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 is the job of a bridge transition?
A bridge transition includes key words from the previous paragraph's clincher sentence in the topic sentence of the next paragraph.
List three things an introduction paragraph should do.
An introduction paragraph should:
Grab the reader's attention
Provide background (context) for the subject
Include the thesis statement
Giving a limited introduction of topics is optional.
What words should not appear in the conclusion paragraph of an essay?
The conclusion of an essay should never say, "As I have shown..." or "This essay shows that..."
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.
What are transitions, and what job do transitions perform?
They are words and phrases that move the reader along, smoothly connecting one thought to another and indicating changes in time, place, or mood.
What is a dramatic opening?
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.
List three things a conclusion paragraph should do.
A conclusion paragraph should:
Reflect the thesis statement
Provide summary of the main points, emphasizing the most important point
Make an application or suggest a course of action
When do you need to provide a citation in your writing?
A citation must be provided if you paraphrase or use a direct quotation.
List the three main types of essays.
1. Informative/expository
2. Descriptive/narrative
3. Persuasive/argumentative
List and explain each part of a body paragraph structure.
Topic - focus of entire paragraph
Restrict - narrows the topic
Illustration - provides a specific example that supports the topic
Analysis - explains how the illustration supports the topic
Clincher - reflects the topic sentence idea
What are four 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.
List three 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.
List three rules regarding a thesis statement.
1. The thesis statement should be one sentence in length.
2. The thesis statement should be the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.
3. The thesis statement should not use passive voice.
List and explain a minimum of five of the eight methods of support used for illustration in a body paragraph.
Examples - specific instance the occurs to someone
Personal experience - specific instance you experienced
statistics - numbers, percents, data
research/testimony - from an expert or authority
observation - what might or could occur
description - word pictures; use five senses
anecdote - a specific true story that exemplifies
analogy - compare something known to unknown
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 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.