Thesis Statements
What is a thesis statement?
It is a sentence that indicates the purpose or main idea of an essay.
Instead of just telling, body paragraphs should do what?
They should show, not just tell.
When should an introduction paragraph be written?
It should be written after all body paragraphs have been written.
A conclusion paragraph should begin by doing what?
A conclusion paragraph should begin by revisiting the thesis statement.
What is a prompt?
A prompt is a specific question or statement that directs what an essay should be written about.
What does it mean to qualify a thesis statement?
To qualify a thesis statement, the statement should indicate when and in what circumstances the thesis statement applies.
What structure should be followed when writing a body paragraph?
What is the job of an introduction paragraph?
An introduction paragraph should grab the reader's attention, provide background (context) for your subject, and include the thesis statement. Giving a limited introduction of topics is optional.
What is the job of a conclusion paragraph?
A conclusion paragraph should provide summary of the main points, make an application, or suggest a course of action.
What does it mean to show parallelism in writing?
Parallelism in writing means two or more phrases or clauses in a sentence have the same grammatical structure.
Name three traps that you should avoid when writing a thesis statement.
You should avoid using universals, superlatives, and hyperbole.
Provide one example of a yellow line transition which connects thoughts from one sentence to the next.
Examples of yellow line transitions are: 1)Pronouns which refer to their antecedents; 2)Repeated words from the previous sentence; 3)Synonyms of a word used in the previous sentence; 4)restated thoughts from previous sentences.
What are three problems with introduction paragraphs?
Some people omit the introduction paragraph, start telling details that belong in the body paragraphs, say "This essay will show..." or "In this essay I will...," or write a boring introduction.
What words should not appear in the conclusion of an essay?
The conclusion of an essay should never say, "As I have shown..." or "This essay shows that..."
When do you need to provide a citation in your writing?
A citation must be provided if you paraphrase or use a direct quotation.
Generally, a thesis statement should not include which two types of verbs?
It should not include state of being or linking verbs.
What is the job of a bridge transition?
A bridge transition should link thoughts between paragraphs.
A dramatic opening is an opening paragraph that appears before your true introduction. It engages the reader by beginning in the middle of an action like in a movie or television show.
What are some problems encountered in conclusions?
Some problems are: 1)Some people omit them. 2)People add new information. 3)The essay does not sound finished.
What is the job of a parenthetical citation?
A parenthetical citation should point the reader to the works cited page.
What are the three steps to forming a thesis statement?
You should: 1) Determine the essay's intent. 2) Narrow your focus for the essay. 3) Develop a two-part statement that states the focus plus it's importance.
List eight methods of support used to show in a body paragraph.
The methods are: 1) Examples; 2)Personal Experience; 3)Statistics; 4)Research/Testimony; 5)Observation; 6)Description; 7)Anecdote; 8)Analogy.
List seven types of introduction techniques.
Introduction techniques are: 1)Funnel, or start with broad background information and narrow; 2)Ask a question; 3)Show a benefit to be gained; 4)Use an unexpected, humorous, or startling statement; 5)Use a quotation or familiar saying; 6)Use dialog; 7)Relate a story or paint a descriptive picture.
List seven techniques used in conclusion paragraphs.
Conclusion techniques include: 1)Reverse funnel; 2)Answer or ask a question; 3)Show the benefit gained; 4)Unexpected or humorous statement; 5)Suggested course of action; 6)Quotation or familiar saying; 7)Finish the story.
List the nine parts of an MLA works cited entry in the order in which they should be listed.
In MLA, the works cited entry should include the following (as available) in this order: 1)Author; 2)Title of Source; 3)Title of Container; 4)Other Contributors; 5)Version; 6)Number; 7)Publisher; 8)Publication Date; 9)Location.