November 15 – The Crucible Agenda: Comma and Grammar Pre-Test Quick-Write Thesis creation Notes Individual/Group Work Using your thesis Take out: Pen/Pencil Notebook Essay Prompt HW: Find and write down six quotations that that support your newly developed thesis

Quick-write What does a thesis statement do? Why do you need to have one?

A Thesis is… …a statement of the purpose or main idea of an essay. Look back at the prompt: What is the purpose of the essay that you will be writing? What is going to be the main idea of your essay?

What does a thesis do? Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic. Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper. Is focused and specific enough to be "proven" within the boundaries of your paper. Is generally located near the end of the introduction; sometimes, in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or in an entire paragraph. Identifies the relationships between the pieces of evidence that you are using to support your argument. Effectively answers the essay prompt.

Picking Apart Our Prompt Look at the prompt below, and identify what elements MUST be addressed in your thesis (and your paper): PROMPT: What statement is Arthur Miller making (in The Crucible) about humanity?

Question to Assertion When the assignment asks a specific question, begin writing a thesis by turning the question into an assertion, and give reasons why it is true or reasons for your opinion. EXAMPLE: Assignment: What should students do after graduating from high school? Beginning thesis statement: High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

You Try: Question to Assertion When the assignment asks a specific question, begin writing a thesis by turning the question into an assertion, and give reasons why it is true or reasons for your opinion. EXAMPLE: Assignment: What statement is Arthur Miller making (in The Crucible) about humanity? Beginning thesis statement:

What makes a strong thesis statement? A strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea. A strong thesis statement is specific.

Those are WEAK! Write down all four theses below, and then write one or two sentences for each one, explaining why it is a WEAK thesis. Use your notes to help you. There are many positive and negative aspects to the Red Scare. Miller believed that the Red Scare was similar to the Salem Witch Hysteria. Miller believed that humans desire material wealth, and that people strive to have power over others. The Salem Witch Trials and the Red Scare had many causes and effects.

Clarifying your thesis statement: Swap thesis statements with a group member, and have them answer these questions based on the thesis that you have written, and the elements of a STRONG thesis. Does it take some sort of stand? Does it justify discussion? Does it express one main idea? Is the thesis statement specific? Give that person suggestions based on your answers to these questions.

Using Your Thesis Now you need to ensure that you can effectively use your thesis Your homework assignment is to find and write down (on a new sheet of paper) six quotations that can be used to support your thesis NOT just six random quotations, it breaks down like this: TWO quotations from The Crucible Source: The Crucible TWO quotations from the Red Scare time period Sources: Video/class notes, “Why I Wrote the Crucible”, In-text essays from Act I of The Crucible TWO quotations from the 21st century time period Source: Articles that I provided, other articles/information that you find on your own (Make sure to cite EVERYTHING)