Two Part Thesis Statements
Argh! What the heck is this!?!?
A Normal Paragraph
1.
2.
3.
4.
Topic Sentence
Lead-in
Quote
Analysis
But…what if you have two parts to
your thesis?
• Edwards uses threatening imagery in order
to provoke change.
You actually have to prove TWO things here:
1. There is threatening imagery
2. Edwards wants to provoke change.
So your paragraph becomes...
1. Topic sentence: remind of thesis, hint toward
example
2. Lead-in
3. Quote: Threatening Imagery
4. Analysis: analyze what image means; explain
WHY it is threatening.
5. Lead-in
6. Quote: Provoke change
7. Analysis: analyze WHAT CHANGE is
happening and explain how this change IS
AFFECTED by the threatening imagery.
So your paragraph becomes...
1. Topic sentence: remind of thesis, hint
toward example
2. Lead-in
3. Quote: Threatening Imagery
4. Analysis: analyze what image means;
explain WHY it is threatening.
5. Lead-in
6. Quote: Threatening Imagery
7. Analysis: analyze what image means;
explain WHY it is threatening.
What happens when we get multiple
paragraphs?
Option One
1. Paragraph One:
proves BOTH parts
of thesis with
examples for both
parts
2. Paragraph Two:
proves BOTH parts
of thesis with
examples for both
parts
Option Two
1. Paragraph One: proves
THREATENING
IMAGERY PART
with two examples
2. Paragraph Two: proves
PROVOKING
CHANGE part with
two examples
***Tricky part: Paragraph
Two needs to have a
connection to the
imagery!!
What happens when we get a big
paper??
Option One
1. Threatening
Imagery
2. Provoke Change
3. Threatening
Imagery
4. Provoke Change
Option Two
1. Threatening
Imagery
2. Threatening
Imagery
3. Provoke Change
4. Provoke Change
Thesis Paragraphs
Two parts
1. Theme Sentence: here, you give your
argument
2. Supporting Points Sentence: here, you
specify to the reader what examples you are
going to use.
Example
• In “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,”
Jonathan Edwards uses threatening imagery
in order to provoke change. He shows his
desire to change his congregation for the
better through his imagery about fire and
spiders.
Thesis: In “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Jonathan Edwards
uses threatening imagery in order to provoke change. He shows his desire
to change his congregation for the better through his imagery about fire
and spiders.
Use the thesis to create topic sentences:
• Topic Sentence One: Edwards creates a
desire for betterment in his congregation by
using menacing imagery about the fires of
hell.
• Topic Sentence Two: Edwards compares
humans to spiders dangled over a pit of
flames in order to showcase the human need
for spiritual enhancement.
Integrating Quotes
A Review
COMMA METHOD
• Used to blend the quote with introductory clause
that ends in a “speaking verb” (explains, suggests,
says, declares…)
Describing the Nun, the narrator explains, “[S]he
had little dogs she would be feeding/ With roasted
flesh, or milk, or fine white bread./ And bitterly
she wept if one were dead” (7).
COLON METHOD
• Used to blend the quote with lead-in that ends in
something other than a “speaking verb”
• Used when either side of the colon is a FULL
SENTENCE
The narrator describes the Nun: “[S]he had little
dogs she would be feeding/ With roasted flesh, or
milk, or fine white bread./ And bitterly she wept if
one were dead” (7).
SMOOTH METHOD (Advanced
Skill)
 Used to blend the quote with lead-in
seamlessly. When you read the paper aloud,
you can’t tell what is the writer’s words and
what is the author’s words; in this case:
The narrator explains that the Nun “ha[s]
little dogs she … feed[s]/ With roasted flesh,
or milk, or fine white bread./ And bitterly
she [weeps] if one [is] dead” (ll. 150-152).
Analysis Review
Job of the Analysis
• Explain what the quote means
• Explain WHY the quote is important
• Explain WHY/HOW the quote relates to
the thesis
“The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the
present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, til
an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped, the more
rapid and mighty is its course, when it is let loose” (103).
• Here, Edwards uses threatening imagery of
“great waters” that are “dammed for the
present.” These images are menacing
because the “longer the stream is stopped,
the more rapid and mighty is its course.”
This makes people feel threatened and
worried about what the future might bring.
“The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the
present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, til
an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped, the more
rapid and mighty is its course, when it is let loose” (103).
• Here, Edwards creates an image of impending doom. First,
Edwards compares God to “great waters” in order to show how
God is as powerful as water is. Water can do great damage – it
can flood, drown, destroy and ruin objects of all sizes.
Edwards then tells his listeners that water that has been
dammed only “increase[s]” as time goes on: this comparison
shows how God’s anger only increases over time as well. This
image of mounting wrath creates tension for the listeners since
the listeners do not know when God’s wrath might come
rushing down upon them. In fact, Edwards says that God’s
wrath, when it is “let loose,” will be “rapid and mighty.” The
idea that a “rapid and mighty” anger might hit the listener at
any time threatens the happy world that the listeners have
created for themselves. By emphasizing the unknown quality
of God’s emotions, Edwards makes the reader feel threatened
with the thought of violence.
Tasks Today
• Revise and add to analysis portions of
paragraphs
• Write Explanation as last paragraph:
– Which way did you organize your paragraphs
– Why did you choose you organize your paragraphs
this way?
– Do you still think that this is the best way to
organize your work? Why or why not?
• Turn in your essay to turnitin.com
– 4 paragraphs: thesis, 2 body, 1 explanation at the
end