what’s a thesis? the basics of essay writing kevin moberg writing center and supplemental...
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What’s a Thesis?The Basics of Essay Writing
Kevin MobergKevin MobergWriting Center and Supplemental Instruction CoordinatorWriting Center and Supplemental Instruction Coordinator
Academic Success CenterAcademic Skills Enhancement Workshop Series
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Um, what’s an essay?
A brief written work that examines a topic from the author’s own point of view, taking into account the writer’s personal experiences and his/her reflections upon them
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Um, what’s an essay?
• Assigned in a variety of courses• Assigned for a variety of purposes
– Learn by writing– Write to show what you’ve learned– Persuade– Describe– Explain– Retell– Evaluate
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Essay writing: the steps in the process
1. Prewriting
2. Writing
3. Rewriting
4. Editing
5. Publishing
planning it writing it revising/improving it polishing/correcting it turning it in
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Writing Center
• Housed in Academic Success Center on the lower level of Stoxen Library
• Staffed by students trained as peer tutors
• Free and open daily for appointments (drop-in visits possible, too)
Mondays9:00-12:00 &
1:00-4:30Tuesdays9:00-4:30
Wednesdays9:00-4:30Thursdays9:00-4:30Fridays
10:00-3:00
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Prewriting
1. Brainstorm topics and choose one1. Listing
2. Freewriting
3. Web diagram
2. Prepare outline of ideas
3. Write thesis statement
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Let’s practice!
Listing
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Let’s practice!
Freewriting
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Let’s practice!
Webbing
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Let’s practice!
Outlining
I.
A.
B.
C.
II.
III.
IV.
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Um, what’s a thesis statement?
• It is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• It directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself.
• It is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader.
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Let’s practice!
Thesis statement
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Writing
1. Write the body1. Write the main points
2. Write the subpoints
3. Elaborate on the subpoints
2. Write the introduction
3. Write the conclusion
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On-line resource
• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/composition.htm
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Rewriting
• Allow some time so you may reread your writing with more objectivity.
• Check your essay– Addresses the assignment?– Has good order/organization?– Makes sense?– Flows smoothly?
• Remove what doesn’t work, add ideas to improve it, reorder for stronger impact, etc.
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Writing Center
Did you
use it?!
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Editing
• Run spelling checker and grammar checker.
• Have a friend read it with an eye out for errors.
• Look carefully for the kinds of error you have made on past assignments; refer to professor’s comments on previous essays.
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Publishing
• Turn it in on time!• Consider submitting it for essay contests
or publication in appropriate journals. Ask your professor about these opportunities.
• When you receive it with the professor’s feedback, save it and refer to it—and the comments—the next time you write an essay . . . Always aim to learn from one essay to improve the next one you write!
What’s a Thesis?The Basics of Essay Writing
Academic Success CenterAcademic Skills Enhancement Workshop Series
Writing CenterLower level of Stoxen Library
483-2999