Writing a Thesis A Classical Perspective

What is a Thesis

  It is an arguable statement.

  It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic.

  It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation.

  It establishes a direction for the entire paper.

  It is usually stated in your introduction.

Ingredients

A thesis has two parts   Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay   Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main

subject to be discussed (the topic)

Topic: Community College Students

Opinion: Work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees.

Thesis: Community college students work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees.

The Blueprint/ Plan of Action

  Thesis + Blueprint: Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good education, parental support, and birth control.

  Each point of our blueprint will be the focus of its own body paragraph in the traditional essay.

  Topic Sentence 1: Sex education in school can play an important role in reducing teen pregnancy. (Note: Like a thesis, each topic sentence makes an argument and

may even have its own blueprint)

The Deliberative

  The Deliberative form of discourse is also known as political or advisory. Examples of use for classical rhetoricians of Greece: whether to go to war, weather to levy a tax, whether to enter into an alliance with a foreign power, whether to build a bridge, etc.

  Always concerned with the future. The purpose of a deliberative paper is either to persuade someone to do something or to accept a point of view. It’s special topics are either good/ worthy or advantageous/ useful.

The Judicial

  The Judicial form of discourse is also known as forensic or legal. This was the oratory of lawyers in courtrooms, but it can be extended to anyone who condemns another’s past actions. The Judicial is always concerned with past actions to prove just or unjust.

  Ceremonial: This form of discourse takes place in the present and is intended to please and inspire. Special topics often include honor/ dishonor.

Blueprints and Logic

The Syllogism

Example

Abbreviated Syllogism/ Enthymeme

Example: Connie will fail her examination because she hasn’t studied.

  1. Those who don’t study fail examinations – must believe that this is true.

  2. Connie has not studied – this statement can be verified

  3. Connie will fail her examination

Understanding Audience Matters

  Former President George H. W Bush offered the following enthymeme when opposing the Civil Rights Bill of 1991.

“[We should not pass the bill because] the bill will promote the use of quotas in the workplace.”

1. Quotas in the workplace are give unearned opportunities to minorities – do we agree?

2. Minor claim: the bill will promote quotas

3. conclusion: We should not pass the bill.

“[We should not pass the bill because] the bill will promote the use of quotas in the workplace.”

An audience of minorities might have a different belief system. The implied element left out of the enthymeme may no longer work.

1. Audience might believe: Quotas will help ensure minorities are treated fairly during the hiring process

2. Minor claim: The bill will promote quotas

3. Conclusion: We should not pass the bill – Would an audience of minorities believe this?