1. Thesis Statements/ Large Claim

2. Thesis Statements A thesis statement identifies the purpose of the essay (large claim) It is an opinion or claim, not a statement of fact or observation (it answers the prompt) It takes a stand rather than announces a subject

3. The Best Thesis Statements = 1-2 clear, specific sentences Narrow topic Debatable (someone can disagree) Answers the question

4. Good or Bad? In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury uses the symbol of the phoenix to show how the world and Montag are reborn at the end of the novel. There are many symbols in Fahrenheit 451. The symbols in Fahrenheit 451 are mirrors, the phoenix, and fire.

5. Good or Bad? In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury uses the symbol of the phoenix to show how the world and Montag are reborn at the end of the novel.  GOOD – specific, an opinion There are many symbols in Fahrenheit 451.  BAD - fact The symbols in Fahrenheit 451 are mirrors, the phoenix, and fire.  BAD – fact

6. Good or Bad? Montag changes from the beginning to the end in Fahrenheit 451. In Fahrenheit 451, Montag burns books at the beginning and doesn’t burn books at the end showing he has changed. The three lessons learned in Fahrenheit 451 are about technology, education and the value of books, and censorship is bad.

7. Good or Bad? Montag changes from the beginning to the end in Fahrenheit 451.  BAD – doesn’t answer the prompt In Fahrenheit 451, Montag burns books at the beginning and doesn’t burn books at the end showing he has changed.  BAD – uses examples instead of explaining how he changed as a person The three lessons learned in Fahrenheit 451 are about technology, education and the value of books, and censorship is bad.  BAD – too broad, wording unclear

8. Topic Sentences: The Tiny Thesis

9. Topic Sentences Thesis statement = unifying force of essay Topic sentence = unifying force of paragraph The topic sentence makes a claim, and the paragraph which follows must expand, describe, or prove the topic sentence in some way

10. Hint: If someone reads your thesis statement followed by all of your topic sentences, they should be able to understand your entire argument o the rest of the essay is just explaining and proving that argument

11. Strong Examples: THESIS/BIG CLAIM: Ray Bradbury successfully portrays the ambiguity of fire’s symbolism in Fahrenheit 451, as Montag’s mental transformation and relationship to society changes his understanding of fire. At first he believes that fire is simply a destructive force, but he slowly begins to understand the comforting and unifying nature of fire. Topic Sentence #1 (claim!): Bradbury first portrays fire as a destructive force, starting his novel with Montag burning books. Topic Sentence #2 (claim!): Bradbury first begins to hint that fire can symbolize hope and passion very early in the novel, although Montag does not realize this possibility. Topic Sentence #3 (claim!): Towards the end of the novel, Montag himself begins to understand the renewing and comforting power of fire that is forgotten in his violent and ignorant society, and he begins to personify fire as well. These topic sentences are making clear, specific claims that help to build the argument stated in the thesis statement.

12. Strong Evidence

13. Evidence Should be short pieces from the text (2-3 sentences) that directly relate to your topic sentence Remember, evidence does NOT have to be dialogue; it can be any sentence from the novel

14. Evidence Set-up each example by explaining when this quote happened in the novel and who is involved in the quotation Cite your source giving the author and page number  (Bradbury 64) After each piece of evidence, you must include warrants which connect your text to your claims o (You do not have to do this step on the outline – just in the final essay)

15. Your Turn: Find one piece of strong textual evidence to support this topic sentence. Hint: Page 139 Topic Sentence #3 : Towards the end of the novel, Montag himself begins to understand the renewing and comforting power of fire that is forgotten in his violent and ignorant society, and he begins to personify fire as well.

16. GOOD EXAMPLE Topic Sentence #3 (claim): Towards the end of the novel, Montag himself begins to understand the renewing and comforting power of fire that is forgotten in his violent and ignorant society, and he begins to personify fire as well. Set-Up & Data : Upon escaping the city and finding the group of “book people,” Montag discovers a new type of fire he had never known. It was one which “was not burning… it was warming” (Bradbury 145). Warrant: The men gather around the fire in camaraderie and true comfort, both of which are non-existent in his society. He had never known the positive powers of fire, only those which could destroy-killing Mildred, Beatty and Faber.