Writing_a_Thesis_and_Topic_Sentences__African_Imperialism_

Writing Review Thesis and Topic Sentences

Page 1: Introduction

• Importance of writing skills for success in high school: Proficient writing skills are essential for high school students as they enhance communication abilities, critical thinking, and the capacity to articulate thoughts clearly, leading to academic success and future opportunities.

Page 2: Thesis Statement

• Key considerations for drafting a thesis statement:

  • Restate the Prompt: Begin by paraphrasing the prompt in your own words to demonstrate comprehension. For example, "Evaluate the causes of New Imperialism (1800-1914)."

  • Clear Point of View: Ensure the thesis presents a clear, defensible argument that can be supported with evidence.

  • Organizational Categories: Identify clear categories that will help organize the essay and support your argument effectively.

Page 3: Chicken Foot Model

• Visual representation for organizing thesis:

  • Leg of the Chicken Foot: This represents the main topic and the time period under discussion, reminding the writer to consistently refer back to the prompt throughout the essay.

  • Claws of the Chicken Foot: Each claw signifies an organizational category that correlates to main points, which will subsequently convert into topic sentences for each paragraph.

Page 4: Organizational Categories

• Six motives to evaluate for New Imperialism:

  • These include economic expansion, political power, cultural superiority, strategic advantage, humanitarian efforts, and social Darwinism.

  • Ensure that the 'chicken foot' model not only reflects the topic but also incorporates a clear structure for the essay, allowing for logical flow and coherence.

Page 5: Practical Application

• You Try It: Approach to a different prompt:

  • Step 1: Brainstorm categories relevant to your response to the prompt.

  • Step 2: Select three categories based on available evidence to restrict your focus effectively.

  • Step 3: Fill in the 'chicken foot' to structure your thesis statement, refining your main argument.

Page 6: Brainstorming Details

• Importance of brainstorming ideas and identifying similarities:

  • Engaging in brainstorming allows students to generate a wide range of ideas, encouraging creativity and comprehensive understanding of the topic.

  • Grouping evidence into broader categories facilitates better organization and strengthens the argumentative structure of the essay.

Page 7: Sample Thesis Statement

• Sample response:

  • "While St. Pius offers the most generous lunch schedule of all local high schools, three areas needing improvement are:

    1. Menu rotation

    2. Lack of a salad bar

    3. Outdoor seating"

  • This statement clearly outlines specific areas of critique linked to the overall evaluation of the lunch program.

Page 8: Hands-On Practice

• Encouragement to write a personalized thesis statement based on the lunch prompt:

  • Utilize the same structure as the sample provided, ensuring that your statement presents an arguable position with supporting categories.

Page 9: Topic Sentences

• Definition and Characteristics:

  • A topic sentence should define the main idea for the paragraph, providing a clear direction for the discussion that follows.

  • Topic sentences must relate back to the thesis statement, creating cohesion throughout the essay.

Page 10: Practice Topic Sentences

• Examples of topic sentences:

  • "I would like to see a greater variety of options in Sage’s main entrée selections, as this would cater to diverse student preferences."

  • "While there are grab-and-go salads, I would advocate for a full daily salad bar to promote healthier eating habits among students."

  • "The option for more students to eat outdoors would significantly enhance the dining experience, particularly during pleasant weather."

Page 11: Supporting Evidence

• Evidence Requirements:

  • Provide specific details that substantiate the topic sentence for clarity and credibility.

  • An example related to the topic sentence about menu variation might include statistics on student satisfaction or comparative analysis with other schools.

Page 12: Citing Evidence

• Citing Sources:

  • Use Chicago-Turabian style for footnotes, which emphasizes proper documentation of sources.

  • Guidelines for footnotes include putting the author's first name first, using commas instead of periods, and adhering to correct formatting conventions.

Page 13: Mini-Research Paper Guidelines

• 5 Paragraph Response:

  • Requirement to evaluate the causes of New Imperialism from 1800-1914:

    • Include an introductory thesis statement, followed by three clear topic sentences, and integrate 2-3 pieces of cited evidence to support each point.

  • Analyzing evidence is crucial to connect back to the thesis and demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Page 14: Sample Outline Structure

• Outline Elements:

  1. Thesis

  2. Topic Sentence #1

     • A. Evidence¹

  3. Topic Sentence #2

     • A. Evidence²

  4. Topic Sentence #3

     • A. Evidence³

  • This structure assists in organizing thoughts and presenting a clear argument.

Page 15: Rubric for Historical Writing

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Ensure the paper is double-spaced, typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with an appropriate MLA heading.

  • Thesis statements must respond directly to the prompt and establish a historically valid argument that can be supported through research.

  • Topic sentences should directly relate back to the thesis and provide supporting examples, maintaining a focus on past tense and third-person narrative without grammatical errors.

Page 16: Submission Instructions

• Final Steps:

  • Evaluate, organize, draft, and submit the paper by the specified deadline to ensure the quality and readiness of your work for assessment.