Generating Ideas, Stating a Thesis, and Organizing Your Ideas Chapter 19 & 20 Generating Ideas, Stating a Thesis, and Organizing Your Ideas

Generating Ideas Building from your assignment Brainstorming Freewriting Doodling or sketching Mapping Imagining Asking Reporter’s Questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Building on what we discussed the 1st week of class here are additional ways to generate ideas.

Practice Generating Ideas Write down a list of 5- 10 questions drawn from your readings and Focus on the types of language (simile, metaphor, or other descriptive words) used in the story and how it affected the narrator or speaker.

Narrative Essays

What is a Narrative Essay? A narrative is a story A narrative essay is a story that has a specific point A narrative essay strives to teach a lesson or A narrative essay strives to make a specific point A narrative essay is not a diary entry – the story is linked to the purpose of the essay

What Should Be Included in a Narrative Essay? Often written in 1st person – I or we – because it is based on a personal story Can also be written in 3rd person Can never be written in 2nd person--YOU Has specific sensory details to get the reader hooked on the story Is developed in chronological order Has verbs that help paint a picture and draw in the reader Review Adjectives and Adverbs on Grammarly.com

Organization of a Narrative Typically, a narrative has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Your organization should follow the typical narrative organization shown here.

What Else Does the Narrative Essay Need? Since this is a story, the narrative essay needs everything a story needs (these are known as the story elements): Has a plot Has characters Has a problem Has a climax Often uses dialogue

Planning the Narrative Essay Write a thesis statement, just as with any other essay Brainstorm for a personal story or observation that illustrates or proves the thesis statement Outline or web the important parts of the story to be told Write an introductory paragraph that includes the thesis statement, and then write the story Because this is a story, use as many paragraphs as necessary to tell the story Write the conclusion that reflects on the thesis statement

Start With a Thesis Statement The thesis will depend upon the story to be proven. The thesis can be something general in the case of a narrative essay. For example, you may write, “Oftentimes people do not follow simple directions. However, these campers learned just how important following directions can be.”

What Would You Expect From This Thesis? As the reader, you will expect to learn why following directions is important. As the reader, you will expect to read a story about camping. As the reader, you will expect there to be a twist in the action.

Outline the Parts of the Story and Write Out the Story An Informal Outline of the Story: Two campers go camping and ignore rules They leave out food An animal finds the food One of the campers tries to scare off the animal Campers learn to follow the rules

Thesis Statements For most papers, you will want to consider your purpose and audience and then focus on a central point by discovering, stating, and improving a thesis.

Planning for your Purpose and your Audience What is your general purpose? Who are your readers? How might you narrow and focus your ideas about the topic? What qualities of good writing have been discussed in your class? You will learn the qualities of good writing over the course of this semester.

Thesis Statements A thesis statement is a sentence or two, at most, which contains your stance (attitude) on the topic and the main ideas you will cover. An effective thesis clearly communicates your essay’s topic, how you will approach that topic, and what you will say about it. It is usually found near the end of the introduction. An essay should not begin with your thesis - your introduction needs to build up to the thesis. The thesis answers the question you are asking of your topic.

Characteristics of a Thesis An effective thesis statement will have a number of characteristics. It should: • answer the question you are asking about your topic • be clear • be concise • be focused • be debatable • help organize the essay • use keywords that attract the reader's attention • convey the purpose of the essay • convey the writer's stance or opinion on the topic of the essay

Structure of a Thesis Statement The basic structure of each thesis consists of a CLAIM (stance) supported by one or more PREMISES (reasons). In a very basic sense, consider the claim the conclusion you’ve arrived at, and the premises are the basic reasons why you have arrived at that particular conclusion. For instance, if you say (claim) that someone is frightened, you could justify that claim by saying that the person is screaming in terror and is running away as fast as possible (premises). This is also the same structure as an argument.

Structure of a Thesis Statement Thus our basic structure could be shown as follows: <statement of claim> because <premise 1>, <premise 2>, <premise 3/more premises as needed> Example: Video games are an effective tool for learning because they develop motor skills as well as critical thinking skills.

Examples Ex. 1 Topic: The possible negative effects of computer games on adolescents Research Question: Do computer games have any negative effects on adolescents? Tentative Thesis: Computer games interfere with adolescents’ ability to learn. Revised Thesis: Because they interfere with concentration and teach players to expect immediate gratification, computer games interfere with the ability of adolescents to learn. Structuring and revising your thesis statement based on the topic.

Examples Ex. 2 Topic: The relationship between the feminist movement and the use of sexist language. Research Question: What is the relationship between the feminist movement and the use of sexist language? Tentative Thesis: The feminist movement is largely responsible for the decline of sexist language. Revised Thesis: By raising public awareness of careless language habits and changing the image of women, the feminist movement has helped to bring about a decline of sexist language. Structuring and revising your thesis statement based on the topic.

Ex. 1 Subject: The Draft (NO) Statement of Fact: The United States currently has no peacetime draft. (NO) Announcement: In this essay, I will reconsider our country’s need for a draft. (YES) Thesis: While once the military draft may have been necessary to keep our armed forces strong, today’s all- volunteer military has eliminated the need for a draft. The Differences Between A Statement Of Fact, An Announcement, And An Actual Thesis Statement.

The Differences Between A Statement Of Fact, An Announcement, And An Actual Thesis Statement. Ex. 2 Subject: Intelligence Tests (NO) Statement of Fact: Intelligence tests are used extensively in some schools. (NO) Announcement: The paragraphs that follow will advance the idea that intelligence tests may be inaccurate. (YES) Thesis: Although intelligence tests are widely used for placement in many schools, they are not always the best measure of a student’s academic performance.

Organizing Your Ideas: Outlining An effective thesis provides structure for your essay’s direction, emphasis, and scope. It should help you visualize the most effective way to arrange your material and connect your thesis with your support. Ideally, it suggests how your ideas are related, in what order your major points will be introduced, and where you should place your emphasis.

Organizing Your Ideas: Outlining For example, see how the following thesis statement conveys a good deal of information relevant to structure: “Widely ridiculed as escape reading, romance novels are becoming increasingly important as a proving ground for many never-before-published writers and, more significantly, as a showcase for strong heroines.”

Organized Paper from Thesis From this thesis statement, the paper might be organized as follows: Introduction: Discussion of romance formulas; general settings; plots and characters. Thesis: Widely ridiculed as escapist reading, romance novels are becoming increasingly important as a proving ground for many never-before- published writers, and, more significantly, as a showcase for strong heroines. Body: Romance novels as escape reading Romance novels as outlet for unpublished writers Romance novels as showcase for strong heroines Conclusion: Restatement of thesis. Review of major points; significance of recent trends in romance novels.

Writing Checklist Identifying An Effective Thesis What is the claim of your thesis? On what premise(s) is the claim based? Does your thesis clearly communicate your essay’s main idea? Does it suggest the approach you will take toward your material? Does it reflect your essay’s purpose? Is your thesis more than a subject, a statement of fact, or an announcement of your intent? Is your thesis carefully worded? Does your thesis suggest your essay’s direction, emphasis, and scope? Does your thesis help you organize your essay?