How to have an idea and thesis construction

Thursday: looking ahead We will review CEW and ICE before you begin to write your paper. (And using proper MLA formatting) We will cover a Works Cited page next week, but make sure to get the citation from the database you are using. I will only allow sources from these databases NOT the internet! Please remember, we are using the General Writing Rubric guidelines to grade your paper and expect you to READ this thoroughly.General Writing Rubric

Structure and Composition PLAN essay: Consult your General Writing Rubric ALWAYS! What does text mean? What is author’s message? How is message delivered? (Events from story?) Write introduction last Provide cues where ideas begin/end. Topic and transition sentences KNOW your audience! This is an ACADEMIC essay; write in the 3 rd person. I am your audience. Arguable thesis reflecting essay: Example: The text shows____________ in order to show/highlight/accomplish __________________.

*Changes Something starts out one way, but changes as the story progresses. (At first, Wes’s primary emotion about Frank seems to be respect or even jealousy, but as Wes learns about Frank’s crimes, Wes’s emotions turn to disgust and even anger.) *Contradictions 2 things that are true at the same time, but seem to contradict each other. (Frank’s suicide is at the same time the best and worst thing that could have happened to the Hayden family.) *Surprises Although X should be true, actually, instead, Y is true. (Although Wes has every right to be jealous of Frank, instead, Wes seems to want to protect Frank from the consequences of his actions, leading us to believe that Wes actually respects his younger brother.) *Secrets Things that are different than they may seem on the surface. Although it seems at first like X is true, if you look at it more closely, you find that really, Y is true. (It would seem at first that Wes is thoroughly disgusted with Frank’s actions; however, a closer look reveals that underneath Wes’s disgust lies respect.) Opposites Things that are really the opposite of what you would initially think. Make your first, obvious claim, then choose its opposite. (Although it would seem as though Frank is the most racist character in the book, actually he turns out to be the least racist; he dismisses the Indians with the same disrespect and selfishness with which he dismisses everyone else.) How to Have an Idea: Places to look for an interesting thesis

“Story of an hour” When going through your story, you should chunk it by ideas or shifts in events. This will help organize how you set up your paper, and your topic sentences can easily come from this. It will also help focus you when deciding what evidence you will use to back up your thesis (claim). And this in turn will help you decide where to put in your research.

Theme ideas Theme power point Once you have gone through your short story, you should have some kind of message you want to write about. ***You have to be in View Show mode for the link to work. If it doesn’t work, there is a link on the wiki for Monday, Nov. 15

“Rules” for a Thesis: Let’s refer to the ones you created for A Doll’s House A thesis is never a question. A thesis is never a list. The thesis must advance an argument. A thesis should never be vague, combative or confrontational. Avoid being seen as moralistic and judgmental. An effective thesis has a definable, arguable claim. Say to yourself, “Perhaps what the author says is true, but I am not convinced. I want to read further to see how the author argues this claim.” A thesis should be as clear and specific as possible. Avoid overused, general terms, and abstractions.

An Effective Thesis Cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Is not a topic; Is not a fact; Is an opinion.

An Effective Thesis: Has two parts. Should declare what will be argued. Should “telegraph” how you plan to argue. Could declare the particular support to be used to uphold the claim.

Thesis Statement Websites UNC Indiana University Northwestern Purdue ***If these links don’t work, just Google “writing a good thesis statement” and you will find these sites. ***You must be in View Show mode to get to the links

Your turn Your job tonight is to create an outline for your paper. (Don’t start writing it yet!) Your outline should include a working thesis (I will check these) What topic sentences will guide the organization of your paper? What evidence from the short story will you use? What evidence from your research will support your thesis and your claims This is what YOU think about the short story and NOT what the research thinks. The research is working for you.