IS299 Associates Capstone Unit 6 Clarifying the Thesis

Agenda Progress Report-How are you doing? Unit 6 Assignments Thesis Overview Questions/Comments Staying Motivated!

How’s Your Progress? Resources Notetaking Historical Context Personal Context Outline (audience/purpose) Thesis ideas?

Unit 5 Assignments Readings Draft Requirements “Cures for Writer’s Block” Introductions Discussion Questions (2) Thesis Introduction Project: First Half Draft

Draft Requirements Title & Intro Title: creative! Introduction: 2-3 paras Paraphrase 2-3 sources Personal connection to your thesis—why did you choose it? Background on event—define terms, when did it occur, how did it come about, etc. Make it interesting!

Draft Requirements Discussion (Part 1: Historical Context) 2-3 pages Paraphrase 4-5 sources Implications (select 3) Social/cultural dimensions Individual/group behavior Human tradition/values Effect on communication Diversity issues Professional Environment

Introduction as a “Mini Paper” Short version of your paper Include the “bottom line” Start with general statements, narrow to thesis Give necessary background, define terms BRIEF history Arouse interest—quotes, definitions, questions, opposing opinions, narrative, interesting/surprising fact

Sample Introductions Shortly after 9 pm on April 19, 1989, a young woman, out for her run in New York’s Central Park, was bludgeoned, raped, sodomized, and beaten so savagely that doctors despaired for her life and a horrified nation cried out in pain and outrage. I am that woman, until now known only as the Central park Jogger, and this is my story. I Am the Central Park Jogger, by Trisha Meili, (2003).

Sample introductions In this changing world, those who understand and can do mathematics will have significantly enhanced opportunities and options for shaping their futures. Mathematical competence opens doors to productive futures. A lack of mathematical competence keeps those doors closed…All students should have the opportunity and support necessary to learn significant mathematics with depth and understanding. NCTM (2000) quoted in “Elementary and Middle School Mathematics” by John A Van DeWalle (2004)

Another Sample At sixteen years of age Cherilyn Sarkisian was no prize. She was like a walking lump of defiance and low self-esteem. The defiance and underlying toughness covered up the insecurity that came with being not quite attractive enough. The girl who one day became the glamour puss Cher had a large nose, crooked teeth, and poor posture, not to mention slightly bowed legs…. Totally Uninhibited-The Life and Wild Times of Cher, by Lawrence J. Quirk (1991)

Another introduction Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult—once we truly understand and accept it—then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is diffcult no longer matters. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, MD (1978)

One More Once you enroll in a college or university, you become a member of a community. Although you are a student of Kaplan University, your experience is not limited to a particular geographical location or campus. You are a member of a much more expansive group of students, professors, and scholars commonly known as academia. Academia is a broad term that applies to those engaged in the process of learning, researching and exchanging ideas with fellow academics… The KU Handbook for Writers, Edited by Kara Van Dam, PhD & Noah Tysick, MA

Unit 6: 55% Finished! Stay strong! You’re almost done!