THESISMs. Mo

Explanatory Writing

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN…TOPIC

ONE WORD

A SUBJECT CENTRAL TO THE STORY/TEXT

EXAMPLES: WAR JEALOUSY FAMILY COMING OF AGE EPIPHANIES STEM CELL RESEARCH ARTS EDUCATION WHAT’S REALLY IN THE MCDONALD’S BIG

MAC??

THESIS

A SENTENCE!

A MORAL, UNIVERSAL LESSON ABOUT HUMANITY

THESIS = SUBJECT + CLAIM (POINT OF VIEW)

WHEN GIVING A WRITING PROMPT, BREAK IT DOWN!EXPLAIN HOW AN AUTHOR DEVELOPS A THEME THROUGHOUT A STORY THROUGH (DISCUSS ONE IN LENGTH) SETTING, CENTRAL CONFLICT, OR SYMBOLISM.

EXPLAIN HOW A THEME IS DEVELOPED THROUGHOUT A STORY THROUGH AN AUTHOR’S USE OF (DISCUSS ONE IN LENGTH) SETTING, CENTRAL CONFLICT, OR SYMBOLISM.DO

1. EXPLAIN

2. (IMPLIED) IDENTIFY

3. DISCUSS AUTHOR’S USE OF

WHAT

1. HOW A THEME

2. A CENTRAL THEME!

3. SETTING, CONFLICT, OR SYMBOLISM

AFTER ATTEMPTING A PRELIMINARY THESIS, LET’S CONTINUE TO REFINE AND REVISE IT!

THE TRANSFORMATION OF A THESIS!!BEFORE!

There is a lot of symbolism in the color red, because the Ibis, the blood, and the coffin are all red.

AND AFER!!!!!

Hurts uses the symbolism of the color red to reveal __(theme)___.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF A THESIS!!BEFORE!

There is a lot of symbolism in the color red, because the Ibis, the blood, and the coffin are all red.

AND AFER!!!!!

Hurts uses the symbolism of the color red, the coffin, and the scarlet ibis to reveal __(theme)___.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF A THESIS!!BEFORE!

The scarlet ibis shows that sometimes people can be extremely self centered when it comes to pride.

AND AFER!!!!!

The symbol of the scarlet ibis illustrates how self entitlement can lead to extreme devastation.

Note: Check out how the nuanced diction reflects more accurate and focused understanding on the writer’s part and imagery for you the reader!

THESIS SENTENCE FRAMES…1. (author’s last name) effectively uses (device) to

reveal (theme).

2. The theme, _______________________, is illustrated through (the author)’s use of (device).

SHOWILLUSTRATEDEPICTDEMONSTRATES

REVEALTEACHILLUMINATECRAFT

Action verbs that paint a more vivid picture!

EFFECTIVELYCLEARLYOFTENCANMAYVIVIDLY

Adverbs that paint a more vivid picture!

AFTER I AM HAPPY WITH MY THESIS, HOW DO I DISCUSS/EXPLAIN IT OVER 2-4 PARAGRAPHS?

1. Consider the main points you must cover

2. And in what chronological/logical order so that your reader can follow and agree with your conclusion!

SAMPLE THESIS #1: HURST ILLUSTRATES THE THEME, PRIDE CAN LEAD TO TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES, THROUGH THE PROTAGONIST’S INTERNAL CONFLICT.What points to cover?

Protagonist’s mixed emotions disc. Different scenes/points in the story

Doodle’s disability reader needs to understand WHY protag. Was upset

Protagonist’s initial anticipation/expectations explains why he struggled so much with D’s disability

Protagonist thought about killing D reflects extreme frustration and child-like way of dealing with it!

D’s death disc. The moment the protagonist CHOSE to abandon

Post-death reaction of wailing reflects his anguish

And in what order?

Protagonist’s expectations

Protagonist’s mixed emotions

Protagonist’s regret and

anguish

SAMPLE THESIS #1: HURST ILLUSTRATES THE THEME, PRIDE CAN LEAD TO TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES, THROUGH THE PROTAGONIST’S INTERNAL CONFLICT.What points to cover?

Protagonist’s mixed emotions disc. Different scenes/points in the story

Doodle’s disability reader needs to understand WHY protag. Was upset

Protagonist’s initial anticipation/expectations explains why he struggled so much with D’s disability

Protagonist thought about killing D reflects extreme frustration and child-like way of dealing with it!

D’s death disc. The moment the protagonist CHOSE to abandon

Post-death reaction of wailing reflects his anguish

And in what order?

1. The protagonist’s conflict can be understood by first looking at his expectations and excitement of receiving a little brother.

2. Unfortunately, Doodle becomes an increasing source of aggravation and responsibility and “Brother” finds himself increasingly struggling with mixed emotions.

3. Tragically, by the end of the story, Brother’s mixed emotions culminate into anguish and regret after he makes a poor split-second decision.

SAMPLE THESIS #2: THE AUTHOR USES SYMBOLISM TO EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT THE THEME, PRIDE BLINDES ONE TO ANOTHER’S BEAUTY.What points to cover?

How Brother views D.

How Brother views D differently eventually

Why his views change over time

The consequences of his views changing death

D’s beauty

And in what order?

D’s beauty

How Brother views D over time

The consequences of

his negative views

SAMPLE THESIS #2: THE AUTHOR USES CENTRAL CONFLICT TO EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT THE THEME, PRIDE BLINDS ONE TO ANOTHER’S BEAUTY.What points to cover?

How Brother views D.

How Brother views D differently eventually

Why his views change over time

The consequences of his views changing death

D’s beauty

And in what order?

1. The protagonist, Doodle, has a beautiful personality behind his crippled appearance.

2. Sadly, the brother is proud and therefore, lacks the ability to accept and see Doodle for who he is versus what he needs to be for Brother’s approval.

3. Based on Brother’s negative view of Doodle, the consequence is death.

ONCE I HAVE REVISED AND REFINED MY THESIS, OUTLINED THE MAIN POINTS AND WHAT ORDER I WILL PRESENT THEM…HELP ME FRAME AN INTRO!!!

OK…LET’S REVIEW WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS…What is a hook?What is its purpose?What are some different types of hooks you have learned thus far?

HOOKS YOU MAY HAVE LEARNED…1. Famous quotation

The famous U.S. President, John F. Kennedy, once declared, “Ask not what your counry can do for you, but what you can do for your country!!”

2. Thought-provoking questionsIf you had the power of God to take or give life, would you exercise it? And if so, how?What is love? And are there different kinds of love?

3. Action snapshot

Rain pellets danced on the car windowshield, temporarily distracting me – and later, I found out, at an apparently high cost. Except for the blinding light, I really don’t remember what happened next…

4. Over-arching statement

To love is to risk.

We often blame our parents until we become parents ourselves.

LET’S ADD MORE TOOLS TO YOUR TOOLBOX… Anecdote (a powerful snapshot – narrative writing)

Allusion (reference to a historical or literary person, event, or work of art)

Image (requires your imagination and associations)

ANECDOTE Use narrative writing strategies

ALLUSION The more you read and are exposed to the world, the more examples you

will have to pull from.

IMAGE