Organization, Thesis
Statements and Quote
Integration
Adapted from material provided by
Ms. Hinkel
The “Shape” of Your Paper
Introduction
Body
Paragraphs
Prove/Support/Expand on Your Thesis
Conclusion



Revisit Your Thesis
Place it in a larger context to show why it’s important
Five Components of an Excellent
Introduction
Hook
Introduction of Theme
 Context
 Thesis


What is a thesis statement?


Almost all of us, even if we don’t do it
consciously, look early in an essay for a onesentence condensation of the argument or
analysis to follow. IN A SHORT ESSAY, A
THESIS SHOULD NOT BE LONGER THAN
A SENTENCE.
We refer to that condensation as the thesis
statement.
Strong thesis statements



A strong thesis statement takes some sort of
stand. Evaluate the following theses. Are they
strong enough?
“There are reasons both to ban and praise The
Lovely Bones.”
“The Lovely Bones should be banned because
it contains images inappropriate for the school
setting.”
Strong thesis statements



Thesis statements should do two things: take a
stand, and give an overarching reason why.
Evaluate these theses. Do they fulfill both
criteria?
The Lovely Bones should be praised.
The Lovely Bones should be praised because it
promotes discussion of life-altering events.
Where does a thesis belong?

In most writing, a thesis belongs at the end of
an introductory paragraph. The sentences
before it should ease the reader in; the thesis
should be the most specific sentence of the
paragraph.
Where do these belong?
Place the following sentences in the
order most appropriate for an
introductory paragraph.
1.
2.
3.
Vanilla ice cream is the best flavor because
the majority of people like it.
One of the greatest debates in time centers
around which ice cream flavor is better:
chocolate or vanilla?
After polling thousands of Americans, the
answer is clear.
Why are quotes needed in writing?


Quotes increase the credibility and validity of
your argument. They show that your argument
is rooted in fact. Plus, they make your writing
appear more professional and thoughtful.
In order for quotes to work, they need to be
incorporated into your writing correctly.
Don’t Drop Your Quote!


There is a tendency for writers to simply throw
a quote in their writing. For example:
Maya’s dad is full of surprises. “A year later
our dad came to Stamps without warning”
(54). Maya does not expect this.
Cradle Your Quote, Then Analyze It


Even if a quote is made up of a full sentence, it is not
strong enough to stand on its own. It needs to be
introduced (cradled) by words of your own that help
to support the quote. For example:
Maya’s father is full of surprises. She writes that “a
year later our dad came to Stamps without warning”
(54). Although Maya does not seem to mind her
father’s unexpected arrival, the reader suspects that
her father’s erratic behavior indicates irresponsibility.
Cradle Options







He/she says,
He/she writes,
The text explains,
The author indicates…
[The character] suggests…
The writer acknowledges that…
…and so on 
Cradle this writing:

Maya Angelou paints beautiful images in
writing. “Each year I watched the field across
from the Store turn caterpillar green, then
gradually frosty white” (6). She uses adjectives
well.
The “Recap”
(Recapitulation/Summary)




After you have proven your case with evidence
in the body paragraphs, revisit (do NOT
restate!) your thesis towards the beginning of
your conclusion
Deeper
More detailed
Show that you’ve learned something
“Recap” Example


Original Thesis: Through Montresor, Poe’s “The
Cask of Amontillado” suggests that revenge with
impunity is impossible.
Recap: Thus, one can see by Montresor’s sickened
reaction to Fortunato’s screams, his obsessively
detailed memory of the events that occurred, and the
evidence that suggests he may be mentally unstable
that guilt torments Montresor during the murder and
for the fifty years following.
Drawing Out a Message


Move from specific (recapitulating thesis) to
general (lesson learned or statement about)
In a certain sense, the murderer has become his
own victim.
Significance



Parallels the theme statement in introduction
Why is your thesis important or meaningful for
all human beings?
Example: Montresor’s tortured memories
prove that a criminal may escape the law, but
that no criminal escapes justice.
Twist on Hook




Play on the idea introduced in your first
sentence
Last & strongest sentence of paragraph
Good devices to use here: alliteration, puns,
clever, dramatic wording
Find sentence’s most important word and make
it the last one
Example of “Twist on Hook”


Original Hook Statement: The poet Thomas
Moore once wrote, “Those who plot the
destruction of others often perish in the
attempt.”
Twist on Hook: Upon finishing the story, the
reader must ask which would be preferable:
the temporary discomfort of a brick and mortar
prison or the unbending shackles of a guilty
conscience.