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 are transitions?
Words and phrases that make an explicit connection between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs.
List three things an introduction paragraph should do.
1. Grab the reader's attention
2. Provide background (context) for the subject
3. Include the thesis statement
4. Giving a limited introduction of topics is optional.
What should a conclusion paragraph never say?
The conclusion of an essay should never say, "As I have shown..." or "This essay shows that..."
List two instances when a citation must be used in an essay.
1. When paraphrasing
2. When using a direct quote
Name three traps that you should avoid when writing a thesis statement.
You should avoid using universals, superlatives, and hyperbole.
What is the job of a bridge transition?
A bridge transition should link thoughts between paragraphs.
List three problems with introduction paragraphs.
1. Omit the introduction paragraph
2. Start telling details that belong in the body paragraphs
3. Writing a boring introduction
4. Say "This essay will show..." or "In this essay I will...,"
List three things a conclusion paragraph should do.
1. Revisit the thesis statement
2. Provide a summary of the main points
3. Make an application or suggest a course of action
4. Sound finished
List the three types of essays and the purpose for each.
1. Expository/Informative - educates and explains about a specific subject
2. Narrative/Descriptive - creates a picture in the reader's mind using the five senses; a story with a purpose; reveals a lesson learned or personal growth
3. Persuasive/Argumentative - written to convince a reader to agree with a particular viewpoint
Generally, a thesis statement should use which two type of verb?
It should use action verbs - active voice.
List the five parts of a body paragraph and each part's job.
Use TRIAC:
Topic - shows for focus of the paragraph
Restriction - narrows the topic
Illustration - provides evidence and support for the topic
Analysis - explains how the illustration supports the topic as well as the essay thesis
Clincher - reflects the topic sentence idea
What is a dramatic opening?
A dramatic opening is an opening paragraph that appears before the true introduction. It engages the reader by beginning in the middle of an action like in a movie or television show.
List three problems encountered when writing a conclusion paragraph.
1) Omit them.
2) Add new information
3) Not sound finished.
What is the job of a parenthetical citation?
A parenthetical citation should point the reader to an entry on the works cited page which includes all the source information.
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 its importance.
List five of the eight methods of support used 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 five of the 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 five of the 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 five of the nine parts of an MLA works cited entry.
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.