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Writing WorkshopWriting Workshop
©Suzanne Ryan 1
Welcome back to English
Composition
Welcome back to English
Composition
2
Review of Last ClassReview of Last Class• Points of View Points of View
– Writing in 3Writing in 3rdrd Person Person
• Pronoun casePronoun case
• Pronoun shiftPronoun shift
©Suzanne Ryan 3
4
AgendaAgenda• Pronouns: agreementPronouns: agreement
• Pronouns: referencePronouns: reference
• Thesis statementsThesis statements
Thesis StatementsThesis Statements
What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?• A thesis statement is the main idea
of an essay.
• It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay.
SO• The thesis statement explains to a
reader the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinion on that idea.
• A thesis statement is usually one sentence.
• It is often placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay.
• A thesis statement is a claim that could be argued.
• The essay will contain evidence and opinions that support the argument.
Thesis statements avoid the following:Thesis statements avoid the following:
• the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)
• unclear language (It seems, etc.)• attempting two topics at once (even if
they seem related). Pick one and stick with it.
• just stating a fact - A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about.
A thesis statement should
A thesis statement should• contain a topic (main idea of what
you are writing about)
• contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)
A thesis statement should not be too broad.A thesis statement should not be too broad.
Too Broad
The world is a magnificent place to live.
Better
The many, excellent job opportunities make Houston, Tx an attractive place to live.
Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement?
Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement?
A. One reason to live in Texas is access to many wonderful places to fish.
B. Texas is a great place to live.
Too BroadToo Broad
Houston, TX is a great place to live.
A thesis statement should not be too wordy.A thesis statement should not be too wordy.WordySome problems with the doggie day care are
that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned kennel, a separate waiting room for small and large dogs, a restroom for employees and guests, running water in the grooming area, and a number of other physical changes to the building.
BetterThe doggie day care needs several changes to
its facility to make it a better boarding facility.
Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement?
Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement?A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best
presidents the United States has ever known.
B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.
Too WordyToo WordyAbe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.
A thesis statement should not be too general.A thesis statement should not be too general.
Too general
Vet Tech Institute is a good school.
Better
Vet Tech Institute offers daily writing practice that has led to improved writing skills for the students.
Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement?
Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement?
A. Dogs make people happy.
B. Therapy dogs are useful for relieving stress and depression so people become happier.
Too generalToo general
Dogs makes people happy.
A thesis statement should not be a title.A thesis statement should not be a title.
A title
Cost of Living
Better
The cost of living in Houston, TX is lower than in most other cities in the United States.
Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title?
Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title?
A. Improved study skills have led to an increase in top scores at Vet Tech Institute.
B. Rising Scores at Vet Tech Institute
A TitleA Title
Rising Scores at Vet Tech Institute
A thesis statement should not be a a fact.A thesis statement should not be a a fact.
A fact
The average temperature for Houston in winter is 45 degrees and in summer is 95 degrees.
Better
The climate in Houston is ideal for year-round sports.
Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact?
Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact?
A. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.
B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect the environment.
A FactA Fact
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.
More PracticeMore Practice
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
In this essay, I will discuss the overpopulation crisis for pets in Houston, TX.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Playing with a dog is a good way to help relieve stress.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Dogs and cats differ in many ways.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly homework.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.
Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.
In each of the following slides tell whether the sentence is a good or bad thesis statement.
In each of the following slides tell whether the sentence is a good or bad thesis statement.
Good or BadGood or Bad1. Many people do not like to
watch violent horror movies.
2. Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s.
Good or BadGood or Bad3.Rap music is the best music
ever. 4.Although many people find
rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on today’s youth.
Good or BadGood or Bad
5. I enjoy white water rafting.
6. The first white water rafting trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.
Good or BadGood or Bad7. Vet Tech students are busy.8. The typical Vet Tech student
handles a more challenging schedule than other college students do.
Good or BadGood or Bad9. Community service projects include
building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities.
10.People should help others who are less fortunate.
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Wrap-upWrap-up• Pronoun AgreementPronoun Agreement
• Pronoun ReferencePronoun Reference
Questions?Questions?
©Suzanne Ryan 41
AssignmentsAssignments• Decide on your term paper topic related Decide on your term paper topic related
to the WARLto the WARL
©Suzanne Ryan 42
Thank you for participating!Thank you for participating!
See you next time!See you next time!
©Suzanne Ryan 43
