Elements of Writing

Elements of Writing CHOOSING A TOPIC AND DRAFTING A THESIS CREATING A WELL DEVELOPED INTRODUCTION

Thesis Statements • A well-structured and well-organized thesis statement will enable your reader to know what to expect as well as provide you with an outline for your essay. • Therefore, the more time and effort you put into writing the thesis, the easier it will be to construct that essay. • Think of your essay as something you are arguing and your thesis statement as how you will prove your argument

Thesis Statements • Your thesis statement: • should be the last sentence of first paragraph • should have an angle you want to prove • should give the reasons you will use to support your position • should not be a question. • should have a focus or main point with 3 supporting reasons • should be specific in word choice and not vague or broad For Example: Melinda Sordinolost her identity, lost her voice, and lost her childhood; however, due to never truly giving up, she learned to speak up, to fight back, and to live again.

Thesis Statements Should Be LAME Your thesis statement need to be LAME—This is ironic L – Limited – narrow in scope and structure. Avoid lengthy sentences and be careful using compound sentences which are two sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction. However, this style can still be effective depending on clear your point is and how specific your word choice is. James Franklin is an experienced quarterback, and he will need these skill to overcome Tennessee’s defense. VS. Because James Franklin is an experienced quarterback, he will find plays to overcome the Tennessee defense. (1 pt thesis) If your statement becomes lengthy, then you should condense word choice and structure. You may also write a 2 sentence thesis statement if needed.

Thesis Statements Should Be LAME A – Arguable – A thesis takes a stand or makes a claim on the subject. The evidence / explanation with cited support proves tothe reader the viability of the thesis claim (believability). M – Meaningful – Worth of choosing and defending. Macbeth changes during the play. – NOT meaningful yet. VS. Macbeth undergoes a physical as well as mental transformation through....(list three pts) E – Explicit – This applies to the language used in the thesis. Macbeth is a horrific play. (So what do we mean by horror?)—Not a LAME thesis Shakespeare created horror in Macbeth using imagery, repetition, and suspense. LAME and acceptable thesis

Thesis Statements • Before you even begin to think about your thesis, there are several questions that you should ask yourself. Consider the following: • 1. What is the essay question asking? • Look for key words: compare/contrast, discuss, and explain. • Sample from your choice—Choice 2: • Explain the phases her tree art went through, over the course of her freshman year, and how do they represent her. Connect each phase to her own changes and transformation. Use 3 examples. • RIGHT NOW, TAKE OUT A MARKER OR HIGHLIGHTER AND HIGHLIGHT OR UNDERLINE YOUR KEY WORDS.

Thesis Statements • 2. What aspect of this question will you be writing about? Using 3 pieces of Melinda’s art to represent her own struggle to find her identity. • 3. What is your evidence? • In a five-paragraph essay, you should cite three pieces of evidence to support your claim. These examples will later be transformed into topic sentences for your body paragraphs. • a) first piece of evidence (1st reason) Lightning struck tree • b) second piece of evidence (2nd reason) Sculpture • c) third piece of evidence (3rd reason) Final art project

Sample Thesis Statement • The Middle is a TV show that all people should take the time to watch because it is funny, because viewers can relate to the characters, and because it offers a realistic depiction of a middle class family’s struggles. • Without knowing the writing prompt, you should be able to determine what the point of the essay is just by looking at the thesis. • Black is the angle which, in this case, is persuasive • First Reason Second Reason Third Reason

Thesis Statements • Practice-Write a thesis statement for ONE of the following questions in 1-2 only = a point/claim/angle = 3 reasons ---Take 5 minutes and I will call on you • 1) Should students be required to take a Physical Education elective? Why or why not. • 2) Subject: Should the school employ a dress code? Why or Why not? • 3)Is there one change the administration at SHS could make to improve student participation and/or academic performance? This one has been done by a previous class. I will show you what they crafted.

It’s Your Turn: Sample Thesis Statements • 1) Should students be required to take a Physical Education elective? Why or why not.

It’s Your Turn: Sample Thesis Statements • 2) Subject: Should the school employ a dress code? Why or Why not?

It’s Your Turn: Sample Thesis Statements • 4) Is there one change the administration at SHS could make to improve student participation and/or academic performance? SHS administration should give detention for low grades, give lots of participation points in class, and give everyone a free period to work on homeworkto improve student academic performance. SHS administration should make classes shorter for students, so they are up and moving, they are not allowed to sleep; then, with extra time at the end of the day, they will work on homework.

Sample Thesis for the Novel Speak • Please remember that this is a sample, not one to be copied and used in your paper  • YOUR THESIS STATEMENT SHOULD BE PARALLEL AND FOLLOW A GRAMMATICAL PATTERS • SAMPLE THESIS: Through finding solace in an abandoned closet (1st Reason), through being in Mr. Freeman’s class (2nd Reason), and through defeating Andy (3rd Reason), Melinda finally found a way to be heard. (Angle/claim/point in pin) • This thesis is parallel with the pattern of using the word through to tie all 3 points together. • You do not need to color code or label each reason 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. This is just to help you see how it is put together. • Now, look at your packet on page 4 to go over sample thesis statements from my students last year.

SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS—YOU ARE NOT TO USE The following are sample statements from students. The italicized section is the angle or main point and the underlined section are the supporting details or your reasons which would be in your body paragraphs. 1. The novel’s cover art depicts Melinda’s emotional struggles that lead to her triumph; the lightness and darkness represent how Melinda grows, how she conquers depression, and how she defeats Andy. 2. Just like a tree, Melinda goes through her own seasons of emotional and social change: she suffers in the fall, she dies in the winter, and she is reborn in the spring. 3. Melinda Sordino was vulnerable after her rape; however, she went through the same process a tree does during fall, winter, and spring/summer to finally become stronger than ever.

Sample Thesis Statements Cont. 4. Bruises take time to heal but the bruises that Melinda has will never fully fade. Andy, the beast, who gave Melinda her bruises, both internally and externally, not only left his mark, but he also made Melinda stronger. 5. Melinda Sordino experienced her own “Scarlet Letter” of pain and torment known as scared, shameful, and silent; however, she was no longer afraid, worked through the torture of silence, and became proud of who she is.

Homework • On Monday, you were to select your choice. Carefully reread your prompt, highlight the key words, and make sure you know what the topic is completely. Do this right now if you have not done so. • Come up with your main point, claim, or angle • Choose 3 examples or supporting reasons that you will use to explain your point • Put them together to make one specific, meaningful thesis • THIS IS DUE TOMORROW 11/18/15. NO EXCEPTIONS. IF YOU ARE ABSENT, PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR THESIS. • YOU MUST TAKE A PIC OR MAKE A 2ND COPY OF THESIS BEFORE YOUR TURN IT IN

Part 2--Introduction • Your introduction is a bridge or an opening that allows the reader to see what the paper will be about • It is an important roadmap for the rest of the paper • The introduction is what makes readers want to read your paper • Remember, your thesis statement will be the LAST SENTENCE of this paragraph.

Strategies for Writing an Effective Introduction • Start by thinking of the prompt you want to explain • Remember, you are not going to start talking about the novel in your first sentence; instead, you will start with an attention-getter/hook that generally relates to your main topic (thesis statement) • The attention grabber/hook is the first sentence of your introduction

Introduction: Attention Grabber/Hook • Types of attention grabbers/hooks: • A fact or statistic that relates to your thesis • A quotation—You must cite within text or in a parenthetical • An anecdote (short story) that relates to your topic • A thought-provoking question (no you and always answer questions)—this is actually a difficult hook to do well • A dictionary definition that connects to your thesis—only use when defining a difficult word, not something that is well known or falls into the “common sense” category • A direct connection or statement that focuses on your topic • Remember, you can’t use 1st person (I, me, we, etc..) or 2nd person (you, your, yours) • Also avoid stating, In this paper I will discuss…this is unnecessary (and you are not to use “I” anyway!)

Example Introduction • Essay Prompt: How does Melinda discover her voice? • Hook:Maya Angelou, celebrated poet and civil rights activist once said, “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with more meaning (2)” ---Attention Grabbing Device—Direct Quote—You must always give credit to an outside source immediately in your text either within the sentence or in a parenthetical citation. Example of a citation is (Angelou 2) = last name of author and pg ## If author is in your sentence, then just page # Any quote you use in your body paragraphs will be from your novel. All quotes will have last name and page number. An example would be (Anderson 28).

Connecting the Hook to the Thesis • The next information in your introduction should connect the hook to your thesis. • Give comments and background information on the topic in order to connect it to your thesis. • This is where you will introduce the author and the title of the novel • You can also choose to provide brief statements connecting to your 3 points that will be further developed in your paper

Introduction--Background One’s voice is extremely important to the self. It is important to be able to take a stand and freely express one’s point of view. All people should have the right to voice their feelings and opinions. In Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel Speak, Melinda Sordino has lost her ability to use her voice and speak up due to a traumatic event. The novel takes the reader on a journey through Melinda’s life as she struggles to find her voice. *** Always mention author and novel title in intro if you are writing ties to a novel***

Thesis Statement • Through finding solace in an abandoned closet , being in Mr. Freeman’s class, and defeating Andy, Melinda finally found a way to be heard. • This statement is the last sentence of the introduction and the primary focus of the paper. • The main point or claim to be proven in essay is in pink • The three points (three body paragraphs) used to support and prove your claim (in pink) are underlined

Now, Put It All Together • Maya Angelou, celebrated poet and civil rights activist once said, “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with more meaning.” One’s voice is extremely important to the self. It is important to be able to take a stand and freely express one’s point of view. All people should have the right to voice their feelings and opinions. In Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel Speak, Melinda Sordino has lost her ability to use her voice and speak up due to a traumatic event. The novel takes the reader on a journey through Melinda’s life as she struggles to find her voice. Through finding solace in an abandoned closet , being in Mr. Freeman’s class, and defeating Andy, Melinda finally found a way to be heard.

Sample Intro #2 Topic—Choose an inductee from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and show how he/she/they impacted their genre of music. Hook: A big afro, head band, bell bottoms, and a captivating voice combined with the screaming of his guitar is an unforgettable image of one of the most pivotal performers at Woodstock: Jimi Hendrix. Attention Grabbing Device—A direct statement that is original but directly connects to the main topic.

Background Info Leading to Thesis or Main Point He revolutionized how the guitar was played which gave him legendary status in the music industry. In addition to guitar playing, his innovation in the recording studio of using new technology with his unique talent for playing the electric guitar created a new sound that became his stepping stone in permanently changing and impacting rock music.

Thesis Statement Thesis Statement: Jimi Hendrix impacted the genre of rock with his new styles of guitar riffs, his new sound in rock and roll, and his different way of writing songs. • main argument is in green • 3 reasons/points are underlined and parallel in grammatical structure

Put It All Together A big afro, head band, bell bottoms, and a captivating voice combined with the screaming of his guitar is an unforgettable image of one of the most pivotal performers at Woodstock: Jimi Hendrix. He revolutionized how the guitar was played which gave him legendary status in the music industry. In addition to guitar playing, his innovation in the recording studio of using new technology with his unique talent for playing the electric guitar created a new sound that became his stepping stone in permanently changing and impacting rock music. Jimi Hendrix impacted the genre of rockwith his new styles of guitar riffs, his new sound in rock and roll, and his different way of writing songs.

Intro Continued • Make sure all points from the hook to the thesis are smoothly connected together • Do not use many, some, a lot, several, etc. anywhere in your paper • Make your hook original • NONE OF THE SAMPLES PROVIDED TO YOU HAD “IN THIS ESSAY, I WILL DISCUSS” OR “THAT IS WHAT I WILL BE DISCUSSING” OR “THESE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THIS ESSAY,” ETC. SO DO NOT DO!!!!!

Homework—Due Friday, 11/20 • You will go home and draft an intro paragraph that includes the following: • 4 line MLA heading written on line 1 of notebook lined paper • Original title that connects to your chosen topic • Indented paragraph that skips lines • Only written in between margins—do not go past red lines on notebook paper • Must have a HOOK that is original, creative, and connects to point • Must include at least 3 background info statements • Must include a well developed 3 PRONG THESIS STATEMENT = MAIN POINT OR CLAIM PLUS 3 REASONS • You will begin working on your graphic organizer today by including your 3 points in well developed topic sentences due tomorrow • Begin looking for 3 quotes you would like to use. Quotes can be used to your advantage. You choos how you use them in your paper

Your Turn • You will now be given a graphic organizer. • For HW, you will • Start looking for 3 quotes, one per body paragraph that ties to your supporting reason to explain, develop, and/or prove your thesis. • You will finish the quotes, citations, and transitions on Thursday in class or for homework.

Elements of Writing