Thesis, Purpose, and Audience

Definition A thesis statement (also referred to as a major claim) is the argument a writer or speaker is attempting to make. Thesis statements can either be explicit or implicit

Explicit thesis statement: a clearly stated argument of debatable quality (ie: you can directly point it out in an author’s writing)

Implicit thesis statement: does not have a defined thesis. You infer the thesis from the body of writing, which supports the unstated thesis.  

Purpose While a thesis is the argument an author tries to make, the PURPOSE is what the author wants the audience to DO. Examples: To persuade that __________ To justify _________ To call to action To describe ________ as ___________________ To change _____________________ To advocate for ________________________

Audience The audience is never defined as all readers, everyone, the reader, or anyone. There is ALWAYS an audience, whether it is a real audience or an intended audience Real audience: actually present for the writing/speaking occasion (ie: audience at a speech, a letter, etc.) Intended audience: the audience an author imagines he is writing or speaking to

Determining the intended audience If you need help determining the audience, first decide whether it is sympathetic or hostile. Sympathetic audience: would most likely agree with the author’s thesis before hearing his argument Hostile audience: would most likely disagree with the author’s thesis before hearing his argument

Determining the intended audience After that point, you can further define the intended audience by their beliefs, knowledge, and/or attitudes in a “people who _______” format Examples: People who believe _______________ People who fear ________________ People who think ________________

In your pod: Using your notes on précis, thesis, purpose, and audience, determine the following elements of Adler’s “How to Mark a Book.” Thesis Support/evidence Purpose Audience