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The Thesis

Dr. David F. Maas

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Thesis Most essential part of any composition is:

Thesis Support

Amplification

Thesis:I had a terrible morning. Support:I had a headache and a stopped

up sinus cavity.

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COMFTF-01 Relationship between thesis and support parallel

to relationship between abstract and concrete.

Abstract:Tyler has received above normal

precipitation.

Concrete:It has received four inches of rain.

Concrete:It has received six inches of snow. Concrete: It has received eight inches of hail.

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Thesis Thesis and supportparallel to generalization and

example.

Generalization: My first day at Texas Collegeproved a disaster.

Example: In the morning I ran into Dr.Namboodiris car.

Example:At noon, the radiator on my truck blewup.

Example: In the afternoon, I misadvised threestudents, cross-listing them in conflicting classes.

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COMFTF-01 Thesis= Brain and Spinal Column of

organism.

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Thesis Thesis and topic sentence interchangeable.

Thesis :A psychosis can have organic,familial, and environmental causes.

Topic Sentence:Organic causes may

include chemical or hormonal imbalances.

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Thesis Topic Sentence: Familial causes may

include abuse or codependency.

Topic Sentence:Environmental causes

may include seasonal affective disorders or

the stress of overcrowding.

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ThesisThe structure of the expository essay looks something like this:

Thesis

Example 1 (Topic Sentence)

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 2 (Topic Sentence)

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 3 (Topic Sentence)

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

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Thesis Usual Pattern of standard expository

paragraph:

A topic sentence-generalization of somesort.

Details that illustrate the topic.

Summary of the main idea. Particular instances which illustrate and

support opening statement

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Thesis Bogus Thesis Statements

Questions:What causes nightmares? Why do people get AIDS?

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Thesis Bogus Thesis Statements.

Purpose Statements:

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Thesis Thesis: The nightmare seems to serve as

the nervous systems method of making the

daytime hours less frightening in

comparison.

Thesis:Aids has become transmitted

through perverse lifestyles,drug usage, andtainted blood.

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Thesis Thesis has an argumentative edge:

(I would argue that) the nightmare seems to

serve as the nervous systems method ofmaking the daytime hours less frighteningin comparison.

The training wheel I would argue thatappendage we can eliminate in the finaldraft of the thesis.

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Thesis The thesis(topic sentence)should have the

following qualities.

!. It should be a complete sentence- not a

wordier version of the title such as:AIDS-

an investigation into the causes and effects.

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Thesis 2.It should be specific-the more specific

the better (even though the thesis will be

the most general part of your paper).

Dont hide behind the wimpy vage:AIDS

has a number of causes.

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Thesis 3.It should be exact;an inexact statement

usually results from cloudy or muddy

thinking.

Consider: The campus newspaper provides

more opportunities for writing than all the

formal English courses in the college.

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Thesis 5. It should have an argumentative edge.If

you feel a need to, you may include the

training wheel phrase, I would argue that

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Thesis 6.It should demonstrate a cleartopic and

attitude ortopic and comment.

Example: Electronic calculators have

made students mentally lazy.

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Thesis Functions of the thesis:

1. It provides transition-It opens with a brief restatement(usually in a subordinate clause) and introduces a new topic.

Example: Although philosophical and moral questions played amajor role in the war between the states, economic factors didmost to ignite the conflict.

Following the agricultural and industrial waves, our society hasnow entered the information wave.

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Thesis Functions of Thesis:

Suggests structure or organization.

Example: Frustration may be self-caused,

other-people caused, or event caused.

Example: Behavior has a physical,psychological, and chemical component.

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Thesis Functions of Thesis:

3. Presents a subject or presents a proposition fordiscussion.

We may use the synonyms proposal orproposition. Wemay classify propositions into the following categories:

1. Generalizations

2. Definitions

3. Practical Propositions 4. Relational (Cause and Effect) Propositions

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Thesis 1.Generalizations- result from observing a set of

facts (over a period of time) and finding

something in common with all of them. Example: During the past five years, every

campaign for student body has turned abouttrivialities rather than issues of educational

policy. Example: In the past four years, every

congressional bill designed to reform the taxsystem has actually made it worse.

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Thesis These thesis (or proposition) statements

commit the writer to provide illustrations

and examples.

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Thesis 2.Definition:The Classical Definition places an

item in a more general class and distinguishes

it from all the other members of that class. Example: A dictionary is a book which lists a

selection of the words of a language, providinginformation about their spelling,

pronunciation, meaning and use. Example:Epicureanism is a philosophical position

which holds that the attaining of pleasure is thehighest goal in life.

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Thesis

Tools

Pliers Saw

Hammer

Chisel

Screwdriver

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Thesis Species Genus Differentia

A hammeras a toolused forpounding.

AnAtlas is a book having maps.

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Thesis 3.Practical Proposition:advocates action,

stresses that something ought to be done or ought

to take place. Example: Ministers ought to demonstrate

proficiency in counseling and crisis intervention

before they enter the field.

Example: To reduce juvenile delinquency, adult

sentences ought to be meted out in the courts.

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Thesis 4.Relational (Cause/Effect) Proposition:tells

how one thing may be a part of another- or

more importantly, the cause or effect ofanother.

Example: Princess Dis untimely death wascaused by a drunken chauffeur and some

pesky photographers. Example: Kurtrells low test scores were

brought about by irregular attendence, lack ofstudying, and inability to pay attention.

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Thesis Position of Thesis:Although topic

sentences may appear other than the first

position in the standard expository

paragraph, most modern carefully

constructed prose rests on standard

paragraphs, most of which have topicsentences to open them