6A. Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.
6B. Use transitional elements to guide the reader through the line of reasoning of an argument. |
In this section, we will focus on the interrelationship between the thesis statement and the topic sentences. A strong thesis/topic relationship isn't enough all by itself to get you a "6," and in fact, some of the most outstanding "6s" tend to break the mold in ways we'll discuss later on, but an essay with a clear, focused plan of organization tends to land itself in the top tier right away.
NOTE: As we get into the specifics of the rhetorical analysis essay, synthesis essay, and free response essay, the requirements for a thesis may change slightly, but these fundamental principles will still apply. |
The AP thesis is ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
Your Thesis is a Superclaim
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Directions
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The Example
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Here Are Some Sample Student Thesis Statements. Turn Them Into Topic Sentences.
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STUDENT THESIS 1
Louv argues against the separation of man and nature using the devices of anecdote, hypothetical example, and imagery. STUDENT THESIS 2 Throughout his speech in which he condemned companies for raising steel prices, Kennedy repeatedly appeals to a sense of communal sacrifice and collective responsibility in order to rally his everyman audience around this ostensible cause for outrage. STUDENT THESIS 3 Repeating key concepts, introducing numerous examples of horrendous conditions and state policies, and extolling the virtue of laws curtailing the workday, Kelley develops a highly effective argument that pulls her audience into the issue and invites them to join her efforts. STUDENT THESIS 4 In his refusal to recommend a woman’s son for patronage to a university, Samuel Johnson carefully constructs his argument against talking to the bishop and gradually builds support for his position. His denial is most marked by, and successful due to, the use of definition, a subtle shift in tone, and the application of the appeals to logic. Combined, these devices successfully convey Johnson’s unwillingness to complete the task while still allowing him to remain cordial. STUDENT THESIS 5 In his aforementioned essay, Hazlitt makes the argument that money is, in fact, a key part of a prosperous life, and by using both a despondent tone and unusual syntactical strategies, Hazlitt effectively shows that, if money cannot buy happiness, a lack of it can surely lead to sorrow. |
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