In this essay there are 6 sources. I would type it out but I doubt that someone will read all the sources to help me out. If you want, I could type every source out. Can someone help me explain what this is asking and how I could make a thesis statement out of it??? Now, the introduction of the essay is this:

In 1949, after World War 2 and during the time when an "Iron Curtain" separated Spain, Germany, and Russia from the rest of Europe, George Orwell wrote "1984" a novel that suggested that, by the year of the title, the world could fall under the rule of a totalitarian regime that would monitor its citizens' every move, punishing any behavior that is considered offensive. The year 1984 has come and gone, without Orwell's prediction coming true. Or has it? Does our "Surveillance Society" threaten civil liberties in a way that mirrors Orwell's fears?

This should help you:

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml

Basically I need help with understanding what the question is asking? I need clarification on that in order to write my thesis.

First, I think your question has an error. The cold war did not separate Spain from the rest of Europe.

The question as asking whether you think Orwell was right in saying that our liberties are in danger now.

It seems pretty clear to me. Have you real the novel? Does the collection of all telephone records, no-fly lists, etc., in our current society reflect what Orwell imagined?

http://www.cbsnews.com/feature/nsa-surveillance-exposed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_(surveillance_program)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_surveillance_disclosures_(2013–present)

If you don't know what the "Surveillance Society" means, these should explain.

And yes, Ms. Sue is right. The question is in error. The "iron curtain" referred to the division of Europe between "the west" and the rule of the Soviet Union. Germany was divided. Spain was not "behind the iron curtain."

http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/glossary/g/glironcurtain.htm

I literally typed the INTRODUCTION that what was on my paper saying the "Iron Curtain" separated Spain so I'm confused. But either way. the point or question is whether I think Orwell was right in saying that our liberties are in danger now.

For my essay, I have to take a position that defends or challenges the claim that the recent profusion of surveillance techniques constitutes a threat to civil liberty.

Would it be easier to defend this or challenge the claim in an essay??

I don't even know how to start off my thesis.

Did you read the websites that Reed linked?

Based on the provided information, it appears that the essay is exploring the concept of a "Surveillance Society" and its potential threat to civil liberties, drawing a parallel to the dystopian society depicted in George Orwell's novel "1984." To make a thesis statement, you would need to express your opinion or argument on this topic. Here's an example of a possible thesis statement:

"While Orwell's prediction of a totalitarian regime in '1984' did not come true in the literal sense, the concept of a 'Surveillance Society' mirrors his fears by posing a significant threat to civil liberties, as evidenced by six sources to be analyzed in this essay."

In this thesis statement, it's crucial to mention that there are six sources that you will analyze. This indicates that you will be drawing evidence from those sources to support your argument about the parallel between a "Surveillance Society" and Orwell's fears.

To further develop your essay, you would need to analyze each of the six sources to gather relevant information and evidence to support your argument.