Based on the last page, you might have a small kernel of a possible argument you might make about the text you looked at.
In the assignment criteria, there are a few things to really consider closely when it comes to argument:
- You will use analysis rather than summary (unless you would like to provide a brief summary to familiarize your audience with the text).
- You will use evidence from the text to connect to claims you are making about the text.
- You will have a thesis in the sense of a main argument you are making about the text.
The big scary word here, I would bet money on, for you is what is in #3: The Thesis.
(The below is mostly adapted from Daniel Hengel’s chapter in our textbook, so go there for more information!)
A thesis is simply a statement that holds two pieces of information: the topic and the angle you have on that topic. You need to tell us what you are writing about and the perspective or main idea(s) you have in relation to that topic.
Let me say this very clearly: you should almost NEVER have a thesis before you start writing. A *hypothesis* makes sense to have before you start writing (though even then, probably not, because you are taking all sorts of notes and all kinds of preliminary writing before you get to a place where you have an experiment idea).
Before you even get to a thesis, you should have done something resembling the steps we did on the previous page. That way, you have been fully immersed in the text and you can start to think of questions to ask:
- What do you see?
- What do you make of it?
- Why does it matter?
For what you see, mention some words, characters, images, themes, etc. that grab your attention and interesting you.
For what you make of it, explore what you think about it. Try to move beyond value judgments like “I liked this” or “this is boring.” Really focus on how rather than only what. So, “I liked this because…” is a much better framing. Though, even better would be something like “This theme comes up a lot because…”
For why it matters, think about how your analysis reveals something somewhat new, interesting, important, etc. Questions you should ask: is this too simple? Would anyone already know this in a way that my analysis does not add anything more nuanced to that common knowledge? For instance, if you analyzed Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and your thesis ends up being something like “This speech advocates for racial equality,” then this is a thesis that does not have a good answer to “why it matters.” Most would already know this! Now, perhaps you offer up an interesting or unique analysis that says something more specific about how racial equality is presented in the speech as a theme, but, generally, a thesis like that will not make for an insightful essay.
These questions can help you on the path toward eventually having a thesis, which, again is just presenting a topic with your take on that topic (which is then supported by your analysis of evidence throughout the paper).
Things to Keep In Mind on a Thesis
You should also be careful not to do something too broad. This can be tied to issues of scale that we talked about on the last page. Writing a thesis like “hip-hop is protest music” is not specific enough and is an easy thesis to argue against because it is not hard to find many examples of hip-hop that is not protest music. Be more specific or qualify claims to help you here.
A thesis can also be too speculative. Lots of things can’t be proven but can still be written about. However, some things are so hard to prove that writing about them really offers nothing new. A thesis about aliens or the existence of God, for instance, might be too speculative to write about.
A thesis can take many forms. It can be in the first paragraph. It can be in the second paragraph. It can be in the third paragraph. It can be at the beginning or end of a paragraph. It can be one sentence. It can be three sentences. Generally speaking: make sure it is closer to the beginning than the end of the paper, make sure it is small enough that it is an accessible argument someone can read (I would say 1-3 sentences is a good range). Make sure it covers what you are writing about and a claim you are making about that topic (i.e., your angle on it).
Think back to the rhetorical analysis you read for class: What do you think Chau saw? What do you think Chau made of it? Why did you think Chau thought it matterered? What do you think Chau’s thesis is? Is it specific enough? Does it offer a topic that is not too speculative? Where is it? How long is it? Use the essay as a model to think about your own thesis.
Comment below by giving some preliminary answers to the three micro-questions of what you see, what you make of it, and why it matters. Once you comment below, click the button below this to continue with the module.
What you see- I see the common theme of image and reputation in society
What you make It – It accurately reflects the current world and how much people care about their reputation and how It affects you financially as well
Why It Matters – with the rise of techonology, its easy to be known online and your image is everything for jobs, friends and other things.
In our world today, the use of techonology has been able to coexist with our dauly mood. Social Media and image are some of the greatest characteristics of some and the place in society matters to most. In an episode of Black Mirror, the role of social media and how it is able to affect a life is shown and how detrimental it could be to happiness.
disregard
What do you see?
meddling, national security, spy tool, Soviets, Fidel Castro
What do you make of it?
The author is trying to prove that the government is backhanded in its attempt to broadcast the reason for blocking Tiktok.
Why does it matter?
It shows that the government can’t be always trusted and that we as citizens should access the facts before making a decision on what to believe.
What do you see?
Different historic periods, sneakers and their impact on society
What you make of it?
I am interested in the evolution on sneakers through time and how they made an impact because I am a huge sneaker head. Sneakers are constantly being talked about in the media and not many people know how the concept of the sneaker came about.
Why does it matter?
When someone creates or invents something, I believe it is important to learn about and if we are going to be wearing or utilizing their product. I want to learn more about the history of sneakers so I can appreciate and acknowledge the history.
What do you see – I see a dangerous precedent of not holding people accountable for their actions.
What do you make of it – Typically, unethical behavior is attributed to incentives. It can be money, fame, success, etc.
Why does it matter – If people care more about getting away with cheating than the rewards, then it’s a problem if you allow them to continue. Without accountability, rules and laws are meaningless.
What do you see –
I see an individual who knows a lot more about NYC than I do who thinks that it will never fully recover
What do you make of it –
I think the article is interesting and makes some valid points, but a part of me really hopes it isn’t true
Why does it matter –
I think it matters for everyone in this class because we all will be in the city when class moves to be in person. The location was a major factor when I chose my college because I thought NYC would offer many more opportunities than any other place
1. A documentary about the excesive use of social networks
2. How social networks are affecting the way human beings, as asocial creatures, socialize and interact with their enviornment.
3. In the long term, if no action is taken, the social implications of the use of social media in the future (or even actual) generations could be chaotic.
1. I see how the old man is upset and clearly misses his wife and regrets not doing more with her.
2. I make of it, that this is one of the big reasons he decides to go on his journey taking the memory of his wife with him.
3. This matters because it helps lead us to the analysis that he should have enjoyed more time with his loved one and appreciated her memory.
1. The government poisonings people to get them to stop drinking.
2. The hypocritical approach of the government, If Prohibition was for the betterment and safety of American citizens then why risk their safety by poisoning them?
3. Questions the ethics and hypocrisy of the American government.
What you see? – I see that the film focuses on the topic of racism and how it impacts minorities.
What do you make of it? – I liked how the producer twisted the narrative to show how the black people were hypnotized to obey the white people’s commands and remain their servitude.
Why does it matter? – The film matters because the issue of racism is being discussed currently more than ever before not just in America but across the world.
1. I see a lot of systemic racism in the film
2. I think that this is a factor that leads to the events of the film
3. It matters because in the absence of the the systemic racism characters and plot would be different