university writing 30:151
february 23rd, 2016
thesis statements
what?
why?
how?
argumentative essays
definition
what is a thesis statement?
statement of intent & purpose
purpose arises from context, but must be specified
E.G.: purpose of an expository essay
1: demonstrate comprehension of the subject
2: Engage with the text to persuade your reader
predictable pattern
shapes readerly expectations
the alignment of your purpose and your topic
the process
1: define and specify the question, problem, issue, or phenomenon you want to answer or explain
a strong thesis arises from two things:
1: asking the right questions
2: knowing and specifying your topic
what kind of questions?
how?
why?
so what?
4 ways of thinking about the "action" of a thesis
1: making a claim
2: asserting a position / perspective
3: stating an argument
4: thesis as declaration
common problems
lack of specificity
too simplistic or obvious
presenting a problem as either/or
not an arguable claim
open-ended or unclear
restates basic information or questions
a weak thesis anticipates an unfocused essay
a few strategies
[VIA]
make the question an assertion and briefly describe your reasoning
write a sentence that summarizes the main argument of the essay you're about to write
brainstorm a few "ways in" to your topic, and identify which claim serves as a starting point
any process arrives at a "working thesis"
"working thesis" defined
a plan you can revise as you research and write
"provisional" and subject to change
the essay must emerge from and prove your thesis
a working thesis "enables" Your essay
"roadmap"
"blueprint"
plan
Shapes or Give Directions to the outline of your essay
a working thesis is a work-in-progress
qualification and revision
Qualification is simply the process of limiting your thesis to exactly the area you choose to defend, thus making your point of view precise and reasonable. Since you cannot possibly prove [a sweeping generalization], you must indicate the degree of truth in your thesis and, if possible, the circumstances under which you are considering it.
Lucille Payne, The Lively Art of Writing
precise
reasonable
one problem:
emphasis on answers instead of good questions
examples / handout
subject-verb agreements
what is a grammatical subject?
the noun in the sentence that acts / "does something"
what is a grammatical verb?
the action that forms a part of the predicate
The family went to lunch.
leftover lunch was eaten by our pet.
go have lunch!
what is a grammatical agreement?
a verb or pronoun takes different forms according to the subject or referent
the verb must agree with its subject in number
Far below, a landscape of rolling brown hills and small trees (LIES/Lay) among the small cottages.
Each of the plans (Has/Have) certain advantages.
Neither of the parties (Was/Were) willing to compromise.
identify the subject
A personal trainer and a Pilates instructor Are hosting the event.
Coffee and tea Were served with dessert.
A nurse and mother has many demands on her time.
Fries and gravy is a meal with many health benefits.
subjects that are coordinating / correlating conjunctions
Neither the students nor the instructor was to blame.
Neither the instructor nor the students Were to blame.
indefinite pronouns
some are always singular:
anybody, anyone, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, none, no one, someone, something
Some of our time has disappeared.
Some of the cookies are missing.
All of this novel is good.
All of his novels are well written.
Most of the champagne was drunk.
Most of the cases of champagne have been exported.
subject following verb
There are reasons that he left his schooling early.
here are a few causes of disagreement among the sources.
why are john and jane late for supper?
questions?
Next week:
basic argumentation / rhetoric (persuasion)
argumentative fallacies
grammar:
noun (referent) / pronoun agreements
university writing 30:151 february 23rd, 2016
UW: Feb 22, 2016 (Thesis Statements and Argumentation)
By Trent Gill
UW: Feb 22, 2016 (Thesis Statements and Argumentation)
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