Critical Thinking essay (Instruction is uploaded)

Intro w/ thesis (1)

    * Thesis needs to say something; don't just say "what" - make sure you explain "why" as well.

    * Thesis to directly answer the prompt/question being asked.

* Formulaic thesis repeats the prompt/question right back into the thesis. Massage the formula to be creative and lend your own voice.

    * Thesis is NEVER a question; it is a STATEMENT.

             * Thesis can be more than one sentence; all depends on situation and assignment.

    * Thesis is backbone of your paper, the anchor of what you're saying. Think of your body with no spine; that is an argument with no thesis.

* Without a thesis, your paper will float adrift and be lost upon the audience. Give them the pathway to chart your argument clearly!

    * Thesis must come early and be direct/clear - preferably end of first section/paragraph.

Conclusion (2)

    * The conclusion restates thesis and expands upon it.

    * After spending the essay supporting thesis, you now can go farther.

    * It does not repeat the thesis verbatim.

    * Challenge your audience. If you use rhetorical questions, answer them yourself - don't leave questions for your audience to guess at the answer, even if it seems obvious to you.

    * Conclusion should ALWAYS be more fully developed (i.e. longer!) than introduction. Always.

    * The conclusion is your last chance to make your point; don't waste it. Think of an attorney who makes a closing argument; do they want to waste that last chance to persuade the jury? Think of your audience as a jury you have to convince of an idea.

Topic Statements (3)

    * Topic statements (TS) introduce each point of support in a way that relates directly BACK to thesis.

    * Topic statements are argumentative introductions; they must be argumentative rather than summation.

             * Topic statements are NEVER questions.

            * Topic statements are NEVER quotes.

            * Topic statements are NEVER summary statements.

    * Topic statements are mini-thesis statements for each idea in your support structure.

    * Remember to order your support logically - do NOT randomly throw your support in any random order.

            * Always finish with your best support last; build momentum throughout your paper.

    * Remember, Elements 3-4-5 must ALWAYS appear together, like a chemical bond. 

 

 

 

 

Specific Support (4)

    * The emphasis is on specific: quotes, facts, something tangible and real.

* Any time you are writing about something you read, you MUST use quotes from the reading to support your ideas.

    * Do not rely on generic statements or generalized stereotypes.

             * Avoid personal examples unless specifically asked for in the prompt/question.

    * Make sure your support is DIRECTLY relevant to the thesis/argument you're promoting.

    * Remember, Elements 3-4-5 must ALWAYS appear together, like a chemical bond. 

Development of Specific Support (5)

    * Explain CLEARLY why your specific support is relevant to your argument/thesis.

            * Don't leave your audience to guess why your support is there.

    * Audiences will not always think the same way you do, so explain it to them clearly.

            * You must connect the dots and spell it out for them, even if it is obvious to you.

    * Development is where your length comes from -- short papers lack this element.

    * Contextualize your support in relation to your thesis for your audience.

    * Remember, Elements 3-4-5 must ALWAYS appear together, like a chemical bond. 

Critical Thinking (6)

       Critical thinking (CT) generally means "discussing X in terms of Y".

o   Discussing a basement in terms of a hamburger!

       Anticipate what concepts in your writing may cause a mental roadblock for your audience

o   Create the intellectual detour around the mental roadblock!

* You take the basic idea and add context to it in a way that expands the concept beyond expectation.

            * Relate your argument to something seemingly off-topic or abstract, i.e. the use of a metaphor.

    * The ability to logically connect two seemingly disparate ideas for argument is critical thinking.

    * CT can occur anywhere in your essay; conclusion is the easiest place to put it, so don't settle for that.