Writing Process

Chapter 3 Thesis statements

Introductions
Conclusions

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
YOU JUST COMPLETED
BOTH SECTIONS OF YOUR
FINAL!!!

Writing Process
Prewrite
What is your purpose for writing?
How are you going to achieve this purpose?
Who is your reader?
Use journalistic questions
Freewriting
Cubing
Webbing/clustering
Listing
More prewriting questions http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/673/03
/

Writing Process
Plan
Why create an outline?
Helps to keep track of large amounts of info
Helps organize ideas
Presents material in logical form
Shows relationships among ideas
Defines boundaries and groups

Writing Process
Plan
2 types of outlines
Topic
Sentence
Outlines should be balanced
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20081
113013048_544.pdf

Writing Process
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20081
113013048_544.pdf
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CREATE AN
OUTLINE, USE THIS SOURCE AND OTHERS ON
THE INTERNET TO LEARN!!!

Writing Process
Drafting
Rough draft, early version of final copy

Writing Process
Proofread
Peer review grammar and process

Writing Process
Prewrite

Plan
Print
Proofread

Publish
All done! Final copy

Basic MLA format

Must be typed, double-spaced, one sided,

paperclipped
I want typed, double-spaced, double sided, stapled

Only one space after punctuation

1 inch margins, Times New Roman, 12 point font
Title centered
Last name and page number in upper right hand
corner
Heading flush left
Your name

Instructor name
Class
Due Date (day month year)

Sample page 1
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090701095
636_747.pdf

Grammar Task
1. Rank the five stages of the writing process in
order of which you find the least to most difficult
and explain why.

Where do you stand?

On a sheet of paper, briefly explain which of the
following items presents the most difficulty
for you as a writer.
Thesis statements
Introductions

Conclusions

What is a thesis statement?

A one- or two-sentence summary of a papers
content
Serves as an assertion about essays content
Highlights all main topics covered in essay

What is its purpose?

It establishes a focus
Establishes a basis on which to include or
exclude information
Forecasts authors discussion

What are the components of a thesis statement?

Makes an assertion/claim about essay topic
Dont be wishy-washy!

Specific
Dont be too broad!

What is a working thesis?

Hypothesis about topic or a claim intended to

be made
After drafting, success of working thesis can be
evaluated
Working thesis statements CHANGE!

What is its purpose?

Help guide research

If unable to prove through research, must

change and alter this assertion

Name and describe three types of thesis statements.

Explanatory thesis
Used as a call for information, not analysis

Fuel-cell technology has emerged as a

promising approach to developing energyefficient vehicles.

Mildly argumentative thesis
Used in reports, some analysis and
judgment
To reduce our dependence on nonrenewable
fossil fuel, the federal government should
encourage the development of fuel-cell
vehicles.

Name and describe three types of thesis

statements.
Strongly argumentative thesis
Used as a call for information, analysis, and

a firm point of view

The federal government should subsidize
the development of fuel-cell vehicles as
well as the hydrogen infrastructure needed
to support them; otherwise, the United
States will be increasingly vulnerable to
recession and other economic dislocations
resulting from our dependence on the
continued flow of foreign oil.

Drafting Thesis Statements

In groups

Create a topic (circus, driving, college????)

Write three theses on the topic: explanatory,

mildly argumentative, strongly argumentative

What are some strategies for writing introductions?

Quotation
Give quote and explain how it elucidates topic

Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that There cannot

be true democracy unless womens voices are heard
(BrainyQuotes). In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became
the nations first female Speaker of the House, one
womans voice rang out clear. With this development,
democracy grew to its truest level ever in terms of
womens equality. The historical event also paved the
way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal
chords in preparation for a presidential race.

What are some strategies for writing introductions?

Historical Review
Background info so that reader can follow issue

Review of a Controversy
Like historical, but shows why issue is debated

From General to Specific

Takes reader from what they know to more detailed

info leading to essays specific topic

What are some strategies for writing introductions?

Anecdote and Illustration
Funny, touching, or otherwise appropriate story

Yesterday morning, he watched as his older sister left

for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste
gleaming on her chin. He felt no regret at all until...

Question
Ask simple question that isnt all that simple to

answer

What are some techniques

that the book neglected to
mention?
Statistics
Definition
Concession (acknowledging
different argument/approach)

Intro format suggestion

Opener
Background information
Thesis statement

What are some strategies for writing conclusions?

Statement of subjects significance
How essay applies to greater world

Call for further research

What needs to still be considered (often done in

scientific essays)

Solution/recommendation
Essays about problems/controversy can give what

should be done

What are some strategies for writing conclusions?

Anecdote
Tell a story so that readers discover significance to

another source

Quotation
Helps gain authority and credibility

Question
Calls on readers to assume an active role by offering

their own answers

Speculation
Get the reader thinking about possibilities
Consider what might happen as well as what has

happened

What are some strategies for writing conclusions?

Anecdote
Tell a story so that readers discover significance to

another source

Quotation
Helps gain authority and credibility

Question
Calls on readers to assume an active role by offering

their own answers

Speculation
Get the reader thinking about possibilities
Consider what might happen as well as what has

happened

What are some techniques

that the book neglected to
mention?
Statistics
Definition
Concession (acknowledging
different argument/approach)

Conclusion format suggestion

Summarize points
Link back to opener
Final thought

For Monday...
Read Chapter 1 (summary, paraphrase, and

quotation) pgs. 3-50