Discussion on example-essay-3-thesis-statements-practice-w-analyzing-characters

[o'c]

Notes for all on e3 drafts: many have much left to do. Review the
rubric’s 4 points—and remember that each is 25% of the grade for the
essay.

1st point: grammar, punctuation, formal language and argumentation,
APA format
• don’t simply type, type, type what ever you can think of; outline
ideas, draft, and revise
• too many of the drafts were barely begun, far too rough and informal

2nd point: thesis
topic: current conflict outside Iraq
+
opinion: 2 parts
correct course of action on topic, compared to (at least) one
character
incorrect course of action on topic, compared to other character(s)
• most students had selected a specific current conflict, but many had
not clearly determined correct and incorrect courses of action
• fewer had clearly compared correct/incorrect courses of action to
characters from the play
• find a couple quotes from each character to explain in body as
support
• check examples (both those made by instructor using Shaw’s play and
last fall’s students using Antony and Cleopatra) under course webpage:
example essay 3 thesis statements & practice w/analyzing characters

also, judgment on value of Ehrenreich’s analysis in understanding
conflict
• find a couple quotes from different chapters to explain in body as
support

3rd point: analysis of research as support for thesis
• avoid summary/near quote
• explain support for thesis opinion—correct/incorrect courses of
action, comparison to characters, judgment of Ehrenriech’s argument—
with no long quotes or unexplained details
• too many drafts had too much of this: don’t turn in several pages of
summary next week—it won’t work

4th point: conclusion
• if the first three points are covered properly, the conclusion
shouldn’t require new ideas
• similar to the intro, but fresh-sounding rather than repetitive
• as per rubric, recommend action for the audience