Prewriting Strategies and Thesis Statements Brought to you

Prewriting Strategies and Thesis Statements Brought to you by The Center for Teaching and Learning

What is Prewriting? • Prewriting is the steps you take in order to be prepared to write a GREAT paper!

Types of Prewriting Strategies • • • Brainstorming Deciding on a topic Free writing Developing a Writing Process Creating a Thesis Statement and Outline

Brainstorming • Ask yourself a few questions: – What are you interested in? – What would you like to learn more about? • Talk to your professor/ other students/ friends/ family etc. about your ideas • Write everything down • Don’t be afraid to explore multiple topics

Bubble Mapping What can we do? Poachers How to educate people Main Idea: Animal Endangerment Protection Laws Endangered Species

Deciding on a Topic • After brainstorming: – Which topic has the most to write about – Which topic interests you the most – Which topic fits the guidelines of the assignment • Things to consider: – Most students find they lack paper/word length because they have failed to focus their research – Most students find it easy to become the “expert” when they narrow a topic so it is manageable

Free Writing • Take 20 -30 minutes • Don’t stop- Just keep writing • Don’t get stuck with writing the PERFECT sentence • Just write to get everything down about your topic

Deciding on a Writing Process • What is the best environment for your writing? • Do you need to listen to a certain type of music/ drink certain things/ or the opposite? • Do you need to take breaks as you write- schedule those ahead of time • Do you need an outline? Do you just need to get everything out at once?

What is a thesis? • • • It is the central message of the essay It is the essay’s main idea States the essay’s topic It prepares the readers States the essay’s purpose Indicates the focus

Signs of a Good Thesis • • Subject that two people would disagree Corresponds clearly with the assignment Expresses one main idea Asserts your conclusions about the subject

Having Trouble? • Turn your topic into a question (or multiple questions). • The answer to the question is thesis statement for the essay. – Ex. Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class? ” – A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are. . ” – OR – A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve. . . “

Strong Thesis Examples • A strong thesis takes some sort of stand. • Ex. Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers. • A strong thesis justifies discussion. • Ex. While most American families would view extended family as a burden, African families rely on extended family for support. • A strong thesis expresses one main idea. • Ex. Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using web pages that offer both advertising and customer support. • A strong thesis is specific. • Ex. Hunger persists in Appalachia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

Creating an Outline

Any Questions? Handouts are available for a wide range of writing skills at www. uis. edu/ctl Center for Teaching and Learning contact: 217 -206 -6503 or ctl@uis. edu