Session+14

=Session 14 - Thesis Writing=

**14.1 - Brainstorm** What is a thesis statement? Why are thesis statements so important?

// Answers: //

 * ====//** ﻿Thesis statement is: that sentence or two in your text that contains the focus of your essay and tells your reader what the essay is going to be about.**//====
 * ====//**Thesis statement is important because is like the introduction or most important part of your essay.**//====

**14.2 - Defining Thesis Statements** **__Thesis Statements__** a. What is my topic? b. What argument am I prepared to make? c. How can I state my argument as clearly and powerfully as possible? d. Is my statement a direct answer to the question or response to the prompt or claim about the topic?
 * 1) A thesis statement is an argument. It is a 1-2 sentence statement of the purpose of your essay: what will you be proving to the reader in the essay?
 * 2) It should be toward the end of an introductory paragraph and include enough specifics that the reader has a general idea of the key points you will make to support your biggest claim.
 * 3) Your thesis statement should likely be a compound sentence, including a preview of the major points you will make to support your big claim. So, instead of writing a simple thesis statement like "The end of World War II brought about major consequences" you should probably write something like "When World War II ended in 1945, the major consequences included the division of Germany, the start of the United Nations, and the beginning of the Cold War."
 * 4) To write your thesis, ask yourself 4 questions:

A compound sentence is the explanation of two or more topics in one sentence. The second example gives like a summary of the topic to the reader.
 * ===DEFINE compound sentence.===
 * ===In number 3, explain why the second example thesis statement is better than the first.===

**14.3: Examples** For each of the following statements, highlight the choice you think is better. Then explain why you think it is the better choice.

__//Example: //__ //**Prompt ****:** Explain the relationship between nationalism and sectionalism in 1850s America. // //**Choice 1:** In 1850s America, nationalism was being overshadowing by growing sectionalist developments as the debate over the spread of slavery reached its highest points and set the stage for the start of the Civil War. // //**Choice 2:** American nationalism grew after the victory in the Mexican-American War in 1848 and the resulting land acquisitions. // //**Answer:** Choice 1 - The first thesis statement is better because it directly responds to the essay prompt, is clearly written, and includes specifics of the argument that will be made in the essay. Meanwhile, the second choice seems to be off in terms of time period and does not include enough specifics. //

__Student work__: **Choice 1 : ** Aid from the French helped turn the tide of the American Revolution toward victory for the colonists. This, in addition to their previously held advantages of strong military leadership and homeland advantage, led the colonists to win the war and gain their independence. **Choice 2**: In the late 18th century, after years of protesting unfair laws and many key battles, the American colonists won independence from their mother country of Great Britain.
 * //Prompt A// **: Why were the American colonists successful in winning independence from the British in the late 18th century?

**Choice 2:** Leading up to the Civil War, the abolition movement in America was divided, but ultimately remained united enough to push leaders of the country to end slavery forever. **//Prompt C//:** To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidency benefit the United States of America? **Choice 1:** Despite his record on treatment of Native Americans, Andrew Jackson’s presidency greatly benefited the U.S. due to his administration’s work on expanding voting rights and economic policies. **Choice 2:** Andrew Jackson was the eighth president of the United States and known for being the symbol of Jacksonian Democracy.
 * //Prompt B://**In what ways was the abolition movement of 19th century America divided?
 * Choice 1**: The abolition movement of 19th century America was divided in terms of both tactics and goals, as there were strong, differing opinions over how to most effectively make abolition occur and the process by which complete abolition should be sought.

**14.4: Practice thesis writing** __//Incorrect: McDonald's is the best just because.//__
 * //Choose five// of the topics/questions/prompts below to create a thesis statement. Remember: your thesis should be a compound sentence.
 * ===//**What is the best fast food restaurant operating today? **//===
 * // I think that the best fast food restaurant is Mc. Donals because of his french fries. They taste way better than the others . //**
 * //**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Should immigrants be allowed into the United States if they cannot speak basic English? **//

**// Yes, they should be allthe place where they should be stay and learn English.owed because this is the place where they should be stay and learn English. //**
===// ** Malden High School is a very good place, not only for the environment if not by their teachers and principals. Also for students and the rules. Personally this has been the best school that I attended. ** //=== ===**//<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There's different kind of apples, like green yellow or red. And there are just two different kind of oranges. //**===
 * ===//**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To what extent is Malden High School a great place to go to school? **//===
 * ===//**Compare apples and oranges.**//===
 * ===//**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Analyze the reasons for which some teenagers drop out of school. **//===

// ** Some Reason why many teens drop out, are by their behavior, absences or disrespect to teachers or other students .** //
**14.5 - Response to the Casey Anthony Trial** Using the thesis guidelines above and the two articles you found about the Casey Anthony trial, write a one paragraph response to the trial. Prompt: Do you think Casey Anthony murdered her daughter?

In 5-7 sentences, using evidence from the articles you linked and from your own opinion of the trial. Include a compound thesis statement!

**14.6 - Memory and Study Skills** How do you remember information? How do you study? I ussually review everything by chapters.

**14.7 - Memory Statements** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Copy the following statements into your virtual notebook. Put them in the order with the top one being the one that most relates to you, and list through the last one which least relates to you.

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1. “I just can’t remember anything when I take tests.” //

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3. “I remember the information when I’m studying, but I forget it the day of the test.” //

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2. “I can’t even remember information while I am studying, much less during the test.” //

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 5. “My memory is so bad that I can’t even remember three pieces of information!” //

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 4. “I remember things I read in the textbook, but I can’t seem to remember what the teacher talks about in class.” //

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 7. “I remember every word the teacher says in class, but I have trouble remembering information from what I read.” //

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 6. “I’m just so bored with what we have to learn. I can’t remember things if they’re not interesting to me.” //

**14.8 - Memory Tricks** media type="custom" key="10164771"