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The Persuasive Thesis:. A 5-point process to self-discovery and enlightenment *Enlightenment not guaranteed. 5 Point Thesis Step #1. Fill out the best thesis statement you can come up with on your 5 pt thesis handout. I know everything....
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The PersuasiveThesis: A 5-point process to self-discovery and enlightenment *Enlightenment not guaranteed
5 Point Thesis Step #1 • Fill out the best thesis statement you can come up with on your 5 pt thesis handout
I know everything.... What does this stupid school say about thesis statements? THESIS?
Definition • THESIS: An opinion boiled down to an arguable statement
Test • THESIS: An _______ boiled down to an arguable statement
Test • THESIS: An opinion boiled down to an _______________.
Test • THESIS: An _______ boiled down to ____________.
Test • THESIS: An _____________________ to an ____________________.
Surprise Double Test • Turn to your partner, define what a thesis is • High five when you both get it 100% correct [Don’t high five until 100%!] • Extra credit for tattooing the definition on your body somewhere (not in class)
Strong vs. Weak Theses Weak: -Doesn’t take a stance -Repeats status quo Strong: -Takes a Stance -Tells what we should do about status quo -Course of action!
Strong vs. Weak Weak: There are many views about space exploration and each has valid points. Strong: Space exploration wastes tax-payers’ money. Weak: Rabid ferrets are something many people do not like. They can ruin many things such as schools. Strong: Rabid ferrets are taking over school buildings throughout the US. Without proper funding from the US Government, they will continue to threaten the safety of students everywhere.
Generic Language • AVOID these terms: • You (who!?) • People (which ones?) • Everyone (like, in the world?) • Society (which one?)
Audience Who is your paper really directed at? • Who can actually do somethingabout your topic Examples: • Homework policy => school board • Doping in sports => league officials • Legalizing street-fighting => government/law-makers • Protecting from ferrets => US Govt.
Too Broad • “The Government should identify ares vulnerable to….”[which govt? Fed or state? Which country?]] • “The state government must legalize sex workers…”[which state?] • “Sports programs should enforce stricter drug-testing policies…”[college? Pro?] • “The school board needs to drug test…”[just one? Which one? All?]
Vague Ideas “Unpack” Vague Ideas • “…sad state”-> in what way? For who? • “…is bad for the world,”-> our world? Everyone? How? • “…should be regulated”-> in what way? How much?
Linking Verbs • AVOID linking verbs • Ex. Is, are, was, has been, could, etc. They’re Boring! Past tense -> not happening anymore… NO: “Rabid ferrets in schools have been a problem…” YES: “Rabid ferrets bite and expose students to rabies…”
ACTION Verbs • DO: Action verbs • Fail • Inspire • Encourage • Distribute • Enforce • Threaten EX. “Public education failsto prepare students for the jobs of the future, thus, the federal government…”
5 pt Thesis Step #2 • Self-assess your 1st thesis • Revise based on new knowledge • Use verb ideas from back of sheet • Finished? Have partner score 2nd thesis
Structure Options #1: STATUS QUO-> CONSEQUENCE; thus, AUDIENCE must ACTION. #2: In order to avoid CONSEQUENCE, AUDIENCE needs to ACTION. #3: Without ACTION by AUDIENCE, TOPIC will continue to CONSEQUENCE.
OPTIONAL: Consequences • SHOW: Why is your idea important? • DO: What happens if your reader doesn’t act on your info? • MEH: “This shows how powerful violence in movies can impact the minds of children in our society” • GOOD: “Without stricter regulation by businesses and parents, violent films will continue to inspire adolescent violence and depression.”
BTW • What’s ineffective about this thesis? “This shows how powerful violence in movies can impact the minds of children in our society”
BTW • What’s ineffective about this thesis? “This shows [what shows?] how powerful violence in movies can impact [good or bad impact?]the minds of children in our society”[our society? Who’s?]
5 pt Thesis Step #3 • Revise 2nd thesis based on feedback • Add consequence • Finished? Have NEW partner assess your 3rd thesis
Once you have a solid, peer-approved 5 pt thesis, write it on a note card and tape to the inside cover of your SP binder.