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Starter

Starter. In your journals, fix the following sentences: I like to watch the snowflakes fall outside the window. Does the hat belong to Daniel, or is it David’s? Gabriela’s essay was well-written. The seniors are exploring various colleges that interest them.

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Starter

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  1. Starter • In your journals, fix the following sentences: • I like to watch the snowflakes fall outside the window. • Does the hat belong to Daniel, or is it David’s? • Gabriela’s essay was well-written. • The seniors are exploring various colleges that interest them. • The students’ notebooks go in the drawer.

  2. Welcome • In your DOL documents, do the following: • Write a sentence for each new vocabulary word • Make sure that each word is used correctly and demonstrates your understanding of the word

  3. Announcements Current event due Friday Critical discussion Friday Vocabulary quiz next week – study Essay, essay, essay

  4. What is a thesis and how do I write one?

  5. Online version of this presentation This presentation is an adaptation of an explanation of thesis found online on October 25, 2010. I did not write it myself, so I want to CITE MY SOURCE on this slide. You can access the online version here: http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/thesis.html

  6. What is a thesis? A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful essay and a simple retelling of facts A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information. But don't rush! You must do a lot of background reading before you know enough about a subject to identify key or essential questions. You may not know how you stand on an issue until you have examined the evidence. You will likely begin your research with a working, preliminary or tentative thesis which you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the evidence leads

  7. Where should the thesis appear in my essay? In most cases, the thesis should appear at the end of your introductory paragraph Your introduction, therefore, should introduce your topic and lead up to your thesis

  8. Attributes of a good thesis A good thesis is Contestable – people could reasonably disagree Provocative – confident, takes a stand Tackles a subject that could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned Is specific and focused Clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence Note: Be flexible – it’s ok to change your thesis if your research leads you in a new direction

  9. Attributes of a good thesis, continued Provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work Anticipates and refutes counter-arguments Avoids vague language (such as, “It seems”) Avoids the first person (“I believe,” “In my opinion”) Passes the “So what?” test Questions?

  10. Thesis equations Simple equations for a thesis might look something like this: Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis

  11. Test a thesis statement Try these five tests: Does the thesis  inspire a reasonable reader to ask, "How?" or Why?" Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?" Does the thesis  avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"? Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the subtopics needed to prove the thesis)? Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper or project? If you cannot answer “yes” to all five questions, what changes do you need to make?

  12. Examples and non-examples of thesis Choose a partner Pick up a “Sample Thesis Statements” handout Read each sample thesis together and use the five questions to determine if it is an effective thesis Back up your answers – explain to each other WHY you arrived at your conclusions Choose two poorly-constructed theses from your list. Rewrite each one to make it better

  13. Forming a thesis Select a topic Ask an interesting question Revise the question into a thesis (the thesis is your answer) Remember that this is your preliminary thesis. As you research, your argument may change. This is OK! Create a list of sample questions to guide your research

  14. Example of how this might work Select a topic: television violence and children Ask an interesting question: What are the effects of television violence on children? Revise the question into a thesis: Violence on television increases aggressive behavior in preschool children. Questions?

  15. Now you try! Topic: book banning in school libraries Ask an interesting question Revise the question into a thesis (Answer the question)

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