P1 : Thesis statement/Topic sentence

HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY.
THESIS STATEMENT AND TOPIC SENTENCE.

THESIS STATEMENT : One per essay/usually in the introductory paragraph.
• A thesis is an idea or states an assertion or reasoned response to an issue on hand.
• To assert is to claim that some condition is the case.
• (eg Religion divides, Hydroelectric power is better than nuclear power)
• Implied in assertion is that we believe in the assertion to be true.
• Therefore, the need to develop and support this believe.
•
• A good thesis statement :
• Announces the overall topic/subject
• states the importance of the topic/subject (the writer ‘s attitude towards the subject)
• asserts only 1 main idea
• expresses the topic as an opinion that can be discussed.
• Is NOT express as a fact
• Is Never express as a question.

Thesis statement provide direction and focus for the essay. It represent your overall intention.
EXAMPLE :
“Hydroelectric power provides an acceptable alternative to nuclear energy in supplying present power needs.”
- Need to describe what is hydroelectric power, nuclear power.
- Compare the against “how each satisfy or don’t satisfy power present need”
- Argue what is provide an acceptable alternative ie how is hydroelectric is preferable to nuclear power.
- Show how hydroelectric benefits or show what nuclear power lack that hydroelectric can provide.
 

Some questions to ask to come up with good thesis statement.
1) Is it an idea?. Is it an assertion?.
2) Does it answer the question that is really at issue with audience?
3) Does the thesis say exactly what I mean?. Are the term use precise and clear?
4) Has it developed out of a process of reasoning?
5) Have I considered both sides of the issues, different perspectives?
6) Can it be developed reasonably?


•
• Examples : (What is the tone?)
•
• Religion often lead to major conflicts.
• Examination is the major obstacle to true education.
•
• Computers have effectively reduced the cost for most businesses.
• Preventive maintenance will help increase the resale value of your car.
• Knowing you have inherited a genetic disease can help you plan for the future.
•
THESIS STATEMENT – WRITER’S ATTITUDE.
• The writer’s attitude is how the writer feels about the topic at hand.
• Usually the verb (eg can/cannot , will/will not help, should/should not) indicates the writer’s view.
• EXAMPLE :
• Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
• Vitamins have no role in whether or not you feel more energized.
• Vitamin supplements can help you feel more energized.
•
EXERCISE (Identify writer’s attitude)
1. Organically grown fruits and vegetables are healthier than those chemically treated.
2. Metal detectors should not be installed in schools throughout the nation.
3. Hybrid fuel vehicles will help reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
4. Working at a part-time job while going to school promotes a sense of responsibility.
5. Global warming could have a negative effect on the earth’s ecosystems.

ESSAY MAP IN THESIS STATEMENT.(how you will develop your essay)
- Will organise and limit your essay’s discussion of topic
- Clarify, explain and support the writer’s attitude.
- Each point becomes a paragraph.

EXAMPLES :
1. Intelligence , dedication and hard work are necessary ingredients for a successful career.
2. Because of an excessive military budget, poor farming methods, and inadequate international trade strategies, Communism was a failure in Russia.

EXAMPLE :
Thesis statement : St Louis is an exciting city to visit because of cloud, elm trees, and cats.
Topic : St Louis
Atittude : an exciting city.
Why : Clouds, elm trees and cats
Problem : the items are not related to exciting, so a poor thesis.

EXERCISE 1 : (Identify essay map)
1. A vegetarian diet is healthier than one with meat because of temperature, salt and water retention.
2. Expanding your vocabulary learning , learning about new places, and developing a better writing style makes reading a valuable activity.
3. Cultural awareness, civic responsibility, and volunteerism make coin collecting an interesting hobby.
4. .

EXERCISE 2: (What is the topic, attitude and essay map?)
1. Broccoli and oranges are good sources of vitamins.

2. The Rolex is considered by many as a better wristwatch than the Breitling.

3. Are saving bonds better investment instruments than annuities because of interest, safety and liquidity?

4. Solar power should be a governmental priority because of diminishing fossil fuels, environmental pollution, and skyrocketing costs.

5. College students go to class, study and write papers.


Answer :
6. Broccoli and oranges are good sources of vitamins. (2 topics, change to 1 topic , vegetable/fruits)

7. The Rolex is considered by many as a better wristwatch than the Breitling.

8. Are saving bonds better investment instruments than annuities because of interest, safety and liquidity? (should not be in question format)

9. Solar power should be a governmental priority because of diminishing fossil fuels, environmental pollution, and skyrocketing costs. (good essay map)

10. College students go to class, study and write papers. (no attitude)



 

PARAGRAPH :

- Topic sentence
- Supporting sentences.

- TOPIC SENTENCE.

o Tell the reader what is the main idea or topic in the paragraph.
o Usually have 2 parts – the topic and controlling ideas.
o
- TOPIC :
- - subject of the paragraph, usually taken from the essay map (thesis statement)
- - provide linkage/transition from one paragraph to another.

CONTROLLING IDEAS.
- States what the writer will write about the topic.
- Limit what you can says about the topic and thus don’t stray.
- Topic sentence lacking controlling ideas lack direction and focus.
- Without controlling idea, the writer’s attitude can be unclear.
-
EXAMPLES
1. Soccer is a popular high school sport.
(no controlling idea – “popular” is too ambiguous/an attitude)
Soccer is a popular high school sport because it is relatively inexpensive to fund (controlling idea cheap to make soccer popular.)
Michael Jordan was a popular basketball player.
(no controlling idea, just a fact)
Michael Jordan’s diverse skill made him an exciting basketball player. (Controlling idea : Jordan is exciting because of diverse skill.)

“In a movie, music often enhances a romantic atmosphere”.
Topic : music
Attitude : often enhances
Controlling idea : romantic atmosphere.
With this topic sentence, the writer is forced to discuss only those features of the music that enhances the romantic atmosphere. The writer cannot write about financial aspect, violence, production cost, advertistment etc of the movie.

EXERCISE :
1. Great teamwork has made the United States’ women’s soccer team an internal success.
2. Versatility and size make the notebook computer a good business tool for travellers.
3. The Spanish Inquisitions impaired scientific thought for decades.
4. The depletion of the ozone layer might cause global warming and in an increase in skin cancer.
5. Helping others can make almost any profession a rewarding experience.


EXERCISE ANSWER.
1. Great teamwork has made the United States’ women’s soccer team an internal success.
2. Versatility and size make the notebook computer a good business tool for travellers.
3. The Spanish Inquisitions impaired scientific thought for decades.
4. The depletion of the ozone layer might cause global warming and in an increase in skin cancer.
5. Helping others can make almost any profession a rewarding experience.

SUPPORTING SENTENCE.

Supporting sentence develop/elaborate the topic using examples, ideas and facts.
Controlling idea unifies the paragraph (UNITY) by determining the kind of support idea you can use in support sentence.

EXAMPLES :
Police officers are most effective when helping citizens in their communities.
So, the supporting sentences for this topic would focus on what the police officers do to help citizens and might include :
Finding lost/stolen property
Solving crimes
Preventing crimes.

TOPIC SENTENCE PROCESS :
-
Select topic.
Decide on controlling ideas
Use the 5W and 1 H to help focus

EXAMPLES – SAME TOPIC, DIFFERENT FOCUS IN CONTROLLING IDEA
1. Reading can help people become better educated (what)
2. Reading is best done in a quiet, secluded place(where).
3. Anyone (who) interested in becoming a better writer should read as much as possible.