Stasis, Questions at Issue, and Thesis Statements/Claims

Stasis Theory What is the “stasis point” of a discussion? How do we discover a stasis point? What does existence of a stasis point tell us about participants in a discussion?

Questions at Issue What is a “question at issue?” What conditions make a question NOT “at issue?” How is a question at issue related to a stasis point? What are the qualities of a good question at issue?

Evaluating Questions at Issue Are California residents also residents of the United States? Whether or not college students should have to abide by a dress code. Should the Social Security system be reworked? Is non-essential cosmetic surgery on pets (e.g. tail cropping, debarking, ear clipping, etc.) cruel? Was attacking Iraq a wise tactical decision in the US war on terror? Should there be prayer in school?

Kinds of Questions at Issue Questions of fact Questions of fact Questions of consequence Questions of consequence Questions of value Questions of value Questions of interpretation Questions of interpretation Questions of definition Questions of definition Questions of policy Questions of policy Why is it important to be able to identify the specific question at issue in an argument? Why is it important to be able to identify the specific question at issue in an argument? Why is it important to identify the kind of question at issue in an argument? Why is it important to identify the kind of question at issue in an argument?

Identifying Types of and Evaluating Questions at Issue Do violent, “first-person shooter” video games cause violent behavior in children? Is the violence in typical “first-person shooter” video games bad? Is the violence in “first-person shooter” video games (like Splinter Cell and Quake) pornographic? Are parents who allow their children to play violent, “first- person shooter” video games exercising good judgment?

Should all violent, “first-person shooter” games that involve the simulating killing go human beings receive a restrictive “Mature” rating? Are violent, “first-person shooter” video games the tools of Satan? What are the typical demographics of violent, “first- person shooter” video game consumers? What might the popularity of violent, “first-person shooter” video games indicate about the needs and values of the American public?

Absolutely Crucial Principles Regarding Questions at Issue (remember these and let them guide you) A question at issue is worded as a question. A question at issue is worded as a question. A question is “at issue” when reasonable people can answer it differently. A question is “at issue” when reasonable people can answer it differently. The language of a question at issue must be precise and specific. The language of a question at issue must be precise and specific. It is difficult to write a good argument if you begin with an imprecise or sloppily worded question at issue. It is difficult to write a good argument if you begin with an imprecise or sloppily worded question at issue. A thesis statement is a response to a question at issue. A thesis statement is a response to a question at issue.

Thesis Statements What is a “thesis?” “A thesis is an idea, stated as an assertion, that represents a reasoned response to a question at issue and that serves as the central idea of a composition” (Gage 70). A thesis answers the question “What do I want readers to understand, believe, or do after they read my essay that they may not understand, believe, or do before they read my essay. A thesis is the “centerpiece” of an essay—i.e. its main point/idea and its driving force, its raison d’etre.

Essential Features of a Thesis Statement Represents a reasoned response to a question at issue (i.e. it engages a conflict the audience cares about). Represents a reasoned response to a question at issue (i.e. it engages a conflict the audience cares about). Is rooted firmly in what one knows (i.e. evidence and logic). It is the product of inquiry and deliberation. It is not an unexamined belief or knee-jerk response. Is rooted firmly in what one knows (i.e. evidence and logic). It is the product of inquiry and deliberation. It is not an unexamined belief or knee-jerk response. Worded as an assertion, not as a question or as a fragment. Assertions propose ideas to which one might respond, “I agree” or “I disagree.” Worded as an assertion, not as a question or as a fragment. Assertions propose ideas to which one might respond, “I agree” or “I disagree.” Is clearly and precisely worded. Is clearly and precisely worded.

Evaluating Thesis Statements There is tremendous controversy about whether both intelligent design and evolutionary theory should be taught in public schools. Intelligent design does not fit any accepted definition of “science,” and should not, therefore, be included as a subject of discussion in public school science classrooms. Viruses are spreading all over the internet and that’s not a good thing, which is why we should do something about it like create laws. Because computer viruses have the potential to cripple the online economy, the US government should enact harsh prison penalties for convicted virus creators.

College can be a nerve-wracking yet rewarding experience. College is a good place to be. College is a safe place to take on intellectual challenges. Whether or not it is a good idea to attend college. Attending college can have both good and bad consequences. The college should change the way it allocates financial aid. In order to distribute limited funds more equitably, students should receive aid only as long as they are attending and passing their classes.

The majority of Americans vote for politicians based not on their ideas but on the image they project. The majority of Americans vote for politicians based not on their ideas but on the image they project. Chocolate ice cream tastes better than vanilla ice cream. Chocolate ice cream tastes better than vanilla ice cream. Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla ice cream as a dessert to follow fish and chicken. Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla ice cream as a dessert to follow fish and chicken. CR should allow returning students to register earlier than new students. CR should allow returning students to register earlier than new students. Sport hunting, where hunters kill animals not for food but for fun, is immoral. Sport hunting, where hunters kill animals not for food but for fun, is immoral. The war in Iraq was the result of bad/good foreign policy. The war in Iraq was the result of bad/good foreign policy.

What to do with all this information? Knowing it in the abstract will not automatically translate to skill. Knowing it in the abstract will not automatically translate to skill. Practice identifying the questions at issue and thesis statements in arguments—look at essays in composition books in the ASC or look at commentaries/editorials in newspapers. Work with classmates and ASC tutors to keep your ideas in check. Practice identifying the questions at issue and thesis statements in arguments—look at essays in composition books in the ASC or look at commentaries/editorials in newspapers. Work with classmates and ASC tutors to keep your ideas in check. Practice creating both questions at issue and thesis statements. Work particularly hard on precise wording workable questions and theses. Again, work with others. Practice creating both questions at issue and thesis statements. Work particularly hard on precise wording workable questions and theses. Again, work with others.

Moments of silence Editor -- Thursday evening at the UC-USC men's basketball game, we were asked to stand for a moment of silence in respect and memorial to the young woman on Cal's women's team, Alisa Lewis, who tragically and unexpectedly died of bacterial meningitis earlier in the week. The total silence was both poignant and fitting. Would it not have been equally appropriate for the president of the United States to lead a moment of silence in honor of those in our country's military who have lost their lives in Iraq, both during and after the declaration that the war was over? Can anyone fail to understand why this did not take place? JOAN MATHER Los Altos from San Francisco Chronicle, 1/26/04

Leader? If I made $25,000 a year and ran up excessive debts, you would call me fiscally irresponsible. So why is it that President Bush can run up incredible debts and you call him a leader? Nancy Golden, Phoenix