IB WorkshopUniversity of King’s College22 August 2007

What’s in a Thesis?

Presented by Lyn Bennett Dalhousie University lyn.bennett@dal.ca

Myths about Writing

Good writers begin with an outline

Good writers work alone

Good writers get it right the first time

Good writers know all the rules of grammar

The Writing Process

Recursive, messy, and overlapping stages of

Brainstorming

Composing

Revising

Editing

Myths about Thesis Statements Because academic essays are always the product

of a single thinker, good writers develop their thesis statements in splendid isolation

Because they always have a crystal-clear sense of where they are going, good writers begin writing with a fully developed thesis

Because they have their arguments figured out before they begin, good writers never change their thesis statements

The Truth about Thesis Statements The most effective and relevant thesis statements

are produced not in isolation, but in conversation with teachers, other students, and writers

It’s best to begin with a “working thesis,” one that functions as an enabling guide rather than a constraining dictate

Good thesis statement are the product of regular and ongoing revision; the nuance and detail they demand are usually discovered in the process of writing

The Purpose of a Thesis Statement To provide a concise statement against which

a writer can test her ideas

To help organize and develop an essay’s argument

To provide readers with a guide, a “touchstone” that helps them understand an argument and the relevance of its evidence

Types of Essays

Analytical: An analytical essay breaks down and evaluates an issue or an idea

Expository: An expository essay explains something

Argumentative: An argumentative essay makes a claim and “proves” it with specific evidence

Analytical Thesis:

Through these hypotheses and experiments, it will be deduced that there is a lower limit to the minimum rate of flow of propane required fro continuous combustion to occur.

An analytical thesis statement usually explains

The subject of analysis

The parts of the analysis

The order of the analysis

Expository Thesis:

Milton’s “Sonnet XIX” may articulate a clear answer to the speaker’s problem, but some of its poetic techniques – especially its use of personification and enjambment – strongly suggest that a satisfying resolution remains out of reach.

An expository thesis statement usually indicatesWhat the essay will explainThe categories of explanationThe order of explanation

Argumentative Thesis:

Recent research indicates that community service encourages high school students’ academic growth and, by heightening their maturity, discipline, and intellectual engagement, better prepares them for university work.

An argumentative thesis statement will includeThe essay’s claim or assertion

The supporting evidence

The order of presentation

What Makes a Good Thesis?

A good thesis . . .

adopts a clear position justifies discussion presents a single idea is specific avoids vague language provides readers with a guide addresses possible objections

What Makes a Bad Thesis?

Non-Thesis

The author argues that we don’t have free speech.

Revised: Drawing on Foucault’s theory of the panopticon, the author argues that speech is never utterly free, but is shaped by social and cultural expectations and an always-present sense of audience.

Too-Broad Thesis

Freedom of speech should sometimes be restricted.

Revised: Since overtly racist and sexist language has been shown to have a dramatic effect on individual perceptions of others, the university is right to enforce the code that bars offensive and inappropriate speech.

Incontestable Thesis

Child pornography exploits the young and vulnerable.

Revised: Because child pornography exploits the young and vulnerable, much stiffer penalties need to be given to those who possess and, especially, produce it.

List Thesis

None of the arguments in favor of regulating pornography is wholly persuasive.

Revised: Emphasizing female victimization while ignoring the social and economic empowerment some women find working in the porn industry, none of the feminist arguments favoring regulation is wholly persuasive.

Sample Thesis Statements:Good or Bad?

Sex has shown to, not only, improve several aspects of one’s physical health, but to also improve a person or persons’ psychological well-being. Therefore, if a person participates in frequent sexual activities with their partners, both their health should show a change for the better.

The two works, Black Boy and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, explore the relationship between the protagonists and their womenfolk especially their mothers and grandmothers, and the effect that these women have in the determination of the type of people they become.

Although it is often difficult to split ideology and economics in “Maoist” thinking, this essay seeks to sift through the arguments of both sides to demonstrate that, although political factors were significant, it was the primacy of economics rather than politics that propelled Mao and the CCP to abandon the Soviet model in the mid-1950’s.

Personally, despite the Oswald “lone assassin” story, I believe that the US government was ultimately responsible for the Presidents assassination and Oswald was just a patsy.

Write a Thesis

Plagiarism is unethical.

The Thesis Checklist

Does the thesis answer the research question?

Does the thesis take up a position that a reasonable person might challenge or oppose?

Does the thesis answer the “so what” question?

Does the thesis inspire the reader? (i.e., is it provocative?)

Does the thesis avoid general or vague statements?