How to present your argument

1. How to present your argument Thesis Graphic Organizer Paraphrasing Introduction

2. What is a Thesis? • A thesis is a claim for your whole paper • It includes: • the other side of the argument • your opinion • a reason for your argument • how you will support your argument • It should be: • controlled by 1 main idea • presented at the end of your last statement in your introductory paragraph

3. Building a thesis Exemplary: Although Chandragupta founded the first empire of India, Ashoka is most deserving of a holiday because he united a pluralistic society. He did this by promoting peace and religious tolerance. Proficient: Although Chandragupta founded the first empire of India, Ashoka is most deserving of a holiday because he promoted peace and religious tolerance.

4. Which holiday is better, Halloween or Thanksgiving?

5. Options… For some people it is easier to complete a graphic organizer then develop the thesis For others it is easier to develop the thesis then complete the graphic organizer It’s your choice….

6. Complete your graphic organizer

7. Paraphrasing • Requirements: • 2 Paraphrased statements are required • Why paraphrase? • Information varies from source to source. By paraphrasing information that is not common knowledge you are supporting a claim with unique information and giving credit to an author • What to paraphrase? • Evidence that is not common knowledge or different among your sources • For example: statistics

8. Reason to paraphrase The distant provinces were linked to the capital by a network of arterial highways, totaling over 4,700 miles (7,500 km)- some 500 miles (800 km) more than the Romans two centuries later (Paludan 20). Compare With the total length of the Qin imperial highways stretching approximately 6800 km (4216 miles), the completion of Chi Dao greatly increased the convenience of transporting troops and their supplies (Quin Shi Huang-Di (259 B.C.-210 B.C.).

9. How to Paraphrase • Select a unique piece of evidence • Restate it in your own words • Cite it- tell the reader where you found it • Author with page number (Forrelli 23) • Author with no page number (Lonardo) • No author, title of article (Shi Huangdi) • Rule of thumb: Whatever appears first in the citation on the Works Cited page is what you put in parenthesis along with a page number

10. Practice…Select key terms, restate it cite Taken from source #2 on page 250 • When threatened by the Xiongnu, a nomadic confederacy on the northern border, Shih Huang Di sent 300,000 soldiers to drive the nomads beyond the Gobi Desert.

11. Paraphrased statement Original: When threatened by the Xiongnu, a nomadic confederacy on the northern border, Shih Huang Di sent 300,000 soldiers to drive the nomads beyond the Gobi Desert.

12. How to write an introduction • An introduction should: • Engage the reader – • Suggestions: Warring States Period or Leadership style • Provide historical context about Shi Huang Di • Who is Shi Huang Di? • When did he rule? • How did he rule? • State your thesis

13. Do’s and Do not's of Introductions Do not ask questions Avoid cliché’s and great exaggerations (the greatest leader, the most feared in history) Do not include any first or second person (I, me, you) Make sure you have clear and natural transitions between sentences

14. Sample Introduction There are times when personal freedoms must be sacrificed to preserve the integrity of society. Shi Huang Di recognized this and acted to unite the Chinese empire. The First Emperor of China, lived in the 2nd century BCE, and ruled until his death in 210 BCE. Under Shi Huang Di’s rule, China was finally united under one ruler after centuries of warfare. Although he ruled harshly as an autocratic ruler the First Emperor’s actions were justified because they benefited China. Shi Huang Di’s rule brought about many political and technological advancements that gave the Chinese significant advantages for hundreds of years. Understanding Shi Huang Di’s actions are vital to understanding the beliefs of China’s modern day leaders. His actions demonstrate that personal freedoms are not the only metric for measuring success.

15. Sample Introduction Throughout history there have been many philosophies of how a leader should unite the people and advance society. Often times, these philosophies emerge during a time of turmoil. This was no different during the Warring States Period in China. During this time, China was divided and philosophers purposed schools of thought like Daoism, Confucianism and Legalism to end the turmoil and unite the people. One philosophy succeeded, Legalism. Using Legalist tactics, the leader of the Zhou state from 246 BCE to 221 BCE, Shi Huang Di united all of China and became the First Emperor of China. However, his Legalist beliefs meant that he employed harsh laws with few rewards for the loyal and many brutal punishments for those who misbehaved. While he ended the Warring States Period, his harsh policies were not justified because he failed to improve the quality of life of his people. By restricting the society and intellectual free thought, Shi Huang Di limited the progress of China