Showing posts with label Thesis Prep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thesis Prep. Show all posts

Saturday, June 1, 2013

One thesis in four different formats!


This is my attempt at writing my thesis in the five different forms. I have to say - it was harder than I thought it would be.



1. [Policy claim]
Many would argue that a theatre production is meant only to entertain, thereby dismissing anything serious or dark in nature. Nevertheless, it is not only worthwhile but necessary to attend productions containing dark themes and serious material, as they educate those in attendants on the reality of human nature.

2. [Definition claim]
A quality theatre production is not simply meant to entertain but to educate and edify audience members.

3. [Comparison claim] (this one is also a psycholanalytical claim)
I am COMPLETELY at a loss here, any suggestions or tips? I don't have a clue how to write my thesis as an evaluation claim.


4. [Evaluation claim]
Although some might say that Night Mother by Marsha Norman is an unsuitable play to produce for the general public, it is in fact an excellent play and much can be learned from the main character's plight.





5. [Cause / Effect claim]
Unlike attending a musical or a comedic play performance, plays that touch on the darkness of humanity result in an education for the audience - those who attend such performances are edified in more ways that one.


I can tell even now that I won't use a few of these formats of thesis statements for my paper. I really felt like I was driving the struggle bus for a couple of these.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Teaching the Book of Mormon as Literature

There are some schools, public or private, and for some universities, which teach the Holy Bible as literature, but why not have a course solely on  the Book of Mormon being studied as literature. This idea, however, was inspired by Dr. Gideon Burton. As an idea for a thesis statement: what are your thoughts on this topic, should the Book of Mormon be taught as literature like the Bible is taught? Please provide whatever feedback you might have, and be candid with your thoughts. There is no right or wrong answer in this case.

Here are my theses statements:

1. [Policy Claim] The Book of Mormon should be allowed to be taught as literature, so as to understand how it was written, and to understand the structure of the writings throughout the book.

2. [Definition Claim] Many only hold the Book of Mormon for its religious/theological purposes, and is also a book esteemed as scripture by Mormons.

3. [Comparison Claim] To teach the Book of Mormon as literature is like teaching the Bible as literature.

4. [Evaluation Claim] To teach the Book of Mormon as literature is good because understanding the text will help the student put things into context.

5. [Cause/Effect Claim] If the Book of Mormon were to be taught as literature in school (grade school or college), it could help better shape society.

This is what I've got for now. Which thesis statement should I use? And for the thesis statement you like, how could it be improved?

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Topic stuff

So I've never really felt good about my writing. Most of my teachers have made comments and notes on things that I write that are discouraging and so I feel like I am a bad writer. It doesn't help that one of the hardest parts for me is choosing a topic to write on, especially when I am trying to get a certain number of pages. I feel like a lot of topics that I would be interested in writing about could never be as long as the teacher wants it to be without going off on side notes and things that are kind of relevant to the topic, but then the grade is always bad because I didn't stay on topic. I just have a hard time with it. With two such papers looming on my horizon, I am filled with dread and despair.