Speaking of Speaking of

Thesis Drafts and Essays

How do we communicate?

Through various forms

of

rhetoricrhetoric

What is What is rhetoric?rhetoric?

It is the way we speak or write

effectively.

Forms of rhetoric Forms of rhetoric are calledare called

rhetorical modes or rhetorical devices.

There are (5)

• Narration

• Description

• Comparison/Contrast

• Classification/Process

• Argument

What is the What is the general writing general writing

process?process?After making a decision about what you will write about, then you should follow this writing process:

• Freewriting

• Thesis draft (outline)

• 1st draft, (2nd, 3rd)

• Final draft essay

• Freewriting

• Thesis Draft (outline)

• The Essay

The process

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Once you have a topic, this is the technique that will pull ideas out. Freewriting is a method for developing a small hint of an idea into a fully grown one. Freewriting is a little like fishing - you cast out with your pen, and then you let the ideas swim to you... but they won't come if you don't start fishing for them!

FreewritingFreewriting

Purpose cont’dPurpose cont’dThe key to freewriting is to not think in your head. Do not think before you start - just pick up a pen and write... write on the topic if you can, and if you can't, just write anything and try to get there eventually. Write full, flowing sentences (freewriting looks like paragraphs, not like a list.)

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Purpose cont’dPurpose cont’dWhen you freewrite you do not need to worry about correct punctuation, grammar or spelling. The point of this kind of writing is flow, not correctness. Don't re-read what you've written until after you've finished; if you worry about if they're written down "right" then you are not letting them flow.

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The process

• Freewriting

• Thesis Draft (outline)

• The Essay

The Thesis

DraftWhat is it?What is it?

What are the steps What are the steps in developing a in developing a

productive outline?productive outline?

What is What is the thesisthe thesis??The thesis statement The thesis statement

– is the sentence(s) that sum up what the whole essay is about. It includes the main points that will be addressed.

– is the last sentence of the first paragraph.

By all means, do not let writing an essay stress you out!!

The thesis draft allows you to determine how you will express the thoughts you have chosen to analyze.

I. Introduction a. Introductory statement -b. Acknowledgement statement -c. Thesis statement -

II. Body A. First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence)

Detail1.Detail2.Detail3.

B. Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence)

Detail1.Detail2.Detail3.

C. Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence)

Detail1.Detail2.Detail3.

III. Conclusion A. Closing statement -B. Restate thesis -

The best process?The best process?

1. Design you main points

II. Body A. First Topic/Idea (Topic Sentence)

Detail 1Detail 2Detail 3

B. Second Topic/Idea (Topic Sentence)Detail 1Detail 2Detail 3

C. Third Topic/Idea (Topic Sentence)Detail 1Detail 2Detail 3

2. Design your intro, acknowledgment statement and thesis statement

3. Design your conclusion

c. Thesis statement

I. Introduction a. Introductory statement b. Acknowledgement statement

III. Conclusion A. Closing statement B. Restate thesis C. Summary point(s)

Things to remember about designing your thesis draft (outline)

• Begin with the middle, then go to the intro, then finally the conclusion.

• Make sure you keep control of the ideas you are addressing. The key here is to stay on topic.

• The better your thesis draft the easier it will be for you to write your essay.

The process

• Freewriting

• Thesis Draft (outline)

• The Essay

The

Traditional

What is it?What is it?

What are the steps in achieving a great essay?What are the steps in achieving a great essay?

The traditional The traditional essay has five (5) essay has five (5)

paragraphs:paragraphs:

Gonna tell ‘em

Tell ‘em

Told ‘em

Intro - Paragraph 1Gonna tell ‘em

The introduction includes:• An introductory statementAn introductory statement

* Question, quote, statistic, interesting fact• An acknowledgement statementAn acknowledgement statement

•If referring to a book, this statement acknowledges the type of writing, the title, the author, and what it is about. •If referring to a subject, it affirms the subject and the subject matter that is being addressed.

• The thesis statement The thesis statement * This is the sentence(s) that sum up what the whole essay is about. It includes the main points that will be addressed.* It is the last sentence of the first paragraph.

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For many, turning on the computer and checking for e-mail For many, turning on the computer and checking for e-mail

messages has become as much a part of the daily routine as a trip to messages has become as much a part of the daily routine as a trip to

the mailbox.the mailbox. In the essay, “Click and Send It,” by John Smith, the In the essay, “Click and Send It,” by John Smith, the

reader learns of the growing popularity of e-mail that makes many reader learns of the growing popularity of e-mail that makes many

individuals wonder how they ever survived without it.individuals wonder how they ever survived without it. E-mail has E-mail has

many advantages over regular mail, including speed, low cost, and many advantages over regular mail, including speed, low cost, and

convenience.convenience.

• An introductory statementAn introductory statement• An acknowledgement statementAn acknowledgement statement• The thesis statement The thesis statement

Remember you can add more information to this paragraph in Remember you can add more information to this paragraph in between the between the acknowledgement statement acknowledgement statement and the and the thesis statement, thesis statement, but but it is important that these three elements are covered in this orderit is important that these three elements are covered in this order

The body – Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4

Tell ‘em

The body is paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 :• Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence that responds to the ideas Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence that responds to the ideas you indicated in your thesis statement.you indicated in your thesis statement.• You must support each topic sentence with details. Examples and direct You must support each topic sentence with details. Examples and direct quotes also provide excellent support.quotes also provide excellent support.• Thoughts are expressed through the proper use of transitions that carry Thoughts are expressed through the proper use of transitions that carry the reader from one idea to the next or from one paragraph to another.the reader from one idea to the next or from one paragraph to another.• End each paragraph with a concluding sentence that seals the idea being End each paragraph with a concluding sentence that seals the idea being addressed. addressed.

Intro ParagraphFor many, turning on the computer and checking for e-mail messages has become as much a part of the daily routine For many, turning on the computer and checking for e-mail messages has become as much a part of the daily routine

as a trip to the mailbox.as a trip to the mailbox. The growing popularity of e-mail makes many individuals wonder how they ever survived without itThe growing popularity of e-mail makes many individuals wonder how they ever survived without it .. E-E-mail has many advantages over regular mail, mail has many advantages over regular mail, including speedincluding speed, , low costlow cost, and , and convenienceconvenience..

There is no denying that e-mail has many advantages over regular mail. The most obvious

advantage is speed. Users can send e-mail around the world in a matter of minutes with no more effort than it

takes to press a few keys on the computer. It is this speed that has led to our calling regular mail "snail mail."

      E-mail also has the advantage of being less expensive, for most people, than regular mail.

Many people have access to e-mail for free through their work or school. While some people may pay for e-mail

through an online service, there is no increase in cost relative to the number of messages sent. It is the same price

to send one message to one person as it is to send messages back and forth all day or to a hundred people. Finally,

if consumers consider the costs saved in long-distance phone bills in addition to the costs saved in postage, most

e-mail users surely come out ahead.

      There is no question that e-mail is convenient. It allows users to send the same message to many

people at the same time with little more effort than it takes to send a message to one person. When sending

multiple copies of a message, users avoid the trouble of photocopying the letter, printing out additional copies,

addressing envelopes, and posting the mail. E-mail is also convenient because it lends itself to an informal style

that makes composing a message relatively easy; in addition, readers of e-mail tolerate more mistakes than readers

of conventional mail, and their tolerance saves consumers time.

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Conclusion - Paragraph 5

The conclusion includes:• An a concluding statementAn a concluding statement

* This is similar to the opening statement but is a reaffirming point.

• A restatement of the thesisA restatement of the thesis* This is a restatement of the thesis statement from the introduction sentence(s) that sum(s) up what the whole essay is about.

Told ‘em

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While e-mail gives users the ability to send messages with While e-mail gives users the ability to send messages with

convenience, speed, and little expense, it lacks the personality and authority of convenience, speed, and little expense, it lacks the personality and authority of

regular mail.regular mail. Luckily, however, senders should not always choose one over the Luckily, however, senders should not always choose one over the

other. Instead they should take advantage of both, using each to its best other. Instead they should take advantage of both, using each to its best

advantage: e-mail for quick notes, multiple mailings, and routine business advantage: e-mail for quick notes, multiple mailings, and routine business

correspondence; regular mail for personal messages and for formal or private correspondence; regular mail for personal messages and for formal or private

business correspondence.business correspondence. Regular mail will always take a bit longer, but at Regular mail will always take a bit longer, but at

times good things are worth waiting for.times good things are worth waiting for.

• A closing statementA closing statement• The restatement of the thesisThe restatement of the thesis• Summary point(s)Summary point(s)

Remember you can add more information to this paragraph in Remember you can add more information to this paragraph in between the between the restatement of the thesis, restatement of the thesis, andand the closing statementthe closing statement, , but it but it is important that these three elements are covered. These elements can is important that these three elements are covered. These elements can be written in any order.be written in any order.

Things to remember about essay writing

• Avoid saying, “I am going to write about . . .” or “This essay is

about . . .”

Instead say:

The information presented here will explain . . .or

Presented here are . . .

• Avoid contractions when possible

• Try to avoid the use of you, we, us . . .when possible. It sets you up for vagueness. Be specific to the audience the point addresses. – No = Smith tells you about all the things that made the journey possible.

– Yes = Smith informs the reader about all the things that made the

journey possible.

• Remember that a paragraph must have a minimum of three sentences to be considered a paragraph.

• Use transitional phrases to allow the reader to travel with your intent

• Make sure to fully support your topic sentences and maintain control. A good thesis draft will ensure this.

• Wrap your essay eloquently and without saying “In conclusion. . .”

• Make sure you follow directions for completing your essay.

Things to remember about essay writing