#thesisbuilding

In this Digital Journal Post (#11), I want you to, in writing, practice your thesis for your persuasive essay.

A quick review of information you have already worked through on thesis-building.

In your analytical essay, your thesis was a an explanation of what was being analyzed AND how that item of communication was being analyzed.

One of the basic features of a persuasive essay is the strong position statement. This will be the thesis of your essay. But, more specifically, for argumentation, the statement should be a strong and clear statement. There should be no ambiguity in where you stand on the matter. Very often, writers struggle with this element of persuasion because we so often shy from taking a definitive line on a controversial issue. Without a definitive stand, your reader will not be clear on what you are persuading towards.

DJP #11 prompt:

In this DJP, answer the following 3 questions. These are your 3 guidelines. Write this DJP in full sentences. This is a ‘think’ piece. If you write just a little, you are only shortening your own practice.

What are you writing about (subject/topic)?  

What is the stance you think you will be taking in this nuanced conversation? (You need not stick to this stance. this is practice. And in writing, practice is integral to strengthening your skills.)  

What are three supporting claims you will be making in your persuasive essay in order to support your larger claim, expressed in bullet point two?

In this Digital Journal Post (#11), I want you to, in writing, practice your thesis for your persuasive essay.

A quick review of information you have already worked through on thesis-building.

In your analytical essay, your thesis was a an explanation of what was being analyzed AND how that item of communication was being analyzed. 

One of the basic features of a persuasive essay is the strong position statement. This will be the thesis of your essay. But, more specifically, for argumentation, the statement should be a strong and clear statement. There should be no ambiguity in where you stand on the matter. Very often, writers struggle with this element of persuasion because we so often shy from taking a definitive line on a controversial issue. Without a definitive stand, your reader will not be clear on what you are persuading towards.

DJP #11 prompt:

In this DJP, answer the following 3 questions. These are your 3 guidelines. Write this DJP in full sentences. This is a ‘think’ piece. If you write just a little, you are only shortening your own practice.

What are you writing about (subject/topic)?  

What is the stance you think you will be taking in this nuanced conversation? (You need not stick to this stance. this is practice. And in writing, practice is integral to strengthening your skills.)  

What are three supporting claims you will be making in your persuasive essay in order to support your larger claim, expressed in bullet point two?

In this Digital Journal Post (#8), I want you to, in writing, practice on your thesis in your Speculating About Causes essays. 

A quick review of information you have already worked through on thesis-building. 

In Arguing a Position, your thesis was a “position statement.” Your guidance there was: 

One of the basic features of the genre Arguing A Position is the strong position statement. This will be the thesis of your essay. But, more specifically, for this genre of writing and argumentation, the statement should be a strong and clear statement. There should be no ambiguity in where you stand on the matter. Very often, writers struggle with this element of the genre because we so often shy from taking a hard line on a controversial issue.

This is also true in ANY thesis statement. Your reader, your audience, should not have to guess your judgment on the matter at hand. In this case, your audience should be clear on the cause you are suggesting is strongest. Take a stand. There is no lightning bolt that falls from the sky if you are off the mark. If you follow your thesis up with a strong argument, then you are supporting that stand. You do this by avoiding logical fallacies; supporting your viewpoint with credible, unbiased research; and doing the hard work of considering multiple possible objections and confronting these in your writing. These are ALL skills you have been building throughout the semester.

In Justifying an Evaluation, your instructions were to consider both the judgment and why evaluating this particular subject was significant. Remember: what, who, why should we care?

What is your judgment here? What is your position on this topic?

There are two main things at play here when considering your ultimate judgment:

YOUR judgment (of course), and

the significance of your judging this subject, whatever it may be.

YOUR judgment should be stated clearly and succinctly in our thesis statement. You should offer your reader a quick glimpse into the argument to come by including a few of your reasons for your judgment within your thesis statement.

Naming the phenomenon or trend: You must clearly establish the phenomenon or trend in order to take a stand that your audience can understand (Arguing a Position). 

Making a decision on which of the possible causes (causal analysis): You have evaluated multiple causes. (Justifying an Evaluation).

Clearly defining which of those causes you have evaluated represents a most likely cause or a stronger possibility than another (Speculating About Causes). These are all skills you should be considering while building your thesis in this paper. 

DJP #8 prompt:

In this DJP, answer the following 3 questions. These are your 3 guidelines. Write this DJP in full sentences. This is a ‘think’ piece. If you write just a little, you are only shortening your own practice.

What are you writing about (subject/topic)?  

Where have you been (quick causal analysis mention)?  

And what are you trying to prove now (your preferred cause)?