CREATING A THESIS AND TOPIC SENTENCES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today’s Agenda1. Getting ready for the Unit 3 Project 2. What is a thesis—how to write a

thesis3. What are topic sentences—how to

write topic sentences

WHERE RALPHIE WENT WRONG . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppOXpyhM2wA

UNIT 3 PROJECT

You have 4 components to complete:

1. A 3-point thesis 2. Topic sentences (3 in total)3. Thoughts on modes of illustration4. Be sure to follow through on reading and

discussion

We’ll look at a sample after we go over the individual components.

THESIS STATEMENTS

Every essay you write will have a thesis statement.

The thesis is the main idea of your essay. Expresses a comment Limits the topic Indicates the kind of support to follow. Helps to

organize the supporting material Is precisely worded Is expressed in a single sentence It does NOT announce by saying: I am going to tell you

about….or My essay will explain….

To construct a thesis, we’ll go back to our prewriting.

LAST WEEK . . .

Types of plastic surgery—nose jobs, breast reductions, breast implants, liposuction

Complications of plastic surgery—silicone poisoning, botched operations, infection, death

Popularity of plastic surgery—it’s glamorized on television and magazines

Teen plastic surgery—changing bodies, immaturity, social pressure

Reasons for plastic surgery—corrective, cosmetic, because people want to, to repair something from an accident or birth defect, to fit in, more self-esteem

FROM PREWRITING TO THESIS POSSIBILITIES

Now that I have some ideas, it’s time to ask some questions. I’ll start with the ideas that interest me the most--reasons to have plastic surgery.

Research question = what I want to know

Is plastic surgery just about wanting to look better?

LAST WEEK . . . Some people have plastic surgery because they don’t

like how they look—maybe they think their nose is too big.

When people don’t like how they look, they may feel self-conscious.

They may have low self-esteem. They may feel pressured because there are so many

“perfect” celebrities. Some people may have plastic surgery to correct

deformities and birth defects. Some people may have plastic surgery to correct a prior

plastic surgery. Some people may choose to have plastic surgery after

an illness—like women choosing to have breast implants after a mastectomy.

ANSWERS = POSSIBILITIES

A thesis statement is an answer to a research question.

My potential answer/thesis is: Plastic surgery is often oversimplified, but the pressures of our media-saturated culture, low-self-esteem, and even the correction of deformities and birth defects are anything but simple.

THESIS FORMULA

A thesis= a comment about your topic (what you think, what you want your reader to know) + 3 key points (ways of explaining your comment)

What’s my comment?

What are my 3 key points?

THESIS FORMULA

A thesis= a comment about your topic (what you think, what you want your reader to know) + 3 key points (ways of explaining your comment)

What’s my comment? Plastic surgery is oversimplified

What are my 3 key points? Pressure from our culture, to improve self-esteem, and to correct deformities.

WORKING THESIS

Your thesis will evolve—like every other part of writing, it’s a draft, a working version.

My first attempt: People have plastic surgery for lots of reasons, even not so obvious ones. It may be because they feel pressure from Hollywood, may have low-self-esteem, and even to correct deformities and birth defects.

My second attempt: It’s easy to oversimplify plastic surgery as vanity, but people seek it out because they feel pressure to conform to beauty standards, suffer from low self-esteem, and to correct nature’s errors.

THESIS FORMULA RECAP

Comment about your topic + 3 key points

My comment: It’s easy to oversimplify plastic surgery as vanity, but

My 3 key points: Pressure to conform Low self esteem Corrective reasons

KEY POINTS TO TOPIC SENTENCES

You will write a topic sentence for each key point.

A topic sentence explains why the key point is important.

A topic sentence explains why the key point supports the comment in your thesis.

Example: With magazines and movies promoting the

perfect face and body, more people pursue plastic surgery in a quest to conform.

WHAT ABOUT MY OTHER KEY POINTS?

Low self-esteem Corrective procedures

Remember, whatever I choose, it has to prove my comment—that there are serious reasons for choosing plastic surgery

Help me brainstorm . . . How can I connect my comment to the above key points?

SOME PRACTICE . . . To make a marriage work, a couple must build trust, communication,

and understanding. A. Knowing why a spouse behaves as he or she does can improve a relationship. B. People get married for reasons other than love. C. The ability to talk about feelings, problems, and likes, and dislikes should

grow as a marriage develops. D. Marital problems must rely on each to make sensible decisions that benefit

both of them.

It is unwise to make adoption files available to adult children since the biological parents have made the choice to sever all ties and because it can also be an emotional nightmare for the natural parent and adopted child.

A. A woman who gave up her biological child because she became pregnant as a result of rape or incest should not have to live in fear that her child could one day confront her.

B. If a woman gives up a child for adoption, it is probable that she does not intend to have a relationship with that child

C. Research has shown that all biological parents want to meet with the sons and daughters they gave up many years before.

D. Adult children who try to contact their biological parents often meet resistance and even hostility, which can cause them to feel hurt and rejected.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THESE TOPIC SENTENCES?

Unfocused: Some members of minority groups do not approve of affirmative action.

Unfocused: Many students believe that hate groups shouldn’t be allowed on campus.

Unfocused: In our state, the lottery is a big issue.

Unfocused: People watch reality television because they find it irresistible.

Unfocused: Procrastinating can have a negative effect on your success in college.

YOU’LL CONTINUE BRAINSTORMING . . .

Use the discussion board to your advantage Remember, you’re working with ideas—no

commitment Your project is a commitment—be thoughtful

And, have a great week--