Transcript
Thesis Statements
Lesson Five
Brent A. Simoneaux
Review: Argumentative Topics
What does the definition of argument imply about our topics?
“The aim or purpose of argument is to use logic (both inductive and deductive) to
create reasoned communication of ideas, insights, and experiences to some audience
so as to produce a new understanding of some issue for that audience.”
argument
Review: Argumentative Topics
What is the new understanding of your topic that you will provide for your audience?
Review: Argumentative Topics
Argumentative thesis statements require that we take a stand on our topics.
In other words, we must make a claim that can be proven through logic.
Review: Argumentative Topics
Types of claims:1. Claims of Fact or Definition2. Claims of Cause and Effect
3. Claims About Value4. Claims About Solutions or Policies
Claims: Argumentative Topics
Claims of Fact or Definition These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact.
Example What some people refer to as global warming is actually nothing more than normal, long-term cycles of climate change.
Claims: Argumentative Topics
Claims of Cause and Effect These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur.
ExampleThe popularity of SUV's in America has caused pollution to increase.
Claims: Argumentative Topics
Claims About Value These are claims made about what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something.
Example Global warming is the most pressing challenge facing the world today.
Claims: Argumentative Topics
Claims About Solutions or Policies These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem.
ExampleInstead of drilling for oil in Alaska we should be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources.
By the end of this lesson, you should know:
How to write an effective analytical thesis statement for your argumentative essay.
Today’s Objective
To give us a general idea of thesis statements, let’s look at page 256 in our text.
Thesis Statements
However, a better definition for argumentative papers would be the
following:
“A writer’s reasoned conclusion about some issue or writing problem.”
Thesis Statements
This definition of thesis statement recalls our definition of argument as well as the original
meaning of the word.
As Greek logicians used this word, it meant a “premise or proposition to be stated and then proved through logical analysis and
argumentation.”
Thesis Statements
Thesis statements usually help define a writer’s purpose for some audience.
More importantly, a thesis statement focuses both the writer’s and reader’s attention on specific issues to be developed within an
essay.
Thesis Statements
Discuss Thesis Statement Handout
Thesis Statements
Example“Funerals in America.”
Thesis Statements
Not a complete sentence. Doesn’t take a stand or make a claim about the
topic.
Example“I will write about funerals in
America.”
Thesis Statements
The focus is on “I”, not Funerals. Still, says nothing about your topic.
Example“I have been to five funerals in the
past year.”
Thesis Statements
Who cares?This is not argumentative because it is
purely fact.
Example“I like going to funerals.”
Thesis Statements
This statement is not arguable because it is a question of taste, not reason or
argument.
Example“Funerals are sad, frightening, and
depressing events.”
Thesis Statements
This statement is too broad. This needs to be limited or narrowed.
Example“Funerals are helpful.”
Thesis Statements
Better. Most thesis statements focus on the predicate, so we should try to
expand this a bit more. Helpful for whom? Why? How?
Example“Funerals help the bereaved come
to terms with death.”
Thesis Statements
Much better. But do you have enough to say about “coming to terms with
death.”
Example“Funerals help the living by giving
them a chance to understand the finality of death, to feel a sense of comradeship with other mourners, and to reflect on their mortality.”
Thesis Statements
ExampleThis statement is so much better because can be argued against.
Also, it provides an organizational pattern for the essay.
Thesis Statements
Analytical Thesis StatementA thesis statement that analyzes the
relationship among various significant ideas contained in the thesis sentence(s)
Thesis Statements
Structure of Analytical Thesis StatementsThis pattern can serve as an aid:
Independent clause(s) + restricting clause(s) [general ideas are stated] [qualifying idea(s) defined]
Thesis Statements
Thesis Statements
Structure of Analytical Thesis StatementsExample:
“University education is more beneficial than technical training [independent / generalization] because at the university the students have the opportunity to learn technical and career related skills as well as to acquire perspectives on life from studying subjects like philosophy, art, and literature [restricting idea].”
Group work instructions:1. Create an analytical argumentative thesis
statement for each person in your group.
2. Compare the statements with the handout and the structure of analytical thesis statements.
3. Write your names and student numbers on the paper. You will turn these in.
Thesis Statements
HomeworkMake a short list of possible analytical thesis
statements for your essay.
Choose one that you would like to pursue in your essay.
You will turn in a thesis statement next week.
ReadingPreview Informal Logic Handouts
Pg. 127 - 129
Next Week:
Outlining
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