From Thesis to Support

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From Thesis to Support

• Connecting the thesis to the body of the paper
  points and particulars

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I. Connecting Thesis with SupportReview in
Context

• A thesis forecasts the content of the essay
• A strong thesis has an element of uncertainty
  (43).
• A thesis based on the surprising-reversal pattern
  seeks to counteract a common view held by a
  targeted audience

• Your purpose to inform, to address the needs of
  your audience, should be articulated in your
  thesis that contains the aforementioned qualities
  and does the following
• A. inform to broaden or enlarge
• B. inform to restructure
• C. inform to clarify (also can function as
  analyze)

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1. Thesis based on Purpose

• A. Broaden or Enlarge
• The commonly held view by targeted audience is
  not inaccurate. You desire to add to their
  knowledge by providing them with new or
  up-to-date information so that they will have a
  more thorough understanding of the topic.
• i.e. Most hikers agree that bug repellent is
  essential for combating insect bites when hiking.
  Although this is accurate, using certain skin
  care products in addition to repellent helps
  provide the best protection against insect bites.

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Thesis based on purpose continued

• B. Restructure
• The commonly held view by the targeted audience
  is significantly flawed. In fact, you argue that
  it is inaccurate. Your purpose is to provide them
  with information that will give them a more
  accurate take on the topic.
• i.e. As seen through sentiments shared by
  concerned parents, most believe that teens from
  the Oakland region are not prepared for
  independent living. Research shows that these
  reservations are founded more on fear than logic.
  Contrary to what these parents believe, these
  teenagers behavior offer more than adequate
  support for their ability to live on their own.

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Thesis based on purpose continued

• C. Clarify
• The commonly held view by the targeted audience
  is incomplete or fuzzy (44). Your purpose is
  to provide them with information that will make
  an issue or topic that was uncertain clearer.
• i.e. Whether drugs should be legalized or not
  continues to be controversial. Whereas some
  people believe legalization will decrease crime,
  others argue it will further destabilize society.
  There are many points of argument, such as
  these, within this debate. This essay seeks to
  address the most significant points of the
  controversy in order to show that, regardless of
  ones position, having a clear understanding of
  what matters prove most urgent will help with
  officials response to this dilemma.

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II. Strong Beginning Means Solid Paper !

• Once a thesis has been firmly set, one has
  direction and guidance for the rest of the paper.
  The perspective and angle of persuasion has been
  given. The points and particulars that follow
  should go to support what you say you are going
  to do, only. Stay within the scope of your paper!

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1. Points--

• Points are the main ideas / themes you are using
  to support you thesis.
• A point can be the topic sentence of a paragraph.
  
• A point can also be seen as the thesis for your
  paragraph, meaning, it gives direction as to what
  details will follow in the paragraph.

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2. Particulars--

• Particulars are the details that support the
  point you are making. The point supports the
  thesis (See pages 48-49 in Allyn and Bacon for
  additional information).

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III. Relationship Between Points and Particulars

• The point lays down the logic for the
  paragraph.
• The point helps the paragraph stay focused.
• The particulars make the point credible and
  persuasive (50).

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WRAPPING UP

• Good Writing (Closed Form) Contains
• Clear, recognizable central point or thesis
• Supporting evidence
• Coherency (transitions, logical ordering of
  points, etc.)
• Recognition of audience (attention to genre
  formal language, minimal grammatical errors, etc.