Thesis Statements I can write a strong well

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Thesis Statements I can write a strong well focused thesis statement

Thesis Statements I can write a strong well focused thesis statement

Douglass Paper • You are answering the question: What is Douglass saying about the

Douglass Paper • You are answering the question: What is Douglass saying about the Power of Knowledge?

Characteristics of a good thesis • thesis answers a question, resolves a problem, or

Characteristics of a good thesis • thesis answers a question, resolves a problem, or takes a position on a debatable topic. • requires proof or further development through facts and details • it is not itself a fact or a description

Is this a good thesis? • In this essay, I am going to explain

Is this a good thesis? • In this essay, I am going to explain what Douglass is saying about the Power of Knowledge.

No • Because: – It announces that you are writing a paper. – It

No • Because: – It announces that you are writing a paper. – It does not make a specific statement about the Power of Knowledge, only that it is a topic you are discussion. – The only thing you would be proving is that your paper is about this topic.

Is this a good thesis? • Douglass argues that slavery was injurious to his

Is this a good thesis? • Douglass argues that slavery was injurious to his mistress, that teaching a slave to read was an unpardonable offence, and that he learned about freedom from the Columbian Orator.

No! • Because: – It is factual. – This is a list of evidence

No! • Because: – It is factual. – This is a list of evidence used in the paper, but no specific statement is made about the chapter yet.

Is this a good thesis? • In chapter seven of The Narrative of the

Is this a good thesis? • In chapter seven of The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Douglass argues that the power of knowledge has the ability to set someone free.

Yes! • Because: – It makes a specific statement about the text and about

Yes! • Because: – It makes a specific statement about the text and about the power of knowledge. – It is a statement that needs support and evidence from the chapter. – It is something that can be proven or disproven.

Is this a good thesis? • I think Douglass is arguing in chapter seven

Is this a good thesis? • I think Douglass is arguing in chapter seven that knowledge made him discontent as a slave, but knowledge also paved the way toward his freedom.

Yes and No! (more Yes than No) • Because: – This statement is a

Yes and No! (more Yes than No) • Because: – This statement is a great example of how to meet in the middle. Douglass is not saying that knowledge is good or bad. It is much more complex. – Never use “I think” or “I believe. ” Give yourself some authority as a writer and state all your thoughts and beliefs as fact.

Is this a good thesis? • Douglass argued that learning to read was bad.

Is this a good thesis? • Douglass argued that learning to read was bad.

Yes and No! (more no than Yes) • Because: – It does make a

Yes and No! (more no than Yes) • Because: – It does make a specific statement. – The statement is a huge understatement. – I think it would be hard to say Douglass is saying that reading and learning is a bad thing. – It is an over-simplification of the issue discussed. – While he does say negative things about learning, it was only to express his continued difficulty to stay in slavery when he realized he was worth more. – Bad is a non-descriptive word.

Exit Slip • Write a well developed thesis statement that makes a specific statement

Exit Slip • Write a well developed thesis statement that makes a specific statement about what Douglass is saying about the Power of Knowledge.