Modes of Illustration & the Thesis
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Writing modes, sometimes called modes of
illustration, provide patterns and purpose for
writing.
When we understand the purpose of the
modes, we can see how helpful these modes
will be as we write.
Modes can be used to organize and give
direction to sentences, paragraphs, and
entire essays.
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The goal of this presentation is to help
students understand the purpose and form of
the thesis sentence, especially as the thesis
pertains to our Final Project for the course,
the informative essay.
We also want to discuss the idea of modes of
illustration and how they relate to the thesis.
The thesis sentence appears as the last
sentence of the introduction paragraph, the
first paragraph of the essay.
 The thesis sentence expresses the central idea
of the essay and gives the specific points upon
which the body paragraphs will be based.
 These points are called key points and give
specific direction to your general topic.
 Topic + Key Points = Thesis sentence
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It is your “what’s the point?”
It is what you want your readers to
know.
 It is the main idea you are trying to get
across.
 It is your message.
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A thesis sentence
 is generally stated in a single sentence at the end of
the introduction paragraph for an essay
 limits the topic to a few key areas (three key points)
 indicates the kind of support to follow
 helps to organize the supporting material
 is precisely worded.
 does not announce by saying “I am going to tell you
about…” or “My essay will explain…”
Sample Thesis: Learning about French culture,
cuisine, and art made my year in Paris enlightening.
 This thesis is informative.
Sample Thesis: Learning about French culture,
cuisine, and art made my year in Paris
enlightening.
 Body paragraph 1 will discuss how learning about
French culture made this year in Paris enlightening.
 Body paragraph 2 will discuss how learning about
French cuisine made this year in Paris enlightening.
 Body paragraph 3 will discuss how learning about
French art made this year in Paris enlightening.
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Each student must choose a topic from Unit 1.
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This topic becomes the basis of every project
you do for the course.
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Only the topics on the list in Unit 1 are
approved topics.
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As the Unit points out, a “research question” can be a
great way to arrive at a working (preliminary) thesis
sentence.
Let’s consider the question that might have led to the
sample thesis on a previous slide:
“What are the three most important things about
my learning experience in France?”
Sample Thesis: Learning about French culture,
cuisine, and art made my year in Paris
enlightening.
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After Unit 1, we are trying to avoid any references to
self in our projects.
Therefore, we will strive to avoid “I, me, my” and
similar pronouns. Only in special instances of valid
personal experience used as support can these
pronouns occur.
No “I, me, my” pronouns should appear in the thesis.
Moreover, we will not use “you” pronouns at all. No
“you” pronouns should appear in the thesis or
anywhere else in the essay.
Modes are organizational strategies that
help convey information and a purpose.
For this presentation, we will focus on just
three of these:
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1.
2.
3.
Cause and Effect
Comparison and Contrast
Process Analysis
Cause and effect – By explaining or analyzing the
causes and effects of something, you provide your
readers with ways to understand a topic and
sometimes cope with new ideas.
 Comparison and/or contrast – Often, explaining
how things are alike and/or different, or how they
were and how they have changed, will present new
information.
 Process analysis – Sometimes explaining how
something is done, made, or works, or how it came
to be, will clarify a topic for a reader.
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Cause and effect:
Change can lead to anxiety and stress.
Contemplating the change of a new work or family
dynamic often creates ripples of stress that affect
every area of daily life. In fact, even good changes
such as job promotion or new relationships can
cause anxious feelings of adjustment.
 In these few sentences, the writer demonstrates
cause and effect. Change  causes  anxiety and
stress.
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Comparison and contrast:
Although the former filing system for our company used only
alphabetical order, the new filing system uses both alphabetical
order and chronological order. Therefore, while the older system
allowed quick access only to client names and invoices, the new
system allows employees to find invoices in certain timeframes for
certain clients. Using this new system decreases time spent
searching for invoices with the old system and the frequent
misfiling that occurred with that system. However, this new
method retains the alphabetical order of the old system because
this order has served the company well.
 These sentences set up a comparison and contrast. The difference
(chronological order) is pointed out with the likeness (alphabetical
order).
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Process Analysis:
Although photography is a complex process, the amateur
version of this art usually involves simple steps. First, the
photographer loads the film into an analog camera. Next,
the person behind the camera arranges the desired image,
makes sure the flash is engaged and film advanced if
necessary, and presses the shutter button. Finally, when the
film roll is complete, the photographer takes the film to a
developing lab and awaits the results.
 These sentences explain a process. Notice the words used to
transition between ideas  “First,” “Next,” and “Finally.”
Writing requires this kind of transition, but the words used to
transition change from mode to mode.
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Determining the purpose of your paper can point
you in the direction of a mode to use in the thesis
 Choose a mode that sets up the reason for the
entire paper, not just one point
 Easiest when a mode is prescribed for the paper as a
whole
 The thesis does not need one mode if the paper is
not using merely one
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A three-point thesis states the main idea of the essay and includes three key
points as support. Look at the following thesis:
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Banning cigarette smoking in public places is an effective intervention to improve
the public’s health by helping to reduce the dangers of secondhand smoke on
nonsmokers, encouraging current smokers to quit, and reducing health-care
costs.
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In this example, the main idea—the position the writer takes relative to the
topic—is Banning cigarette smoking in public places is an effective intervention
to improve the public’s health. This part of the thesis states what the writer
claims to be true about the topic. How will the writer support this view?
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In this case, the thesis includes three telegraphed key points—by helping to
reduce the dangers of secondhand smoke on nonsmokers, encouraging
current smokers to quit, and reducing health-care costs.
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Banning cigarette smoking in public places is an effective intervention to improve
the public’s health by helping to reduce the dangers of secondhand smoke on
nonsmokers, encouraging current smokers to quit, and reducing health-care costs.
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Banning cigarette smoking in public places is
an effective intervention to improve the
public’s health by helping to reduce the
dangers of secondhand smoke on nonsmokers,
encouraging current smokers to quit, and
reducing health-care costs.
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The three-point thesis is the blueprint of the essay in that it
not only establishes the main idea, but it also fleshes out the
key points so that readers can anticipate a basic structure of
the essay.
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Readers would expect each forecasted point to be discussed
in the order presented—that is, the first section will discuss
the first key point, the next section the second, and so on.
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In Unit 5 we will:
 Discuss the Unit 5 project: Informative Outline
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A BLUEPRINT THESIS STATEMENT contains the main ideas of the essay. This statement is a
single sentence found at the end of the introductory paragraph. The blueprint thesis
statement is an essential part of writing because it:
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*tells what the subject of the essay will be
*suggests the organizational pattern of the essay
*establishes a tone for the rest of the essay
*contains two parts: a SUBJECT and an OPINION (or POSITION)
A quality blueprint thesis statement will include 3 ideas to support your opinion. These ideas
will let the reader know what you will be discussing in the essay.
Try this example of a blueprint thesis statement:
Cesar Chavez High School is the best school in Arizona because of its quality education, caring
teachers and abundant sports programs.
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Easy structure
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Let’s try these samples
Fix the following thesis statements so that they
become parallel:
•
Graduating from high school is important because it
prepares you for the real world, proves your capability and
graduates get better jobs. (verbs at beginning of phrases)
•
The fair is an exciting place to visit because of the rides, food
and it is fun. (nouns)
•
Bike riding is an excellent source of exercise because it is
easy to do, exciting and healthy. (adjectives)
•
Jiffy Motors is the best repair shop because
your car will be fixed quickly, efficiently and in
a dependable manner. (adverbs)
•
The Alaskan Nature Reserve should be
preserved because of its unique wildlife, its
intoxicating beauty and its campsites
(phrase)