The Open Boat Thesis

Writing Tips & Format Changes Scholars,

I would like to make a change to all of your future thesis page assignments. From now on please make your thesis statement the first sentence of your essay and your forecasting statement the second sentence of your essay.

Example:

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs reveals the potential for greatness in all human beings. The novel reveals the human potential for greatness in Tarzan’s ability educate himself both intellectually and morally. Tarzan began to educate himself intellectually when he rediscovered his parent’s home. In the home were many books, and Tarzan studied these books diligently. Because of his potential for greatness, Tarzan learned to read by studying books closely.

Please note in the example above that the first paragraph consists of only two sentences, the thesis and the forecasting statement. The second paragraph begins with a focus on the first point in my forecasting statement.

In all of your thesis pages going forward, the thesis statement and the forecasting statement should be the ONLY two sentences in your first paragraph.

I understand that a 2-sentence paragraph is not usually a good practice, but for this assignment I’d like to see you use this practice/ format. My goal is to see every student learn to create a clear, strong thesis statement and a clear forecasting statement. Sometimes, when you are learning a new skill, it is important and necessary to unlearn some bad habits or some unhelpful behaviors. I believe that focusing on a simpler 2-sentence introductory paragraph (thesis and forecasting statement only), will help many of you achieve greater clarity and strength in your essays.

The second paragraph of your thesis page should focus on the first point in your forecasting statement. You do not have to comment on or develop all of the points in your forecasting statement. I suggest that you focus on supporting the first point in your forecasting statement, actually.

Another bad habit that I would love to see many of you kick is the habit of writing long, unclear sentences. The best sentences are clear and strong. A complete and correct sentence needs only two things: a subject and a verb. As you write sentences make sure that you have a strong clear subject and verb.

Examples of simple, yet complete sentences:

Tarzan learned to read and write by himself.

The apes took care of Tarzan as a child. He outgrew their way of thinking.

Jane did not understand Tarzan’s jungle mentality.

British society seemed corrupt and cowardly to Tarzan.

Additional Notes:

I am still seeing several people putting quotes around book titles. Please italicize book titles and all Shakespearean play titles.

New Submission format:

One detail that would make grading and organizing of your work more streamline for me involves titles and naming. When you save your work and upload it to Blackboard, save it in the following way:

Your Last Name and Title of Text and Assignment Abbreviation

example: Jones Tarzan Thesis Page

example: Jones Foster Summary

example: Jones Hamlet Article Review