Name________________________
The Five (5) Part Thesis
QUALIFIER:
TOPIC: ex. against prayer in schools
UNIV. IDEA: ex. freedom/equality
DIR/REASONS :
1.unconstitutional indoctrination
2. religious alienations
3. misappropriation of funds
Claim / Verb
QUALIFIER: Although
TOPIC: Lower the drinking age to 18
UNIV. IDEA: Safety
DIRECTIONS/REASONS:
1. Decreased fatalities
2. Increased individual accountability
3. Reduced taboo mentality
CLAIM (VERB) characterizes
From where does the unity of an essay come?
UNIVERSAL IDEA (“you can’t touch this”): an abstract noun (freedom, gluttony, i.e.)
In every thesis, an abstract noun MUST be present
Here are the 5 parts of every THESIS you write:
EXAMPLE:
“for” illegal immigration
What’s the universal idea:
While granting clemency to illegal immigrants initially seems
logically unjust, closer examination reveals that clemency will
bring fairness and equity by providing economic, opportunity,
cultural enhancement, and legal accountability.
1. QUALIFIER (gives a claim “wiggleroom”) Limit= Subordinating Conjunctions:
Since
While
Because
As
Although
Etc.
2.TOPIC= Noun (prayer in schools, the effect of television on Presidential elections, i.e.)
3. CLAIM = Verb ( “illustrates,” “ demonstrates, “ “ reveals,” etc. ) NO “BE” verbs allowed!
4. UNIVERSAL IDEA ( abstract noun) FAIRNESS/EQUITY
5. DIRECTION= Reasons
Examples
Evidence
(ADJ+NOUN form, i.e. “twelve year-old point of view,” “unflattering selection of detail,” tree
imagery”)
A. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
B. CULTURAL ENHANCEMENT
C. LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY
The Universal Idea can’t be the subject; it must be the Direct Object
UNIVERSAL IDEAS ( abstract nouns/thematic ideas:
remember, too, our discussion of the tension of opposites
ALIENATION
FAMILY
ATONEMENT
FATE
BEAUTY
FEAR
BETRAYAL
FREE WILL
COMMUNITY
FREEDOM
COURAGE
GENDER ROLES
CURIOSITY
GLUTTONY
CYNICISM
GREED
DEATH
GRIEF
DEMOCRACY
GUILT
DEPRESSION
HAPPINESS
DESIRE
HEALTH
DIGNITY
HEROISM
DISOBEDIENCE
HONOR
DUALITY OF MAN
HOPE
DUTY/HOME
HUBRIS (overweening pride)
DYSTOPIA
HUMILITY
EGO
IDEALISM
ENVY
IDENTITY
FAIRNESS/EQUITY
IMAGINATION
INNOCENCE
RELATIONSHIP
INSPIRATION
RELIGION
ISOLATION
RESPECT
JOURNEY
RESPONSIBILITY
JUSTICE
REVENGE
LABOR
RITUAL
LIBERTY
ROMANTICISM
LONELINESS
SALVATION
LOVE
SELF-DISCOVERY
LUCK
SPIRITUALITY
MATERIALISM
SUCCESS
MATURATION
SUPERIORITY
MORALITY
SURVIVAL
NARCISSISM
TEMPTATION
PASSION
TRADITION
PATRIOTISM
TRAGEDY
PERSERVERANCE
TRUTH
POWER
TYRANNY
PRAGMATISM
UNDERSTANDING
PRIDE
UTOPIA
PREJUDICE: classism/sexism/racism
WRATH
REBIRTH/RENEWAL