ENG 1D1 Friday April 17, 2015

Memes of the Day

Today’s Agenda Introductory Paragraph Structure Good VS. Bad Thesis Statements Essay Conference Proposal Handout Thesis & Criteria Development Time Conference Sign Up Homework: Complete the Essay Conference Proposal

Introductory Paragraph Structure Hook - (1 sentence) grabs the reader’s attention Bridge - (1 sentence) connects the hook to the novel Criterion 1 - (1 sentence) supporting point #1 Criterion 2 - (1 sentence) supporting point #2 Criterion 3 - (1 sentence) supporting point #3 Thesis - (1 sentence) your main argument

The Good, Bad and Ugly There are some common mistakes that students often make when drafting a thesis: Can you tell me if the following thesis statements are: Good Bad OR Ugly

Thesis 1 In his novel, The Chrysalids John Wyndham shows that one does not really have the right to free speech. Bad - this does not take a stance on an issue So how could we fix this?

Thesis 2 This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of certain restrictions on free speech and individual difference. UGLY - it is vague and does not have a specific argument How can we fix this?

Thesis 3: The government has the right to limit human freedoms in cases of overt difference because the failure to address such abuses would effectively suggest that society condones such ignorant and hateful views. Bad - still too broad and lacks an argument

Thesis 4: Steps of Development Ugly Thesis: Although one has the right to say and believe what they want, they should avoid hurting other people's feelings. (too broad, needs focus) Bad Thesis: There are always alternatives to demonstrating hateful behaviour (needs to take a stance - “so what?”) Better Thesis 1: People must accept that difference is an integral aspect of life in order to grow and develop as a society. (develop specific word choice) Polished Thesis 2: In John Wyndham’s novel, The Chrysalids, the characters fail to accept difference as an integral aspect of their ever-changing lives which results in personal and societal downfalls.

Thesis Exemplar: Main Topic Question: Why do we need everyone in society to be different? Thesis Argument Drafts: Attempt 1: (Just get your ideas on the page) In John Wyndham’s novel The Chrysalids he shows that there are always alternatives to demonstrating hateful behaviour. Attempt 2: (Does your thesis have PUNCH? Does it state the significance or “so what”?) In John Wyndham’s novel The Chrysalids he shows that people must accept that difference is an integral aspect of life in order to grow and develop as a society. Final Attempt: (Look at diction/word choice. Is your thesis phrased to be an argument?) In John Wyndham’s novel, The Chrysalids, the characters fail to accept difference as an integral aspect of their ever-changing lives which results in personal and societal downfalls.

Criteria Development Exemplar: Possible Criterion (sub-argument development): 1. physical appearance 2. religious oppression 3. worldly evolution C 1 Topic - Physical Appearance Attempt 1 (idea) Due to characters’ physical abnormalities they are shunned from their community. Attempt 2 (PUNCH - “so what?”) Characters with physical abnormalities are shunned to the Fringes which eventually causes an uprising and the end of both communities. Final Attempt (diction and argumentation) The ostracized Fringes community must rebel against the Waknuk people to regain their basic human rights, but in doing so destroy both societies.

Essay Proposal Since you have brainstormed your thesis and criteria topics yesterday, you will develop those ideas into a cohesive essay proposal today Complete the worksheet in preparation for your conference next week.

Now You Try! It is the same process for both thesis and criteria: Choose a topic and 3 supporting topic points Put each into a sentence just to get your ideas on the paper Answer the “so what?” or significance Why is this important? What am I trying to prove? Look at word choice and argumentation

Homework Complete your Essay Conference Proposal Handout for Monday