Thesis Paragraph Instructions



Thesis Paragraph InstructionsName:_________________________SS 8 Period: ________________________A thesis (introductory) paragraph has three main parts: I. HookII. Background Information III. Counter Claim/RefuteIV. Thesis StatementI. HookThe thesis paragraph should begin with a sentence that grabs the reader’s attention and interest. A grabber may be a:QuoteStartling statementQuestionStatement of general interestAnecdote (a brief story)StatisticsDefinitionII. Background Transitional Information:This section provides three to four sentences of background information on the topic of your paper. Be sure to mention your main topic in this section so that it provides a transition into the Thesis. 4229100167005Do not confuse this with the Background paragraph. This is merely an appetizer; the background paragraph is the main course. (In terms of background knowledge.) III. Counter Claim/Refute Statement- See the handout titled – Writing Assignment: Taking a Side – Argumentative WritingIV. ThesisA thesis is a carefully worded sentence that functions as the main idea of the essay. It should be clearly worded but general enough to allow you to develop your thoughts over the body paragraphs. A thesis sentence should “map” out your essay. In other words, a thesis statement will inform the reader about the rest of the essay. A thesis statement also establishes the point of view the writer is taking, and the focus of the paper. A thesis statement is placed in the introductory paragraph of your essay. The thesis statement will be the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.A thesis statement has three main parts: Topic, Position, and Support ThemesA.) The topic is the subject of the essay.B.) The position is the opinion, judgment, or evaluation the writer takes in regard to the topic.C.) The supporting reasons/points are the evidence or justifications for the particular position the writer takes.Remember that the evidence or justifications will become the main topics for your body paragraphs as well as the support themes for your note cards. NOTE: When you write this up, it is all one paragraph!Sample Thesis Paragraphs are located below.For each paragraph find and mark the Hook (H), Background Transitional Information sentences (BTI), the Counter Claim (CC), the Refute (R), and the Thesis statement (T).South Africa’s Struggle with HIV/AIDSImagine living in a poverty-stricken area while struggling with the symptoms of AIDS with no medication or treatment. These conditions are similar to the majority of the population living in Africa that is infected with HIV/AIDS. First identified in 1981, AIDS was discovered to be caused by HIV - a virus that destroys or impairs the immune system cells, eventually making it hard for the body to stop infections or diseases. Although HIV is not contagious, it is transmissible through exposure to blood, genital secretions, and breast milk. HIV and AIDS have spread throughout South Africa at a dangerous rate that has led to almost 20 percent of South Africa’s adult population to be infected (“Itano”). Even though some might argue that HIV/AIDS only impacts those who carry the disease, this does not give the whole story because the disease is easily transmissible among people. Therefore, AIDS in South Africa negatively impacts its political, economic, and social areas.The Affect of North Korea’s Nuclear ProgramIs North Korea’s nuclear program a threat to the world? In 1994 North Korea signed a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement. This meant that they would abandon their nuclear program. In exchange, the United States would give them two reactors to produce electricity. But recently, Kim Jong Il has been secretly building weapons and violating the agreement. North Koreas also has a record of selling missiles and missile parts to Pakistan, Syria, and Iran. Although it is true that North Korea is a pariah in the eyes of the world, it miss the bigger point that the North Korea has violated its agreement with the United States and endangering the citizens in the region. North Korea’s nuclear program has negatively affected the political, social and economic lives of the North Koreans.HOW TO STRUCTURE AN OPENING PARAGRAGPHName: __________________SS 8The Analytical Question:Was Andrew Jackson an effective president?Your interpretation of the question: what do you think is being asked?Directions: Complete the three parts of the introductory paragraph below. This will help you to correctly structure the thesis paragraph into its three categories. Remember to include enough detail to show understanding of the question and the content. This is all ONE paragraph!PART I: Hook: The first sentence MUST grab the reader's attention. The hook may be a quote, startling statement (not grandiose), question, statement of general interest, a brief story (anecdote), statistics, or definition. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________PART II: Background Transitional Information: This section provides three to four sentences of background information on the topic of your paper. Be sure to mention you main topic in this section so that it provides a transition into the Thesis. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________PART III: Counter Claim/Refute: This section provides a one sentence statement that addresses an argument an opponent would use to defend their position. In the same statement the writer acknowledges a refutation that shuts it down.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________PART IV: THESIS: The thesis is a carefully worded sentence that functions as the main idea of the essay. A thesis statement generally has three main parts: (a) Topic, (b) Position, and (c)Three Support Reasons/Points. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________` ................
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