TDECWriting with purposeful sentences

Thesis statement

An opening statement that works to focus the reader on the main claim of the writing. In rhetorical analysis writing, it serves

to establish the writer/speaker’s primary tone(s) and overall purpose.

Offers an idea (more opinion-based than factual) that must be supported.

Topic Sentence

T (or TS) can also stand for Topic Sentence when it acts as the thesis for a paragraph. In rhetorical analysis writing, topic

sentences indicate the writer/speaker’s purpose for a particular chunk—how this chunk serves to advance his or her overall purpose.

Detail (textual evidence) a quote or (preferably) a quote

fragment that serves to prove or support the claim expressed in our thesis statement and/or topic sentence (T)

Elaboration (context or set-up)Factual information about the

chosen detail. Will be woven with the detail. Elaboration largely answers How?

the writer/speaker went about developing his or her ideas.

Elaboration (context or set-up)

Elaboration might provide…

The placement of the Detail within the text, physically, and what happened prior to its use.

The context of the Detail being used – in the moment. (How is it used in the text? What’s happening at the time?)

The specific device(s) being used by the writer/speaker in the Detail.

Any additional paraphrasing of the Detail that might be necessary if the D is hard to understand by itself.

Context

Draws the connection between your claim (Thesis statement or Topic Sentence) and your selected Detail.

Key idea: it is arguable because it is insight and, therefore, opinion.

This largely answers Why? the writer/speaker wrote – getting to ‘deeper’ meaning.