The Persuasive Thesis: A 5-point process to self-discovery and enlightenment *Enlightenment not guaranteed

5 Point Thesis Step #1 Fill out the best thesis statement you can come up with on your 5 pt thesis handout

THESIS? I know everything.... What does this stupid school say about thesis statements?

Definition THESIS: An opinion boiled down to an arguable statement

Test THESIS: An _______ boiled down to an arguable statement

Test THESIS: An opinion boiled down to an _______________.

Test THESIS: An _______ boiled down to ____________.

Test THESIS: An _________ ______ ______ to an ___________ _________.

Surprise Double Test Turn to your partner, define what a thesis is High five when you both get it 100% correct [Don’t high five until 100%!] Extra credit for tattooing the definition on your body somewhere (not in class)

Strong vs. Weak Theses Weak: -Doesn’t take a stance -Repeats status quo Strong: -Takes a Stance -Tells what we should do about status quo -Course of action!

Strong vs. Weak Weak: There are many views about space exploration and each has valid points. Strong: Space exploration wastes tax-payers’ money. Weak: Rabid ferrets are something many people do not like. They can ruin many things such as schools. Strong: Rabid ferrets are taking over school buildings throughout the US. Without proper funding from the US Government, they will continue to threaten the safety of students everywhere.

THESIS LANGUAGE

Generic Language AVOID these terms: –You (who!?) –People (which ones?) –Everyone (like, in the world?) –Society (which one?)

What People?

Audience Who is your paper really directed at? –Who can actually do something about your topic Examples: –Homework policy => school board –Doping in sports => league officials –Legalizing street-fighting => government/law- makers –Protecting from ferrets => US Govt.

Too Broad “The Government should identify ares vulnerable to….” [which govt? Fed or state? Which country?]] “The state government must legalize sex workers…” [which state?] “Sports programs should enforce stricter drug-testing policies…” [college? Pro?] “The school board needs to drug test…” [just one? Which one? All?]

Vague Ideas “Unpack” Vague Ideas –“…sad state” -> in what way? For who? –“…is bad for the world,” -> our world? Everyone? How? –“…should be regulated” -> in what way? How much?

Thesis Verbs

Linking Verbs AVOID linking verbs –Ex. Is, are, was, has been, could, etc. They’re Boring! Past tense -> not happening anymore… NO: “Rabid ferrets in schools have been a problem…” YES: “Rabid ferrets bite and expose students to rabies…”

ACTION Verbs DO: Action verbs –Fail –Inspire –Encourage –Distribute –Enforce –Threaten EX. “Public education fails to prepare students for the jobs of the future, thus, the federal government…”

5 pt Thesis Step #2 Self-assess your 1 st thesis Revise based on new knowledge –Use verb ideas from back of sheet Finished? Have partner score 2 nd thesis

Structure Options #1: STATUS QUO-> CONSEQUENCE; thus, AUDIENCE must ACTION. #2: In order to avoid CONSEQUENCE, AUDIENCE needs to ACTION. #3: Without ACTION by AUDIENCE, TOPIC will continue to CONSEQUENCE.

OPTIONAL: Consequences SHOW: Why is your idea important? DO: What happens if your reader doesn’t act on your info? –MEH: “This shows how powerful violence in movies can impact the minds of children in our society” –GOOD: “Without stricter regulation by businesses and parents, violent films will continue to inspire adolescent violence and depression.”

BTW What’s ineffective about this thesis? “This shows how powerful violence in movies can impact the minds of children in our society”

BTW What’s ineffective about this thesis? “This shows [what shows?] how powerful violence in movies can impact [good or bad impact?] the minds of children in our society” [our society? Who’s?]

5 pt Thesis Step #3 Revise 2 nd thesis based on feedback Add consequence Finished? Have NEW partner assess your 3 rd thesis

Once you have a solid, peer-approved 5 pt thesis, write it on a note card and tape to the inside cover of your SP binder.