This document provides an overview of thesis statements and using evidence to support claims from a college composition class. It defines a thesis statement as having two parts - a specific topic and the author's stance on that topic. Common thesis mistakes like stating facts or being too vague are outlined. The document also discusses using different types of relevant, specific evidence to persuade readers and "prove" the thesis, like examples, facts, quotes and expert opinions. Students are assigned to revise a childhood essay and write an introduction with thesis and three body paragraphs with different evidence types to support the thesis.
Here you will find out on how to write an Argumentative Essay, how to choose a topic and express your opinion. More advice are in this article https://essay-academy.com/account/blog/how-to-write-an-argumentative-essay
Why do you need to write your Argumentative Essay Outline? You can find out the answer after watching this presentation. We also recommend to read an article https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NksUxKaaEyU&feature=youtu.be
Here you will find out on how to write an Argumentative Essay, how to choose a topic and express your opinion. More advice are in this article https://essay-academy.com/account/blog/how-to-write-an-argumentative-essay
Why do you need to write your Argumentative Essay Outline? You can find out the answer after watching this presentation. We also recommend to read an article https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NksUxKaaEyU&feature=youtu.be
Find tips and ideas to write argumentative essay for your college. Do you need someone to help with your essay writing? Our slides about argumentative essay will help you!
This presentation can give useful advice to all the information you have already gathered for your Argumentative Essay. More tips you can take from this article https://essay-academy.com/account/blog/how-to-write-argumentative-essay
Introduction to Thesis Statements (High School)Ashley Bishop
I wrote this for my 9th graders to introduce them to writing a thesis statement. It includes a short quiz mid-way through and has them write their own thesis statement for an essay they are already writing.
English Language - Argumentative Writing Goh Bang Rui
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These slides are used to explain the idea of writing an argumentative essay for English Language. Students are introduced to the concept of writing an argumentative essay and then expected to write a speech based on three appeals to the audience - logos, pathos and ethos. From there, they are to write an argumentative essay. These slides also explain the concept of evidence and its various examples.
If you have any feedback, please comment and like it if you find it useful.
Here you will find recommendations as for writing your Persuasive Essay Outline. There are also tips which will help in your future writings. Additional details are presented int his article https://essay-academy.com/account/blog/persuasive-essay-outline
Find tips and ideas to write argumentative essay for your college. Do you need someone to help with your essay writing? Our slides about argumentative essay will help you!
This presentation can give useful advice to all the information you have already gathered for your Argumentative Essay. More tips you can take from this article https://essay-academy.com/account/blog/how-to-write-argumentative-essay
Introduction to Thesis Statements (High School)Ashley Bishop
I wrote this for my 9th graders to introduce them to writing a thesis statement. It includes a short quiz mid-way through and has them write their own thesis statement for an essay they are already writing.
English Language - Argumentative Writing Goh Bang Rui
Follow me now on slideshare
http://www.slideshare.net/gohbangrui
These slides are used to explain the idea of writing an argumentative essay for English Language. Students are introduced to the concept of writing an argumentative essay and then expected to write a speech based on three appeals to the audience - logos, pathos and ethos. From there, they are to write an argumentative essay. These slides also explain the concept of evidence and its various examples.
If you have any feedback, please comment and like it if you find it useful.
Here you will find recommendations as for writing your Persuasive Essay Outline. There are also tips which will help in your future writings. Additional details are presented int his article https://essay-academy.com/account/blog/persuasive-essay-outline
Writing a Persuasive Paragraph or Essay Choose a deba.docxbillylewis37150
Writing a Persuasive Paragraph or Essay
Choose a debatable topic
A debatable topic has two valid arguments. Your topic should be one about which you know something. The more
evidence you can provide, the more likely you are to sway your audience. You must plan on doing research and your
essay must be documented properly.
Formulate an argumentative thesis
Some topics have been discussed so often they are tired, uninteresting and not worthy of discussion. Choose a
current topic. Because the purpose of a persuasive essay is to convince readers to accept your position, your thesis
must take a stand. One way to make sure that your thesis actually does take a stand is to formulate an antithesis, a
statement that takes an arguable position opposite from yours.
Define your terms
You must make clear the terms you use in your argument. Be careful to use precise language in your thesis, avoiding
vague words such as wrong, bad, right and immoral, which convey different meaning to different people.
Accommodate your audience
Who are your readers? Are they unbiased observers or people deeply concerned about the issue you are discussing?
Are they skeptical, hostile, emotional or unconcerned? How will you convince each type?
Consider opposing arguments
You must know how to refute opposing arguments. Do this by showing that opposing views are untrue, unfair,
illogical, unimportant or irrelevant. Discuss the limitations of the opposing view. When you acknowledge an
opposing view, do not distort it or present it as ridiculously weak. This tactic, called creating a straw man, could
seriously undermine your credibility.
Gather evidence
Build your argument on assertions, claims you make about a debatable topic backed by evidence which is
supporting information in the form of examples, statistics or expert opinion. Document your evidence carefully.
Establish your credibility
Establish your credibility by finding common ground, demonstrating knowledge, and maintaining a reasonable tone.
Demonstrate knowledge about your subject by personal experiences and research. Make certain that you document
source material very carefully. For your instructor, an undocumented quotation or even an incorrect date can call an
entire paper into question. Use reasonable language, not emotionally charged language that will turn away the
reader.
Present your points fairly
Avoid distorting evidence and quoting out of context. In other words, be honest.
Don’t Apologize
Never suggest that you don't know what you're talking about or that you're not enough of an expert in this subject
that your opinion would matter. Avoid phrases like, "In my humble opinion....I'm not sure, but....." Make a BOLD
statement and proceed with confidence!
Don’t Refer to Yourself
Do not announce what you are about to do in the essay. "In this paper, I will.......... The purpose of this essay is
to......." JUST DO IT! Do not.
13
Research and Persuasive Essay
Unit Three
Front Range Community College
ENG 122 Spring 2014
Caroline Daniel, Instructor
Table of Contents
Essay assignment ………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Tips for The Beast ………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Topics ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Calendars ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Essay Assignment - Research and Persuasive Essay Paper “The Beast”
This assignment will consist of each step in the writing process.
Brainstorming Due: ________________________________________________________
Outlining Due: ______________________________________________________________
Working Thesis Statement Due: __________________________________________
Argument Proposal Due: __________________________________________________
Portfolio/Annotated Bibliography Due: _________________________________
Rough Draft #1 Due: _______________________________________________________
Rough Draft #2 Due: _______________________________________________________
Conference Date and Time: _______________________________________________
Final Draft Due: December 8, 2014
Assignment: write a 10-page persuasive research paper on the topic of your choice. Your task is to present your opinion on an issue or problem in such a way that your presentation reveals your understanding and attempt to convince others of its efficacy. Unlike argument, the persuasive essay requires an audience, which will consist of your classmates and instructor. The Research and Persuasive Essay (RPE) calls upon the skills of analysis and synthesis, i.e. “breaking” the larger issue into smaller components and incorporating opinions and evidence from sources into your own argument. You will also be using the skills of paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting sources to substantiate and support your position. The subject must be controversial: this assignment requires you to take a position and defend it, and you must be able to address the opposition, i.e., the refutation.
Organization: The essay must follow the classical arrangement of persuasive discourse. Use this guideline while preparing your outline:
1. Introduction
Remain neutral
Remain general, no specific points
Generate reader interest
Avoid overuse of sources in the introduction
2. Background
Give overview of differing opinions
Define terms (if relevant)
Provide history (if relevant)
Provide overview of interest groups
Establish credibility or authority
Introduce thesis
3. Confirmation
Your points (1 idea or point per paragraph)
Support opinion with evidence and facts from sources
Comment on how sources prove or illustrate your position
Avoid using source material, especially quotations, as topic or transitional sentences
Think about transitional words and devices that will move the argument forward seamlessly and fluidly
3. Refutation
Identify opposition by name or title (A.C.L.U., the Catholic Church)
Fairly and acc.
Paper 5 Argumentative Research PaperThe research proposal shoul.docxalfred4lewis58146
Paper 5: Argumentative Research Paper
The research proposal should allow you to understand the complexities of a topic that you feel is worth further exploration. Now you’ll use that research to write a thoughtful and persuasive final paper.
As the culminating paper of this course, the argumentative research paper is your chance to pull together all of your learning over the course of the semester. Now that you’ve learned how to appreciate rhetorical strategies, summarize and analyze others’ ideas, transfer concepts into new situations, and write evidence-based paragraphs, this paper is your chance to use all of those skills to persuade other people to take a stand on the issue or to change their stand on that issue. You should present a clearly arguable thesis, backed by credible, sufficient and fully analyzed evidence.
Key Features of a Researched Argument
1. A clear and arguable position. At the heart of every argument is a claim with which people may reasonably disagree. Some claims are not arguable because they’re completely subjective, matters of taste or opinion, because they are a matter of fact, or because they are based on belief or faith. To be arguable, a position must reflect one of at least two points of view, making reasoned argument necessary.
2. Necessary background information. Sometimes we need to provide some background on a topic we are arguing so that readers can understand what is being argued.
3. Good reasons. By itself, a position does not make an argument; the argument comes when a writer offers reasons to back the position up.
4. Convincing evidence. It’s one thing to give reasons for your position. You then need to offer evidence for your reasons. The evidence you use to support your argument will come from the sources you have selected through research.
5. A trustworthy tone. Arguments can stand or fall on the way readers perceive the writer. Very simply, readers need to trust the person who’s making the argument. One way of winning this trust is by demonstrating that you know what you’re talking about. There are numerous ways to establish tone. In this paper you will establish tone through quality writing and proving to your reader that you have done thorough research.
6. Careful consideration of other positions. No matter how reasonable and careful we are in arguing positions, others may disagree or offer counterarguments or hold other positions. We need to consider those other views and to acknowledge and, if possible, refute them in our written arguments.
Guidelines
The essay should
· be 7-10 pages.
· include an accurate MLA heading (student name, instructor name, course, and date) and header (student last name and page number).
· include a title that captures the spirit of its content.
· use 1” margins and Times New Roman 12-point font, with double-spacing throughout.
· include an accurate MLA Works Cited entry.
Dates and Deadlines
Wed., Jul.
11.01.2019 г. ... A thesis statement is a sentence or two in your essay or paper that expresses the main argument you intend to get across in the text. It's a way .... A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial. Readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how .... The thesis statement is the sentence that states the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control the ideas within the paper. It is not merely a topic.. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you'll make in the rest of your paper. What is a thesis statement? A thesis .... A thesis statement is a sentence that states the topic and purpose of your paper. A good thesis statement will direct the structure of your essay and will .... A thesis statement is typically one sentence that appears in the first paragraph of an essay that captures the essay's purpose. Think of the thesis .... The problem is that you cannot write engaging papers around statements of fact. Such theses prevent you from demonstrating critical thinking and analytical .... 13.04.2023 г. ... A thesis statement is a sentence in a paper or essay (in the opening paragraph) that introduces the main topic to the reader.. A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay. It consists of the topic of the essay and the writer's claim about the topic that will be proven throughout .... A thesis statement comprises one or two declarative sentences that summarize the main point of a paper or a piece of writing such as an essay.
Writing Strong Argument Papers Helpful Hints An argument or a .docxericbrooks84875
Writing Strong Argument Papers Helpful Hints
An argument or a persuasive paper has the power to make people change their minds about a topic, or allows them to really understand and accept your position as a valid one. You know how strongly people feel about their beliefs, so you can guess that writing a paper that will command the readers’ respect is challenging. So, in order to make strong arguments and to have the power to persuade people, follow some simple suggestions:
Get oriented:
1. Pick a topic you feel strongly about. It doesn’t matter whether you agree with it, or disagree with it. Think of points on both sides of the issue - the pros and the cons of each topic.
2. List some arguments from both sides and then think about how your audience feels about each of these.
3. Pick whichever side has the most convincing information - you might have to change your mind and change your main idea as you discover facts that you were not aware of as you started thinking about the topic.
4. Pay close attention to your audience. Think of what it believes in, and be prepared to discuss some of the points that would be most interesting to this group.
5. Once you considered both sides, and considered the audience, then you are ready to to take one side. Believe that you are right, and prepare yourself well to defend your thoughts. You will need good research to do this!
6. Make sure that there is reliable information available to support your position.
7. You will need facts, statistics, and reports from sources you and your audience can trust.
8. Make sure that you study the other side as well as you study your side. You don't want any surprise facts that you can't defend to show up after you finish your paper!
9. Be very well informed about the issue you want to discuss. Issues have different dimensions – there is always a social, a technical or scientific, an economic, or another type of intellectual aspect you will need to be aware of.
10. Be clear about which part, or point of the issue you are focusing on.
11. Anticipate objections and be prepared to address them.
12. Think of the points about this issue where there is common ground - where you can agree with the other side
Now You Can Start Writing
1. Assume that you will have many different opinions among your audience. Your readers will judge the strength of your arguments. Write your paper to convince them that your side makes the most sense.
2. Right in your introduction, establish credibility. Your readers need to know that you have studied the topic, that you are being open and fair-minded about it, and that you can understand their points of view. Here is a good place to address some of the points you have in common with the other side.
3. Include your thesis at the end of the introduction.
4. Support your thesis with the 3 strongest arguments you can find. These will be the outline of your paper.
5. Back your arguments up with very strong, specific evidence:
· Use .
Essay 4 Speculating about Causes Quality Criteria NoL.docxSALU18
Essay 4: Speculating about Causes
Quality Criteria No/Limited Proficiency
(1)
Minimal Proficiency (2) Proficiency (3) High Proficiency (4)
A focused, well-
defined
phenomenon and
thesis
Phenomenon is not
explained. Thesis is
missing.
Reader cannot
determine
phenomenon/thesis and
purpose or thesis has no
relation to the writing
task.
Phenomenon is not well-
developed.
Phenomenon/Thesis and
topic are somewhat
vague or only loosely
related to the writing
task.
Phenomenon is
competently developed,
but still has some
weaknesses.
Phenomenon/Thesis and
purpose are fairly clear
and match the writing
task.
Substantially, logically, and
concretely defined
phenomenon. Details are
germane, original, and
convincingly interpreted.
Phenomenon/Thesis is clear
and specific. Develops fresh
insight.
Well-argued causes Offers simplistic,
undeveloped, or cryptic
causes. Inappropriate or
off topic generalizations.
Causes are irrelevant to
thesis. There are faulty
assumptions and errors
of fact.
Offers a cause(s) that are
too underdeveloped.
Details are too general,
not interpreted, or
inappropriately
repetitive.
Offers a solid cause(s).
Assumptions are not
always recognized or
made explicit. Contains
mostly appropriate details
or examples.
Develops fresh insight.
Substantial, logical, and
concrete development of
causes. Details are
germane, original, and
convincingly interpreted.
An effective
response to
objections
Fails to include a
response to readers’
objections.
Responses to readers’
objections are
underdeveloped or
vague. Perhaps only
offers an objection but
no response to that
objection.
Offers solid objections and
responses to objections.
Contains mostly
appropriate responses but
some might not be
germane or original.
Effectively anticipates and
appropriately responds to
readers' likely objections in
a detailed manner.
A clear, logical
organization
Unclear organization. No
or very few transitions.
No or very few topic
sentences. Paragraphs
aren’t focused. Flow
between topics and
paragraphs is confusing.
Some signs of logical
organization. May have
abrupt or illogical shifts
and ineffective flow or
ideas. Weak topic
sentences. Paragraph
structure could be
improved.
Organization supports
thesis and purpose.
Transitions are mostly
appropriate. But sequence
of ideas or paragraph
structure could still be
improved.
Fully and imaginatively
supports thesis and
purpose. Sequence of ideas
is effective. Transitions,
topic sentences, and
paragraph structure are
effective.
Use of sources/APA
format and English
grammar and
vocabulary
Neglects important
sources. Uses 0 sources.
Possibly uses source
material without
acknowledgement. Does
not demonstrate
proficiency in English
grammar, vocabulary,
and sentence structure.
No or little
understanding of APA.
Uses a somewhat
relevant source.
Quotations and
parap ...
the main discussion will be Schwarzenegger and fitness,talk about ho.docxSUBHI7
the main discussion will be Schwarzenegger and fitness,talk about how does he affect the fitness area. Why is he so famous, add some person views and create you own title. Mainly discuss about fitness
topic
the main discussion will be Schwarzenegger and fitness,talk about how does he affect the fitness area. Why is he so famous, add some person views and create you own title. Mainly discuss about fitness
Formal Essay #3: Reporting Information/The Expository Essay
Expository writing is a staple of academic writing. Throughout your academic and professional career, you will be called on to write hundreds of expository articles, reports and essays. A thorough knowledge of this writing form will hold you in good stead all through your career.
What is Expository Writing?
‘Expository’ is a synonym of ‘explanatory’. An expository essay is a piece of writing that explains or informs. It should be based on fact and free of the writer’s prejudices. Opinion is often expressed, but only if it is backed by fact. For example, if someone asked you to write an essay on the causes of World War II, you would write about Germany’s losses in World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, the fall of the Weimar Republic, and the rise of Hitler led Nazism. In other words, everything would be based on verifiable fact.
The expository writing process centers on four activities:
Generate a rough idea or hypothesis.
Find evidence to back up this idea.
Expound on the idea.
Present an argument to back up the idea.
Thus, if you were to say that the Treaty of Versailles was the chief cause of World War II, you would first talk about the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles, the financial condition of Germany after WWI, the ineffectiveness of the Weimar Republic, and how they all led to the rise of Nazism.
Structurally, a piece of expository writing has the following components:
An
introduction
that introduces the central idea you will discuss in the essay.
The
main body
that presents evidence to back up the idea. This is the meat of the essay.
A
conclusion
that presents your idea again in the light of the evidence.
Thus, the central thrust of expository writing should be to build towards proving an argument, fact by fact, piece of evidence by piece of evidence. You will use expository writing a lot throughout your academic life. Most essays that you write in college will be expository in nature. Most writing that you will do in your professional life will involve a lot of expository content as well. In other words, sharpening up this skill will serve you well throughout your life.
Required Essay Format:
All response papers must be typed, double-spaced, and stapled. Font size should be 12 point Times New Roman font.
***AT MINIMUM, YOUR WORKS CITED PAGE WILL CONTAIN 3-4 SOURCES!!!!
Essays should demonstrate the following kinds of understanding. Essays should meet assignment requirements of page length and number of sources, quotes, and summaries/paraphrases. The w.
ENG 123 Assignment 2, Milestone 1 Guidelines and Rubric 5.docxSALU18
ENG 123 Assignment 2, Milestone 1 Guidelines and Rubric
5-6 Draft
Overview: Persuasion is a constant in each and every one of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are
inevitably going to encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of what we should
feel about events. We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of
persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal opportunity to support an opinion on an issue utilizing researched facts and information. This also gives the
chance to recognize that there is an opposing viewpoint to a position and to refute the opposing argument, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoints
are the intended audience of the piece.
Prompt: For this milestone, you will submit a draft of your persuasive essay. At this point in the course, if you have completed the previous milestone guided
activities, the text boxes should be combined and transformed into a draft. This milestone will help you address the critical elements from Sections I–III below,
which will ultimately inform your final submission of the persuasive essay. You have until the deadline to work on this draft. Whatever is completed by the
deadline will be submitted to your instructor for grading and feedback.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction
This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your essay will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all of your
information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of the
points that you planned out, while also stating your argument.
A. Provides an overview of the issue you have selected, briefly describing main points and your argument.
B. Compose an engaging thesis that states the argument that you will prove and support throughout your essay. This statement will give direction
to your essay and should be well thought out.
II. Body
The body is your opportunity to describe and support your argument in depth. Make sure your thoughts and evidence are clear and organized in a way
that is easy for readers to follow and understand.
A. Be sure that you write multiple paragraphs that are focused, clearly state their intent, and move logically from one to the other, building the
thesis argument as the essay progresses.
B. Your body paragraphs should support your argument by combining thoughts and ideas with evidence from sources. There is no such thing as a
right or wrong argument; the key is how it is support ...
Critical and Analytical ThinkingCritical thinkin.docxannettsparrow
Critical and Analytical Thinking
Critical thinkingWord ‘critical’ has positive and negative meaningsThe word ‘critical’ in academia describes your attitude when reading an article/chapterBeing critical means weighing up the arguments for and against a particular point.
*
Not just the bad parts
How to think criticallyBe persistent – consider an issue carefully more than onceLook at the evidence for a viewpoint – evaluate it – what are they trying to ‘sell’ me?What are the implications of a view point – is it realistic and rational?Knowing facts and what is right is not what academics is aboutIt is important to identify strengths, satisfactory points and weaknesses when being critical – then you must know why this is soYou should be critical when reading, writing and listening
*
Need to fully understand an argument before you can be critical – be confident
Evaluate=what is the value/effectiveness of something, inc. own opinion and supporting each point with evidence
Question the credibility
You are just assessing ideas not learning the answers
Only want informed opinions
Analytical thinkingBeing analytical mean to look deeper into what is being saidDo not take what you read as ‘given’Evaluate what is being argued – do you agree with it?To be analytical is to question what you read
*
Not just reading what is said but ‘thinking’ about it
How to think analyticallyThink about the view point in relation to the bigger picture – stand backCompare the same issue from the point of other authors – do their views differ?Should be able to see why authors have arrived at different conclusionsYou should be able to argue why you think one set of view points is preferable to anotherYou should be analytical when reading, writing and listening
*
Think about your readings together, put into context
You should be asking why a conclusion has been made – need full understanding for this
Barriers to critical and analytical thinkingBeing critical does not just mean criticiseOur reasoning skills are not objective – we are biased ourselvesReluctance to criticise expertsWanting to know what is right and wrongNot reading deeply enough around a subject – surface knowledge
*
Not always black and white there are lots of grey areas in academics
Being analytical and critical is hard work, you have to read carefully and widely
Critical and analytical readingPrepare for critical reading – skim read the introduction and conclusionFind the conclusions first to help clarify the rest of the readingWhat is the underlying argument/ view point?Question hidden agendas or assumptionsTheory can help fill in the gaps – what is theory?
- set of ideas to explain why something happens and predict outcomes in the futureArguments are often based on theory but an argument is not always a theory
Critical and analytical readingWhere is the evidence for a view point?Check references – are they presented accurately and are they credible? - evaluate that evidence –.
Similar to GE117 Week five: Thesis statements and using evidence (20)
2. Week 5 – Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Let’s Review from Week 4 First! - Revision, Editing, and Proofreading
3. Week 4 Review Revision: Adding to, Subtracting from, or Reshaping a Rough Draft so it meets your planned objectives more clearly and precisely.
4. Week 4 Review Revision - Have I met my planned objectives? - Are all main ideas expressed clearly? - Is my tone and diction appropriate for my audience? - Is there a clear thesis statement supported by specific examples?
5. Week 4 Review Editing: The repair of grammatically incorrect sentences so that ideas may be expressed more clearly and succinctly. Editing focuses on sentence structure and syntax.
6. Week 4 Review Editing Common mistakes that require editing: - Subject/Verb disagreement - Improper verb tenses or tense switches - Run on Sentences (Comma splices) - Incomplete sentences (Fragments) - Pronoun/Antecedent disagreement
7. Week 4 Review Proofreading: The correction of “surface errors,” including spelling mistakes, missing or incorrect punctuation, and misused or mistaken words
8. Week 4 Review Proofreading - Use Spell and Grammar Checks - Watch out for homonyms such as “Their”, “They’re” and “There” - Work off of typed, double spaced text to make errors and corrections visible - Know thyself and allocate time needed
9. Week 5 – Thesis Statements and Using EvidenceLike, what’s happening today, man? Week 5 Objectives Identify the elements of a Thesis Statement. Describe the Function of a Thesis Statement in an essay. Describe the characteristics of effective evidence to support a Thesis.
10. Week 5 – Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Q: What is a Thesis Statement? A: A Thesis Statement is a singular sentence, usually found in the first paragraph of an essay, that clarifies the subject matter of the essay as well as the author’s thoughts, feelings, or opinions towards that subject. Thesis=topic+stance
11. Week 5: Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Thesis Statements Have 2 Parts Part 1: A topic that is specific enough to appropriate for the scope or size of the paper. A vague or general topic CANNOT be included in a Thesis Statement because it’s more suited for a book or a series of books. Essays need specific, narrow topics.
12. Week5 – Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Thesis Statements Part 2: An indication of the author’s attitudes,beliefs, or opinions regarding the Specific Topic. A Thesis Statement must be debatable or arguable. A reasonable reader should be able to disagree with a Thesis Statement or it’s not a Thesis Statement.
13. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Thesis Statements Avoid these common mistakes in writing a Thesis Statement (See Pages 41-42 in Longman Writer): Writing a Factual Statement Writing an Announcement Writing a Vague or General Statement
14. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Thesis Statements Mistake 1: Writing a Factual Statement - A Thesis Statement is arguable and invites “discussion” between writer and reader. A Factual Statement just “is” and offers nowhere to progress to. A Fact supports a Thesis, not replaces it.
15. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Thesis Statements Mistake 2: Writing an Announcement - Avoid referring to the fact that you are writing a paper. “My paper will be about…” or “I will discuss…” indicate the Topic but don’t reveal any Attitudes, Beliefs, or Opinions. It’s needlessly self-referential and overly wordy!!!!!!!!
16. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Thesis Statements Mistake 3: Writing a General Statement - Thesis Statements have Specific and Narrow Topics. An overly vague, general statement may reveal Attitudes, Beliefs, or Opinions, but it has a Topic that is too broad for the scope of an essay.
17. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Thesis Statements Thesis Statement Placement - Usually contained in the First Paragraph of an essay (usually first/last sentence) - Serves as a road map for the reader so they know what to expect as they read further.
18. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Thesis Statements NOW LET’S PRACTICE!!!!! In-Class Activity: Longman Writer Page 43, Activity 1. Identify which are Thesis Statements and which are not!
19. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Since a Thesis Statement is essentially arguable, a writer must provide various types of support in an attempt to justify or “prove” his/her Thesis to the reader. These various forms of support are called Evidence.
20. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Different Types of Evidence: - Examples - Reasons - Facts - Details - Numbers - Statistics - Anecdotes - Experiences - Quotations - Expert Opinion
21. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence The role of Evidence in writing is much like it’s role in a courtroom. It’s function is to persuade the reader (or juror) into adopting a certain set of beliefs. Without Evidence, a reader has no reason to believe or accept a writer’s thoughts.
22. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Evidence answers these kinds of Q’s: - How do I know that to be true? - Why should I believe that? - Say’s who? - What proof do you have? - Does anyone else agree with you?
23. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Good Evidence has common characteristics: - Relevant and Unified - Specific - Adequate - Dramatic - Accurate - Representative - Researched Evidence is Documented
24. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Evidence is Relevant and Unified: - Relevant means it pertains to the subject matter. Unified means that the evidence supports the thesis in the same manner. Evidence should not contradict or undermine another form of Evidence. Readers will know if you’re trying to fake something. Don’t be fakie.
25. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Evidence is Specific: - Specific Evidence creates “word pictures” that are clear to the reader and allow him/her to make sense of what you’re saying. It allows you to predict the reader’s response. Vague evidence is unpredictable in terms of a reader’s responses – you won’t know!
26. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Evidence is Adequate: Adequacy refers to the amount of evidence supplied. Readers (and jurors!) need more than just 1 form of evidence. What if they don’t accept it? Do you have other forms of evidence as a “back-up” plan? Never rely on just one piece of evidence. It could backfire!!! Ladies and gentlemen…my client is….innocent I tell you…innocent!
27. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Evidence is Dramatic: - Writers (like lawyers) should strive to Dramatize reality by emphasizing particular details that have significance or support the Thesis effectively. Boring evidence = boring writing. But don’t Distort reality in an attempt to Dramatize it! Think John Stockton. He knew how to draw those foul calls.
28. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Evidence is Accurate: While Evidence should be Dramatic, avoid the temptation to fabricate, distort, or lie!Where do liars go? That’s right. False evidence may “seem” to support your Thesis, but it doesn’t and it costs a writer his or her Integrity and Credibility!
29. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Evidence is Representative: Evidence should be typical, usual, or repeatable in the mind of the reader. Exceptions to the rule or unlikely scenarios may be true in a singular case, but one cannot expect them to hold true in the majority of cases. Neither will readers!
30. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Using Evidence Researched Evidence is Documented: - Researched Evidence is documented so you can avoid plagiarism, demonstrate that you have researched the subject matter, and invite skeptical readers to check your sources and retrace your research steps.
31. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence NOW LET’S PRACTICE!!!! In-Class Activity: Longman Writer Page 52, Activity 2. Generate 3-4 pieces of evidence for each sample Thesis Statement!
32. Week 5- Thesis Statements and Using Evidence Week 5 Homework Assignment - Childhood Revision—see my comments. Revise for unity, organization, and coherence. Complete the revision handout. Submit new revision, revision handout, and original draft. DO NOT Complete the following: - Write an Intro Paragraph w/ Thesis Statement. See hand out pp 35-36 - Write 3 body paragraphs, each on a different type of evidence supporting the Thesis. - Write a Conclusion Paragraph that summarizes your main points.