Writing Resources

As you begin growing in your writing, do not think in terms of essay formats and the "five paragraph essay".  Think in terms of "parts" or "sections".  Each section will take as many paragraphs as necessary to thoroughly cover the point being made.  If it helps you to use a previously learned essay format, fine.  Just know when to start a new paragraph and don't cram several paragraphs of info into one, giant paragraph  because you're stuck in the "5 paragraph" mode.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a single, grammatically correct sentence which states the premise of your paper.  Depending on the writing genre(argumentative, narrative, analytical, etc.) your thesis statement will take a different form. 

Craft versus Content Thesis: Used in rhetorical analysis, the Craft versus Content thesis makes a claim about the effect of the craft moves the author makes on the given content. Using [dominant technique(s)], the author [rhetorically accurate verb] [central argument of text]. 

Eg.: Making choices to appeal to both the pride and frustrations of the female activists in her audience, Kelley develops a line of reasoning that concludes that advancements in both women’s rights and child labor protections are intertwined and, ultimately, most likely to be successful if suffragists align themselves with the labor movement. 

Rhetorical Situation Thesis: Used in rhetorical analysis, the Rhetorical Situation thesis makes a claim about how the author utilizes various techniques based on the exigence in order to achieve a specific purpose with the audience. In response to [context or exigence], [the speaker][rhetorically accurate verb] [controlling idea] in order to persuade [audience] to [purpose]. 

Eg: In response to the failure of state legislatures to pass “enlightened” labor laws, Kelley challenges the audience of upper-middle class female activists to consider their role as both contributing to and failing to prevent the exploitation of children. 

Argumentative Thesis: An argumentative thesis can be closed, open, or counterargument depending on the author's purposes for making their claim. In a closed thesis statement, the author will state their main claim followed by a list of supporting claims. This works well for timed writing, but does limit the author. In an open thesis statement, the author states their main claim, but does not follow it with a list of supporting claims. This allows the author to develop their reasoning as they write, but does take more time to process. In a counterargument thesis statement, the author will begin by stating the counterargument and follow it with their oppositional position. This helps in situations where the audience may be unsure about where they stand as it immediately begins to dissuade them from the opposing side. 

Closed Thesis Eg.:  The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.

Open Thesis Eg.:  The media plays a too influential role in criminal court cases. 

Counterargument Thesis Eg.: While some people may argue that smoking on college campuses should be allowed since smoking is not illegal, we need to recognize that second-hand smoke could cause harm to those who have health issues and need to make college campuses a healthy space for everyone. 

Literary Thesis: A literary thesis is any kind of thesis statement that is used to make a claim about a piece of literature, whether it be poetry, prose, or drama. A literary thesis can be used in literary argument, where you make a claim about an interpretation of a text, or in a literary analysis, where you make a claim about how the author utilizes various techniques to achieve a specific purpose. The author presents [literary elements] in order to [rhetorically accurate verb--highlight, convey, showcase, expose] [textual understanding based on literary elements], ultimately illustrating that [universal idea][specific insight about the idea based on the literary elements]. 

Eg.: (in response to a prompt about the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner") The author presents allusions to the Bible and uses personification in order to describe the difficult journey and the consequences of the mariner’s actions, which illustrates that you should not take things for granted and encouraging one to feel regret for their sins.

What do we mean by "evidence"? 

When we are making a claim about anything, we must remember that the burden of proof -- the neccessity for providing evidence -- falls on the one making the claim. In any kind of writing where you are making a claim and have a thesis statement, you must provide evidence. Depending again on your form and purpose, the evidence you may use will vary. 

TYPES OF EVIDENCE(from most to least effective): 

• Testimonial Evidence: Opinions of Experts.

• Statistical Evidence: Numbers That Matter.

• Textual Evidence: Support From Other Writing.

• Anecdotal Evidence: Stories That Form a Connection.

• Analogical Evidence: Comparison With a Known Situation.

• Hypothetical Evidence: Enough Detail to Seem Real.

Keep in mind that while a piece of evidence might not be effective in proving the point, it could be effective in engaging with the audience. Here is the list again, but this time ordered from most to least engaging. 

• Anecdotal Evidence: Stories That Form a Connection.

• Analogical Evidence: Comparison With a Known Situation.

• Hypothetical Evidence: Enough Detail to Seem Real.

• Testimonial Evidence: Opinions of Experts.

• Statistical Evidence: Numbers That Matter.

• Textual Evidence: Support From Other Writing.

Whenever you provide evidence that comes from another source(IE: not anecdotal, analogical, or hypothetical), you must cite that source. To see the various ways to cite evidence, please visit OWL Purdue. 

What is "commentary" in writing? 

Whenever we say "commentary," we are talking about how the author explains why their evidence supports their thesis. The commentary will discuss in clear and specific terms exactly how the evidence contributes to the thesis. The goal here is to be as specific as possible and to go in depth. Think of your audience as a four year old who keeps asking "why?" If you can answer that question, keep writing. 

Sample: 

Thesis: Throughout the essay, Price uses humor to craft a clever and complex criticism of American culture. 

Evidence: Sprinkling her essay with flamingo puns, such as “splashed into the fifties” and “flocking to Florida,” Price’s playful diction adds a layer of humor that softens her criticism of America’s “flashy” and “flamboyant” culture. 

Commentary: While her use of seemingly random historical facts shows that she is critical of the tacky materialism of a culture that would “[hunt] flamingos to extinction” and later “reproduced it, brightened it,  and sent it wading across an inland sea of grass,” her ironic humor also reveals a conflicting fondness towards America’s “bold” progressiveness. This humor gently pokes fun at America, entertaining but not  offending the reader, while demonstrating that the Price herself is ambivalent about America’s excesses.      

Putting it all together: Line of Reasoning