WRITING EFFECTIVELY IN COLLEGE

Writing a Thesis1 Determine your directionIdentify your interest and possible topics

Think about where you are headedWhat is a thesis statement?A thesis statement is a single declarative sentence that summarizes your essayNarrows your subjectSpecific, significant claimPurpose of your writingPreviews the arrangement of the paper

Examples of Thesis Statement---- Bad example The United States economy has gone into a state of stalemate.

--- Good example Financial crisis and unemployment situations have put the United States economy into a state of stalemate.

Examples of Thesis Statement---- Bad exampleSmoking should be prohibited.[This thesis statement is too vague or ambiguous apart from being too short. It does not really argue for or against any specific point.]

--- Good example There should be an absolute ban against smoking in public because secondhand smoke endangers the health of non-smokers.

Write a thesisTopic (for a causal argument)If I accept that promotion at workA claim about the topicmy family will be affected becauseAdd main pointsmy husband will have to work less,we will be able to buy a house, andI will receive the job satisfaction.

Write a thesis Main points eventually may become the topic sentence of paragraphs:First, if I get a promotion, my husband will have to work less, which will result in his being able to spend more time with the children, which we agree would benefit all of us.Then add supporting details and examples. Write a thesisSecond, because we will receive significantly more income, we will be able to buy that house we have been researching, which also happens to be closer to both of our work sites and in a better school district.Then add supporting details and examples.

Write a thesisFinally, I will receive the job satisfaction for which I have been working so hard, which will increase my overall health and well being. Then add supporting details and examples.

Plan your routeVisually organize

Options for organizing can beOutlineConceptual map

To reflect narrative, personal

Writing to inform observations, information

Writing to analyze rhetorical and literary, causal

Writing arguments evaluations, position, proposalTo reflect narrative, personal

Writing to inform observations, information

Writing to analyze rhetorical and literary, causal

Writing arguments evaluations, position, proposal

Write Now. Make a plan.Write a working thesis statementWrite an outline or conceptual map of writingWorking togetherEvaluate the working thesis:Is it specific?Is it manageable?Is it interesting?Evaluate the plan:Is it focused?Is it complete?What still needs to be done?

RETURNING AND REVISING13Evaluate your draftDoes the paper meet the assignment?Do you have a clear focus? Are your main points adequately developed?Do you consider your readers knowledge and points of view?Do you represent yourself effectively?Learn strategies for rewritingVisualize audienceSharpen focusDefine key termsDevelop as neededLink paragraphsLearn strategies for rewritingConsider your titleConsider your introductionConsider your conclusionImprove your text visuallyRespond to othersFirst reading: Read aloud your own textSecond and third readings: Exchange papers

What does the writer do especially well?What one or two things would most improvethe draft in a revision?

Pay attention to details lastEdit for particular goalsCheck transitions between sentencesCheck sentences for completenessEliminate wordinessUse precise vocabularyPay attention to details lastProofread carefullySpell check and check for usageCheck for grammar and punctuation