1/23/2021 Reviewing Thesis and Introduction: Win21 ENGL 001C #11468 INTERMEDIATE COMPOSITION-CRITI-Online

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1111116/pages/reviewing-thesis-and-introduction?module_item_id=12653154 1/2

Reviewing Thesis and Introduction Remember what you need to accomplish in the first paragraph of the essay. A good introduction does three things:

1. Begins with a “HOOK” to draw the reader’s attention to your topic. You can get a reader’s attention by telling a story, providing a statistic, pointing out something strange or interesting, or providing and discussing an interesting quote. Your opener or hook follows directly from your title to start off your argument for meaning. Working with the TITLE, the hook begins to narrow the focus of the paper (more TIPS on titles) (http://writing.umn.edu/sws/assets/pdf/quicktips/titles.pdf)

2. Provides necessary background information. Don’t start too broad, for instance by talking about how ethics are important or how we are in an environmental crisis. Start with the prompt and narrow the focus right away. Tell your readers what they need to know to get their bearings in your topic, for example, the key concept or concepts or principles that will drive your argument, or the central concerns or questions you will address. The key here is to introduce only the relevant background–relevant to your argument.

3. Leads to an argumentative THESIS STATEMENT. The thesis statement is always the last sentence of the introduction. All of the other sentences in this paragraph lead to this sentence–the most specific claim for meaning. After reading this sentence, the reader will expect the paper to prove and demonstrate this–and only this–debatable and controversial claim.

(Hint: the thesis, hook and title all work together, so highlight each of these elements to check the continuity of your thought.)

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now, as you recall the THESIS is a lot like a position in a debate. Your thesis statement expresses your argument or position as a CLAIM—that is, what you claim to be meaningful—and RATIONALE—or the reason or logical basis for this claim.

Your claim is your assertion of what you think is best or true regarding a controversial topic.

Your rationale is your reasoning process or a logical basis for this claim.

In other words, a thesis succinctly states what you are arguing for (claim) and why or on what basis (rationale). It acknowledges that there are other perspectives–disputes, objections, or challenges (we sometimes refer to these as counterclaims or counter arguments in the essay), but aims to prove that yours is most sound.

Think of it this way: when you create a thesis, you are entering a debate over meaning, and your claim is your conviction. Your conviction—what you believe is meaningful, right, or important—is rooted in a set of reasons or a reasoning process that you have

http://writing.umn.edu/sws/assets/pdf/quicktips/titles.pdf
1/23/2021 Reviewing Thesis and Introduction: Win21 ENGL 001C #11468 INTERMEDIATE COMPOSITION-CRITI-Online

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1111116/pages/reviewing-thesis-and-introduction?module_item_id=12653154 2/2

thought through carefully. When you make a claim, imagine your reader asking you why—why do you think this? how did you come to this conclusion? Along with your claim, include—in a phrase—your main reason for your position. This will demonstrate your readiness to argue for and defend your claim in the face of opposing viewpoints or objections.

Take away: An argumentative thesis has two parts: a claim and rationale. In other words, the thesis asserts a debatable position and a reason for that position (as opposed to a different one or because its the best, most reasonable, etc.). Yet another ways of saying it: the thesis asserts what you want and why.

Thesis Characteristics:

All thesis statements should be:

NARROW rather than broad SPECIFIC rather than general DEBATABLE, or controversial rather than factual

Obviously, there is a lot of pressure on the thesis statement. That is why it is best to start with a preliminary or draft thesis, then revise as you write. We rarely end up where we start when writing. It is all subject to refinement and revision.