In this Digital Journal Post (#8), I want you to, in writing, practice on your thesis in your Speculating About Causes essays.
A quick review of information you have already worked through on thesis-building.
In Arguing a Position, your thesis was a “position statement.” Your guidance there was:
One of the basic features of the genre Arguing A Position is the strong position statement. This will be the thesis of your essay. But, more specifically, for this genre of writing and argumentation, the statement should be a strong and clear statement. There should be no ambiguity in where you stand on the matter. Very often, writers struggle with this element of the genre because we so often shy from taking a hard line on a controversial issue.
This is also true in ANY thesis statement. Your reader, your audience, should not have to guess your judgment on the matter at hand. In this case, your audience should be clear on the cause you are suggesting is strongest. Take a stand. There is no lightning bolt that falls from the sky if you are off the mark. If you follow your thesis up with a strong argument, then you are supporting that stand. You do this by avoiding logical fallacies; supporting your viewpoint with credible, unbiased research; and doing the hard work of considering multiple possible objections and confronting these in your writing. These are ALL skills you have been building throughout the semester.
In Justifying an Evaluation, your instructions were to consider both the judgment and why evaluating this particular subject was significant. Remember: what, who, why should we care?
What is your judgment here? What is your position on this topic?
There are two main things at play here when considering your ultimate judgment:
YOUR judgment (of course), and
the significance of your judging this subject, whatever it may be.
YOUR judgment should be stated clearly and succinctly in our thesis statement. You should offer your reader a quick glimpse into the argument to come by including a few of your reasons for your judgment within your thesis statement.
Naming the phenomenon or trend: You must clearly establish the phenomenon or trend in order to take a stand that your audience can understand (Arguing a Position).
Making a decision on which of the possible causes (causal analysis): You have evaluated multiple causes. (Justifying an Evaluation).
Clearly defining which of those causes you have evaluated represents a most likely cause or a stronger possibility than another (Speculating About Causes). These are all skills you should be considering while building your thesis in this paper.
In this DJP, answer the following 3 questions. These are your 3 guidelines. Write this DJP in full sentences. This is a ‘think’ piece. If you write just a little, you are only shortening your own practice.
What are you writing about (subject/topic)?
Where have you been (quick causal analysis mention)?
And what are you trying to prove now (your preferred cause)?
This DJP is due by midnight Monday, November 9.