Organization, Thesis Statements and Quote Integration

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Organization, Thesis Statements and Quote
Integration

• Adapted from material provided by Ms. Hinkel

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The Shape of Your Paper

• Introduction
• 
  Body
• Paragraphs
• Prove/Support/Expand on Your
  Thesis
• Conclusion
• Revisit Your Thesis
• Place it in a larger context to show why its
  important

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Five Components of an Excellent Introduction

• Hook
• Introduction of Theme
• Context
• Thesis

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What is a thesis statement?

• Almost all of us, even if we dont do it
  consciously, look early in an essay for a one-
  sentence condensation of the argument or analysis
  to follow. IN A SHORT ESSAY, A THESIS SHOULD NOT
  BE LONGER THAN A SENTENCE.
• We refer to that condensation as the thesis
  statement.

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Strong thesis statements

• A strong thesis statement takes some sort of
  stand. Evaluate the following theses. Are they
  strong enough?
• There are reasons both to ban and praise The
  Lovely Bones.
• The Lovely Bones should be banned because it
  contains images inappropriate for the school
  setting.

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Strong thesis statements

• Thesis statements should do two things take a
  stand, and give an overarching reason why.
  Evaluate these theses. Do they fulfill both
  criteria?
• The Lovely Bones should be praised.
• The Lovely Bones should be praised because it
  promotes discussion of life-altering events.

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Where does a thesis belong?

• In most writing, a thesis belongs at the end of
  an introductory paragraph. The sentences before
  it should ease the reader in the thesis should
  be the most specific sentence of the paragraph.

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Where do these belong?Place the following
sentences in the order most appropriate for an
introductory paragraph.

• Vanilla ice cream is the best flavor because the
  majority of people like it.
• One of the greatest debates in time centers
  around which ice cream flavor is better
  chocolate or vanilla?
• After polling thousands of Americans, the answer
  is clear.

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Why are quotes needed in writing?

• Quotes increase the credibility and validity of
  your argument. They show that your argument is
  rooted in fact. Plus, they make your writing
  appear more professional and thoughtful.
• In order for quotes to work, they need to be
  incorporated into your writing correctly.

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Dont Drop Your Quote!

• There is a tendency for writers to simply throw a
  quote in their writing. For example
• Mayas dad is full of surprises. A year later
  our dad came to Stamps without warning (54).
  Maya does not expect this.

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Cradle Your Quote, Then Analyze It

• Even if a quote is made up of a full sentence, it
  is not strong enough to stand on its own. It
  needs to be introduced (cradled) by words of your
  own that help to support the quote. For example
• Mayas father is full of surprises. She writes
  that a year later our dad came to Stamps without
  warning (54). Although Maya does not seem to
  mind her fathers unexpected arrival, the reader
  suspects that her fathers erratic behavior
  indicates irresponsibility.

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Cradle Options

• He/she says,
• He/she writes,
• The text explains,
• The author indicates
• The character suggests
• The writer acknowledges that
• and so on ?

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Cradle this writing

• Maya Angelou paints beautiful images in writing.
  Each year I watched the field across from the
  Store turn caterpillar green, then gradually
  frosty white (6). She uses adjectives well.

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The Recap (Recapitulation/Summary)

• After you have proven your case with evidence in
  the body paragraphs, revisit (do NOT restate!)
  your thesis towards the beginning of your
  conclusion
• Deeper
• More detailed
• Show that youve learned something

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Recap Example

• Original Thesis Through Montresor, Poes The
  Cask of Amontillado suggests that revenge with
  impunity is impossible.
• Recap Thus, one can see by Montresors sickened
  reaction to Fortunatos screams, his obsessively
  detailed memory of the events that occurred, and
  the evidence that suggests he may be mentally
  unstable that guilt torments Montresor during the
  murder and for the fifty years following.

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Drawing Out a Message

• Move from specific (recapitulating thesis) to
  general (lesson learned or statement about)
• In a certain sense, the murderer has become his
  own victim.

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Significance

• Parallels the theme statement in introduction
• Why is your thesis important or meaningful for
  all human beings?
• Example Montresors tortured memories prove that
  a criminal may escape the law, but that no
  criminal escapes justice.

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Twist on Hook

• Play on the idea introduced in your first
  sentence
• Last strongest sentence of paragraph
• Good devices to use here alliteration, puns,
  clever, dramatic wording
• Find sentences most important word and make it
  the last one

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Example of Twist on Hook

• Original Hook Statement The poet Thomas Moore
  once wrote, Those who plot the destruction of
  others often perish in the attempt.
• Twist on Hook Upon finishing the story, the
  reader must ask which would be preferable the
  temporary discomfort of a brick and mortar prison
  or the unbending shackles of a guilty conscience.