““Jane Shaffer” essaysJane Shaffer” essays

You are going to LOVE this style of You are going to LOVE this style of essay!!essay!!

THESISTHESIS

What is the overall idea behind the essay?What is the overall idea behind the essay? A thesis statement is an assertion, not a A thesis statement is an assertion, not a

statement of fact or an observation.statement of fact or an observation. Fact or observation:Fact or observation: People use many lawn People use many lawn

chemicals chemicals Thesis:Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with People are poisoning the environment with

chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean. chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean.

THESISTHESIS

A thesis takes a stand rather than A thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject.announcing a subject. Announcement:Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the The thesis of this paper is the

difficulty of solving our environmental problems difficulty of solving our environmental problems Thesis: Thesis: Solving our environmental problems is Solving our environmental problems is

more difficult than many environmentalists more difficult than many environmentalists believe. believe.

Thesis, again!Thesis, again!

A thesis is the main idea, not the title. It A thesis is the main idea, not the title. It must be a complete sentence that explains in must be a complete sentence that explains in some detail what you expect to write about.some detail what you expect to write about. Title:Title: Social Security and Old Age. Social Security and Old Age. Thesis:Thesis: Continuing changes in the Social Security Continuing changes in the Social Security

System makes it almost impossible to plan System makes it almost impossible to plan intelligently for one's retirement. intelligently for one's retirement.

Topic SentenceTopic Sentence

Almost a “mini” thesis statementAlmost a “mini” thesis statement The topic sentence makes a point and is The topic sentence makes a point and is

followed by support for the point.followed by support for the point. Therefore the topic sentence is usually the first Therefore the topic sentence is usually the first

sentence in the paragraph.sentence in the paragraph. The topic sentence tells the reader what the The topic sentence tells the reader what the

paragraph is all about.paragraph is all about. Usually referred to as TSUsually referred to as TS

Concrete DetailsConcrete Details

I will usually refer to I will usually refer to these as CDthese as CD

You will usually start You will usually start off a concrete detail off a concrete detail with “For example…”with “For example…”

CDs are facts. CDs are facts. CDs are not opinions.CDs are not opinions.

CommentaryCommentary

I usually refer to these I usually refer to these as CMs.as CMs.

You will usually begin You will usually begin your commentary your commentary sentences with “This sentences with “This shows that”shows that”

CMs tell your CMs tell your interpretation of the CD.interpretation of the CD.

Concluding SentenceConcluding Sentence

Shows how the concrete details and the Shows how the concrete details and the commentaries are all linked togethercommentaries are all linked together

Draws attention back to the topic sentenceDraws attention back to the topic sentence Provides a bridge for the next paragraphProvides a bridge for the next paragraph

Jane Shaffer FormatJane Shaffer Format

TSTS CDCD CMCM CMCM CDCD CMCM CMCM CSCS

Now put your pencil down and Now put your pencil down and DO NOT PANICDO NOT PANIC

It seems like a lot of work.It seems like a lot of work. We are going to take it one step at a time.We are going to take it one step at a time. You will find it gets easier as we go along.You will find it gets easier as we go along. You will love it once you get to know it.You will love it once you get to know it.