Abstract

Round 1 Write a thesis statement for tomorrow’s timed writing.

Classification Concrete Abstract Specific Clear, vivid Actual Objects/People Abstract General Unclear, vague Ideas/Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nlF4BVJBgU

Word Classification Concrete Abstract Spoon Table Elbow Julia Lime-green Mercedes Puppy Love/Hate Success Freedom Moral Good/Evil Democracy

Where words fall … Words can fall in between concrete and abstract. Being able find the level of specificity can help you become a better communicator/writer.

Bessie lives at a farm together with a lot of other cows and animals. Example Bessie lives at a farm together with a lot of other cows and animals.

Bessie WEALTH MOST ABSTRACT ASSETS More Abstract FARM ASSETS THE FARM LIVESTOCK COW BESSIE MOST ABSTRACT A concept, general term More Abstract Less abstract Neutral Less Concrete More Concrete MOST CONCRETE An individual, specific entity

Apple

Practice on your OWN Teacher Teacher is in the middle of the ladder Practice on your OWN Teacher Teacher is in the middle of the ladder. Come up with at least one word that is more concrete and two words that are more abstract.

Abstraction Ladder Cont. “...if Level One abstraction is used in writing, the audience will understand what ideas and concepts are being discussed...If a writer is trying to describe a person, and she mentions that the protagonist wore Birkenstock's and a jeans skirt, an image is evoked in the reader's mind…if the writer says the protagonist was dressed in casual attire, the reader's impression of the character is not as strong, and the audience will be free to interpret the writer's meaning in ways…using the levels of abstractions carefully will help convey meaning to the audience.” -Jan Streever [http://ol.scc.spokane.edu/jstrever/comp/Summer201/hw3.ht m ]

Denotation and Connotation Denotation – the direct, realistic, and/or literal meaning of a word. EX: SNAKE – scaly, reptile, without legs. EX: SLIMY can be used to describe algae or slugs. Connotation – the indirect, implied meaning of the word. EX: SNAKE – evil, treachery, betrayal EX: SLIMY when used to describe a person implies that they are not to be trusted. “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” —Mark Twain

Green Words “Green” words will help you write more effective thesis statements and, therefore, more effective papers. Green words are Abstract Broad ideas, concepts Highly Connotative Have layers of meaning Value Driven Not necessarily controversial, however easily opinionated. EX: Does the word “wealth” bring specific thoughts, beliefs, opinions to your mind?

So how does this help me write a better thesis? Your thesis should be driven by a combination of strong green words Because of their connotative, value-driven nature, a “green” word based thesis will automatically drive your paper toward persuasion.

Try this: Look at your list of green words. List several that are present in HeLa Create a sentence utilizing three of these words.

STOP! Did you just write a three-prong thesis? If you did CROSS IT OUT!

Round 2: REwrite the thesis using three of your green words, BUT this time follow this formula: Create and “although” statement using ONE green word in the dependent clause (at the beginning) and TWO in the independent clause (back half). Example for The Glass Castle: Although the Walls children grow up in deprivation, their determination and intelligence drive them to become successful people.