COMFTF01

Composition
First Things First
The Thesis

(01) The most essential part of any composition, whether we refer to the sentence,
paragraph, chapter, or book consists of the thesis and materials of support or materials of
amplification. The relationship between thesis and support we could illustrate by the
following example:

Thesis: I had a terrible morning.

Support: I had a headache and a stopped up sinus cavity.

(02) The relationship between thesis and support could also be explained as the
relationship between abstract and concrete as illustrated by the following example:

Abstract: Tyler has received above normal precipitation.

Concrete: It has received four inches of rain.
Concrete: It has received six inches of snow.
Concrete: It has received eight inches of hail.

(03) The relationship between thesis and support could be explained as a relationship
between generalization and example as illustrated by the following example:

Generalization: My first day at Texas College proved a disaster.

Example: In the morning I ran into Dr. Namboodiri’s car.
Example: At noon the radiator on my truck blew up.
Example: In the afternoon, I misadvised three students, cross-listing them
in conflicting classes.

(04) Nothing proves more important or vital to your composition (sentence, paragraph,
essay, chapter, book) than your thesis. We could compare your thesis to the brain and
spinal cord of an organism.

(05) An organism can function without one or more sensory organs (eyes, ears, nose,
taste buds, tactile nerves) but it cannot function without a brain. An essay without a
thesis, or a story without a thesis, or a research paper without a thesis we could consider
brain dead.

(06) The terms thesis statement and topic sentence we sometimes use inter-
changeably. The topic sentence in the paragraph serves the same function as the thesis
does to the entire essay or chapter. For example:

Thesis statement: A psychosis can have organic, familial, and environmental

causes.
Topic sentence (Example 1): Organic causes may include chemical or
hormonal imbalances.
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Topic sentence (Example 2): Familial causes may include abuse or co-
dependency.

Topic sentence (Example 3): Environmental causes may include

seasonal affective disorders and the stress of
overcrowding.

(07) The structure of the expository essay looks something like this:

Thesis
Example 1 (Topic Sentence)
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

Example 2 (Topic Sentence)

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

Example 3 (Topic Sentence)

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

(08) The usual pattern of the standard expository paragraph begins with a topic
sentence, usually a generalization of some sort, and a series of details that illustrate
that topic. Some paragraphs begin by summarizing the main idea. The remainder of the
paragraph lists particular instances to illustrate and support the opening statement.

Bogus Thesis Statements

(09) Some kinds of sentences sometimes masquerade as thesis statements, but they
either delay or put off the reader or they serve to help the writer arrive at a thesis:

The Question: What causes nightmares?

Why do people get AIDS?

(10) The unprocessed question unfortunately allows the writer to stay non- committal
and tends to delay getting to the subject. A thesis does not ask questions. A thesis
answers a question.

The Purpose Statement: I plan to explain what causes nightmares.

I will explain how people get AIDS.

(11) The purpose statement appears non- committal and tends to put off the reader.
The thesis statement does not put off the reader. It gets to the point.
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The Thesis: The nightmare seems to serve as the nervous system’s method of
making the daytime hours less frightening in comparison.

AIDS has become transmitted through perverse lifestyles, drug usage

and tainted blood.

(12) The thesis has an argumentative edge, committing the writer to a certain point of
view or position:

( I would argue that) the nightmare seems to serve as the nervous system’s
method of making the daytime hours less frightening in comparison.

(13) The training wheel “I would argue that” appendage we can eliminate in the final
draft of the thesis.

(14) Professor Gorrell describes the thesis as a topic and comment and Professor
Rorabacher describes the thesis as a topic and attitude. Topic and comment suggest that
the writer has to bring conviction and comment restricting what he or she can say about
a topic.

(15) The thesis (or topic sentence) should have the following qualities.

(16) 1. It should be a complete sentence. The statement should not consist of a

wordier version of the title such as: AIDS - an investigation into the
causes and effects.

(17) 2. It should be specific - the more specific the better (even though the thesis will
be the most general part of your paper). Don’t hide behind the wimpy vague:
AIDS has a number of causes.

(18) 3. It should be exact; an inexact statement usually results from cloudy or muddy
thinking.
Consider: The campus newspaper provides more opportunities for writing
effectively than all the formal English courses in the college.

(The student would have to investigate “all the formal English courses in the
college to make such an evaluation.)

(19) 4. It should make a commitment which the writer can hope to fulfill.

Example: A simple 10 minutes a day Dynamic Tension exercise can bring faster
results in terms of bulk and strength than a month of power
lifting in the gym.

(20) 5. It should have an argumentative edge. If you feel a need to, you may include
the training wheel phrase, “I would argue that---”
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(21) 6. It should demonstrate a clear topic and attitude or topic and comment.

Example: Electronic calculators have made students mentally lazy.

FUNCTIONS OF THE THESIS

(22) The thesis (or topic sentence) has the following functions:

(23) 1. It provides transition - It opens with a brief restatement of what has gone
before(usually in a subordinate clause) and introduces a new
topic.

Example: Although philosophical and moral questions played a major role

in the war between the states, economic factors did most to
ignite the conflict.

Example: Following the agricultural and industrial waves, our society and
culture has now entered the information wave.

(24) 2. Suggests organization and structure:

Example: Frustration may be self- caused, other-people caused, or event

caused.

Example: Behavior has a physical, psychological, and chemical component.

(25) 3. Presents a subject or presents a proposition for discussion. We may use the
synonyms proposal or proposition. We may classify propositions
into the following categories:

(26) 1. Generalizations - The generalization results from observing a set of facts

(over a period of time) and finding something in common with all of them.

Example: During the past five years, every campaign for student body
president has turned about trivialities rather than issues of
educational policy.

Example: In the past four years every congressional bill designed to reform
the tax system has actually made it worse.

(27) These thesis (or proposition) statements commit the writer to provide illustrations
and examples.

(28) 2. Definition - The Classical definition places an item in a more general class
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and distinguishes it from all other members of that class.

Example: A dictionary is a book which lists a selection of the words of a

language, providing information about their spelling,
pronunciation, meaning and use.

Example: Epicureanism is a philosophical position which holds that

pleasure or the attainment of pleasure reflects the highest goal
in life.

(29) We can visualize the structure of the definition with this diagram. The large
circle illustrates the genus or the class and the small circles illustrates the species or the
specific examples. A definition consists of identifying the genus (class) and the
characteristics (or differential) which separates one species from another. For example:

Hammer

Pliers TOOLS Saw

Chisel Screwdriver

Species Genus Differential

A hammer is a tool used for pounding.

An atlas is a book having maps.

(30) 3. Practical Proposition - The practical proposition advocates action, stresses

that something should be done or ought to take place.

Example: Ministers ought to demonstrate proficiency in counseling and

crisis intervention before they enter the field.

Example: To reduce juvenile delinquency, adult sentences ought to be

meted out in the courts.

(31) 4. Relational Proposition - A relational proposition tells how one thing may
be a part of another - or more importantly, the cause or effect of another.
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Example: Princess Di’s untimely death was caused by a drunken chauffeur

and some pesky photographers.

Example: Kurtrell’s low test scores were brought about by irregular

attendance, lack of studying, and inability to pay attention.

(32) Although topic sentences may appear other than the first position in the standard
expository paragraph, most modern carefully constructed prose rests on standard
paragraphs, most of which have topic sentences to open them.
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Exercises Name: ________________________Date: ___________

Identify the following examples as:

A. Generalizations
B. Definitions
C. Practical Propositions
D. Relational Propositions

1.___ Federal health insurance should be made compulsory.

2.___ The “Hippie phenomenon” of the 1960’s was a spin-off of future shock.
3.___ The alarming increase in the number of cases of lung cancer could be attributed to
cigarette smoking.
4.___ An entrepreneur is a business person who organizes, operates, and assumes the
risk for business ventures.
5.___ Congress should pass legislation imposing strict limits on campaign spending.
6.___ Corpus Christi generally has milder winters than Tyler.
7.___ Midwestern Congressmen tend to support agricultural legislation.
8.___ The severe shortage of citrus fruit has been related to the drought in Florida.
9.___ Many current terms of college slang describe aspects of academic work.
10.___ Almost every piece of furniture in this room has been constructed out of scraps of
salvaged material.

Provide three examples of generalization topic sentences:

1.
2.
3.

Provide three examples of definition topic sentences:

1.
2.
3.

Provide three examples of practical proposition topic sentences:

1.
2.
3.

Provide three examples of relational propositions topic sentences;

1.
2.
3.
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Selected Study Questions for COMFTF-01

1. What is the most essential part of any composition? 01:01

2. What metaphor describes the thesis? 01:04
3. What is another word for thesis? 01:06
4. Describe the usual pattern of the standard expository paragraph. 02:08
5. Identify some kinds of sentences which masquerade as thesis statements. 02:09,03:10
6. What “training wheel” phrase can we add to insure that our thesis has an argumentative
edge? 03:12
7. Identify the six qualities each thesis or topic sentence should have. 03:16-18;04:19-21
8. How do professors Gorrell and Rorabacher describe the thesis? 03:14
9. Both definitions (Gorrell and Rorabacher) insure that the writer brings what essential
element to his topic? 03:14
10. Describe the three functions of the thesis or topic sentence. 04:23-25
11. Define and illustrate the generalization proposition. 05:26
12. Define and illustrate the definition proposition 05:28
13. Diagram the structure of the definition proposition. 05:29
14. Define and illustrate the practical proposition. 05:30
15. Define and illustrate the relational proposition 05:31