FORMULATING A CLAIM Revising Your Thesis Statement Formulating

FORMULATING A CLAIM Revising Your Thesis Statement

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Arguments begin with claims, which are debatable and controversial assertions you hope to prove. They must be: Written as a statement, not as a question. Written in clear, straightforward language. Debatable (there must be opposing viewpoints) A judgment/evaluation about your issue/topic Supportable by evidence � Facts, statistics, testimony, personal experience, observations, etc. Specific – not vague

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? One day will we all be controlled by something unheard of?

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? One day will we all be controlled by something unheard of? No. 1. It cannot be a question – it must be a strong, clear statement. 2. It’s too vague – hard to know what the topic is.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Genetic engineering needs to be regulated for the sake of humanity.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Genetic engineering needs to be regulated for the sake of humanity. No. 1. It is a strong, clear statement, but. 2. It’s too vague – How should it be regulated? What does “for the sake of humanity” mean?

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Organ harvesting benefits local communities, the whole world, and all people.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Organ harvesting benefits local communities, the whole world, and all people. No. 1. It makes an assertion, but one that is unsupportable with any kind of evidence. 2. “Organ harvesting” is taking a living person’s organs without his knowledge or permission.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Designer babies will greatly affect the world if it is achieved.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Designer babies will greatly affect the world if it is achieved. No. 1. It’s too vague – how will they help/hurt the world? 2. It’s not debatable and no stance is taken. Is it ethical, moral, etc.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Posthumanism can help the human race.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Posthumanism can help the human race. No. 1. It’s too vague – how can it help? 2. It’s not debatable and no stance is taken – should research be pursued since it has many benefits for society.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Human embryonic stem cell research should be discontinued due to its lack of success, the dangers it poses, and the immoral means by which the cells are obtained.

Formulating a Claim [ Thesis ] Is this an effective thesis ? Human embryonic stem cell research should be discontinued due to its lack of success, the dangers it poses, and the immoral means by which the cells are obtained. YES – it is clear, specific, and debatabale

For Next Class If your thesis statement is not yet approved, rewrite and resubmit to me on Thursday. Graded Download and save the Brave New World e. Book. Read “The Dystopian Imagination” by Theodore Dalrymple. Take notes and be prepared for a quiz on the most important points of the article.