thesis statement for private school

25 Thesis Statement Examples

A thesis statement is needed in an essay or dissertation . There are multiple types of thesis statements – but generally we can divide them into expository and argumentative. An expository statement is a statement of fact (common in expository essays and process essays) while an argumentative statement is a statement of opinion (common in argumentative essays and dissertations). Below are examples of each.

Strong Thesis Statement Examples

1. School Uniforms

“Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay or Debate

Read More: School Uniforms Pros and Cons

2. Nature vs Nurture

“This essay will explore how both genetic inheritance and environmental factors equally contribute to shaping human behavior and personality.”

Best For: Compare and Contrast Essay

Read More: Nature vs Nurture Debate

3. American Dream

“The American Dream, a symbol of opportunity and success, is increasingly elusive in today’s socio-economic landscape, revealing deeper inequalities in society.”

Best For: Persuasive Essay

Read More: What is the American Dream?

4. Social Media

“Social media has revolutionized communication and societal interactions, but it also presents significant challenges related to privacy, mental health, and misinformation.”

Best For: Expository Essay

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Social Media

5. Globalization

“Globalization has created a world more interconnected than ever before, yet it also amplifies economic disparities and cultural homogenization.”

Read More: Globalization Pros and Cons

6. Urbanization

“Urbanization drives economic growth and social development, but it also poses unique challenges in sustainability and quality of life.”

Read More: Learn about Urbanization

7. Immigration

“Immigration enriches receiving countries culturally and economically, outweighing any perceived social or economic burdens.”

Read More: Immigration Pros and Cons

8. Cultural Identity

“In a globalized world, maintaining distinct cultural identities is crucial for preserving cultural diversity and fostering global understanding, despite the challenges of assimilation and homogenization.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay

Read More: Learn about Cultural Identity

9. Technology

“Medical technologies in care institutions in Toronto has increased subjcetive outcomes for patients with chronic pain.”

Best For: Research Paper

10. Capitalism vs Socialism

“The debate between capitalism and socialism centers on balancing economic freedom and inequality, each presenting distinct approaches to resource distribution and social welfare.”

11. Cultural Heritage

“The preservation of cultural heritage is essential, not only for cultural identity but also for educating future generations, outweighing the arguments for modernization and commercialization.”

12. Pseudoscience

“Pseudoscience, characterized by a lack of empirical support, continues to influence public perception and decision-making, often at the expense of scientific credibility.”

Read More: Examples of Pseudoscience

13. Free Will

“The concept of free will is largely an illusion, with human behavior and decisions predominantly determined by biological and environmental factors.”

Read More: Do we have Free Will?

14. Gender Roles

“Traditional gender roles are outdated and harmful, restricting individual freedoms and perpetuating gender inequalities in modern society.”

Read More: What are Traditional Gender Roles?

15. Work-Life Ballance

“The trend to online and distance work in the 2020s led to improved subjective feelings of work-life balance but simultaneously increased self-reported loneliness.”

Read More: Work-Life Balance Examples

16. Universal Healthcare

“Universal healthcare is a fundamental human right and the most effective system for ensuring health equity and societal well-being, outweighing concerns about government involvement and costs.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Universal Healthcare

17. Minimum Wage

“The implementation of a fair minimum wage is vital for reducing economic inequality, yet it is often contentious due to its potential impact on businesses and employment rates.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage

18. Homework

“The homework provided throughout this semester has enabled me to achieve greater self-reflection, identify gaps in my knowledge, and reinforce those gaps through spaced repetition.”

Best For: Reflective Essay

Read More: Reasons Homework Should be Banned

19. Charter Schools

“Charter schools offer alternatives to traditional public education, promising innovation and choice but also raising questions about accountability and educational equity.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Charter Schools

20. Effects of the Internet

“The Internet has drastically reshaped human communication, access to information, and societal dynamics, generally with a net positive effect on society.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of the Internet

21. Affirmative Action

“Affirmative action is essential for rectifying historical injustices and achieving true meritocracy in education and employment, contrary to claims of reverse discrimination.”

Best For: Essay

Read More: Affirmative Action Pros and Cons

22. Soft Skills

“Soft skills, such as communication and empathy, are increasingly recognized as essential for success in the modern workforce, and therefore should be a strong focus at school and university level.”

Read More: Soft Skills Examples

23. Moral Panic

“Moral panic, often fueled by media and cultural anxieties, can lead to exaggerated societal responses that sometimes overlook rational analysis and evidence.”

Read More: Moral Panic Examples

24. Freedom of the Press

“Freedom of the press is critical for democracy and informed citizenship, yet it faces challenges from censorship, media bias, and the proliferation of misinformation.”

Read More: Freedom of the Press Examples

25. Mass Media

“Mass media shapes public opinion and cultural norms, but its concentration of ownership and commercial interests raise concerns about bias and the quality of information.”

Best For: Critical Analysis

Read More: Mass Media Examples

Checklist: How to use your Thesis Statement

✅ Position: If your statement is for an argumentative or persuasive essay, or a dissertation, ensure it takes a clear stance on the topic. ✅ Specificity: It addresses a specific aspect of the topic, providing focus for the essay. ✅ Conciseness: Typically, a thesis statement is one to two sentences long. It should be concise, clear, and easily identifiable. ✅ Direction: The thesis statement guides the direction of the essay, providing a roadmap for the argument, narrative, or explanation. ✅ Evidence-based: While the thesis statement itself doesn’t include evidence, it sets up an argument that can be supported with evidence in the body of the essay. ✅ Placement: Generally, the thesis statement is placed at the end of the introduction of an essay.

Try These AI Prompts – Thesis Statement Generator!

One way to brainstorm thesis statements is to get AI to brainstorm some for you! Try this AI prompt:

💡 AI PROMPT FOR EXPOSITORY THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTUCTIONS]. I want you to create an expository thesis statement that doesn’t argue a position, but demonstrates depth of knowledge about the topic.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR ARGUMENTATIVE THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTRUCTIONS]. I want you to create an argumentative thesis statement that clearly takes a position on this issue.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR COMPARE AND CONTRAST THESIS STATEMENT I am writing a compare and contrast essay that compares [Concept 1] and [Concept2]. Give me 5 potential single-sentence thesis statements that remain objective.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Forest Schools Philosophy & Curriculum, Explained!
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Montessori's 4 Planes of Development, Explained!
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Montessori vs Reggio Emilia vs Steiner-Waldorf vs Froebel
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Parten’s 6 Stages of Play in Childhood, Explained!

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How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

What’s Covered:

What is the purpose of a thesis statement, writing a good thesis statement: 4 steps, common pitfalls to avoid, where to get your essay edited for free.

When you set out to write an essay, there has to be some kind of point to it, right? Otherwise, your essay would just be a big jumble of word salad that makes absolutely no sense. An essay needs a central point that ties into everything else. That main point is called a thesis statement, and it’s the core of any essay or research paper.

You may hear about Master degree candidates writing a thesis, and that is an entire paper–not to be confused with the thesis statement, which is typically one sentence that contains your paper’s focus. 

Read on to learn more about thesis statements and how to write them. We’ve also included some solid examples for you to reference.

Typically the last sentence of your introductory paragraph, the thesis statement serves as the roadmap for your essay. When your reader gets to the thesis statement, they should have a clear outline of your main point, as well as the information you’ll be presenting in order to either prove or support your point. 

The thesis statement should not be confused for a topic sentence , which is the first sentence of every paragraph in your essay. If you need help writing topic sentences, numerous resources are available. Topic sentences should go along with your thesis statement, though.

Since the thesis statement is the most important sentence of your entire essay or paper, it’s imperative that you get this part right. Otherwise, your paper will not have a good flow and will seem disjointed. That’s why it’s vital not to rush through developing one. It’s a methodical process with steps that you need to follow in order to create the best thesis statement possible.

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

When you’re assigned an essay, there are several different types you may get. Argumentative essays are designed to get the reader to agree with you on a topic. Informative or expository essays present information to the reader. Analytical essays offer up a point and then expand on it by analyzing relevant information. Thesis statements can look and sound different based on the type of paper you’re writing. For example:

• Argumentative: The United States needs a viable third political party to decrease bipartisanship, increase options, and help reduce corruption in government.
• Informative: The Libertarian party has thrown off elections before by gaining enough support in states to get on the ballot and by taking away crucial votes from candidates.
• Analytical: An analysis of past presidential elections shows that while third party votes may have been the minority, they did affect the outcome of the elections in 2020, 2016, and beyond.

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Once you know what type of paper you’re writing, you then need to figure out the point you want to make with your thesis statement, and subsequently, your paper. In other words, you need to decide to answer a question about something, such as:

• What impact did reality TV have on American society?
• How has the musical Hamilton affected perception of American history?
• Why do I want to major in [chosen major here]?

If you have an argumentative essay, then you will be writing about an opinion. To make it easier, you may want to choose an opinion that you feel passionate about so that you’re writing about something that interests you. For example, if you have an interest in preserving the environment, you may want to choose a topic that relates to that. 

If you’re writing your college essay and they ask why you want to attend that school, you may want to have a main point and back it up with information, something along the lines of:

“Attending Harvard University would benefit me both academically and professionally, as it would give me a strong knowledge base upon which to build my career, develop my network, and hopefully give me an advantage in my chosen field.”

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Once you have the point you want to make, you need to figure out how you plan to back it up throughout the rest of your essay. Without this information, it will be hard to either prove or argue the main point of your thesis statement. If you decide to write about the Hamilton example, you may decide to address any falsehoods that the writer put into the musical, such as:

“The musical Hamilton, while accurate in many ways, leaves out key parts of American history, presents a nationalist view of founding fathers, and downplays the racism of the times.”

Once you’ve written your initial working thesis statement, you’ll then need to get information to back that up. For example, the musical completely leaves out Benjamin Franklin, portrays the founding fathers in a nationalist way that is too complimentary, and shows Hamilton as a staunch abolitionist despite the fact that his family likely did own slaves. 

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and that you feel like you can truly write a paper on the topic. Once you’ve done that, you can then begin writing your paper.

When writing a thesis statement, there are some common pitfalls you should avoid so that your paper can be as solid as possible. Make sure you always edit the thesis statement before you do anything else. You also want to ensure that the thesis statement is clear and concise. Don’t make your reader hunt for your point. Finally, put your thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph and have your introduction flow toward that statement. Your reader will expect to find your statement in its traditional spot.

If you’re having trouble getting started, or need some guidance on your essay, there are tools available that can help you. CollegeVine offers a free peer essay review tool where one of your peers can read through your essay and provide you with valuable feedback. Getting essay feedback from a peer can help you wow your instructor or college admissions officer with an impactful essay that effectively illustrates your point.

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Developing Strong Thesis Statements

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The thesis statement or main claim must be debatable

An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. In other words, the thesis must be something that people could reasonably have differing opinions on. If your thesis is something that is generally agreed upon or accepted as fact then there is no reason to try to persuade people.

Example of a non-debatable thesis statement:

This thesis statement is not debatable. First, the word pollution implies that something is bad or negative in some way. Furthermore, all studies agree that pollution is a problem; they simply disagree on the impact it will have or the scope of the problem. No one could reasonably argue that pollution is unambiguously good.

Example of a debatable thesis statement:

This is an example of a debatable thesis because reasonable people could disagree with it. Some people might think that this is how we should spend the nation's money. Others might feel that we should be spending more money on education. Still others could argue that corporations, not the government, should be paying to limit pollution.

Another example of a debatable thesis statement:

In this example there is also room for disagreement between rational individuals. Some citizens might think focusing on recycling programs rather than private automobiles is the most effective strategy.

The thesis needs to be narrow

Although the scope of your paper might seem overwhelming at the start, generally the narrower the thesis the more effective your argument will be. Your thesis or claim must be supported by evidence. The broader your claim is, the more evidence you will need to convince readers that your position is right.

Example of a thesis that is too broad:

There are several reasons this statement is too broad to argue. First, what is included in the category "drugs"? Is the author talking about illegal drug use, recreational drug use (which might include alcohol and cigarettes), or all uses of medication in general? Second, in what ways are drugs detrimental? Is drug use causing deaths (and is the author equating deaths from overdoses and deaths from drug related violence)? Is drug use changing the moral climate or causing the economy to decline? Finally, what does the author mean by "society"? Is the author referring only to America or to the global population? Does the author make any distinction between the effects on children and adults? There are just too many questions that the claim leaves open. The author could not cover all of the topics listed above, yet the generality of the claim leaves all of these possibilities open to debate.

Example of a narrow or focused thesis:

In this example the topic of drugs has been narrowed down to illegal drugs and the detriment has been narrowed down to gang violence. This is a much more manageable topic.

We could narrow each debatable thesis from the previous examples in the following way:

Narrowed debatable thesis 1:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just the amount of money used but also how the money could actually help to control pollution.

Narrowed debatable thesis 2:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just what the focus of a national anti-pollution campaign should be but also why this is the appropriate focus.

Qualifiers such as " typically ," " generally ," " usually ," or " on average " also help to limit the scope of your claim by allowing for the almost inevitable exception to the rule.

Types of claims

Claims typically fall into one of four categories. Thinking about how you want to approach your topic, or, in other words, what type of claim you want to make, is one way to focus your thesis on one particular aspect of your broader topic.

Claims of fact or definition: These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. Example:

Claims of cause and effect: These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur. Example:

Claims about value: These are claims made of what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something. Example:

Claims about solutions or policies: These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Example:

Which type of claim is right for your argument? Which type of thesis or claim you use for your argument will depend on your position and knowledge of the topic, your audience, and the context of your paper. You might want to think about where you imagine your audience to be on this topic and pinpoint where you think the biggest difference in viewpoints might be. Even if you start with one type of claim you probably will be using several within the paper. Regardless of the type of claim you choose to utilize it is key to identify the controversy or debate you are addressing and to define your position early on in the paper.

Demystifying Personal Statements for Private School Admissions: Expert Tips and Strategies

Table Of Contents:

• What is a personal statement, and why is it important for private school admissions?

• The role of personal statements in the admissions process

• Overview of the private school admissions process

• What admissions committees are looking for in personal statements

• Common mistakes to avoid in personal statements

• Tips for crafting a memorable and effective personal statement

• How to provide constructive feedback and support without taking over the writing process

• Brainstorming ideas and identifying your strengths

• Choosing a theme and structuring your personal statement

• Outlining and drafting your personal statement

• Introduction and thesis statement

• Body paragraphs that showcase your strengths and experiences

• Conclusion and reflection on your personal growth and future goals

• Common questions and concerns from parents and students

Chapter 1: Introduction to Personal Statements

• What is a personal statement, and why is it important for private school admissions? A personal statement is a written narrative that offers a glimpse into an individual’s personality, experiences, and aspirations. This document is a crucial part of the private school application process, as it allows the admissions committee to assess a candidate’s potential to excel in and contribute to the school’s academic and social environment. Typically required for high school admissions, personal statements are generally no longer than one or two pages in length.

The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) website states that personal statements enable applicants to “emphasize their strengths, accomplishments, and objectives in a succinct and persuasive manner.” By offering a more profound insight into a candidate’s character and motivation, personal statements can distinguish applicants from others with comparable academic records and test scores.

Personal statements hold significant weight in private school admissions since they allow admissions committees to learn about applicants beyond their academic achievements. Besides evaluating an applicant’s academic performance, admissions committees also seek students who are passionate, inquisitive, and actively engaged in their communities. Personal statements can showcase these attributes and present a more holistic perspective of an applicant’s potential to contribute to the school’s community.

Moreover, personal statements can be used to assess a candidate’s writing skills, creativity, and ability to communicate effectively. These skills are vital for success in a demanding academic setting and are highly valued by private schools.

In the private school admissions process, personal statements play a pivotal role. They grant admissions committees a more comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s character, values, and objectives. Personal statements are employed to gauge an applicant’s compatibility with the school’s culture and community and to ascertain whether they are a suitable match for the school’s academic and extracurricular programs.

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) emphasizes that personal statements are an invaluable resource for admissions committees to evaluate an applicant’s intellectual curiosity, creativity, and passion for learning. They can aid admissions committees in identifying students who are likely to make meaningful contributions to the school’s community, both academically and socially.

Personal statements also serve to evaluate a candidate’s writing abilities and capacity for effective communication. Private schools typically emphasize written communication and critical thinking skills, and personal statements offer a means for admissions committees to assess a candidate’s proficiency in these areas.

Additionally, personal statements are utilized to assess an applicant’s motivation for attending the school and their comprehension of the school’s mission and values. Private schools often possess a distinct educational philosophy and approach to learning, and personal statements can assist admissions committees in recognizing students who align with the school’s culture and values.

Personal statements are often examined alongside other application materials, such as transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation. Admissions committees review all of these materials holistically when making admissions decisions. Personal statements can differentiate an applicant from other candidates with similar academic credentials and demonstrate the applicant’s potential to contribute to the school’s community.

The private school admissions process can be intricate and competitive, with variations between schools. Nevertheless, most private schools follow some general steps in their admissions process. Here is an overview of the private school admissions process:

• Research: Parents and students should investigate the schools they are interested in, focusing on their academic programs, extracurricular activities, and admissions requirements. Many schools host open houses or tours that prospective families can attend to gain a better understanding of the school’s culture and community.
• Application: Once families have identified the schools they want to apply to, they generally need to submit an application that includes essential information about the student, such as their academic history, test scores, and extracurricular activities. Some schools also require additional materials, such as personal statements, essays, or letters of recommendation.
• Testing: Numerous private schools mandate that applicants take standardized tests, such as the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT), or the High School Placement Test (HSPT). These tests evaluate a candidate’s academic abilities and potential to succeed in a challenging academic environment.
• Interviews: Many private schools require applicants to participate in an interview with a member of the admissions team. Interviews offer an opportunity for candidates to display their personality, communication skills, and compatibility with the school’s culture and community.
• Admissions Decision: After reviewing all application materials, test scores, and interview feedback, the admissions committee will reach a decision about whether to accept or reject the applicant. Some schools also maintain waitlists, where candidates may be placed if there are insufficient spots available in the incoming class.

By understanding each step of the private school admissions process, parents and students can better prepare themselves for a successful application experience. It is crucial to dedicate ample time and effort to each component, including the personal statement, to increase the likelihood of gaining admission to the desired private school.

Chapter 2: Understanding the Admissions Committee’s Perspective

Admissions committees for private schools are looking for personal statements that provide insight into an applicant’s personality, character, values, and goals. Here are some key qualities and characteristics that admissions committees seek in personal statements:

• Authenticity: Admissions committees want applicants’ personal statements to be authentic and reflective of their true character and values. Genuine, honest, and self-aware statements resonate with the committees.
• Fit with the school’s mission and values: Private schools have unique missions, values, and educational philosophies, and admissions committees search for applicants who fit these ideals. Personal statements should demonstrate an understanding of the school’s culture and community and show a willingness to contribute to and thrive within that environment.
• Intellectual curiosity: Admissions committees seek students who are intellectually curious and passionate about learning. Personal statements should demonstrate a love of learning and a willingness to take intellectual risks and pursue academic interests outside of the classroom.
• Creativity: Private schools often value creativity and innovation, and admissions committees look for personal statements that showcase a creative approach to problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-expression.
• Communication skills: Personal statements offer applicants a chance to demonstrate their writing skills and ability to communicate effectively. Admissions committees expect personal statements to be well-written, articulate, and display a mastery of language and grammar.
• Leadership potential: Admissions committees search for students with the potential to be leaders within the school community and beyond. Personal statements should demonstrate leadership skills such as initiative, teamwork, and responsibility.
• Diversity and inclusion: Private schools often value diversity and inclusion and seek students with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. Admissions committees expect personal statements to demonstrate a commitment to these values and an understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in a school community.

When writing personal statements for private school admissions, applicants should avoid several common mistakes. Here are some of the most important mistakes to watch out for:

• Lack of specificity: Admissions committees expect personal statements to be specific and demonstrate a clear understanding of the applicant’s goals and interests. Avoid writing a generic statement that could apply to any student.
• Focusing on accomplishments rather than personal qualities: Although highlighting accomplishments and achievements is important, personal statements should primarily concentrate on the personal qualities, values, and experiences that make an applicant unique.
• Using clichés and platitudes: Steer clear of overused phrases and clichés that do not add anything unique or meaningful to the personal statement.
• Neglecting to proofread: Personal statements should be meticulously proofread and edited for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Careless mistakes can leave a negative impression on admissions committees.
• Not following instructions: Carefully read and follow the instructions for the personal statement provided by the school. Failure to follow instructions can reflect poorly on the applicant’s attention to detail and ability to follow directions.
• Being too self-promotional: While highlighting personal strengths and accomplishments is important, avoid being excessively self-promotional or arrogant in the personal statement. Admissions committees seek applicants who are confident but also humble and self-aware.
• Neglecting to showcase personality: Personal statements should be personal, so it is crucial to showcase personality and individuality in the writing. Avoid writing in a robotic or overly formal style that doesn’t reflect the applicant’s personality.

When crafting a personal statement for private school admissions, applicants should aim to create a memorable and effective piece of writing that showcases their unique strengths and qualities. Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing a personal statement:

• Start early and take your time: Crafting a strong personal statement requires time and effort. Begin early and give yourself ample time to brainstorm, write, and revise.
• Be authentic and genuine: Admissions committees seek authentic and genuine applicants who are willing to share their personal experiences and perspectives. Refrain from trying to be someone you’re not or writing what you think the committee wants to hear.
• Tell a story: A personal statement should go beyond a list of accomplishments or attributes. Instead, it should narrate a story that highlights the applicant’s unique experiences, values, and qualities.
• Use vivid and descriptive language: Employ descriptive language to bring your story to life and engage the reader. Avoid clichés and opt for specific and unique words that create a vivid picture.
• Focus on a few key themes: A personal statement should have a clear emphasis on a few key themes or experiences that showcase the applicant’s strengths and qualities. Avoid attempting to cover too much ground or including an excessive number of ideas.
• Be concise: Personal statements should be concise and to the point. Steer clear of rambling or including unnecessary details that don’t contribute to the overall narrative.
• Show, don’t tell: Rather than simply telling the admissions committee about your qualities and strengths, use specific examples and experiences to demonstrate these attributes in action.
• Revise and proofread: After drafting your personal statement, ensure you revise and proofread carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, and make certain your writing flows smoothly and logically.
• Seek feedback: Obtaining feedback from others can help you refine your personal statement and make it even more robust. Consider asking teachers, mentors, or family members for feedback on your writing.

Crafting a memorable and effective personal statement demands time, effort, and attention to detail. By being authentic, narrating a compelling story, using vivid language, concentrating on key themes, and seeking feedback, applicants can create a personal statement that showcases their unique strengths and qualities, thereby increasing their chances of gaining acceptance to their desired schools.

Chapter 3: Preparing to Write Your and your child’s Personal Statement

• How to provide constructive feedback and support without taking over the writing process When assisting their children with personal statement essays for private school admissions, parents may face the challenge of striking the right balance between providing support and guidance without taking over the writing process. Here are some strategies parents can employ to offer constructive feedback and support for their child’s personal statement essay:

• Set clear expectations: From the beginning, parents should establish clear expectations with their child regarding their role in the process. It’s crucial to communicate that the essay is the child’s responsibility, and parents are there to provide support and guidance.
• Start with brainstorming: To help their child get started, parents can facilitate brainstorming sessions to generate ideas and organize thoughts. Encourage your child to reflect on their personal experiences and their educational aspirations.
• Provide feedback on structure and clarity: Parents can offer valuable feedback on the structure and clarity of their child’s essay, including assistance with organizing ideas, ensuring logical flow, and providing feedback on grammar and syntax.
• Encourage self-reflection: A compelling personal statement essay should showcase the student’s unique experiences and perspectives. Encourage your child to contemplate their personal growth, challenges faced, and future goals.
• Avoid being overly critical: Parents should refrain from being excessively critical of their child’s writing. While constructive feedback is helpful, it’s equally important to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement.
• Respect your child’s voice: Ultimately, the personal statement essay should reflect your child’s voice and perspective. Parents should be cautious not to dominate the writing process or impose their own ideas and opinions.

By implementing these strategies, parents can offer constructive feedback and support for their child’s personal statement essay without taking over the writing process. This approach can help their child develop writing skills, showcase unique experiences and perspectives, and increase their chances of acceptance into top-choice private schools .

 Before composing a personal statement for private school admissions, it’s essential to dedicate time to brainstorm ideas and identify unique strengths and qualities. Here are some tips to help you begin:

• Reflect on your experiences: Start by contemplating your past experiences and considering what has shaped you into who you are today. Reflect on any challenges faced, accomplishments achieved, or experiences that have been particularly significant.
• Identify your values: Determine the values that are most important to you, guiding your actions and decisions. Values could include honesty, integrity, empathy, or perseverance.
• Consider your goals: Contemplate your long-term personal and academic goals and aspirations. What do you hope to achieve in the future, and how do your current strengths and experiences align with these goals?
• Ask others for feedback: Consider seeking feedback from teachers, mentors, or family members regarding your strengths and qualities. They may offer insights into your unique talents and abilities that you haven’t yet recognized.
• Make a list: After brainstorming and reflecting on your experiences, create a list of your strengths and qualities. These could include leadership skills, creativity, analytical thinking, or a strong work ethic.
• Prioritize your strengths: After listing your strengths, prioritize them based on their relevance to the school or program you’re applying to. Focus on emphasizing the strengths most relevant to the admissions committee’s priorities.
• Consider how to showcase your strengths: Finally, think about how you can display your strengths and qualities in your personal statement. Consider telling a story or providing specific examples that demonstrate your strengths in action.

Brainstorming ideas and identifying unique strengths and qualities is a vital first step in crafting a successful personal statement for private school admissions. By reflecting on experiences, identifying values and goals, soliciting feedback, and listing strengths, you can create a powerful narrative that showcases your unique talents and abilities, increasing your chances of gaining acceptance to your desired schools.

Creating a memorable and effective personal statement is a critical step in the private school admissions process. After identifying your unique strengths and brainstorming ideas, the next step is to select a theme and structure your statement in a compelling manner.

A key element of a successful personal statement is having a central theme or message. This theme should be relevant to the school or program you’re applying to and should showcase your unique qualities and accomplishments. Consider how your experiences, strengths, and goals connect and think about what distinguishes you from other applicants. Once you have a clear understanding of your theme, you can develop a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and encourages them to read more.

Using a narrative structure is another effective way to organize your personal statement. A strong narrative should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and should emphasize your growth and development over time. Consider how your experiences have shaped you as a person and how they have prepared you for future success. By telling an engaging story that highlights your strengths and accomplishments, you can leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

Another crucial aspect of crafting a successful personal statement is being concise and specific. Rather than employing vague or generic statements, focus on providing concrete evidence of your skills and achievements. This means using specific details and examples that illustrate your strengths and accomplishments. Additionally, use active voice, which makes your writing more engaging and impactful.

In conclusion, selecting a theme and structuring your personal statement in a compelling manner is crucial for success in the private school admissions process. By developing a clear theme, using a narrative structure, being concise and specific, and employing active voice, you can create a powerful statement that showcases your strengths and sets you apart from other applicants. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can craft a memorable and effective personal statement that will help you achieve your academic and personal goals.

After identifying your theme and brainstorming ideas, the next step in crafting a memorable and effective personal statement is outlining and drafting your statement. This process involves creating a roadmap for your statement and organizing your ideas in a structured format.

The first step in outlining your personal statement is to create a rough outline or skeleton for your statement. This outline should include the main points or ideas you want to cover in your statement and the order in which you want to present them. You should also include any specific examples or anecdotes you want to use to support your ideas.

Once you have created an outline, you can begin drafting your statement. Remember that your first draft does not need to be perfect – the purpose of this stage is to get your ideas down on paper and begin refining your statement.

When drafting your personal statement, focus on several key elements, including:

• Introduction: Your introduction should be engaging and attention-grabbing, clearly establishing your theme or message.
• Body: The body of your statement should be structured around your main points or ideas and should include specific examples and anecdotes to support your arguments.
• Conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize your main points and reiterate your theme or message while also leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

In addition to these elements, pay attention to the tone and style of your writing. Aim to be concise and specific while also being descriptive and engaging. Use active voice and avoid cliches or generic language.

After drafting your personal statement, revise and edit your work. This process involves refining your writing, tightening your structure, and ensuring your message is clear and effective. Have someone else read over your statement to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Chapter 4: Elements of a Successful Personal Statement

 The introduction and thesis statement serve as vital components of any academic essay, including a personal statement for private school admissions. The introduction forms the reader’s first impression of your essay, so it should be engaging, concise, and informative. Conversely, the thesis statement represents the central argument or point that you will substantiate in your essay, requiring clarity, specificity, and evidence throughout the essay.

Begin the introduction with a captivating hook that grabs the reader’s attention, encouraging them to continue reading. This could be an intriguing quote, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking statistic. Following the hook, offer background information on the topic and establish the context for your essay.

An effective strategy for writing an introduction is to use the “inverted triangle” method, which entails starting with a broad statement or idea and progressively narrowing down to your specific thesis statement. This approach can generate momentum and maintain reader engagement throughout your essay.

The thesis statement, usually situated at the end of the introduction, is the essay’s most critical sentence. It should unambiguously state your main argument or point and provide a roadmap for the essay. A robust thesis statement should be specific and debatable while being supported by evidence throughout the essay.

When crafting your thesis statement, remember to consider the specific requirements and expectations of the admissions committee. Tailor your statement to the particular school and program you are applying to, emphasizing your unique strengths and qualifications.

In conclusion, the introduction and thesis statement are crucial components of any effective personal statement for private school admissions. By using a hook to grab the reader’s attention, providing background information, and narrowing down to a specific thesis statement, you can create an engaging and informative introduction. Furthermore, by crafting a clear, specific, and evidence-based thesis statement, you can lay the foundation for a successful and persuasive essay that highlights your strengths and distinguishes you from other applicants.

The body paragraphs of your personal statement allow you to elaborate on your strengths and experiences. These paragraphs should present evidence supporting your thesis statement and demonstrate why you are a strong candidate for the school or program you are applying to.

One effective way to structure your body paragraphs is to employ the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This approach enables you to provide specific examples that clearly and concisely exhibit your skills, experiences, and achievements.

Begin each body paragraph by describing the situation or task you encountered. This could involve a problem you needed to solve, a challenge you overcame, or a project you tackled. Next, outline the specific actions you took to address the situation or complete the task, highlighting your strengths and skills and demonstrating your thoughtful and strategic approach.

Conclude each body paragraph by discussing the results or outcomes of your actions, such as a successful project completion, a positive impact on the organization or community, or a lesson learned from the experience. Focusing on the results allows you to illustrate the value you offer and the potential impact you could have in the future.

Remember that your personal statement should concentrate on your strengths and experiences, rather than a laundry list of accomplishments or activities. Emphasize the experiences most relevant to the school or program you are applying to, demonstrating how they have prepared you for future academic and career success.

 The conclusion of your personal statement offers an opportunity to reflect on your personal growth and future objectives. This section allows you to synthesize the experiences and strengths discussed in the body paragraphs, illustrating how they have shaped your aspirations.

One effective way to structure your conclusion is to contemplate how your experiences have prepared you for future success. Discuss specific skills or qualities you have developed, such as leadership, problem-solving, or collaboration.

You can also emphasize how your experiences have influenced your academic and career goals, and demonstrate how these goals align with the school or program you are applying to.

Avoid merely summarizing your personal statement in the conclusion. Instead, focus on synthesizing the themes and ideas presented throughout the essay, and show how they have culminated in your current aspirations and objectives.

In addition to reflecting on your personal growth and future goals, consider including a sentence or two about your potential contributions to the school or program you are applying to. This demonstrates that you have researched the institution and are genuinely interested in becoming an active participant within the community.

Lastly, you may want to conclude your personal statement with a memorable quote or personal anecdote that encapsulates the themes and ideas you have presented. This can leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee and make your personal statement more memorable.

By following these guidelines and focusing on your strengths, experiences, personal growth, and future goals, you can create a compelling personal statement that sets you apart from other applicants. This will increase your chances of gaining admission to the private school or program of your choice and help you embark on the next phase of your academic journey.

Chapter 5: Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Statements

As parents and students work on crafting a personal statement, they may have many questions and concerns. Here are some of the most common ones:

• How long should a personal statement be? Most schools require a personal statement between 500 and 700 words, but it is essential to check the specific requirements of each school to which the student is applying. Students should aim to be concise, clear, and make every word count.
• Should a student use the first or third person in a personal statement? While there is no hard and fast rule about whether to use the first or third person in a personal statement, using the first person, “I,” can create a more personal, engaging, and authentic tone.
• What should a student do if they cannot think of a topic for their personal statement? If a student is struggling to think of a topic, they should start by making a list of their strengths, experiences, and achievements. From there, they can consider how those strengths and experiences relate to their academic and personal goals, which can help them identify a central theme for their personal statement.
• How personal should a personal statement be? A personal statement should strike a balance between being personal and professional. It should give admissions officers insight into the student’s character, values, and goals without being too intimate or oversharing.
• Should a student mention specific schools in their personal statement? No, students should avoid mentioning specific schools in their personal statement. Instead, they should focus on their academic and personal goals and how their chosen school or program can help them achieve those goals.
• Can a parent help with the personal statement? While parents can provide guidance and support, it is essential to remember that the personal statement should reflect the student’s voice and experiences. Parents should avoid taking over the writing process and let their child take the lead.
• How important is the personal statement in the admissions process? The personal statement is a crucial component of the admissions process, as it provides admissions officers with insight into the student’s character, values, and goals. A well-crafted personal statement can set a student apart from other applicants and significantly impact their chances of admission.
• Should a student focus on their academic or personal achievements in their personal statement? Ideally, a student should focus on both their academic and personal achievements in their personal statement. They should showcase how their achievements have shaped them into the person they are today and how they plan to use those experiences to achieve their academic and personal goals.
• Should I use humor or a more serious tone in my personal statement? The tone of your personal statement should match your personality and the content of your essay. If you are a naturally humorous person and have a compelling story to tell that includes humor, it may be appropriate to include it in your essay. However, if your experiences and strengths are better expressed through a serious or more reflective tone, that may be more effective.
• Can I use quotes or anecdotes in my personal statement? Using quotes or anecdotes can be a powerful way to convey your message and showcase your personality. However, it is important to ensure that the quote or anecdote is relevant and supports the overall theme of your essay. Avoid using quotes or anecdotes as a way to fill space or as a crutch for weak writing.

By addressing these frequently asked questions, parents and students can gain a better understanding of what to expect when crafting a personal statement and learn how to make it stand out in the admissions process. This knowledge will enable them to create a compelling essay that highlights their strengths, experiences, and goals, ultimately increasing their chances of admission.

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Essay on Public Schools vs Private Schools

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
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Public School vs Private School Essay Introduction

Public schools vs private schools: classroom size & admission, essay about private and public schools: cost & tuition, private school vs public school essay conclusion.

Need to compare and contrast public and private schools? Essay samples like this one will help you with this task! Here, you will learn about advantages, disadvantages, and differences between public schools vs private schools. Choose your side of the debate and persuade the readers in your public school vs private school essay!

Comparing private and public schools can be more or less like comparing oranges and apples, two very disparate things that can never be held on similar standards. Choosing the best school for your child is one of the most important decisions parents have to make for their children but most parents rely on rumors and hearsay in deciding on whether to send their children to a private or a public school.

The best ways to determine whether you are making the right decision for your child is by visiting the school and asking for clarification from teachers for all your queries. What school your youngster attend to is a personal decision which is greatly determined by the family values, special needs of the kids, his mannerisms and interests.

This essay critically compares the differences and similarities, advantages and disadvantages and the issues that a rise in both private and public schools that affects the education of the children mainly preschool kids the its effects they on the kids future life.

Statistics show that some time back private school used to do better than public schools but recently this gap has been narrowing and making it harder for parents to choose between a private independent school with a high price tag on it, from a local public school which is relatively cheaper (Diana, 2006).

According to Maureen ( 2011, pp.10) public schools usually have larger class sizes due to the fact that they are required to admit every child who meets the qualifications set by the government. This offers an advantage to the pre-school children by improving their communication and socializing skills since they interact with more children from different races, cultures and social classes.

However, large classes are also disadvantageous in that it reduces the ratio of teachers to students and this tends to limit the teacher’s concentration on students hence limiting the children’s there performance. The average ratio of teachers to students in public schools is 1:17while in private schools its 1:9.

Private schools on the other hand are very selective in terms of their admissions. Some schools cannot admit students from certain religions, races or even economic status. This tends to reduce the population of private schools. Some of the long term effects to children attending privately owned pre-schools are poor socializing skills due to the low population size and similar social classes, religion and lack of diverse cultures (Robert, 2011, pp4).

Public schools are cheaper and they are funded by the government and some of them are usually underfunded. They are a part of the large school system which is part of the government and this makes them vulnerable to the political influence hence exposes them to political vulnerabilities which if experienced affects their performance.

The economic status of the country and the government also greatly affects the operations of public schools. Their curriculum is determined by the government and as you know different regions face different challenges hence the need for different curriculum to meet the different needs. (GreatSchools, 2010, pp.5)

Private schools on the other hand charge a higher tuition fee which is the major source of its funds. This makes them independent and protects them from the political realm hence they are free to determine their own curricula which is usually single minded, producing best results by providing the best quality of education possible (Eddie , 2011, pp.4)

In cases of children with special needs public schools usually have special programs and specially trained teachers who are well trained to work with such children. In contrast most private schools lack these programs and they are sometimes forced to deny such kids admission to their institutions and sometimes these services may be offered at an extra cost.

Is the question about which schools are better, private or public schools, answered yet? I bet not since there are no clear conclusions since they both have advantages and disadvantages as we have seen. In a nut shell the best school for ones child depends on the values, mannerisms, family, back ground, needs and interests of both the parents and the children. In other words one man’s meat is another man’s poison.

Diana, J. S. (2006). Public Schools Perform Near Private Ones in Study . Web.

Eddie, R. (2011). Pre School Education: Private Schools Vs PublicSchools . Web.

Great Schools Staff. (2010). Private versus public . Web.

Maureen, B. (2011). Public vs. private : Which is right for your child? Web.

Robert, N. (2011). Private vs Public Schools: Class Size. Web.

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10.2: Introduction to Argumentative Thesis Statements

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What you’ll learn to do: evaluate argumentative thesis statements

An academic argument asserts a claim and supports that claim with evidence. The goal of an argument is to convince readers that the writer’s position is reasonable, valid, and worthy of consideration. Therefore, an argumentative thesis statement needs to be not only clear and focused, but also debatable, assertive, and reasoned. Additionally, an argumentative thesis must be able to be supported with evidence.

• Outcome: Argumentative Thesis Statements. Provided by : University of Mississippi. License : CC BY: Attribution

Module: Academic Argument

Practice: argumentative thesis statements, learning objectives.

• Recognize an argumentative thesis
• Evaluate an argumentative thesis

In the practice exercises below, you will use the information you learned in the previous reading to help you recognize and evaluate argumentative thesis statements. Keep in mind that a sound argumentative thesis should be debatable, assertive, reasonable, evidence based, and focused.

• Practice: Argumentative Thesis Statements. Provided by : University of Mississippi. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Argumentative Thesis Activity. Provided by : Excelsior College. Located at : http://owl.excelsior.edu/argument-and-critical-thinking/argumentative-thesis/argumentative-thesis-activity/ . Project : Excelsior OWL. License : CC BY: Attribution

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General election latest: Labour lead grows to high not seen since Truss was PM - as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admits tax cuts failed to dent poll deficit

A new poll shows Labour surging, despite the Diane Abbott row, as voters say the Tories have had a bad week. But a third of voters say the Labour campaign has not been a success so far. Meanwhile, Jeremy Hunt has admitted that the two tax cuts did not help boost Tory poll ratings.

Sunday 2 June 2024 00:04, UK

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• Poll: Labour lead grows to 20pts - as majority say bad week for Tory campaign
• Hunt admits tax cuts failed to cut Tory poll deficit
• Coming up on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips from 8.30am
• Starmer launches 'battle bus' - and makes Johnson fridge gag
• Sunak pledges £20m to 30 towns across UK
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• Beth Rigby: Starmer made an unforced error
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We're wrapping up our coverage for tonight.

Join us on Sky News from 8.30am for Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips  - we will be hearing from:

• Yvette Cooper , Labour's shadow home secretary;
• Victoria Atkins , health secretary;
• Stephen Flynn , SNP Westminster leader;
• Rhun ap Iorwerth , Plaid Cymru leader.

On Trevor's expert panel will be:

• Andrew Marr , broadcaster;
• Jo Tanner , former Conservative adviser;
• Anne McElvoy , Politico's executive editor.

Follow along in the morning as we keep up to date with the latest in 2024 General Election campaign.

The Liberal Democrats are announcing that they will "reverse Tory cuts" to the Public Health Grant and commit to investing £1bn a year as part of a key manifesto commitment.

The grant is paid to local authorities from the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) budget to provide preventative health services.

The party says there has been a 28% real-terms per person cut in the value of the Public Health Grant since 2015/16 - and that it has been cut in Rishi Sunak's Yorkshire seat by £5m.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said in a statement that the Tories have "decimated public health funding, leaving Britain with a ticking time bomb of health challenges".

She went on: "The public health crisis in our country has Rishi Sunak's fingerprints all over it. He has slashed funding for vital local services that support children, failed to fix our crumbling hospitals and overseen a stark rise in health inequality.

"The Liberal Democrats would reverse these scandalous cuts and invest in empowering local communities and individuals to lead healthier lives."

In response, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said all the Lib Dems have done during the campaign so far is "snipe from the sidelines and taken part in ridiculous gimmicks".

She said they would "prop up a Labour government" whose plans, in their view, have a £38.5bn "black hole".

"Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have a clear plan and have taken bold action," she added.

The Conservative Party is pledging tonight to build 100 new GP surgeries if it wins the general election.

Rishi Sunak is also promising to modernise a further 150 existing surgeries, while also expanding his Pharmacy First pledge, saying more treatments would be available without needing to see a GP.

The expansion of the scheme would offer women more contraceptive options, deliver menopause support, and provide treatment for more conditions, such as acne and chest infections.

The Tories say that would free up 20 million GP appointments, once fully implemented.

They are also pledging an expansion of the Community Diagnostic Centres programme, building 50 more on top of the existing 160 which, they say, would expand capacity for another 2.5m checks and diagnostic tests.

The Tories say this will be paid for by cutting back the number of NHS managers to pre-pandemic levels and halving management consultancy spend across government, insisting the policy is "fully costed".

The pledge to build new GP surgeries is likely to raise eyebrows, however, after a "damning" report found that the government will not be able to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030, as promised by the Tories at the last general election in 2019.

The National Audit Office (NAO) concluded that only 32 of the promised 40 hospitals would be delivered by 2030, due to the scheme being over-budget and hard to deliver ( read more from the report here ).

In a statement, Rishi Sunak said: "The NHS is one of our most important national assets and the Conservatives are taking the long-term decisions to secure its future.  

"As part of our clear plan we are investing in community services making it quicker, easier and more convenient for patients to receive the care they need and help to relieve pressure on hospital services."

Hear more from Health Secretary Victoria Atkins live on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips from 8.30am tomorrow.

Jeremy Hunt has admitted that the two cuts to national insurance in the last year have not made a dent in the party's poll deficit.

According to the Sky News Poll Tracker , Labour's average lead over the Conservatives has hovered around 20% over the last year, and the government hoped that cutting national insurance by a total of four percentage points would boost their standing amid the cost of living crisis.

But the chancellor has admitted that those efforts failed.

Asked by the Mail on Sunday why the PM decided not to wait until the autumn to hold the election to allow for further tax cuts, as then Tory MPs were calling for, Mr Hunt said: "The fact that we've had two significant tax cuts that haven't really changed the polls demonstrates to me that having a third one with the same again is unlikely to change the calculus."

He also told the newspaper that the view of the Bank of England is that a cut to interest rates takes around 18 months for families to feel the difference, so "the idea that you have a drop in interest rates and suddenly everyone feels good... is to underestimate how people are making this decision".

But the Tories are today continuing to push Labour on the economy, and in particular around pensions.

The chancellor has announced what the party is calling a "Pensions Tax Guarantee", which is a promise not to introduce any new taxes on pensions or increase existing ones for the whole of the next parliament.

He attacked Labour, saying they will introduce a "retirement tax" and "betray pension holders to fill their fiscal blackhole".

He pointed to a suggestion Labour's Rachel Reeves endorsed in 2018 - before the last election and years before becoming shadow chancellor - to increase taxes on workplace pensions.

It's 10pm - here's what you need to know as the second Saturday of the election campaign comes to an end.

Both Labour and the Conservatives have been out on the campaign trail, launching their "battle buses" for the rest of this six-week race.

Let us get you up to speed on everything you may have missed today…

• Labour was in Uxbridge , west London, kicking off a 5,000-mile trip around the UK on their "battle bus", fronted by deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner;
• Launching the bus, Sir Keir Starmer made a few digs at the Conservatives - and former prime minister Boris Johnson, who was an MP in Uxbridge - saying of the bus: "This one I'm reliably told has got a fridge at the back of it, so check that Boris Johnson isn't in there - he used to be around these parts";
• The joke is in reference to the former prime minister hiding in a fridge as he tried to avoid a TV interview with Good Morning Britain;
• Later, Sir Keir refused to comment on the row with Diane Abbott , avoiding even saying her name when asked about the situation around her candidacy.
• Senior frontbencher Steve Reed told Politics Hub With Ali Fortescue  that the Labour leader "hasn't changed his mind [on allowing her to stand] because Diane was never blocked from standing as an MP";
• Former party adviser John McTernan told the programme that Sir Keir and Angela Rayner agreed behind that scenes that trying to block her was "a huge error" - and this was "bad party management";
• A new poll has also showed Labour's lead at 20pts - a high not seen with that company, Opinium, since the Truss premiership.
• Rishi Sunak has been in the North East of England, where he too launched a campaign bus baring the slogan: "clear plan, bold action, secure future";
• Ahead of his arrival, a soundtrack of indie and pop from the 2000s and 2010s played, including Mr Brightside by the Killers, and Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People, two US bands;
• The Conservatives have also pledged to give £20m to 30 towns across the country - a move the Labour Party has branded a "reckless, unfunded commitment";
• Science minister Andrew Griffith clarified today that this is a pledge of £600m - with £20m earmarked for each of the 30 towns identified by the party;
• A new poll from Opinium showed Labour 20pts ahead, and 61% of voters do not think the Conservative campaign has been successful, with just 20% thinking it has been.
• SNP  candidates have been out campaigning across Scotland, and the party's Europe spokesperson Alyn Smith insisted to  Politics Hub With Ali Fortescue  that voting for them is the best way to get rid of the Tories;
• Workers Party of Britain  leader George Galloway launched their general election campaign, attacking both Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak as "Blairites";
• His party's policies, he said, are "of peace, equality, justice, an end to the slaughter in Gaza, and a new direction for Britain";
• Mr Galloway also claimed he is a candidate for PM, and said he will be taking legal action against ITV and Ofcom to push for his inclusion in Tuesday's prime ministerial debate;
• Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has been taking a break from the campaign trail today to "be a dad", and look after his son John - who has special needs;
• Despite this, the Lib Dem campaign continued, with Treasury spokeswoman Sarah Olney on a visit in Eastbourne;
• Reform UK leader Richard Tice has been in Skegness with honorary president Nigel Farage, and the pair were spotted stopping for an ice-cream and chatting with locals.

Here are a couple of other stories that may interest you:

Our essential political podcast,  Politics At Jack And Sam's , is going out every week day through the election campaign to bring a short burst of everything you need to know about the day ahead as this election unfolds.

Tap here to follow Politics At Jack At Sam's wherever you get your podcasts .

Stick with us for all the latest throughout the evening.

By Samuel Osborne , news correspondent

The pop band behind New Labour's 1997 anthem Things Can Only Get Better has banned Sir Keir Starmer from using the song in the election.

D:Ream's founding members Alan Mackenzie and Peter Cunnah said they were dismayed to hear their number one hit  play through a loudspeaker  as Rishi Sunak announced he was calling a general election on 4 July.

The pair told LBC their first thought was: "Not again."

But Sir Keir Starmer brushed off the snub, telling LBC: "Well, look, we're not in 1997. We're in 2024."

Read more here:

By Dr Hannah Bunting, Sky News elections analyst, and Joely Santa Cruz, data journalist

The prime minister has taken a defensive approach, signalling the Conservatives' worry about being so far behind in the polls.

Sir Keir Starmer's visits show the scale of their ambition and highlight Labour's awareness of the challenge they face. They need to gain 125 seats to win the smallest possible majority.

This campaign is being fought on new electoral boundaries, with many constituencies undergoing significant changes since 2019.

With just over a week of frenetic campaigning completed, read the full analysis of the approaches of the two main party leaders here:

Our flagship Sunday morning show, hosted by  Trevor Phillips , will be live on Sky News from 8.30am until 10am tomorrow morning, and we have a packed line-up for you after this eventful first week of the campaign.

Trevor will be chatting to:

Watch live on Sky News and in the stream at the top of this page - and follow updates here in the Politics Hub.

Watch  Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips  from 8.30am every Sunday on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on the  Sky News website  and  app  or on  YouTube .

Labour has announced plans to reduce net migration - with Sir Keir Starmer accusing the Conservatives of having "repeatedly broken their promises" to get the number down.

Figures published after Rishi Sunak called the general election showed a net of 685,000 arrived in the UK last year - down from a record of 764,000 in 2022.

The 2023 figure is still three times the number in 2019 when the last election took place - and the Tories pledged to reduce net migration.

Labour's proposals to reduce migration centre around boosting skills for British workers, and cracking down on employers that break the law.

The measures announced today are:

• Machinery of government changes to ensure cross-Whitehall working to spot skills shortages, so training can be offered to tackle them and avoiding needing to recruit from overseas;
• Banning employers and recruitment agencies that break employment law from being allowed to hire workers overseas;
• Ending workplace exploitation, where "whereby migration is used as a way to undercut the terms and conditions of workers here";
• Reforming the points-based immigration, brought in after Brexit, and legislation to instruct the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to work with other government agencies to ensure their approaches are aligned in organising training where there is a gap in skills.

Sir Keir has pledged a "a future Labour government will bring down net migration".

He said in a statement that under a government led by him, "Britain will be less reliant on migration by training more UK workers".

"The Tories have repeatedly broken their promises to bring down net migration," he added, and said they will make the immigration system "work for the people of this country".

On 12 June, Sky News will host an election leaders' event in Grimsby - a key marginal seat and one of our Target Towns this election year.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the Conservative leader Rishi Sunak have been invited to attend, and we are looking for a live audience to join us on the night.

If you would like to be part of this studio audience, and be given the opportunity to ask a question to one of the party leaders, please complete the short questionnaire in this link .

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