m ethod of developing a thesis from a p rompt How To Respond to a Prompt 1 Read the prompt slowly and carefully 2 Circle the key words of the prompt These may include verbs ID: 461787
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Slide1
The 6 step
m
ethod of developing a thesis from a
p
romptSlide2
How To Respond to a
Prompt
1.) Read
the prompt slowly and carefully
.
2.) Circle
the key words of the prompt.
These
may include:
-verbs
(which tell you what to do)
-names
and numbers
(which
tell you how much and where to do it)
-terms
,
ie
. authors, books, words, images,
examples
(which will tell
you how to do it)
>Stop to consider: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Slide3
3.) WTF
!?
Identify
WHAT
you must answer
Identify the specific
TASK
you must complete
Identify any
FORMAT
that the prompt asks you to use
4.) Shitty
first Thesis
: Using key words or ideas from the prompt, try to construct a response to the
prompt.
5.)
Make
sure your answer
actually answers the prompt
. Is it just inspired by the prompt? If so, that’s not good enough.
6.) Simplify
and clarify
the wording of your answer so it is as concise, direct, and clear as possible in answering the prompt. Your answer should be 1 sentence (or sometimes two) in length, but no longer. Slide4
Now You Have a Thesis Statement!
Painless, right?
Now let’s try with an example…Slide5
Step 1: Read the
prompt
(Essay
2, Prompt
1)
“For this prompt, your assignment is to argue why at least three largely accepted social behaviors or norms in our contemporary society will be deemed aberrant, and will be viewed negatively, by humans in 2050.”Slide6
Step 2: What are the key words?
“For this prompt, your assignment is to
argue
why
at least
three
largely accepted
social behaviors or norms
in our contemporary society
will be deemed aberrant
, and will be
viewed
negatively
, by humans
in 2050
.”
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
How? Slide7
Step 3: WTF?
What
must you answer?
Which social norms will be viewed negatively in 2050.
Identify your
Task
:
To prove that certain things that are acceptable now will be viewed negatively in the future.
Identify your
Format:
Since the prompt calls for analysis of 3 different social norms, and each is a separate argument, the essay will have three body paragraphs divided according to each norm discussed. Slide8
Step 4: Shitty First Thesis
What words did you highlight?
Argue why, three, social behaviors or norms, will be deemed aberrant, viewed negatively in 2050
Use them to construct a shitty response:
“I argue that three social behaviors or norms will be deemed aberrant and will be viewed negatively by 2050.” Slide9
Step 5: Does your thesis actually respond to the prompt?
“I argue that three social behaviors or norms will be deemed aberrant and will be viewed negatively by 2050.”
This thesis is in the ballpark, but it
could still be improved.
-It doesn’t name the three norms or behaviors
-It’s very vague
-Viewed negative by whom in 2050? Slide10
Let’s try again:
I argue that
[X, Y, and Z]
will be deemed aberrant and will be viewed negatively by
society
in 2050.Slide11
Step 6: Simplify and Clarify
I argue that
[X, Y, and Z]
will be deemed aberrant and will be viewed negatively by
society
in 2050.
What could be shortened or made clearer here?
-“I argue that” is completely unnecessary. You wouldn’t say, “I argue that we should get some pizza.” You would probably just say, “Let’s get some pizza.” We know that you’re arguing because we’re reading your essay.
Slide12
Step 6 continued…
New thesis:
[X, Y, and Z]
will be deemed aberrant and will be viewed negatively by
society
in 2050.
Do you like the way this sounds? Is it the most persuasive wording? Could this be worded any more effectively or more creatively while maintaining the same meaning? Slide13
Strong Thesis
“In the year 2050, humans will look back on today’s society and disapprove of the Guantanamo Bay Prison system, discrimination against women and homosexuals, and the depletion of the environment.”Slide14
Another Look
Prompt: “For this prompt, your assignment is to argue why at least three largely accepted social behaviors or norms in our contemporary society will be deemed aberrant, and will be viewed negatively, by humans in 2050.”
Thesis:
“In the year 2050, humans will look back on today’s society and disapprove of the Guantanamo Bay Prison system, discrimination against women and homosexuals, and the depletion of the environment.”Slide15
Group Activity
In your groups, try
this process with the following prompts
:
Should athletes who enhance their performance through biotechnology be banned from athletic competition?
Define the circumstances in which civil disobedience is acceptable and in which it is unacceptable.
Write a five-paragraph essay discussing the ways in which artwork has made a significant impact on your life.
Should colleges require all students, regardless of their majors, to complete certain core-curriculum classes?
What does society have a right or responsibility to
censor
and why?