Writing Thesis and Topic Statements

Dr. Fouad Khalaf

March 2012

M. Sc. Petroleum, Metallurgy, and Chemical EngineeringPreparatory Year, Technical Writing

فقالوا ال خدعوك . لقاحالو همصل ،و منها واق مصل للكوليرا نما إليس

لقاح طعم ألها ألول ،و هذا يبدو وقدباأللفاظ لةوه أن ،تالعبا+ الواقع ولكن

اختالف لقاح والالمصل يختلفانوالفحم + الخشب نارا يحدث كالهما ،

الخشب نار و ولكن الفحم أسرع ناركالهما أ واللقاح المصل وكذلك بقى

المصل مناعة ولكن مناعة يحدثالظهور أ في اللقاح و سرع مناعةال بقى أ م.ادوفى

أكثر اللقاح فإن وأدوم، ابقى لكونه . فى أسرع لكونه المصل من فعالية

من تأثيرا+ أسرع المصل فإن الظهور،اللقاح.

Extract one statement (for example, a sentence, or a main clause) that ties all text parts together

The Communication System

Sender

Receiver

Message

Channel

PerformanceBoundaries

Objective, Size, V-Aids,Environment, Time, Duration, Venue

“M” is an

Expansion of the

thesis statement

(TS)

Terminology: thesis versus topic

Thesis Statement: for a whole text of many paragraphs

Topic Statement: for one single paragraph

Thesis/Topic Statement is a short

Sentence with two basic parts:

Topic + Comment.

ExampleThe two processes, speaking and writing, are not identical. Writing is not simply speech written down on paper. Learning to write is not just a natural extension of learning to speak a language. We learned to speak our first language at home without systematic instruction; whereas, most of us had to be taught in school how to write that same language. Many adult native speakers of a language find writing difficult. A speaker speaks to a listener who is right there, nodding or frowning, or interrupting or questioning. For the writer, the reader's response is either delayed or nonexistent.

The central idea:Topic Speaking and writing Comment = are not identical.

Another exampleThe two processes, speaking and writing, are not identical. Writing is not simply speech written down on paper. Learning to write is not just a natural extension of learning to speak a language. We learned to speak our first language at home without systematic instruction; whereas, most of us had to be taught in school how to write that same language. Many adult native speakers of a language find writing difficult. A speaker speaks to a listener who is right there, nodding or frowning, or interrupting or questioning. For the writer, the reader's response is either delayed or nonexistent.The writer has only that one chance to convey information and be interesting and accurate enough to hold the readers' attention. When one looks at these differences – and there are few more – we can see that the students will not just pick-up writing as they learn other skills in classes. We have to teach them writing.

Analyze this paragraph.Unlike readers of the academic world, most readers of the “real world” read selectively: rather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writing, they skim-read most of it, skipping from one main idea to another until they come to something that particularly interests them. Such readers are forced to read this way.

First AnalysisUnlike readers of the academic world, most readers of the “real world” read selectively: rather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writing, they skim-read most of it, skipping from one main idea to another until they come to something that particularly interests them. Such readers are forced to read this way.

1

2

3 4

5

6

7

¶ Has 7 parts, # 1Unlike readers of the academic world

is a phrasecannot stand by itselfhas incomplete meaning

Part # 2 of ¶

Unlike readers of the academic world

most readers of the “real world” read selectivelyis a main clausecan stand by itselfhas a complete meaning

Part # 3 of ¶

Unlike readers of the academic worldmost readers of the “real world” read selectively

rather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writingis a phrasecannot stand by itselfhas incomplete meaning

Part # 4 of ¶

Unlike readers of the academic world

most readers of the “real world” read selectively

rather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writing

they skim-read most of itis a main clausecan stand by itselfhas a complete meaning Details # 2

Part # 5 of ¶

Unlike readers of the academic worldmost readers of the “real world” read selectivelyrather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writingthey skim-read most of it

skipping from one main idea to anotheris a phrasecannot stand by itselfhas incomplete meaning

Details # 2

Part # 6 of ¶

Unlike readers of the academic worldmost readers of the “real world” read selectivelyrather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writingthey skim-read most of itskipping from one main idea to another

until they come to something that particularly interests themhas two subordinate clausescannot stand by itselfhas incomplete meaning.

Details # 2

Part # 7 of ¶ Unlike readers of the academic worldmost readers of the “real world” read selectivelyrather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writingthey skim-read most of itskipping from one main idea to anotheruntil they come to something that particularly interests them

Such readers are forced to read this way.is a “simple sentence”can stand by itselfHas a complete meaning.

repeats # 2

Where is the central idea?

Unlike readers of the academic world, most readers of the “real world” read selectively: rather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writing, they skim-read most of it, skipping from one main idea to another until they come to some-thing that particularly interests them. Such readers are forced to read this way.

Where is the central idea?

Part # # #

Unlike readers of the academic world 4

most readers of the “real world” 4

read selectively 2

rather than thoroughly digesting a piece of writing 5

they 1

skim-read most of it, skipping from one main idea to another until they come to some-thing that particularly interests

15

them. 1

Such readers 1

are forced to read this way. 4

Total 9 7 21

Is there any change?

Most readers of the “real world” read selectively. They skim-read most of what they read, skipping from one main idea to another until they come to some-thing that particularly interests them. Such readers are forced to read this way.

Summarizes the text

Most readers of the “real world” read selectively. They skim-read most of what they read, skipping from one main idea to another until they come to some-thing that particularly interests them. Such readers are forced to read this way.

The central idea has two parts

The topic The comment

Most readers of the real

word

Read selectively

Which one to develop?

The Thesis Statement•Every writing should have a central idea or central message

•TS One or two sentences•TS Serves as a summary of the message

Topic statement for a paragraph

Thesis statement for a text (several paragraphs)

Thesis statement > Topic statement

and more general

An example of

Speaking and writing are not identical.

The topic

The comment

An example of

Cigarette Smoking

is hazardous to health.

The topic

The comment

An example of

Busy readers

read selectively.

The topic

The comment

An example of

Knowing HRM is basic for managing people.

The topic

The comment

An example of

Smog has become Greater Cairo’s fall problem.

The topic

The comment

Structure of TS

Subject + Predicate

The topic The comment

A main clause or a sentence

Terminology: thesis versus topic

Thesis Statement: for a whole text of many paragraphs

Topic Statement: for one single paragraph

• Indicates scope, purpose, and direction of writing

• Sets up/Identifies relationships between all parts of the message

• Is a road map for the message• Directly answers essential

questions about the message M.

The Thesis Statement

The Thesis Statement

• Effective theses must make an argument.

• You should provide a thesis early in your message:

•In Paragraph # 1•Beginning of Paragraph # 2•End of paragraph 2

The Opening: Introduction

Other introductory elements Other introductory elements Other elements Other introductory elements … … …Other introductory elements … … …TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS Ts Ts.

Other introductory elements Other introductory elements Other elements Other introductory elements … … …Other introductory elements … … …

Case 3: long introductions, books, …

Further Properties of the Thesis Statement

• Should be concise and well written • Should be specific• Should be general & needs support• Should initiate the "what" question

& the "why" question.

Not all texts require thesis statements! Thesis statements are not statements of fact: aluminum is lighter than iron.Thesis statements are not statements of opinion: “ I like mathematical topics more than chemical ones.”

Further Tips

Tips for Writing Good Thesis Statements

Avoid burying the thesis statement in the middle.

Avoid vague words.

Connect two large statements to signal relationship:–by conjunction (but, for, so, yet) or

(though, because, if, when, While, …)

Adopt a Pattern for the Final Draft of TS Pattern 1: MC Pattern 2: Phrase or SC, MC– Unlike academic readers, most

readers of the real world read selectively.

– Because SC; MC________________ Pattern 3: MC (; or , conjunction) MCMost readers have argued that ____;

however, a closer look shows that __.Most readers argued that _____, but

closer examination shows that ____.

Several years ago, studies linked the intake of tar and nicotine, found in cigarettes, with the development of cancer in laboratory animals. The evidence was so overwhelming that governments required cigarette manufacturers to put a warning on the outside of each package of cigarettes. Aside from the most serious and dreaded disease, cancer, cigarette smoking also aggravates or promotes other health problems. For example, smoking can increase the discomfort for the people with asthma and emphysema. Moreover, cigarettes are not only hazardous to health but expensive too. It can give one a "smoker's cough" and contribute to bronchitis. Finally, recent studies have shown that cigarette smokers are susceptible to common colds and flu.

Sent no.

Smoking Cigarettes

Hazardous To Health

1 Yes yes yes

2 yes yes yes

3 yes yes yes

4 yes yes yes

5 yes yes yes

6 yes yes yes

"Smoking is hazardous to your health. Several years ago, studies linked the intake of tar and nicotine, found in cigarettes, with the development of cancer in laboratory animals. The evidence was so overwhelming that governments required cigarette manufacturers to put a warning on the outside of each package of cigarettes. Aside from the most serious and dreaded disease, cancer, cigarette smoking also aggravates or promotes other health problems. For example, smoking can increase the discomfort for the people with asthma and emphysema. Moreover, cigarettes are not only hazardous to health but expensive too. It can give one a "smoker's cough" and contribute to bronchitis. Finally, recent studies have shown that cigarette smokers are susceptible to common colds and flu. Whether you get an insignificant cold or the major killer, cancer, smoking cigarettes is hazardous."

Several years ago, studies linked the intake of tar and nicotine, found in cigarettes, with the development of cancer in laboratory animals. The evidence was so overwhelming that governments required cigarette manufacturers to put a warning on the outside of each package of cigarettes. Aside from the most serious and dreaded disease, cancer, cigarette smoking also aggravates or promotes other health problems. For example, smoking can increase the discomfort for the people with asthma and emphysema. Moreover, cigarettes are not only hazardous to health but expensive too. It can give one a "smoker's cough" and contribute to bronchitis. Finally, recent studies have shown that cigarette smokers are susceptible to common colds and flu. Whether you get an insignificant cold or the major killer, cancer, smoking cigarettes is hazardous to your health.

Several years ago, studies linked the intake of tar and nicotine, found in cigarettes, with the development of cancer in laboratory animals. The evidence was so overwhelming that governments required cigarette manufacturers to put a warning on the outside of each package of cigarettes. Aside from the most serious and dreaded disease, cancer, cigarette smoking also aggravates or promotes other health problems. For example, smoking can increase the discomfort for the people with asthma and emphysema. Smoking is hazardous to your health. It can give one a "smoker's cough" and contribute to bronchitis. Finally, recent studies have shown that cigarette smokers are susceptible to common colds and flu.

"Smoking is hazardous to your health. Several years ago, studies linked the intake of tar and nicotine, found in cigarettes, with the development of cancer in laboratory animals. The evidence was so overwhelming that governments required cigarette manufacturers to put a warning on the outside of each package of cigarettes. Aside from the most serious and dreaded disease, cancer, cigarette smoking also aggravates or promotes other health problems. For example, smoking can increase the discomfort for the people with asthma and emphysema. Moreover, cigarettes are not only hazardous to health but expensive too. It can give one a "smoker's cough" and contribute to bronchitis. Finally, recent studies have shown that cigarette smokers are susceptible to common colds and flu.

Customers in wheelchairs would mostly benefit from this change. Individuals who wear braces, who use canes or a walker, who need other types of assistance find it difficult to walk up a flight of stairs. Individuals with asthma or other breathing problems often find stairs a menace. In addition to these individuals, parents with small children in carts or strollers would find the ramp convenient. Older citizens, too, would benefit from this small but significant alteration in front of the building.

What is the topic?

Customers in wheelchairs would mostly benefit from this change. Individuals who wear braces, who use canes or a walker, who need other types of assistance find it difficult to walk up a flight of stairs. Individuals with asthma or other breathing problems often find stairs a menace. In addition to these individuals, parents with small children in carts or strollers would find the ramp convenient. Older citizens, too, would benefit from this small but significant alteration in front of the building.

What is the topic?

Changing stairs into ramp in front of the building can benefit handicapped persons. (Handicapped persons can benefit from changing stairs into ramp in front of the building.) Customers in wheelchairs would mostly benefit from this change. Individuals who wear braces, who use canes or a walker, who need other types of assistance find it difficult to walk up a flight of stairs. Individuals with asthma or other breathing problems often find stairs a menace. In addition to these individuals, parents with small children in carts or strollers would find the ramp convenient. Older citizens, too, would benefit from this small but significant alteration in front of the building.

What is the topic?

1) Tying all sentences to the topic statement

2) Maintaining a clear pattern of development

3) Using specific transition elements within and between sentences.

Cohesion of the text/paragraph is achieved through

Another Example The topic sentence is

placed at the beginning

The paragraph is developed through comparison-contrast

Transition elements reflect the pattern of development

The paragraph has a conclusion

Unlike gasoline cars, the gas-driven cars cause little pollution. Gas-driven cars burn gas that leaves the air relatively clean. Compared with gasoline, hydrocarbon gases are rich mainly in hydrogen and carbon and contain very little impurities. The hydrogen in the gas combines with oxygen to form water vapor and carbon dioxide. Gasoline, in addition to water and carbon dioxide, produces noxious carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and lead compounds which are dangerous pollutants. Customers, therefore, should encourage the use of gas-driven cars because they are environmentally more friendly [than gasoline cars].

The societal cost of street accidents is high.

Pollution in Greater Cairo has reached alarming proportions.

Some privatized companies are real success stories.

Risk is not addressed in engineering education.

Defline T S for the following

Steel is heavier than aluminum.

Posters are more expensive than slides.

A watch is a device used for measuring time.

How are you? I like Okra!

Defline T S for the following