Revising Thesis Statements & MPTS
The Great Gatsby, Research Paper, and More!
Can You Identify the Thesis Statement in the Following Paragraph?
Research Paper Topic for Revision: 1920s Technological Advancements That Entertainment Field
Following is an example of a Rough Draft Thesis Statement That Works:
1920s technological advances, and how they revolutionized the entertainment field.
Thesis - Great!:
Many of the distinctive features that define American culture today emerged in the 1920s and are, in large part, due to the expansion of the entertainment field.
Q: Why does this Thesis Statement work?
A: This Thesis works, because it:
- Makes an interesting, debatable, persuasive point.
- It is not conventional wisdom.
- Others may disagree with some or all of the main points
Main Point Topic Sentences - Rough Draft Version:
MPTS#1:
The 1920s was a decade flourished with timeless works of literature that greatly enhanced the culture then, and continue to influence American society today.
Why Revise - and what to keep?
- "a decade flourished with" sounds a bit wordy / flowery - let's rephrase
- But it's good point, so we'll keep the main idea
- Does MPTS#1 support the Thesis? Check!
Revision:
The 1920s ushered-in a new era of influential literature that, while mirroring the innovative culture of the time, continues to be a global influence on literature, today.
Examples that go with this MPTS:
EX#1: The Great Gatsby (we just finished in this class)
EX#2: Winnie-the-Pooh
EX#3: Their Eyes Were Watching God (we are reading in this class)
The Great Gatsby
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MPTS#1:
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MPTS#2:
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MPTS#3:
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Annotated Bibliography
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MPTS#1:
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MPTS#2:
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MPTS#3:
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By Andrea Ayres - Blog Post - 5 August 2014