Transcript Writing a Thesis Based Essay

Writing a Thesis Based Essay
Tips and Common Mistakes
Introductory Paragraphs
• Introductory Paragraphs introduce the topic,
the text, and your thesis to the reader.
• Make sure you name the author and text you
are discussing.
• Give some details of the premise/plot.
• State your thesis and a generalized reasons
for your thesis.
Example of an Introduction
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming-ofage story about Scout and her brother Jem, and the
trials they face growing up in Alabama in the 1930s.
Scout and her brother Jem learn many lessons about
their town, their father, and themselves. There are big
issues discussed in this novel including loss of innocence,
love, prejudice, and fairness. The protagonist, Scout,
gives a unique perspective of theses themes as the
narrator because the story is told through the eyes of a
young girl.
Thesis
• The thesis is a statement in the beginning of
the essay that tells the reader what the essay
will be proving.
• It must be arguable, specific, and able to be
proved using the text.
Body Paragraphs
• Each body paragraph acts as “evidence” to prove
your thesis statement.
• Make a claim (reason why your thesis is true)
• Explain your claim (giving more details)
• Example (cite specific evidence from the text,
usually, but not always, a quote).
• If it is a quote, you must follow up with further
commentary. Why is that quote important or
significant. Ask the “so what?” question.
Citing Quotes
• Pick your quote carefully. It must be relevant to
the argument of that paragraph.
• It should not be longer than the amount of
commentary you want to give on it.
Citing Quotes
• You may introduce it several different ways.
1. Scout shows her innocence when
saying, “……” (Lee 47).
1. Scout says, “….” (Lee 47). This indicates…
2. Prejudice is shown immediately in the
novel, “…..” (Lee 47).
4. On page 47, Scout says, “…….”
Conclusion
• No new information should be discussed in the
conclusion.
• Wrap up your argument and make final points.
• Reiterate (in different words) your arguments
and thesis.
• End with an obvious and resounding closing
sentence.
• You may use a quotation or counter-argument
to solidify your point.
Some common
writing mistakes….
DO NOT write any of the following sentences in your
introduction:
In this paper I will . . .
This paper will show you that . . .
The purpose of the paper is to . . .
For argumentative papers do not write first person
statements:
-I believe…
-I think….
*By doing this, you are taking the reader away from the text,
and focusing it on you. You are also “telling what you are
going to tell.” Just tell it already!
Fluff and Redundancy
• Fluff writing is writing that has no real
purpose and is used as space filler. You know
it, I know it. Leave it out.
• Redundancy is also a space filler. Saying the
same phrase too much or driving home a
point too often is recognizable if you
proofread.
Quotations
• Quotations are great, in the correct doses.
• They must add or support an argument.
• They should not be too long, especially for
shorter 1-3 page papers.
• Try not to end a paragraph on a quote. If it is
important enough to put in your paper, you
should explain its significance.
Using Pronouns
• Starting paragraphs with too many pronouns
is confusing to a reader:
“She was not liking it at all when it first
happened.”
Who is she? What is it?
• Pronouns are fine to use, but make sure the
reader knows what you are talking about
before you use them.
Slang/Informal Language
• Just say no to:
Coulda, woulda, u, kinda, lol, sucked, stupid
• Keep writing in formal language.
• The tone will be different depending on your
type of writing. Writing for persuasive paper
will be different than argumentative and
narrative and so on.
Original Ideas
• Go through your essay.
• Highlight all the original ideas; meaning, nothing
that is plot details or obvious points.
• Essays should be mostly original ideas that you
are proving. Plot details are needed at times,
but briefly and for a reason.
• Try not to summarize the plot, but analyze the
plot for meaning.
Look over any old
writing. Questions?