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How To DoHow To Doaa

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The The “Top Bun”“Top Bun” of your essay! of your essay!

4-6 sentences4-6 sentences

The Introductory The Introductory ParagraphParagraph

The Introductory The Introductory ParagraphParagraph

1.1. Establish Establish TIME & PLACETIME & PLACE..

2.2. Create a clear, Create a clear, THESIS THESIS STATEMENTSTATEMENT..[underline or highlight it!][underline or highlight it!]

3.3. Allude to the Allude to the SUB-TOPICSSUB-TOPICS or or categories you will discuss to categories you will discuss to support your thesis statementsupport your thesis statement

4.4. Focus on the question at hand—Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery” do NOT begin with a “flowery” sentence!sentence!

The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph

No “laundry No “laundry list!”list!”

The The “tasty” part“tasty” part of your of your essay!essay!

5-7 sentences+ per 5-7 sentences+ per paragraphparagraph

The “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” ParagraphsThe “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” Paragraphs

1.1. Identify your sub-topic or category Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence.in the first sentence.

2.2. Include the documents that are Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph.paragraph.

3.3. Use most of the documents given.Use most of the documents given.

4.4. Bring in supportive outside Bring in supportive outside information. information. This is criticalThis is critical!!!! * * o.i.’so.i.’s = “ = “ooutside utside iinformation”nformation”

5.5. Why were these documents Why were these documents selected?selected?

The “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” ParagraphsThe “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” Paragraphs

1.1. Attribution Attribution Who is this person? Who is this person?

2.2. Why might they be significant?Why might they be significant?

3.3. What is the point of view (POV) of the What is the point of view (POV) of the author?author?

4.4. How reliable and accurate is the source?How reliable and accurate is the source?

5.5. What is the tone or intent of the What is the tone or intent of the document author?document author?

6.6. What other information does this What other information does this document call to mind? Use all available document call to mind? Use all available clues.clues.Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of

ways!ways!

Questions to Ask Yourself About Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documentsthe Documents

Questions to Ask Yourself About Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documentsthe Documents

• NEVER just summarize the documents – make sure you are using NEVER just summarize the documents – make sure you are using them in an analytical manner!them in an analytical manner!

• NEVER create a list of documents one after the other. NEVER create a list of documents one after the other.

  

• HINT: Make statements of your own that prove the thesis and then HINT: Make statements of your own that prove the thesis and then use information from the documents to support your statement.use information from the documents to support your statement.

1.1. Thomas Paine, Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, in his pamphlet, Common SenseCommon Sense,, said: “………………….” said: “………………….”

2.2. Joe Smith, Joe Smith, a mid-Western delegate to a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912the Republican convention in 1912, , agreed with…..agreed with…..

3.3. The The 1919cc historian, Frederick Jackson historian, Frederick Jackson TurnerTurner, felt that …………………. , felt that …………………. (Doc. E)(Doc. E)

NEVERNEVER begin with: In Document 3, begin with: In Document 3, ……

How to Reference a How to Reference a Document in Your EssayDocument in Your Essay

How to Reference a How to Reference a Document in Your EssayDocument in Your Essay

The The “Bottom Bun”“Bottom Bun” of your of your essay!essay!

It holds it all together!It holds it all together!

3-4 sentences3-4 sentences

The Concluding The Concluding ParagraphParagraph

The Concluding The Concluding ParagraphParagraph

1.1. Start with a “concluding phrase.”Start with a “concluding phrase.”

2.2. Restate your thesis statement Restate your thesis statement a bit a bit differentlydifferently..

The Concluding” ParagraphThe Concluding” ParagraphThe Concluding” ParagraphThe Concluding” Paragraph

Put It All Together, And . . . .Put It All Together, And . . . .Put It All Together, And . . . .Put It All Together, And . . . .

Good Thesis StatementGood Thesis Statement• Bad Topic----MusicBad Topic----Music (to broad)(to broad)

• Good Topic---Rap Music (specific)Good Topic---Rap Music (specific)

• Bad Thesis--- Rap music has many good and bad Bad Thesis--- Rap music has many good and bad influences.influences.

• Good Thesis---Rap is not offensive and positively Good Thesis---Rap is not offensive and positively influences urban youth influences urban youth

(ask yourself, does that sound arguable? Will people (ask yourself, does that sound arguable? Will people disagree with this statement?)disagree with this statement?)

Points of proofPoints of proofGenerally three points of proofGenerally three points of proof

• Good points of proofGood points of proof1.1. Gives urban youth a chance for artistic expressionGives urban youth a chance for artistic expression

2.2. It’s a form of street poetryIt’s a form of street poetry

3.3. Inspires youth to overcome challengesInspires youth to overcome challenges

• Bad points of proofBad points of proof1.1. Rappers do good things as wellRappers do good things as well

2.2. Some lyrics are positiveSome lyrics are positive

3.3. Kids look up to the rappers Kids look up to the rappers

Polished Thesis StatementPolished Thesis Statement

• Rap music is not offensive and Rap music is not offensive and positively influences urban youth. Rap positively influences urban youth. Rap music inspires urban youth to overcome music inspires urban youth to overcome challenges, offers an important challenges, offers an important opportunity form artistic expression, and opportunity form artistic expression, and allows them to articulate the poetry of allows them to articulate the poetry of the street. the street.

• Don't simply state a fact.Don't simply state a fact. Because a thesis must Because a thesis must prepare readers for facts and details, it cannot itself prepare readers for facts and details, it cannot itself be a fact. For example, this thesis simply states a be a fact. For example, this thesis simply states a fact:fact:– Last year saw a decrease in the number of "bad girl" roles in Last year saw a decrease in the number of "bad girl" roles in

Hollywood. Hollywood.

• It should always be a generalization demanding proof It should always be a generalization demanding proof or further development. Here's a revision of the thesis or further development. Here's a revision of the thesis above:   above:   – The decrease in 'bad girl' roles witnessed in 1998 reflects The decrease in 'bad girl' roles witnessed in 1998 reflects

the conservative backlash against strong female characters the conservative backlash against strong female characters in the media.in the media.

• Don't be too broadDon't be too broad. You want to be particularly careful to . You want to be particularly careful to limit the scope of your thesis statement and too avoid one limit the scope of your thesis statement and too avoid one that is too broad in scope or too vague. And in general, that is too broad in scope or too vague. And in general, you want to try not to depend on a faulty generalization -- you want to try not to depend on a faulty generalization -- a generalization using words such as "all", "none", "no," a generalization using words such as "all", "none", "no," "any", "always," "never", "only" and "everyone" that implies "any", "always," "never", "only" and "everyone" that implies that the one particular instance you are talking about that the one particular instance you are talking about applies to all instances of something. applies to all instances of something.

• Don't create a circular or "weaseling" thesisDon't create a circular or "weaseling" thesis. A . A circular thesiscircular thesis doubles back on itself, saying only what it has already implied. doubles back on itself, saying only what it has already implied. For instance:   For instance:   – The growing popularity of American Gladiators shows that The growing popularity of American Gladiators shows that

people are more interested in watching gladiators than ever people are more interested in watching gladiators than ever before. before.

– Instant replay should be banned from the NFL because it Instant replay should be banned from the NFL because it allows you to watch plays again once they have been allows you to watch plays again once they have been completed.completed.

• Here are revised examples:   Here are revised examples:   – The growing popularity of American Gladiators reflects The growing popularity of American Gladiators reflects

America's increased desensitization to violence.America's increased desensitization to violence.– Instant replay should be banned from the NFL because once Instant replay should be banned from the NFL because once

a play has been completed or a call has been made, it a play has been completed or a call has been made, it should not be revisited or reevaluated by nit-picking should not be revisited or reevaluated by nit-picking referees.referees.

• AA "weaseling" thesis "weaseling" thesis, according to the 5th edition of , according to the 5th edition of The Random House The Random House HandbookHandbook, is one that "asserts so little that it expresses nothing more than , is one that "asserts so little that it expresses nothing more than the writer's wish to stay out of trouble" (75). For instance:   the writer's wish to stay out of trouble" (75). For instance:   – Internet pornography is a controversial subject.Internet pornography is a controversial subject.– Although some people approve of V-chip technology, others don't.Although some people approve of V-chip technology, others don't.

• You need to take a risk, take more of a stand, and offer an idea that will You need to take a risk, take more of a stand, and offer an idea that will require support and illustration to make it convincing. For instance:  require support and illustration to make it convincing. For instance:  – Because too many children are stumbling upon sex sites on the web, Because too many children are stumbling upon sex sites on the web,

all pornographic materials should be banned from the internet.  all pornographic materials should be banned from the internet.  

• Don't "Beg the Question"Don't "Beg the Question". The term "begging the question" means settling the question . The term "begging the question" means settling the question before you've even discussed it -- prejudging the issue. By using loaded terms and phrases before you've even discussed it -- prejudging the issue. By using loaded terms and phrases in your thesis statement, you can come away sounding close-minded -- a reader might not in your thesis statement, you can come away sounding close-minded -- a reader might not want to read an essay that from the first paragraph forbids any disagreement. For instance, want to read an essay that from the first paragraph forbids any disagreement. For instance, this thesis "begs the question":   this thesis "begs the question":   – Fashion magazines have no right arbitrarily to define standards of "beauty" that, by Fashion magazines have no right arbitrarily to define standards of "beauty" that, by

demeaning and debasing the average woman, lead directly to eating disorders. demeaning and debasing the average woman, lead directly to eating disorders.

• On the other hand, the following revision makes just as strong a statement, but uses more On the other hand, the following revision makes just as strong a statement, but uses more objective and fair language.   objective and fair language.   – The highly idealized concept of beauty marketed by fashion magazines contributes to The highly idealized concept of beauty marketed by fashion magazines contributes to

the anxiety over body image that leads many women to eating disorders. the anxiety over body image that leads many women to eating disorders.

• Keep in mind, the goal of any thesis statement (and introduction for that matter) is to state Keep in mind, the goal of any thesis statement (and introduction for that matter) is to state your position on an issue, clearly but without alienating your readers.your position on an issue, clearly but without alienating your readers.

• Don't Use Either/Or ReasoningDon't Use Either/Or Reasoning. Using an either/or . Using an either/or construction in your thesis tends to reduce your argument to construction in your thesis tends to reduce your argument to extremes -- an alarmist technique that pretends the only extremes -- an alarmist technique that pretends the only alternative to your point of view is something quite horrible. alternative to your point of view is something quite horrible. Here's an example:   Here's an example:   – We must eliminate violent content from television or we will We must eliminate violent content from television or we will

end up raising generations of thoughtless murderers. end up raising generations of thoughtless murderers. • It is much better to admit that your opponents might have good It is much better to admit that your opponents might have good

reasons for their views -- reasons that you don't find reasons for their views -- reasons that you don't find completely convincing. Remember, if the issue were one of completely convincing. Remember, if the issue were one of Right vs. Wrong, there would be no point in debating it.Right vs. Wrong, there would be no point in debating it.

• A FEW MORE TOPICS & THESIS EXAMPLESA FEW MORE TOPICS & THESIS EXAMPLESTOPIC: body piercingTOPIC: body piercingBAD: Body piercing is popular among kids nowadays.BAD: Body piercing is popular among kids nowadays.BETTER: Body piercing among contemporary youth represents BETTER: Body piercing among contemporary youth represents the latest form of rebelling against authority that previous the latest form of rebelling against authority that previous generations manifested in smoking, getting tattoos, and wearing generations manifested in smoking, getting tattoos, and wearing mini-skirts.mini-skirts.

• TOPIC: female musiciansTOPIC: female musiciansBAD: Female musicians are getting more popular.BAD: Female musicians are getting more popular.BETTER: During the past five years, musical artists like Sheryl BETTER: During the past five years, musical artists like Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, and Jewel have solidified a place for Crow, Alanis Morissette, and Jewel have solidified a place for women's music on the top ten charts.women's music on the top ten charts.

• TOPIC: news coverage of military actionTOPIC: news coverage of military actionBAD: News coverage of military actions undermines their BAD: News coverage of military actions undermines their seriousness. seriousness. BETTER: By featuring highlights of air strikes and peace-BETTER: By featuring highlights of air strikes and peace-keeping missions on the news, television producers reduce keeping missions on the news, television producers reduce them to the status of popular entertainment and undermine the them to the status of popular entertainment and undermine the audience's appreciation of the seriousness of military actions.audience's appreciation of the seriousness of military actions.