First amendment rights for students that are 18

[quincy]

If we had a like button we could all express similar sentiment without having to make an otherwise needless post.

Nice commentary carl.

Are you calling my post a needless one, justalayman?

Unfortunately, I have no control over whether FreeAdvice gets the like button back or not. I have certainly made my desire for its return known to the administrators of this site, though - several times over.

 

[CdwJava]

I cringe at what some students consider to be a "thesis statement." Call it a pet peeve.

I understand that in high school some teachers only brush over the issue very lightly, but, I was always a firm believer in doing it correctly so that they would be prepared for college. My college students have gotten rude awakenings over this issue!

 

[cbg]

Carl, you, my husband and daughter are all in agreement. DH teaches at the undergraduate college level - DD teaches English in high school. Both feel they are trying to hold back the tide; DD says it's too late by the time she gets them; DH says he spends as much time trying to teach them how to write a coherent sentence as he does teaching them the subject the university hired him to teach.

 

[stealth2]

I cannot agree more, Carl & cbg. Unfortunately, too many HS students are never taught the art of writing a thesis statement, leaving their college professors to either teach them or pass them along. Neither of which is, to *me*, an acceptable solution.

In terms of acceptable topics, there are any number of reasons that a thesis topic could be considered inappropriate. Too broad or narrow a scope, inappropriate for the course in question, too difficult to address within the requirements, triggering to too many fellow students, etc. My daughter had to choose a different thesis topic (in college) - once for being too broad in focus and the other for being too difficult to prove given the time and parameters specified. Once her topic was approved, she had to adjust the scope of her statement to her advisor's liking. That's how the game is played.

Out in the real world, you have to play by the rules. Even when and if they change.

 

[stealth2]

To add.... The vast majority of educators - at any level - are in it to help their students succeed. Not to see them drown in the weeds. So, honestly? If your teacher/professor tells you to change your thesis? You'd be wise to do so.