Thesis writingworkshop

Writing Workshop

Week 2ISP

Joanna Luper

Thesis

• What is a Thesis….

A document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author’s research and findings.

Jot down

• Take one minute and jot down a few topics which you might like to write about..

Thesis Writing

What are the components…

• Title Page• Abstract

• Table of Contents• Body

• Bibliography

Body

• Introduction– Thesis Statement

• Body– Sections– Paragraphs (like a million)– Topic Sentence

• Conclusion– Restating the Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement

• A Thesis Statement declares what you believe and what you INTEND to prove.

• A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts

First

• Make a preliminary or tentative thesis• Do research on your topic.. • Get information• Then finalize your thesis statement

• CLEAR… STRONG… EASY TO FIND

Attributes

• Should be contestable.. Proposing an arguable point with which people could disagree

• Specific and Focused• Provides the reader with a map to guide• Avoids vague language• Avoids first person

Simple equation..

specific top + attitude/angle/argument = Thesis

What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it =Thesis

5 Tests

• Does the thesis inspire a reasonable reader to ask “HOW? Or WHY?”

• Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with “duh” or “So What” or “Who cares??”

• Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and or sweeping words such as “all” or “none” or “every”?

• Does the Thesis lead the reader towards the topic sentences?

• Can the Thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper or project?!

Proficient vs Advanced

• Proficient: Inspires the reasonable reader to ask “how?” or “why?”

• Advanced: Inspires the reasonable reader to ask “how” or “why” and exclaim “WOW!”

Brainstorming a Thesis

• Select a Topic• Ask an Interesting Question• Revise the question into a thesis• Remember this argument is your

“preliminary” or “working” thesis.

Is it a Thesis??

• I would like to become a chef when I finish school.

• Although both chefs and cooks can prepare fine meals, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment, and artistry.

• Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years.

• Though many people dismiss hip hop as offensive, hip hop music offers urban youth an important opportunity for artistic expression, and allows them to articulate the poetry of the street

• Practice: Identify the best thesis statement from each group and state why it’s the best on the line provided. For those you do not select, explain why you did not by writing: Too general, So what?, Why?, or How?

• a. There are many causes of anorexia.

• b. Anorexia has both emotional and social causes that work hand-in-hand.

• c. Anorexia occurs most often in young women aged 13-2

a. Business practices in the former Soviet Union countries.

b. Business practices in the countries of the former Soviet Union have changed drastically since the break-up.

c. Since the break-up of the former Soviet Union, business practices in those countries have changed most in the fields of marketing and customer service, reflecting the changes in government and political philosophy

a. Shakespeare intended the audience to question the existence of Hamlet’s father’s ghost.

b. The appearance of Hamlet’s father’s ghost raises an important psychological as well as dramatic dilemma in the play.

c. Critics throughout the ages have debated the significance of Hamlet’s father’s ghost.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer

It has recently been announced that a large shopping center may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer

• Businesses should hire employees for their entire lives. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

• A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Topic Sentence

• “focus sentence”• Encapsulates or organizes an entire paragraph,

and should be included in every MAJOR paragraph

• Always in the Beginning• Relates to the Thesis StatementTopic sentence=topic +controlling idea

Coherence

• Each sentence relates clearly to the topic sentence or controlling idea

• Smooth flowing

Techniques to have Coherence

• Repeat key words or phrases• Create parallel structures• Be consistent in point of view, verb tense and

number• Use transition words or phrases between

sentences and between paragraphs.

Useful Transitions

• To show addition: again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too

• To give examples: for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate

• To compare: also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly

• To contrast: although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet

• To summarize or conclude: all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up

• To show time: after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when, while

• To show place or direction: above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left (north, etc.)

• To indicate logical relationship:accordingly, as a result, because, consequently,

for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since, so, then, therefore, thus