INTRODUCTION

1. Ideally, the introductory sentences leading to the thesis should hook the reader,
perhaps with one of the following:
o

a startling statistic or an unusual fact

a vivid example

a description or an image

a paradoxical statement

a quotation or a bit of dialogue

a question

an analogy

an anecdote

2. A personal narrative, for example, may have a focus that is too subtle to be
distilled in a single statement. Strictly informative writing, like that found in many
business memos, may be difficult to summarize in a thesis. In such instances, do
not try to force the central idea into a thesis sentence. Instead, think in terms of
an overriding purpose, which may or may not be stated directly
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THESIS STATEMENT

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1. It should answer a question you have posed, resolve a problem you have
identified, or take a position in a debate.
2. When constructing a thesis statement, ask yourself whether you can successfully
develop it with the sources available to you and for the purposes youve
identified. Also ask if you can explain why readers should be interested in reading
an essay that explores this thesis.
3. A thesis must require proof or further development through facts and details; it
cannot itself be a fact or a description.
A thesis must require proof or further development through facts and details; it cannot itself be a fact or a
description

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A thesis should be an answer to a question, not a question itself.

A thesis should be of sufficient scope for your assignment; it should not be too broad.

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A thesis also should not be too narrow.

A thesis should be sharply focused, not too vague. Avoid fuzzy, hard-to-define words such as interesting, good,
or disgusting

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Testing a working thesis

Once you have come up with a working thesis, you can use the following
questions to evaluate it.
o Does your thesis answer a question, propose a solution to a problem, or
take a position in a debate?
o Does the thesis require an essays worth of development? Or will you run
out of points too quickly?
o Is the thesis too obvious? If you cannot come up with interpretations that
oppose your own, consider revising your thesis.
o Can you support your thesis with the evidence available?
o Can you explain why readers will want to read an essay with this thesis?
Can you respond when a reader asks So what?

MAIN IDEA
1. The main idea as an umbrella idea.
2. Use key words to the main idea:
o several kinds of

o among the results

o a number of

o a few reasons

o four steps

o three factors

o various causes

o several advantages

o a series of

o a variety of

3. The addition words help you in the supporting details:

o one

o to begin with

o in addition

o last

o first

o another

o next

o last of all

o first of all

o second

o moreover

o final

o for one thing

o also

o furthermore

o finally
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SUPPORTING DETAILS
1. Supporting details are reasons, examples, steps, or other kinds of evidence
that explain a main idea, or point.
2. Outlining Tips:
a. Tip 1: look for words that tell you a list od details is coming (*)
b. Tip 2: look for words that signal major details - addition words (*)
c. Tip 3: in your outline, put all supporting details of equal importance at
the same distance from the margin
Main idea
1 Major detail
a Minor detail
b

Minor detail

2 Major detail
a Minor detail
b

Minor detail

3 Major detail
(*) Examples in page 1

RELATIONSHIPS

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1. Transitions are words or phrases that show the relationship between ideas:
a. Words that show Addition signal added ideas.
o one

o to begin with

o in addition

o last

o first

o another

o next

o last of all

o first of all

o second

o moreover

o final

o for one thing

o also

o furthermore

o finally

b. Words that show Time indicate a time relationship. When [sth] happened
o before

o next

o while

o later

o previously

o soon

o during

o after

o first

o often

o until

o eventually

o second

o as

o now

o finally

o third

o when

o then

o last

Additional ways of showing time are dates (In 1850; Thoughout the 20th century;
By 2018) and other time references (Within a week; by the end of the month;
in two years)

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b. Words that show Time have two most common kinds of time order:
Authors sometimes describe series of event or stage
Time order: Events

Time order: Events

Event 1

Stage 1

Event 2

Stage 2

Event 3

Stage 3

When authors give directions, they use time order

Time order: Events
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
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RELATIONSHIPS

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2. Illustration are words that an author provide one or more examples to clarify
o (for) example

o (for) instance

o to illustrate

o including

o such as

o once

The definition and examples pattern

Definition and examples
Definition
Example

Example

3. Comparison y contrast
a. Comparison words signal similarities.
o (just) as

o likewise

o similarity

o in the same way

o (just) like

o in like (similar) manner

o both

o resemble

o alike

o similar(ly)

o same

o equally
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RELATIONSHIPS

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3. Comparison y contrast
b. Contrast words signal differences.
o but

o instead

o still

o difference

o yet

o in contrast

o as opposed to

o different(ly)

o however

o on the other hand

o in spite of

o differs from

o althought

o on the contrary

o despite

o unlike

o nevertheless

o even though

o rather than(*)

o while

4. Cause and Effect signal that the author is explaining the reason why
something happened or the result of something happening
o therefore

o so

o because (of)

o thus

o (as a) result

o effect

o as a consequence

o results in

o cause

o explanation

o consequently

o led to

o affect

o due to

o since

o reason

(*) <In preference to>

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