Stasis, Questions at Issue, and Stasis, Questions at Issue, and Thesis Statements/ClaimsThesis Statements/Claims

Stasis TheoryStasis Theory

What is the “stasis point” of a discussion?

How do we discover a stasis point?

What does existence of a stasis point tell us about participants in a discussion?

Questions at IssueQuestions at Issue

What is a “question at issue?”

What conditions make a question NOT “at issue?”

How is a question at issue related to a stasis point?

What are the qualities of a good question at issue?

Evaluating Questions at IssueEvaluating Questions at Issue Are California residents also residents of the United States?

Whether or not college students should have to abide by a dress code.

Should the Social Security system be reworked?

Is non-essential cosmetic surgery on pets (e.g. tail cropping, debarking, ear clipping, etc.) cruel?

Was attacking Iraq a wise tactical decision in the US war on terror?

Should there be prayer in school?

Kinds of Questions at IssueKinds of Questions at Issue

Questions of factQuestions of fact

Questions of consequence Questions of consequence

Questions of valueQuestions of value

Questions of interpretationQuestions of interpretation

Questions of definitionQuestions of definition

Questions of policyQuestions of policy

Why is it important to be Why is it important to be able to identify the able to identify the specific question at issue specific question at issue in an argument?in an argument?

Why is it important to Why is it important to identify the kind of identify the kind of question at issue in an question at issue in an argument?argument?

Identifying Types of and Evaluating Identifying Types of and Evaluating Questions at IssueQuestions at Issue

Do violent, “first-person shooter” video games cause violent behavior in children?

Is the violence in typical “first-person shooter” video games bad?

Is the violence in “first-person shooter” video games (like Splinter Cell and Quake) pornographic?

Are parents who allow their children to play violent, “first-person shooter” video games exercising good judgment?

Should all violent, “first-person shooter” games that involve the simulating killing go human beings receive a restrictive “Mature” rating?

Are violent, “first-person shooter” video games the tools of Satan?

What are the typical demographics of violent, “first-person shooter” video game consumers?

What might the popularity of violent, “first-person shooter” video games indicate about the needs and values of the American public?

Absolutely Crucial Principles Regarding Absolutely Crucial Principles Regarding Questions at IssueQuestions at Issue

(remember these and let them guide you)(remember these and let them guide you) A question at issue is worded as a question.A question at issue is worded as a question.

A question is “at issue” when A question is “at issue” when reasonablereasonable people can answer it people can answer it differently.differently.

The language of a question at issue The language of a question at issue mustmust be precise and specific. be precise and specific.

It is difficult to write a good argument if you begin with an It is difficult to write a good argument if you begin with an imprecise or sloppily worded question at issue.imprecise or sloppily worded question at issue.

A thesis statement is a response to a question at issue.A thesis statement is a response to a question at issue.

Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

What is a “thesis?”

“A thesis is an idea, stated as an assertion, that represents a reasoned response to a question at issue and that serves as the central idea of a composition” (Gage 70).

• A thesis answers the question “What do I want readers to understand, believe, or do after they read my essay that they may not understand, believe, or do before they read my essay.

• A thesis is the “centerpiece” of an essay—i.e. its main point/idea and its driving force, its raison d’etre .

Essential Features of a Thesis StatementEssential Features of a Thesis Statement

Represents a Represents a reasoned reasoned response to a question at issue (i.e. response to a question at issue (i.e. it engages a conflict the audience cares about).it engages a conflict the audience cares about).

Is rooted firmly in what one knows (i.e. evidence and Is rooted firmly in what one knows (i.e. evidence and logic). It is the logic). It is the product product of inquiry and deliberation. It is of inquiry and deliberation. It is not an unexamined belief or knee-jerk response.not an unexamined belief or knee-jerk response.

Worded as an Worded as an assertionassertion, not as a question or as a fragment. , not as a question or as a fragment. Assertions propose ideas to which one might respond, “I Assertions propose ideas to which one might respond, “I agree” or “I disagree.” agree” or “I disagree.”

Is clearly and precisely worded.Is clearly and precisely worded.

Evaluating Thesis StatementsEvaluating Thesis Statements There is tremendous controversy about whether both intelligent

design and evolutionary theory should be taught in public schools.

Intelligent design does not fit any accepted definition of “science,” and should not, therefore, be included as a subject of discussion in public school science classrooms.

Viruses are spreading all over the internet and that’s not a good thing, which is why we should do something about it like create laws.

Because computer viruses have the potential to cripple the online economy, the US government should enact harsh prison penalties for convicted virus creators.

College can be a nerve-wracking yet rewarding experience.College can be a nerve-wracking yet rewarding experience.

College is a good place to be.College is a good place to be.

College is a safe place to take on intellectual challenges.College is a safe place to take on intellectual challenges.

Whether or not it is a good idea to attend college.Whether or not it is a good idea to attend college.

Attending college can have both good and bad consequences.Attending college can have both good and bad consequences.

The college should change the way it allocates financial aid.The college should change the way it allocates financial aid.

In order to distribute limited funds more equitably, students shouldIn order to distribute limited funds more equitably, students should

receive aid only as long as they are attending and passing theirreceive aid only as long as they are attending and passing their

classes.classes.

The majority of Americans vote for politicians based not on their The majority of Americans vote for politicians based not on their ideas but on the image they project. ideas but on the image they project.

Chocolate ice cream tastes better than vanilla ice cream.Chocolate ice cream tastes better than vanilla ice cream.

Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla ice cream as a dessert to Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla ice cream as a dessert to follow fish and chicken. follow fish and chicken.

CR should allow returning students to register earlier than new CR should allow returning students to register earlier than new students.students.

Sport hunting, where hunters kill animals not for food but for fun, is Sport hunting, where hunters kill animals not for food but for fun, is immoral.immoral.

The war in Iraq was the result of bad/good foreign policy.The war in Iraq was the result of bad/good foreign policy.

What to do with all this What to do with all this information?information?

Knowing it in the abstract will not automatically translate to Knowing it in the abstract will not automatically translate to skill. skill.

Practice identifying the questions at issue and thesis Practice identifying the questions at issue and thesis statements in arguments—look at essays in composition statements in arguments—look at essays in composition books in the ASC or look at commentaries/editorials in books in the ASC or look at commentaries/editorials in newspapers. Work with classmates and ASC tutors to keep newspapers. Work with classmates and ASC tutors to keep your ideas in check.your ideas in check.

Practice creating both questions at issue and thesis Practice creating both questions at issue and thesis statements. Work particularly hard on precise wording statements. Work particularly hard on precise wording workable questions and theses. Again, work with others.workable questions and theses. Again, work with others.

Moments of silence

Editor -- Thursday evening at the UC-USC men's basketball game, we were asked to stand for a moment of silence in respect and memorial to the young woman on Cal's women's team, Alisa

Lewis, who tragically and unexpectedly died of bacterial meningitis earlier in the week. The total silence was both poignant

and fitting. Would it not have been equally appropriate for the president of the United States to lead a moment of silence in honor of those in our country's military who have lost their lives in Iraq, both during and after the declaration that the war was over? Can

anyone fail to understand why this did not take place?

JOAN MATHERLos Altos

from San Francisco Chronicle, 1/26/04

Leader?

If I made $25,000 a year and ran up excessive debts, you would call me fiscally irresponsible.

So why is it that President Bush can run up incredible debts and you call him a leader?

Nancy Golden, Phoenix