How to start…

Broad / General Specific/Narrow The introduction should start with big/general statements, and then gradually move to state your specific point.

Bold Statement Thesis 1.The Bold Statement should be larger in scope than your thesis. It should address society’s views. What makes it bold is that you are going to change the reader’s values/perspective. 2.Expansion should introduce the reader to the debate that surrounds your topic. This is where you should mention the topic of your paper for the first time. Mention book titles, authors, etc… 3.Thesis should clearly state what you are going to prove in the paper. Expansion/Filler

Although, nevertheless, because… Thesis = Opposing argument + Your argument +Your reasoning. Although many Americans believe hybrid cars to be too expensive to justify the cost, American families should nevertheless adopt hybrid cars because they benefit the environment, require less maintenance, and save money over time on fuel costs.

Should Robin Hood be considered a hero, or villain? Prove your answer in a structured essay response.

In today’s society, thieves are always considered criminals, but this viewpoint may be too narrow for a changing society. In the story of Robin Hood, the character of Robin Hood glorifies a life of crime despite our negative societal stereotypes. Robin Hood, because he steals from the rich and gives to those less fortunate, forces readers to see Robin Hood, and thieves, as caring and helpful people. This creates mixed emotions in the readers, between what they have known all their lives, and what the author is trying to show them. Although critics of the story believe Robin Hood to be a common criminal, Robin Hood should be revered as a hero because his character improves the lives of those living in poverty.

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below. We would like to think that progress causes problems to be solved completely, and sometimes that happens. For example, some diseases that once posed a serious threat are no longer a problem, thanks to modern medicine. Some problems can be solved, and they go away. But as often as not, problems exist in a chain of cause and effect: for each problem solved, a new one develops. Adapted from Gregg Easterbrook, The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse Assignment: Does progress reduce the number of problems in the world, or does solving old problems just lead to new ones? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

 Step 1: Think of examples you could use to prove your argument. Decide on your stance.  Step 2: Generate thesis statement first…  Step 3: Once thesis is generated, write bold statement and expansion… Does progress reduce the number of problems in the world, or does solving old problems just lead to new ones?

What would you use for evidence to support your thesis? Try to be concrete – that means no hypothetical examples. Try to list three pieces of evidence to prove your thesis to be true.

 Assertion Statement  Evidence #1 ▪ Analysis /Commentary #1  Evidence #2 ▪ Analysis/Commentary #2  Concluding Remarks/Wrap-up/Transition

 Bites off a “chunk” of your thesis statement.  Should be a clear statement about what THIS SPECIFIC paragraph is going to prove.  MIGHT be able to use some of the language from your thesis statement. For example: Hybrid cars should be adopted by American families because they help save money by not requiring a timing belt replacement.

 Should show the reader the evidence from your research that proves your point.  Try to keep evidence that just repeats what YOU want to say out.  For the research paper, you’ll want this to be PRIMARY source so you have something to analyze later. “Forty-seven percent of all video game players are women, and women over 18 years of age are one of the industry's fastest growing demographics” (“Game”).

 Commentary/Analysis should be the large majority of your paper.  This is where you showcase your thoughts on how the evidence proves your point.  3:1 ratio of Commentary to Evidence?  Do not just string together quote after quote.  Explain to the reader the “Ah ha!” moment you had in your head when you found your piece of evidence.  In math…the evidence would be the “answer,” and the analysis would be the “showing your work.”

Interesting Question: Is it possible for two people arguing against each other to use the SAME piece of evidence?

Specific/Narrow Broad/General

Restate Thesis (in a new way) Restate Assertions (briefly) Refer to Bold Statement

 Should not be a copy and paste job of thesis from Introduction...  Should restate the thesis in a new and exciting way.  Tip: Remove the “ANB” Thesis structure?  Essayer means “to try” in French…  One of the goals of writing is to clarify ideas, so the hope is that you can express your thesis better as the result of writing your paper.

Although many Americans believe hybrid cars to be too expensive to justify the cost, American families should nevertheless adopt hybrid cars because they benefit the environment, require less maintenance, and save money over time on fuel costs. Hybrid cars, at whatever the cost, are the cars of the future because they protect the environment and offer many costs saving features.

 Restate your assertions/major arguments briefly…  Tip: Each argument should get roughly a sentence recap in conclusion.  No new information!  No new evidence  No new ideas  Try to reduce repetitiveness, although this may be hard.

 End by having the reader think about the big picture again.  Make a reference back to the bold statement in a way that wraps up the entire paper.  Do not feel pressure to be overly cute/funny…thought provoking is better!

Heroes in our society today take many forms, including characters that have traits that are commonly considered villainous. Throughout the story, Robin Hood increases his hero status by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Helping the poor provides the link the audience needs to associate Robin Hood with a benevolent character, not a criminal. In these modern times, it seems that heroes are not always what they seem.