research log 2: creating a thesis statement
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Research Log 2: Creating a Thesis
StatementSurvey of American Literature
What is a thesis statement?
OThe thesis is a one-sentence statement that clearly and concisely explains what you’re going to talk about in your paper
What is a thesis statement?OAn opinionated statement: something
you believe that others may not
OThe LAST sentence of the introduction
ONames the topic and asserts something specific and significant about it
OOften provides a concise preview of how you will arrange your ideas in your paper
A Thesis is NOT…OA question
OYou need to TELL usOThe first sentence of your introduction
How will we write one?O 3 prong thesis format for a 5
paragraph essay
O Thesis will have a claim and the prongs will provide the support/proof
O Prongs can come before or after the claim
How will we write one?O Narrow the topic to a single, central
idea that you want your reader to gain from your research
O Example: General topic: Dinosaurs
What questions should I ask to narrow my topic?
What conclusions can I draw from the work I have done so far?
How can I express that idea by naming the topic and making an assertion?
How can I convey my purpose in that assertion?
How will we write one?O Since prongs come from research…
You NEED to pre-research to narrow your topic
EXAMPLE: Narrowed topic from research = Extinction of dinosaurs
Example?
Dinosaurs
Why dinos
became extinct
Thesis
General topic
Narrowed topic
Thesis
What will I prove?O Prove what you find from researchO No prongs come from your mind, only researchO This will make your thesis STRONG!!!!
O EXAMPLE: I am proving why dinosaurs became extinct
O Proof:O 1. onset of paeolithic eraO 2. global climate changesO 3. meteorite bombardment of EarthO 4. Have a fourth in your pocket just in case
What about my thesis in my paper?
O Once thesis is final, you CAN NOT change itO Parallel (follows same grammatical
structure)O No prongs will have repetitive qualitiesO Order of proof: order which supports are in
the thesis is the order they should appear in the paper
The Final PieceO MY THESIS!!
ODinosaurs became extinct because of the onset of the paeolithic era, global climate changes, and meteorite bombardment of the Earth.
How do I test my thesis?O Ask yourself…
O Does the sentence make an ASSERTION about your topic?
O Is the assertion LIMITED to only one idea?O IS the assertion SPECIFIC and SIGNIFICANT?O Does the sentence convey your PURPOSE
for writing?O Is the sentence UNIFIED so its parts relate to
each other and are parallel?
Let’s Practice O The life of the typical college student
is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.
YES NO
O WHY?
Let’s Practice O This paper will consider the
advantages and disadvantages of certain restrictions on free speech.
YES NO
WHY?
Let’s Practice O Stanley Fish's argument that free speech
exists more as a political prize than as a legal reality ignores the fact that even as a political prize it still serves the social end of creating a general cultural atmosphere of tolerance that may ultimately promote free speech in our nation just as effectively as any binding law.
YES NOWHY?
Let’s Practice O Strip-mining should be tightly
controlled in this region to reduce its pollution of water resources, its destruction of the land, and its devastating effects on people’s lives.
YES NO
WHY?
Let’s Practice O Active learning programs, full-time
sports, and intervention by mentors are three ways to divert juveniles from crime.
YES NO
WHY?
REVIEW PLEASE!1. Order of proof: order which supports are in the thesis is the order they should appear in the paper.2. parallel structure3. ONE SENTENCE STATEMENT! 4. Placement: last sentence in introductory paragraph.
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