Chapter 34. THESIS PAPER
Introduction to
Arguing a Thesis
See
also "Basics,"
Advanced,"
and "Samples"
in this chapter.
à
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Welcome!
This introductory page of the "Thesis Paper"
chapter offers a simple, brief summary. For more, go to "Basics" and
to "Sample Papers" by
students. If you understand this type of paper already or want to explore it in
more depth, you might prefer to read "Advanced
Methods." All five web pages of this chapter are listed in the
right-hand column--simply click on the page you want to see.
A thesis paper is a single,
main argument and several reasons why it is true. It is not emotional, but
rather fair and balanced. It may be strongly worded, but it should imply
or show that you have considered opposing sides, too. It is like a
business proposal in that it argues for something, but it is organized in a
non-business format by simply showing several important reasons why it is
true. It is like a debate, but only one side of the debate.
Some
examples of thesis arguments are almost any newspaper editorial, politician's
speech for or against something, or even any high school or college paper that
goes beyond being just a report of the facts and tries to argue something from
the paper's beginning. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream"
speech is an example of a thesis argument.
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Writer's Goal or Assignment |
The goal of writing a thesis paper
is, usually, to complete an academic assignment
asking you to argue one point of view. To do so, you should write using a
thesis structure (one argument with three or four reasons why it is true)
using three or four body sections. (If your instructor allows it, you also may have a brief
first section, after the introduction, that reports on the issue's history or background.) Offer
your three or four main reasons briefly and clearly; then devote most of your paragraphing to giving supporting information
from experts and/or, if you are writing an argument from personal experience,
your detailed examples.
In your introduction and conclusion, clearly
indicate the type of paper you are writing and your overall argument. Also
include, in the introduction and conclusion, interesting quotations, stories,
and/or facts.
If you are writing a research paper, each body
section must include quotations, paraphrases, and/or illustrations and other
visual materials from your required and optional sources. These source
materials should support your own points of discussion in your paper, should be
substantial in quality and quantity, and should come from authoritative sources.
Also attach a bibliography appropriate to your field, discipline, or profession.
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Here is a typical structure or organization for a
thesis paper. More development of this structure is shown in the "Basics"
section.
Organization of a Thesis Paper
CENTRAL THESIS
and introductory details |
Body Section 1: first
reason and supporting details
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Body Section 2: second
reason and supporting details
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Body Section 3: third
reason and supporting details
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(Optional
Body Section 4: fourth reason and supporting details)
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CENTRAL THESIS
and concluding details
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Bibliography
Jones, A.J. Book One, et al.
Smith, B.K. Book Two, et al. |
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A "focus" in writing helps you at any given moment
to concentrate on writing. Here are several helpful, important focuses
people use to develop a thesis paper.
[Below, substitute the proper info for the type of paper for
the stuff on analyses as given here:]
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SUBJECT:
Remember that the previous chapter, "Thesis
Worksheet," has a very helpful chart. It can guide you, step by
step, through the process of choosing a subject.
If helpful, brainstorm a list of subjects. Choose one carefully.
Will it appeal to you throughout your writing time? Do you have enough
details or examples to support what you are saying, or can you find them
easily? Can you write about your subject fully and logically?
What are the problem and the solution your paper will represent? Will
your audience find your paper and its solution reasonable, appropriate, and
interesting? Can you represent the opposite side fairly (and then show why
it is wrong)? (If you wish to
develop two or more sides of an
argument, switch to "Dialogic
Argument."
If you are disagreeing with a reading or speech, switch to "Disagreement.") |
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FIRST
& SECOND DRAFTS:
Start with one or two methods that work best for you, but develop the
others in later drafts.
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Free-write: write as much as you
can quickly on what you know or have collected about your subject or
its parts.
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Gather details: write descriptions
or a list of the proofs you have for your opinions--facts, quotations,
and/or experiences.
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Write for your audience: visualize
it. What beliefs or arguments is it willing to consider, and in
what style and tone?
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Organize: make an outline using the
structure
above or whatever structure your instructor suggests.
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Research:
if required, mix
research of
your paper with the above methods to develop a first draft before, during,
or after your
research.
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STYLE,
TONE, and WRITER'S ROLE:
Develop (in early or late drafts) an academic style and tone of calm,
reasoned, fair, balanced logic. In your role as a writer, it may be
acceptable to argue strongly or even with irony or humor (ask your
instructor), but you must show clearly that you are also being emotionally
fair, balanced, and logical. |
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AUTHENTICITY: Be as real and meaningful as you can to your
audience, your content, and yourself. First, respect your audience:
try as fully as you can to answer its questions using a pattern and style it
expects. Second, find the heart of the meaning in your argument and
its main supports, and write about them with as much balance and fullness as
possible. Third, make the subject your own by going to the core of its
most important meanings to you. then provide logical reasons that your
audience can understand and respect as fair and balanced. |
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