Posted: June 23rd, 2015

good essays are focused and develop clear, argumentative thesis statements. Two ways to improve the focus of your thesis are to (1) get a clear sense of the audience you are appealing to and (2) answer a specific, carefully worded question.

good essays are focused and develop clear, argumentative thesis statements. Two ways to improve the focus of your thesis are to (1) get a clear sense of the audience you are appealing to and (2) answer a specific, carefully worded question.

Here are some ideas for (2):
What should we tell kids about using profanity? Are these words “bad”? Is using them “wrong”? Are they merely “inappropriate”? “Offensive”?

Is foul language contributing to a general coarsening of our culture?

Should popular culture restrict the use of profanity?

Traditionally, the justification for banning/restricting “foul language” is that it “harms children.” Does it?

Be careful about contradictions: Isn’t it contradictory to tell kids they can’t use these bad words, then use them ourselves?