Day 5: The Thesis Statement & Introductions/Conclusions

Objectives: Students will be able to...

• understand the role of thesis statement;
• recognize and practice strong thesis statements
-Understand the role and function of Introduction and Conclusion Paragraphs

Part I: Quick Review (10 min)

1. As a class, we will do a very quick review of last week’s content on Essay Structure via power point. Also, I want to take a minute to discuss the reflection essay assignment.


Part 2: Thesis Statement

1.You will work in pairs to complete parts 1-3 in the  thesis statement worksheet. We will then check the answers as a class after we look to examples and explanation via power point. 

2.Next we will read p.58 of the College Writing 1 handout and underline thesis statement in each paragraph. Then, we will continue to complete the thesis worksheet parts 4-5 in pairs and as a class. 

3.[Time permitting] Next, we will look at variation in Thesis Statement Style according to specific genres.  Click HERE and follow along as we discuss the concept of Style with Thesis Statements

4.To conclude the section on Thesis and Essay Structure, you will get into new pairs and share your outline with a classmate. Together you will a) explain the structure and thesis of your essays and b) provide each other feedback.

Part 3: Introductions and Conclusions

1. Consider the following:

“Introductions and conclusions can be the most difficult parts of papers to write. Usually when you sit down to respond to an assignment, you have at least some sense of what you want to say in the body of your paper. You might have chosen a few examples you want to use or have an idea that will help you answer the main question of your assignment: these sections, therefore, are not as hard to write. The hardest part is often how to introduce and wrap up your points. Then, why should we bother? (The Writing Center, n.d.)”

The answers may vary. Here is one explanation I often use:

“Your introduction and conclusion act as bridges that transport your readers from their own lives into the "place" of your analysis...By providing an introduction that helps your readers make a transition between their own world and the issues you will be writing about, you give your readers the tools they need to get into your topic and care about what you are saying. Similarly, once you've hooked your reader with the introduction and offered evidence to prove your thesis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives (The Writing Center, n.d.)”

2. We will briefly discuss the strategies involved in construction of Introduction and Conclusions by looking to our handout.
 
HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY: 
1) Revise your thesis statement according to the materials learned in class today.
2) Complete the Strategies Matching homework (2 pages) from the handout that I gave you today.