Don't forget your assignment this week! We will go over your thesis statements and 3-4 main points for your platform speeches in club. Even if you don't plan to compete with a Platform this year, I would like everyone to work through this exercise.
Here is the info on writing a Thesis Statement that I promised...
Writing a Thesis Statement
Whether you are
writing a debate case, a platform speech, or an essay for English, knowing how
to write a thesis statement is essential to communicating your ideas
effectively. It will be the cornerstone of all your arguments and critical
starting point for your speech.
As you begin to read
and gather initial ideas and information about your topic, you will need to
begin to craft your thesis statement to provide direction for your speech.
We'll call your initial thesis a working thesis statement. You will want
to refine and revise this statement all during the writing process to make sure
it is the best possible thesis for your speech.
I've compiled some
info from two very good sources on writing for you to digest, Writers Inc, by
Sebranek/Kemper/Meyer, and Simon and Schuster's Handbook for
Writers.
What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is the central message of an essay or
speech. It's the main idea you want to communicate. As a
writer/speaker, you want to write a thesis statement with great care so that it
prepares your readers what follows in your speech. A well-crafted thesis
statement can make the difference between an outstanding speech and a mediocre
one.
Know your goal. It’s important to understand exactly what it
is you are trying to achieve with your speech.
This way you can tailor your content to fit your goals. Your thesis will be that statement that
directly addresses the goal of your speech.
Basic Requirements for a thesis statement:
- It identifies a limited, specific topic.
- It conveys the speech's purpose-- either informative or
persuasive.
- It focuses on a particular feature, feeling, or stand
about the topic--the assertion that presents your point of view.
- It is stated in a clear sentence (or sentences) using
specific language, not vague words.
- It may briefly state the major subdivisions of the
speech's topic.
- It can be supported with convincing facts, details, and
examples.
Formula for Thesis Statements:
A specific topic + a
particular feature, feeling, or stand = an effective thesis statement.
SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS
Topic: High School Internships
Thesis Statement: Internship programs give students real-world
experiences.
Topic: General George McClellan
Thesis Statement: General George McClellan’s overcautious
tactics prolonged the war.
Topic: Use
of barbed hooks for fishing
Thesis Statement: Barbed hooks should be banned from fishing.
Topic: discomforts
of city living
Thesis Statement: Rising crime rates, increasingly overcrowded conditions and
rising taxes make living comfortably in a large modern city difficult.
Topic: deceptive
advertising
Thesis Statement: Deceptive advertising costs consumers not only their money but
also their health.
