can show people that you're a hard worker, you know that you put your best foot forward, and that anything is possible if you try." Or something along those lines...?

Answer 7

yeah something like that

I would dedicate one body paragraph to each main reason, and try to find solid examples for each (try to find something from history/literature/etc.)

Answer 8

Okay, that works. Thank you so much!!!! I really appreciate your help :D