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Developing an EffectiveDeveloping an Effective

Thesis Statement andThesis Statement andDeveloping and OrganisingDeveloping and Organising

Ideas MethodicallyIdeas Methodically

Developing an EffectiveDeveloping an Effective

Thesis Statement andThesis Statement andDeveloping and OrganisingDeveloping and Organising

Ideas MethodicallyIdeas Methodically

de OSullivan, Lawrence Clearyde OSullivan, Lawrence ClearyRegional Writing CentreRegional Writing Centre

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Regional Writing Centre 2

Academic-writingworkshops

Strategies to develop your writing Analysing the assignment title and

developing a plan Developing an Effective ThesisStatement and Developing and

Organising Ideas Methodically Using evidence to support yourargument

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Writing support:Drop-ins for students

Visit our website (www.ul.ie/rwc) to checkout our tutors and make an appointment.

Drop-in to the Writing Centre, C1-065Mon 2 4Tues 10 - 12 2 4Wed 10 - 12 2 4

Thurs 10 - 12 2 4Fri 10 - 12
http://www.ul.ie/rwchttp://www.ul.ie/rwc

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The thesis and thepersuasive principle

Your thesis is the basic stand youtake, the opinion you express, the

point you make about your limitedsubject. Its your controlling idea,tying together and giving direction toall other separate elements in your

paper. Your primary purpose is topersuade the reader that your thesisis a valid one (Skwire, 1976: 3).

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The thesis and thepersuasive principle

The instruction word will indicate that athesis is either called for, or not calledfor. For instance, instructions that askyou to summarise or outline somethingare not normally interpreted as callingfor a thesis statement.

The method of development andorganisation will suggest where thethesis will appear in your essay.
http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htmhttp://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm

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The thesis statement

Analytical thesis statements Expository/explanatory thesis

statements Argumentative thesis statements

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Examples (from Purdue OWL)

High school graduates should be required totake a year off to pursue community serviceprojects before entering college in order to

increase their maturity and global awareness. The life of the typical college student ischaracterized by time spent studying, attendingclass, and socializing with peers.

An analysis of the college admission processreveals one challenge facing counselors: acceptingstudents with high test scores or students withstrong extracurricular backgrounds.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/

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What is an argument?

An argument is the case that someonemakes, in a theory or in their writingyou give reasons for saying what you do,

and present evidence to support whatyou say (Ebest et al., 1997).

Arguments can be explicit or implicit.

Academic arguments requirejustifications for their claims.

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Organising your argument

Title Introduction

Thesis statement Body Paragraphs carry arguments

Topic sentences Counterarguments Conclusion

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The introduction and thethesis statement

The introduction has two parts: General statements. General statements attract a readers

attention, and give backgroundinformation on the topic. A thesis statement States the main topic.

Sometimes indicates sub-topics. Will sometimes indicate how the essayis to be organised. Is usually the last sentence in the

introduction.

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Example thesis statement

The status of women in Zanadu hasimproved remarkably in recent years

in the areas of economicindependence, political rights,educational opportunities, and socialstatus; yet, when compared to thestatus of women in developedcountries, it is still pretty low(Oshima and Hogue, 1999: 105).

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The thesis statement The most important sentence in the

introduction It states the topic/subtopics of the essay

so that the reader knows the main idea ofthe paper be specific It often indicates the pattern of

organisation of the paper:

Comparison/contrast Logical division of ideas Chronological order

The thesis statement guides your reader

through your argument

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The thesis statement Make sure your thesis statement is not

too general making a simple announcement

stating an obvious fact not debatable

(Oshima and Hogue, 2006: 67/68)

The thesis statement may need to berevised to reflect what you have discussedin your paper.

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Organising your argument:patterns of organisation

Beginning in World War II and continuingthrough the period of economic boom, thestatus of women in Xanadu has changedremarkably.Pattern of organisation

Although the status of women in Xanaduhas improved remarkably in recent years,it is still very low when compared to thestatus of women in developed countries, itis still pretty low.Pattern of organisation

(Oshima and Hogue, 2006: 105)

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Organising your argument:body paragraphs

The status of women in Xanadu haschanged remarkably in recent years due toincreased educational opportunities andchanges in the countrys laws.Body paragraphs

The status of women in Xanadu hasimproved remarkably in recent years in theareas of economic independence, politicalrights, educational opportunities, andsocial statusBody paragraphs

(Oshima and Hogue, 2006: 64)

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Methods of Development

Definition Division Comparison / Contrast Cause / Effect Antecedent / Consequence

Circumstances Testimony Degrees of Certainty

Order

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A Simple Analysis:Comparison

Think of something (a car, a haircut, a job)that you are familiar with. Compare it toanother thing belonging to the same class

such as the car, haircut, or job that youwould prefer to have. What properties do they share? What

properties are not shared?

If you were to draw a diagram or map of ashort essay arguing for the benefits ofthe desired thing over the currentlypossessed thing, what would it look like?

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Mapping OrganisationIntroductionSimilarities between X and Y

TransitionDifferences between X and Y

Significance of similarities and differences

Conclusion / Recommendation

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Mapping OrganisationIntroductionComparison of Property 1 in X and Ysimilarities and differencesComparison of Property 2 in X and Ysimilarities and differencesComparison of Property 3 in X and Y---

similarities and differencesSummary of salient differences andsimilaritiesConclusion / Recommendation

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Organising paragraphs

Build upon the claims made in theintroduction, develop your topic and proveyour points

The purpose of your argument will dictatehow you organise your paragraphs General specific information

Weakest claims

strongest claims Address/offer counterarguments as youdevelop main points or after you havemade your main claims

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Organising paragraphs

Paragraphs signal the logically organisedprogression of ideas.

When organising paragraphs, the main ideain one paragraph should flow logically intothe next.

The flow of information should beorganised around themes and comments.

Organise paragraphs around the use oftopic sentences.

Shifts in the argument or changes indirection should be accurately signalledusing appropriate adverbials, conjunctions,

and prepositions.

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Advancing the argument

Advance your argument by givingevidence which is valid and reliable.

Evidence can consist of facts or reliable

statistics, examples, educated opinionsin the form of quotations, or summariesand paraphrases of ideas, fromknowledgeable sources.

When referring to the opinions of thoseyou have read, be clear that you deferto the opinion, or that you object to it(be critical but polite).

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Advancing the argument

Anticipate and addresscounterarguments or objections inorder to strengthen your argument.

Present each argument fairly andobjectively. Show the reader that you have

considered other sides of the argument. Leave your reader with a sense that

your argument is stronger than opposingarguments.

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Persuasion and truth inacademic writing

Because they are argumentative, academicwriting tends to be persuasive. An argument should be persuasive, but do

not sacrifice truth in favour of persuasion.

Academic inquiry is a truth-seekingpursuit. facts are distinguished from opinions. relative truths are distinguished from

absolute truths. The integrity of the conclusions reached inan academic essay or report is based on itshonest pursuit of truth.

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Tips

Leedy (2001: 183) cites Marius (1989) inhighlighting 4 rules for an argument state your arguments early in the game

present and interpret data provide examples to support any

assertion you make give the fairest possible treatment of

any perspectives different from yourown may support or disagree with them point out the weaknesses of your own

argument by doing this you show

objectivity as a researcher.

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R i l W iti C t 26

Tips

Pursue your argument logically. Do not only describe, but evaluate and

interpret also.

Establish your argument in theintroduction in a thesis statement. Advance your argument by giving evidence. Do not reiterate evidence already

provided, but refer back to something youhave already stated. Lines of argument should flow linearly. Paragraphs carry arguments.

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