Thesis Paper Tutorial

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Thesis Paper Tutorial

• 9th Grade

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Strategies for Composing Hooks or Opening
Statements

• Use a vivid quotation
• Create a visual image that represents your
  subject
• Create an analogy for your subject
• Offer a surprising/interesting statistic or other
  fact
• State an opinion related to your thesis
• Ask a question or define a word central to your
  subject (Note Use these techniques very
  sparingly and cautiously, as they may be
  considered cliché)

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Anatomy of the Introduction

• 1st Sentence Hook or Opening Sentence
• Engages the readers attention
• 2nd 3rd Sentence
• Should mention the authors complete name and the
  complete title of the work being analyzed
• 3rd - 5th Sentences
• Function to transition ideas from hook to thesis
• Thesis Statement
• Final sentence(s) of the introduction paragraph

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Topic Sentence

• Topic Sentence title of novel (underlined)
• author
• summary of the novel.

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Examples

• The Giver, by Lois Lowry is a story about a boy
  who begins to question the world around him and
  when he does he learns that nothing in his world
  is what it seems.
• The Tell-tale Heart, by Edgar Allen Poe is a
  story about a criminal whos guilt becomes so
  great that he eventually goes mad and turns
  himself in.

• Try creating an introductory background statement
  about
• The Odyssey

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What is a Thesis Statement? A thesis statement is
an argument or a hypothesis, the main point of
your work an unproved statement, especially one
serving as a foundation in a paper or project. It
is typically the last or second to last sentence
of your introduction. Functions and Purposes
of a Thesis Statement. To announce the topic to
the reader To reflect a judgment about the
topic To provide the reader with a blueprint
for what is to come in the paper
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Step 3 (Thesis Statement)- Choose your Evidence

• This is the For example part
• Support your answer in 1 sentence with 3 pieces
  of evidence.
• Do not explain your evidence or go into detail
  (this is what your body paragraphs are for.)

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You try

• The Odyssey, by Homer is an epic poem about a
  heros perilous ten year journey home after the
  trojan war. There are several character traits
  that make Odysseus an ideal hero. Through
  Odysseus Homer teaches us what a true hero should
  be like by contrasting Odysseus with his men.
• Thesis
• Unlike his men, Odysseus for example is loyal,
  determined and intelligent.

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Thesis Statement Examples
Thesis Statement Critique
Odysseus has many personality triats that show up multiple times throught this book, including cleverness, self restraint, and bravery. What do cleverness, self restraint and bravery earn O? Why are they significant? Take this nice structure beyond observation to analysis...
Stories are told about heroes to inspire people to reach beyond their potentials. Odysseus the hero of The Odyssey inspires readers mainly through his heroic traits of refusing temptation, using intelligence over strength, and staying loyal to his wife. A solid statement! However body paragraphs 1 and 3 (refusing temptation and staying loyal) are too similar. Choose a different third argument.
Odysseus, on the contrary to many popular readings should not be considered a hero because his pride inevitabally costs him his crew, almost compromises his relationship with his wife and almost costs him his own life. This sounds like a strong argument in the making, but this is very wordy. Split this sentence up and reword it for clarity.
So What?!
Focus
Too Wordy
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Outline for Your Thesis Paper
1 Introduction/ Thesis Paragraph Where you state background info, and give a thesis statement. EX-Unlike his men, Odysseus for example is loyal, determined and intelligent.
2 Body Paragraph 1 Loyal
3 Body Paragraph 2 Determined
4 Body Paragraph 3 Intelligent
5 Conclusion Paragraph
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Anatomy of a body Paragraph

• Consider the following model of a typical
  literary analysis paragraph

Supporting Detail
Supporting Detail
Supporting Detail
Concluding Sentence
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Body Paragraph Checklist

• Consider the following when using supporting
  quotes and passages in your writing
• Lead into or set up your quote/passage with
  speaker (character/narrator) and occasion
  (context, or whats happening in the plot
• Follow up a quote with at least two sentences of
  commentary and analysis before moving on to the
  next supporting detail
• Avoid excessive plot summary
• Be sure the quote is relevant to your topic
  sentence and thesisdoes your quote help prove
  your point?
• Avoid letting the quote speak for itselfavoid
  dropping the quote

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Sentence Type Body paragraph 1
Topic Sentence One way Odysseus differs from his men through his acts of loyalty.
Set up quote In the beginning of the epic the reader finds Odysseus on the goddess Calypsos island. Calypso tries to offer Odysseus immortality to stay with her, but he refuses because he loves his wife.
Give Quote Calypso out of jealousy questions Odysseus love for his wife saying, Can I be less desirable than she is? Less interesting? Less beautiful? (Homer 109-110).
Explain quote The reader can infer Odysseus loyalty to his wife in the fact that Calypso is practically begging Odysseus to stay with her.
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Active and Academic Verbs to Use in Critical
Literary Analysis

• Emphasizes Elucidates Compares
  Suggests
• Creates Illustrates Exemplifies
  Parallels
• Juxtaposes Implies Alludes to
  Observes
• Identifies Organizes Reinforces Defines
• Clarifies Contrasts Argues
  Mirrors
• Echoes Develops Connotes
  Focuses
• Balances Relates Expresses Insinuates