2. Portfolio - Completed Writing Center DLAs and Tutoring Sessions (2 minimum)

• I. Analytical vs. Persuasive Thesis Statements DLA, Supplemental Resource: Thesis PowerPoint . Tutor: Matthew ' Sosa - 30 minutes - May 27, 2025.

Analytical vs. Persuasive Thesis Statements

Student Name: Thi My Hanh Phan    

Instructor: Esther Lee (AMLA 80)

Date: May 27, 2025

Course: DLAs

About This DLA

Important Note

All the activities (3) in the DLA must be completed in their entirety before receiving credit for completion. Students are welcome to meet with a tutor if they need help, but please be aware that students might need a second appointment for review and signature in that case. If your instructor wants evidence of this completed DLA, return this form to him or her with the tutor’s signature included. 

Learning Outcomes

Through computer and other independent work, you will understand the difference between analytical and persuasive thesis statements and practice writing strong analytical and persuasive thesis statements.

Activities (approximately 1 hour)

Read the information, complete the activities that follow, and be prepared to discuss your answers when you meet with a tutor.

Understanding Analytical and Persuasive Thesis Statements

What is an analytical thesis statement?

• An analytical paper breaks the topic down into parts, examines each part, and determines how each part relates to the whole topic.
• An analytical thesis statement answers how something does what it does or why it is as it is.
• An analytical thesis, therefore, is an answer to a how or why question that will be proven in the essay with the evidence (what you will "break apart").

Creating an analytical thesis statement

Here is a formula and template on what an analytical thesis statement should essentially contain:

Your claim + How it is supported + Why it matters

Template: Through ______________(how), it is evident that ________(claim), which is important because_____(why it matters).

Example: By looking at the historical evolution of Disney films, we see a progression in the agency of the female heroines, which reflects an important cultural shift.

What is a persuasive thesis statement?

• A persuasive paper makes a claim based on opinion, evaluation, or interpretation about a topic and typically involves a call to action. 

·       It is a statement where the writer makes a claim about a topic and justifies arguments with specific evidence.

·       The claim is often an opinion, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation

·       The goal of the persuasive paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

Creating a persuasive thesis statement

Here is a formula and template on what a persuasive thesis statement should essentially contain:

Topic + Position + Reason(s)

Template: In order to/Because ________(topic), _________should (position) since/so that______(Reason(s)).

 

Example: To ensure student success, the Legislature should avoid cutting community college budgets any further so that students can have a higher chance of graduating or transferring early.

Activities

Check off each box once you have completed the activity.

☒ 1. Thesis Statement PowerPoint

Go to the Writing Center webpage at http://www.mtsac.edu/writingcenter/ and review the Thesis Statement PowerPoint.

☒ 2. Analytical versus Persuasive Thesis Review

Generate one persuasive and one analytical thesis based on each of the following topics:

a)     Free college

b)    Parking at Mt. SAC

c)     Homelessness in LA

Analytical

Write the answer
a)     An analysis of the free college reveals one benefit to the community in increasing access to higher education.
b)    Parking at Mt.SAC reveals the increase rate of student and demand for expanding of infrastructure.
c)     Homelessness in LA reveals one challenge facing government, rising housing costs.alytical thesis for letter c here.

Persuasive

Write the answer
a)     The U.S government should maintain free college because it will increase access to higher education.Write your persuasive thesis for letter a here.
b)    Parking in Mt.SAC should be considered because the number of student trend to increase quickly and lack of demand  right now.
c)     Homelessness in LA should be considered in urgent because housing cost is rising shapely.  your persuasive thesis for letter c here.

☒ 3. Practice with Our Prompts

Analyze the two assignment prompts below to determine if the writer is being asked to write a persuasive paper or an analytical essay.  Underline the verbs (like explain, persuade, analyze) and nouns (like journal entry, persuasive essay) to see what form the writing is to take. You may be free to write either, but most prompts lean towards one type of paper over another.  Note: the tutor can help you to analyze your prompt. 

·       Assignment prompt 1:  Analyze the components of success in college. When you have a good understanding of the concept, explain it to your readers, considering carefully what they already know about it and how your essay might add to what they know.

·       Assignment prompt 2:  Propose a solution to a problem. Choose a problem faced by a community or group to which you belong, and address your proposal to one or more members of the group or to outsiders who might help solve the problem.

Next, write a thesis for each assignment prompt above.  If you are not sure which type the prompt is asking for, you could write both and then discuss them with the tutor.

Below is space for your responses.
Assignment prompt 1 Thesis: Wsis for prompt 1 here.
Components of success in college include some factors such as time control, self studying, and using academic resources; by analyzing these factors, college students can get their achivements.
Assignment prompt 2 Thesis: Write your thesis for prompt 2 here.
Mt.SAC should set up camera stations and patrol the school grounds to ensure the safety of students and school staff.

☒ 4. Review the DLA

Go to https://mtsac2.mywconline.com and use the Mt. SAC Writing Center Appointment System to make a DLA appointment, or sign-up to see a tutor on the “Walk-in” list in the Writing Center. During your session with a tutor, discuss with a tutor the ways in which essays should develop based on the thesis statements you’ve composed and demonstrate your understanding of analytical and persuasive thesis statements.  Consider the main concept you learned in this DLA. How will knowledge of these concepts affect your writing? 

Sign and date in the space below.
Student’s signature: THI MY HANH PHAN	Date: May 27, 2025
Tutor’s Signature:	Date: May 27, 2025

If you are an individual with a disability and need a greater level of accessibility for any document in The Writing Center or on The Writing Center’s website, please contact the Mt. SAC Accessible Resource Centers for Students, access@mtsac.edu, (909) 274-4290.

• II. Tutoring Sessions -  Tutor: Matthew ' Sosa 

Revised 09/6/2022