WEEK 6: THESIS STATEMENTS ENGL 1301 MRS. EDLIN

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS Can you define “thesis statement?”Can you define “thesis statement?” The thesis statement is a single sentence in the opening paragraph that sums up what the essay is about.The thesis statement is a single sentence in the opening paragraph that sums up what the essay is about. Every essay should have a thesis statement that functions like a road sign, telling the reader where the essay intends to go.Every essay should have a thesis statement that functions like a road sign, telling the reader where the essay intends to go.

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS A thesis statement has three practical aims:A thesis statement has three practical aims: It tells in a single sentence what your essay is aboutIt tells in a single sentence what your essay is about It helps you organize your essayIt helps you organize your essay It reflects your understanding of the topic or text and the argument you intend to make about itIt reflects your understanding of the topic or text and the argument you intend to make about it What does the text say?What does the text say? What does the text do?What does the text do?

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS There are several faults in writing thesis statements, but the four most common are:There are several faults in writing thesis statements, but the four most common are: Too narrow – leaves you with little or nothing to discuss.Too narrow – leaves you with little or nothing to discuss. Too narrow: I had my cat declawed to protect my furniture.Too narrow: I had my cat declawed to protect my furniture. Discussible: A declawed cat makes a good indoor pet.Discussible: A declawed cat makes a good indoor pet.

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS Too broad – commits you to a topic too big to cover in a brief essay.Too broad – commits you to a topic too big to cover in a brief essay. Too broad: The detective story is an important type of world literature.Too broad: The detective story is an important type of world literature. Narrowed: Sherlock Holmes was one of the first popular detectives in the detective story.Narrowed: Sherlock Holmes was one of the first popular detectives in the detective story.

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS Uncommitted or Indefinite – does not plainly state the writer’s opinion on the subject but instead tries to wriggle out of taking a stand.Uncommitted or Indefinite – does not plainly state the writer’s opinion on the subject but instead tries to wriggle out of taking a stand. Uncommitted or indefinite: People love chess.Uncommitted or indefinite: People love chess. Better: People love chess because it is cheap and engrossing and can be played almost anywhere.Better: People love chess because it is cheap and engrossing and can be played almost anywhere.

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS Unclear – badly written; wordy, fuzzy, or pompous.Unclear – badly written; wordy, fuzzy, or pompous. Unclear: Walking is an ideal exercise of which old and young make no difference as far as being able to improve a physical condition that is not particularly good.Unclear: Walking is an ideal exercise of which old and young make no difference as far as being able to improve a physical condition that is not particularly good. Clear: Walking is an ideal exercise for both young and old people who are not in top physical condition.Clear: Walking is an ideal exercise for both young and old people who are not in top physical condition.

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS The thesis statement determines how good your whole essay will be. So, keep these things in mind when seeking to construct a good thesis statement:The thesis statement determines how good your whole essay will be. So, keep these things in mind when seeking to construct a good thesis statement: If your thesis statement is too narrow, your essay will be boring because it lacks a discussible edge.If your thesis statement is too narrow, your essay will be boring because it lacks a discussible edge.

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS If your thesis statement is too broad, your essay will either be superficial because you didn’t deliver what you promised or too long because you did.If your thesis statement is too broad, your essay will either be superficial because you didn’t deliver what you promised or too long because you did. If your thesis statement is uncommitted, your essay will drift, not clearly making a point (because you don’t have one).If your thesis statement is uncommitted, your essay will drift, not clearly making a point (because you don’t have one).

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS If your thesis statement is unclear because of bad writing, the point of your essay will be fuzzy; if your thesis statement is unclear because of pompous writing, your reader may not even bother to continue reading.If your thesis statement is unclear because of bad writing, the point of your essay will be fuzzy; if your thesis statement is unclear because of pompous writing, your reader may not even bother to continue reading.

WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS In short, a good thesis statement:In short, a good thesis statement: Has a discussible edgeHas a discussible edge Presents a manageable topicPresents a manageable topic Gives the writer’s committed opinionGives the writer’s committed opinion Is clearly writtenIs clearly written

THESIS STATEMENT PRACTICE Get with a partner. Mark the good thesis statement in each pair and explain why it is good.Get with a partner. Mark the good thesis statement in each pair and explain why it is good. _____ Stephen King writes readable books_____ Stephen King writes readable books _____ Stephen King’s books are so good because they are about normal people who get into supernatural situations._____ Stephen King’s books are so good because they are about normal people who get into supernatural situations. Reason: ________________________________Reason: ________________________________

THESIS STATEMENT PRACTICE _____ Recharging the cartridges of laser printers saves money, recycles a useful part, and helps the environment._____ Recharging the cartridges of laser printers saves money, recycles a useful part, and helps the environment. _____ Recharging the cartridges of laser printers is worthwhile._____ Recharging the cartridges of laser printers is worthwhile. Reason: ________________________________Reason: ________________________________

THESIS STATEMENT PRACTICE _____ Consumer Reports magazine helps buyers make decisions, brings them up to date, and informs them of product recalls._____ Consumer Reports magazine helps buyers make decisions, brings them up to date, and informs them of product recalls. _____ Consumer Reports magazine helps people._____ Consumer Reports magazine helps people. Reason: ________________________________Reason: ________________________________

Summary of thesis statements “Musts” in developing a thesis statement:“Musts” in developing a thesis statement: Identify the title of the essay or article you are using as a primary textIdentify the title of the essay or article you are using as a primary text Identify the author of the primary textIdentify the author of the primary text Identify rhetorical choices that aid in understanding the purpose/audience of the textIdentify rhetorical choices that aid in understanding the purpose/audience of the text Exemplify that you have an understanding of the text’s purpose, audience, context, etc.Exemplify that you have an understanding of the text’s purpose, audience, context, etc.

Summary of thesis statements Remember, the thesis statement you begin with may not be the thesis statement that you end with.Remember, the thesis statement you begin with may not be the thesis statement that you end with. Thesis statements are always considered “working” thesis statements because more than likely, the will require revision.Thesis statements are always considered “working” thesis statements because more than likely, the will require revision. You should be prepared to draft, revise, and redraft thesis statements until they are clear and in alignment with your argument.You should be prepared to draft, revise, and redraft thesis statements until they are clear and in alignment with your argument.

THESIS STATEMENT Workshop With a partner, look at each others’ thesis homework (“Laughing All the Way to the Darwinian Bank”) and evaluate:With a partner, look at each others’ thesis homework (“Laughing All the Way to the Darwinian Bank”) and evaluate: What is their thesis? (Is it interesting? Specific? Manageable?)What is their thesis? (Is it interesting? Specific? Manageable?) What evidence do they use from the text to support their thesis?What evidence do they use from the text to support their thesis? Work to come up with a revised working thesis statement.Work to come up with a revised working thesis statement.

Homework: BA4 Objective: To develop new strategies for writing a thesis statement. Objective: To develop new strategies for writing a thesis statement. Purpose: One key to writing a successful essay is to develop a focused thesis statement. This assignment will enable you to do so. Purpose: One key to writing a successful essay is to develop a focused thesis statement. This assignment will enable you to do so. Description: For your draft 1.1, you will write a rhetorical analysis. See the description of Draft 1.1 for a discussion of what a rhetorical analysis is and what you will be expected to do. Description: For your draft 1.1, you will write a rhetorical analysis. See the description of Draft 1.1 for a discussion of what a rhetorical analysis is and what you will be expected to do.

Homework: BA4 In this assignment, you will continue your preparation for writing your rhetorical analysis by writing thesis statements suitable for it. Using three texts specified by your classroom instructor, or the three texts listed below, you will 1) identify the audience and purpose of each text and explain what those are in about words, and 2) create a thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis of each text.In this assignment, you will continue your preparation for writing your rhetorical analysis by writing thesis statements suitable for it. Using three texts specified by your classroom instructor, or the three texts listed below, you will 1) identify the audience and purpose of each text and explain what those are in about words, and 2) create a thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis of each text.

Homework: BA4 Remember that to successfully create your thesis statements, you will need to read these texts carefully (and, usually, several times) so that you thoroughly understand the audience, purpose, and content of the texts.Remember that to successfully create your thesis statements, you will need to read these texts carefully (and, usually, several times) so that you thoroughly understand the audience, purpose, and content of the texts. Texts for your thesis statements:Texts for your thesis statements: “The New Sovereignty,” Shelby Steele 450“The New Sovereignty,” Shelby Steele 450 “My Pedagogic Creed,” John Dewey 460“My Pedagogic Creed,” John Dewey 460 “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson 468“The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson 468

Other Homework St. Martin's Handbook: Chapter 3f-g, "Planning," "Drafting,"St. Martin's Handbook: Chapter 3f-g, "Planning," "Drafting," First-Year Writing: Ch. 11, First-Year Writing: Ch. 11, “The New Sovereignty,” Shelby Steele 450“The New Sovereignty,” Shelby Steele 450 “My Pedagogic Creed,” John Dewey 460“My Pedagogic Creed,” John Dewey 460 “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson 468“The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson 468 Create an outline of each text (Steele, Dewey, Emerson) and bring them to class with you next week.Create an outline of each text (Steele, Dewey, Emerson) and bring them to class with you next week.

Why and how to create a useful outline It may be helpful to create an outline when you want to show the hierarchical relationship or logical ordering of information. For research papers, an outline may help you keep track of large amounts of information. For creative writing, an outline may help organize the various plot threads and help keep track of character traits. Many people find that organizing an oral report or presentation in outline form helps them speak more effectively in front of a crowd.

Why and how to create a useful outline Below are the primary reasons for creating an outline: Aids in the process of writing Helps you organize your ideas Presents your material in a logical form Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing Constructs an ordered overview of your writing Defines boundaries and groups

Why and how to create a useful outline How do I create an outline? Determine the purpose of the essay paper. Determine the audience the essay was written for. Develop a working thesis for the essay. Answer the question “What does the text say?” Answer the question “What does the text do?”