A strong thesis statement:

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A strong thesis statement

• Is argumentative. In other words, someone should
  be able to disagree with your statement.
• Can be proved. This means that you should be
  able to cite several pieces of evidence to prove
  to your reader that you are correct.
• Should be interesting, and it is not something
  that is obvious. The reader should want to
  continue reading your paper, so therefore, do not
  simply repeat facts that we have discussed in
  depth within class. If it is really easy to
  prove, then it is not a challengeyour paper runs
  the risk of being boring.
• Affects our interpretation of the text or a
  concept. So, you should try to prove something
  that has significance in how we interpret the
  text/idea, not something so small that it is
  irrelevant.
• Is stated as though it is a fact, even though it
  is really an opinion. Convince the audience that
  you are correct, so create a bold statement.
• Your thesis should have unity. It should make
  one unified point you do not want it to sound
  like several mini-papers put together. So, do not
  simply list three things in your thesis that will
  be discussed in each individual body paragraph
  push yourself to become a more advanced and
  sophisticated writer.

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Analogy paper clarification

• Go beyond a simplistic simile or metaphor.
  Really develop your comparison into an extended
  analogy.
• Pay special attention to the examples that follow
  to help clarify any confusion.

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Sample Analogy

• Once there was a man walking down the street
  who fell into a hole. The hole was so deep he
  could not escape. He looked in all directions
  and could not figure out how to raise himself
  from the hole.
• A preacher walked by, heard the mans cry for
  help and inquired, Why are you in that hole in
  the road? The man replied I fell in and cant
  get out. The preacher said that he would pray
  for him and walked away.

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• A police officer walked by, heard the mans
  cry for help and inquired, Why are you in that
  hole in the road? The man replied I fell in
  and cant get out. The policeman said it was
  against the law to be in a hole in the road,
  wrote him a ticket, threw it into the hole and
  walked away.
• An environmentalist walked by, heard the
  mans cry for help and inquired, Why are you in
  that hole in the road? The man replied, I fell
  in and I cant get out. The environmentalist
  said it was environmentally unsafe to be in a
  hole in the road and began to picket, circling
  the hole and holding a sign reading Man in Hole
  in RoadEnvironmentally Unsafe!

5

• A friend walked by, heard the mans cry for
  help and inquired, Why are you in that hole in
  the road? The man replied, I fell in and cant
  get out. Without hesitation, the friend jumped
  into the hole with him.
• The man in the hole said, Why did you jump in
  this hole? I cant get out. I have had
  preachers praying for me, police writing me a
  ticket, and this goofy person picketing outside.
  And you chose to jump down here with me. Are you
  crazy? Why would you jump down here with me?
• The friend replied, Dont worry. I chose to
  jump in this hole with you because I have been in
  this hole before, and I know the way out!

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Thesis

• Every person is faced with obstacles in life that
  may create holes in her dreams, but with the help
  of a mentor, anyone is capable of climbing out of
  the holes life presents, and making something of
  herself.

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Practical Application Come to the Literacy
Center if you need a mentor to give you help with
this essay!

• An English teacher is in there every period
  except 7th, along with student tutors.
• You get one-on-one help with your writing.
• Ask for feedback on your thesis statement.
• Ask for guidance with the organization of your
  ideas.
• Have someone check your evidence and analysis for
  relevance, strength, and balance.
• See me for a pass out of study hall.
• Visit as many times as you wish between now and
  the due date?

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Weak Thesis Statements
Im That Guy HELP!
Im THAT GUY, and I have a scheduled manicure
and pedicure this afternoon since I have time to
kill my paper has been done for days.
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1. Makes no claim

• Education can be compared to something
  unexpected.
• Compared to what?
• Why?

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Instead

• Education is remarkably like a football team in
  which each member plays an integral and
  indispensable role.

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2. Makes an Obvious Statement

• In Education, teachers are like baseball coaches
  and students are like the players.
• So what??
• What does this mean??

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Instead

• Baseballs emphasis on statistics and on strategy
  is similar to the competitive grade game at
  play in schools today.

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3. Gives a Broad, General Topic

• Education is like a ship.
• Why??
• In what ways is education like a ship?

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Instead

• Though nothing can be done to save the sinking
  ship of education, there is much that an
  individual crew member can do for the passengers
  for whom she is responsible.

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4. Gives Destination instead of Direction

• Education is like a dandelion because the soil is
  like the parents, the stem is like the teacher,
  and the seeds are like the students.
• Too specific!
• Why bother reading the paper?

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Instead

• When students are planted in rich, fertile soil
  and supported by a stem which gives them strength
  and height, they will be able to soar high when
  they are released.

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So, a strong thesis statement

• Is argumentative. In other words, someone should
  be able to disagree with your statement.
• Can be proved. This means that you should be
  able to cite several pieces of evidence to prove
  to your reader that you are correct.
• Should be interesting, and it is not something
  that is obvious. The reader should want to
  continue reading your paper, so therefore, do not
  simply repeat facts that we have discussed in
  depth within class. If it is really easy to
  prove, then it is not a challengethis will not
  get you a high grade.
• Affects our interpretation of the text or a
  concept. So, you should try to prove something
  that has significance in how we interpret the
  text/idea, not something so small that it is
  irrelevant.
• Is stated as though it is a fact, even though it
  is really an opinion. Convince the audience that
  you are correct, so create a bold statement.
• Your thesis should have unity. It should make
  one unified point you do not want it to sound
  like several mini-papers put together. So, do not
  simply list three things in your thesis that will
  be discussed in each individual body paragraph
  push yourself to become a more advanced writer.