This is a screenshot of the metrics I track for my blog. This shows the past four months of activity, ending in August. I will share an updated version at the beginning of each month showing the last month (I will post my stats for September at the beginning of October). I’m doing this for two reasons. First of all, I love it when content creators are transparant about their stats, showing views and subscribers and income for things like blogs, YouTube, etc. The other reason is that I thought it might be interesting for my readers to see a blog grow from scratch in real time. Most of the time when I follow a blog they already have thousands of subscribers.
I have no goals except consistency. As I mentioned yesterday, I plan to post at least once per day during the entire month of September, partly as a personal challenge to create a blogging habit, and party to measure the impact of consistent posting on my stats.
You may have also noticed that I’m posting a mix of content, which varies from articles about teaching to articles about content creation. I plan to continue with both topics until I figure out whether I can sustain 2 niches, or if my stats reflect a reader preference for one niche or another.
Why is teaching students to write an effective thesis statement is so important?
In the realm of academic writing, the thesis statement is the compass that guides an essay’s direction and purpose. It serves as a roadmap for both the writer and the reader, ensuring that the argument remains focused and coherent throughout. Teaching students to craft an effective thesis statement is not just a pedagogical formality; it is a foundational skill that equips them with the tools necessary for clear and persuasive communication. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of teaching students how to write an effective thesis statement and its far-reaching implications.
Clarity and Focus
An effective thesis statement is a concise declaration of the central argument or main point of an essay. It sets the tone for the entire piece of writing and helps students maintain clarity and focus in their work. When students learn how to formulate a clear thesis statement, they are better equipped to stay on track and avoid wandering off-topic. This not only makes their writing more coherent but also enhances their ability to convey complex ideas succinctly.
Critical Thinking
Crafting a thesis statement requires students to engage in critical thinking. They must analyze the topic, identify the key components of their argument, and decide on the most compelling way to present it. This process encourages students to develop and refine their analytical skills, enabling them to approach problems and topics in a more systematic and thoughtful manner.
Structure and Organization
An effective thesis statement serves as the backbone of an essay’s structure. It dictates the organization of the paper and helps students structure their thoughts logically. When students understand how to write a strong thesis statement, they are better equipped to create well-organized essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. This skill is invaluable not only in academic writing but also in various professional contexts.
Persuasive Writing
A well-crafted thesis statement is essential for persuasive writing. It allows students to present their arguments with conviction and authority, making it more likely that readers will be persuaded by their ideas. Teaching students how to develop a strong thesis statement empowers them to be more persuasive writers, a skill that is valuable in debates, speeches, and any situation where one must advocate for a particular viewpoint.
Research Skills
Effective thesis statements often require research and evidence to support the argument. Teaching students to write a thesis statement encourages them to delve into research, evaluate sources, and incorporate relevant information into their essays. This fosters a habit of critical inquiry and resourcefulness, skills that are crucial in the information age.
Adaptability
The ability to create an effective thesis statement is a transferable skill that extends beyond the classroom. Whether students are crafting essays, reports, business proposals, or even social media posts, the ability to concisely articulate a central point is invaluable. Teaching this skill prepares students for success in a wide range of personal and professional endeavors.
One thing the productivity gurus like to preach is the power of consistency. One of the biggest problems people have with reaching their goals is trying to do too much at once, burning out, and then giving up. Instead, if we are able to commit to tiny changes over the long haul, we can make enormous strides toward our goals. For example, when dieting people often try to lose 2 or more pounds a week, which is not sustainable, and they give up. Most diets fail. However, if we make small changes and plan to lose only 1/2 pound a week, we can lose 25 lbs. in a year. Even though a year seems too long and 25 lbs. seems too little, in one year I’ll bet most of us are the same weight we are now, or heavier. It’s better to focus on small, consistent goals.
I remember when I first started writing my novel, I heard again and again that writers who commit to a page a day (about 250 words) can finish a novel in a year. Once again, a year always seemed too long, and I couldn’t bring myself to commit to such a tiny challenge. Yet it took me more than 10 years to write my novel (more on that in my next post).
SO, I am committing to making small, consistent changes. One way to do this is the 30-day challenge. Building consistency takes practice. I’m going to pick one small goal, which is write a blog post, of any length and on any topic, at least once per day for the next 30 days.
To demonstrate the power of consistency, I’ll also share my stats and how they have changed over the 30-day period. I know consistency works, because I blogged for two weeks straight in July and my subscriber count doubled. Granted, it was tiny to begin with, but I saw in real time how much just posting consistently impacted my blog stats.
I’m excited to see what the next 30-days brings! If you’re not already, be sure to subcribe to my blog, so you can see my journey and real time, and also because I’ll be having another giveaway at the end of this month.
ELA Source 
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