Classwork: 2009.12.04

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Thesis Statements

1. According to "Man", what is an argument?

According to Gideon Burton, a "good thesis statement":

...is specific
...goes beyond affirming what is already known or accepted
...will divide an educated audience
...gives the reader a clear sense of what is to come in the full argument

In other words, a thesis statement is:

a sentence
that you can prove true
but a reasonable person could disagree with.

In your Big Assignment, you will need to show how one idea threads through every portion of your bundle. This will need to be presented as a thesis statement.

2. Go here and look at the two sample theses they give. Why is one better than the other?

2a. How could you disagree with the better one?

3. Now go here. Explain how the better one is better.

Write all your answers on a piece of paper and hand it in before you go.

Now either log off the computer and read for the bundle assignment or look up the parts of your bundle that are online.