WA’s “Moving From Idea to Thesis Statement” (p.228-231)
·
How can you use your idea to “take a position”
in your thesis? I can use my idea to take a position in my thesis by closely
examining Big Questions Online and looking at it from every perspective to
start an argument rather than just stating my opinion.
·
Since we have moved far along in the writing
process, how do you think this has affected your thesis? Has it strengthened
it? How do you think you can further develop your claims? By
reading writing analytically my ability to write has already increased
tremendously. Through out middle school and high school I was always told to
write a certain way and was honestly never very good at it, but by reading all
these different texts and discussing how to write thesis statements in class, I
feel like I am already a much more experienced writer than I was before because
now I know how to express myself in a paper without using a certain outline.
·
How does thinking about your ideas as “working
theses” give you freedoms similar to other writing types we have discussed in
class? Thinking about my ideas in this way gives me freedoms similar to
other writing types because the ball is in my hand and I get to choose where to
go from here. Freewriting has been my favorite part of this assignment so far
because there are no restraints on what I can do and my thoughts can just flow
freely.
·
Compare and contrast strong and weak theses,
using specific examples from your paper. Construct a weak version of your
thesis. Now construct what the textbook defines as the strongest possible
thesis you can manage. Weak thesis: This blog speaks to open-minded
individuals using unbiased and open opinions to discuss controversial
questions. Strong thesis: Although many blogs nowadays shove their opinion into
your head on certain issues, Big Questions Online, one may consider starts
open-minded and un-biased discussions on controversial issues through out the
world.
·
Describe the “feature or features of what your
subject means.” Big Questions online is all about fostering
discussion on controversial issues. It's audience is people who want to explore
the world deeper than what meets the eye so their features are deeper moral
issues that don't have one right answer.
·
In what way is your thesis “an idea in need of
an argument?” My thesis is an idea in need of an argument because I state that
some think it is an unbiased blog but maybe someone else sees tension and bias
throughout the blog that I don't see.
Try This, 11.1 (p. 230)
·
Find the “tension” in each example, using the
information on page 229.
o
...IS as radical a campaign as the original...
o
.... It makes life worse for EVERYONE...
o
... A self set apart have SURELY been felt...
o
... habitat as NECESSARY for doubtful...
o
... HAS gone much too far...
o
.... ARE precisely the opposite....
·
Define the “primary idea” and the “Back
Pressure” for each example.
o
That "Nice Pants" is as radical as the
original.
o
The cosmetic surgery may make some people happy
but makes life worse for everyone in the end.
o
The history of the modern era building may be an
exaggeration but the consequences have been felt in every field of inquiry.
o
Too often planners and engineers would justify
creative destruction of habitat as essential for doubtful utopias.
o
Time to bring middlebrow out of its cultural closet
because it makes us appreciate high art.
o
The connection between the idea of place and the
reality of cellphones in not encouraging.
·
Try to construct a “straw man” out of one of the
examples. How can you make the strong thesis into a weak thesis?
o
Straw man for example 2: Cosmetic surgery makes
life worse for everyone and will make you regret every getting the procedure
done and therefore be a waste of time and money and want you to never go out in
public during the daylight again.
