ENG102: Critical Writing

Assignment 1. The thesis Statement and Paragraph

Purpose: Learn to tightly focus a 3-point thesis statement and develop into an Introductory Paragraph

Develop 3 thesis statements (3 points each) about topics that interest you (Note: you will be writing an essay one or more of these over the next week)

A thesis sentence: is

a) Topic, b) what you are saying about the topic, c) and three supporting points

A thesis-statement  typically says, directly, "In this essay I argue that a)  b)  c)" ....

This thesis sentence will be developed in a paragraph of at least 5 sentences. Please Label your Topic (A), your Thesis Sentence (B), your 3 Supporting Points (C)

See this resource:

https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/thesis-generator

Consider all writing assignments as "drafts." You will likely be asked to resubmit and improve. Your draft includes the following elements:

• 350-500 wds, TWO COPIES, using Grammarly.com or some other software assist
• Tested thesis statement: 3 points
• Stated opposing views
• Supported your Thesis statement with Specific  evidence (cited and referenced)
• UNDERLINE THESIS

In academic writing, the following style points will deduct from the marking:

• Dummy subjects (there is,  there are, it is)
• Use of Passive Voice ("The essay was written by the student")
• Pronouns (I me we us you your; unsupported  pronouns this, that, them, those)
• Rhetorical cheerleading: I believe, I think, it is my opinion, I feel, clearly, obviously, etc)
• Lack of citations, references, or incomplete APA format.
• Use of thesaurus and inappropriate words

PLEASE BE AWARE:

Your Essay will be reviewed by Unicheck, the plagiarism tool synced to Canvas. Unicheck will submit a similarity report a few minutes after you post your assignment. If the similarity index is above 30%, please redo and resubmit your assignment after you cite the sources properly to avoid plagiarism.