英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

1. Choose a topic

2. Thesis Statement and Outline

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

2. What a Thesis Statement IsA thesis statement is a specific declaration that summarizes the point of view you will take in your paper.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

Thesis statement = a PropositionA thesis statement is a single sentence (for a short paper like a BA thesis), usually with the topic of the paper as the grammatical subject. Interesting and engaging An explicit thesis An argumentative thesis Specific language Limit and focus a topic to make it manageable

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

An explicit proposition in the drafting stageThe present thesis attempts to explain (argue, demonstrate, analyze, …) that __________________ because of (1) __________________ , (2) ___________, and (3) _______________.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

The characteristics of a successful thesis statement:1)

The thesis statement is limited so it can give direction to the paper. Compare:Some kinds of mining interfere with an area. Strip mining permanently injured the ecology of eastern Pennsylvania by destroying vegetation.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

2) The thesis statement is specific.Compare:

Outdoor furniture is made of various materials. Wood, aluminum, and wrought iron outdoor furniture have properties that make them suitable for differing climates.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

3) The thesis statement is a way to unify the ideas in the paper. 4) The thesis statement is an aid to coherence for your paper.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

3. What a Thesis Statement Is Not1)

A promise or statement of purpose cannot serve as a thesis statement.Compare: In this paper I am going to show how the ancient Egyptians were able to build so many huge temples and tombs.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

The ancient Egyptians were able to build so many huge temples and tombs because the dependence on agriculture left seasons when farmers had time to do other kinds of work, the religion encouraged people to do work that glorified their gods and pharaohs, and busy masses were necessary for political and economic stability.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

2)

A topic or subject by itself cannot serve as a thesis statement. New land for public parks New Land for Public Parks

Examples:

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

3)

A few words added to a title, but not forming a complete sentence, cannot be a thesis statement. What new land ought to be taken for public parks and why Citizens should work through governmental agencies to set aside land for public use before business interests destroy natural beauty and natural resources.

Compare:

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

4)

A question cannot serve as a thesis statement. Compare:

What are Leni Riefenstahl's contributions to film? Leni Riefenstahl's methods gave new perspective to filming sports. Leni Riefenstahl's use of unconventional camera angles and dramatic editing introduced an artistic perspective to the filming of sporting events.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

4. Ways of Organizing ContentSome subjects dictate the best order to use or problem to solution; The thesis statement points the way toward organizing the content of your paper.

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

Thesis statement: The ancient Egyptians were able to build so many huge temples and tombs be

cause the dependence on agriculture left seasons when farmers had time to do other kinds of work, the religion encouraged people to do work that glorified their gods and pharaohs, and busy masses were necessary for political and economic stability. Effect-toEffect-to-cause organization

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

Thesis statement: Good citizens should work through governmental agencies to set aside land for public use before business interests destroy natural beauty and natural resources.Problem to solution organization

英语学术写作-New-thesis statement and outline

Thesis statement: Leni Riefenstanl's use of unconventional camera angles and her dramatic editing introduced an artistic perspective to the filming of sporting events.Specific to general Comparison and contrast