Thesis Statements Thanks a bunch to Brent A. Simoneaux, whoever you are.

“The aim or purpose of argument is to use logic to create reasoned communication of ideas, insights, and experiences to some audience so as to produce a new understanding of some issue for that audience.” argument

So... What is the new understanding of your topic that you will provide for your audience?

Argumentative Topics Argumentative thesis statements require that we take a stand on our topics. In other words, we must make a claim that can be proven through logic.

Thesis Statements You would not want to make an argument of this sort: The Odyssey is an epic about a man who grows and changes. That doesn't say anything-it's basically just a summary and is hardly debatable.

By the end of this lesson, you should know: How to write an effective analytical thesis statement for your argumentative essay. Today’s Objective

“A writer’s reasoned conclusion about some issue or writing problem.” Thesis Statements

Thesis statements usually help define a writer’s purpose for some audience. More importantly, a thesis statement focuses both the writer’s and reader’s attention on specific issues to be developed within an essay. Thesis Statements

Example “Funerals in America.” Thesis Statements Not a complete sentence. Doesn’t take a stand or make a claim about the topic.

Example “I will write about funerals in America.” Thesis Statements The focus is on “I”, not Funerals. Still, says nothing about your topic.

Example “I have been to five funerals in the past year.” Thesis Statements Who cares? This is not argumentative because it is purely fact.

Example “I like going to funerals.” Thesis Statements This statement is not arguable because it is a question of taste, not reason or argument.

Example “Funerals are sad, frightening, and depressing events.” Thesis Statements This statement is too broad. This needs to be limited or narrowed.

Example “Funerals are helpful.” Thesis Statements Better. Most thesis statements focus on the predicate, so we should try to expand this a bit more. Helpful for whom? Why? How?

Example “Funerals help the bereaved come to terms with death.” Thesis Statements Much better. But do you have enough to say about “coming to terms with death.”

Example “Funerals help the living by giving them a chance to understand the finality of death, to feel a sense of connection with other mourners, and to reflect on their mortality.” Thesis Statements

Example This statement is so much better because can be argued against. Also, it provides an organizational pattern for the essay. Thesis Statements

Follow these basic formats: (Claim) because (reason 1), (reason 2), (reason 3). While (Opposite side), (Claim) because (reason 1), (reason 2), (reason 3).

Thesis Statements Your three reasons = parallel structured! Fix this: Although Penelope is portrayed as the perfect wife, she is actually a symbol of male dominance as shown through her inability to run the kingdom alone, that she waits for Odysseus to solve her problems, and Penelope falls immediately back into her role of servitude. Better: Although Penelope is portrayed as the perfect wife, she is actually a symbol of male dominance as shown through her inability to run the kingdom alone, dependence on Odysseus to solve her problems, and immediate reversal into her role of servitude.

Thesis Statements Thesis statements should: –Take a stance on a debatable issue –Organize your paper –Be parallel in structure

Thesis Statements Although Penelope is portrayed as the perfect wife, she is actually a symbol of male dominance as shown through her inability to run the kingdom alone, dependence on Odysseus to solve her problems, and immediate reversal into her role of servitude. Now ask: Is my topic specific enough? Are all three reasons different? Are they organized logically?

Homework Write an analytical thesis statement for your essay. Get it approved by me. Write on CANVAS discussion board TODAY. Comment on posts by Sunday.