The Thesis Machine
TPR and Polish
What is a THESIS Statement?

A road map for the rest of
the paper

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It must be both arguable and
provable.
It is an assertion, a central argument
around which the essay revolves.
Step 1: TOPIC
State the topic under consideration.
 cats
 grades
 Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn
Topic

What’s a better pet? Cats or dogs?
Step 2: POSITION
State the specific issue in the form of a
debating proposition—a “this is what I
believe” statement
 Cats should be subject to leash laws.
 Grades are unnecessary in college.
 Twain’s HF is about hypocrisy.
Step 2: Position

I believe _____ are better pets
Step 3: RATIONALE
Using a “because” clause, convert the resolution into a
sentence that states your position on the issue and
provides a main rationale for that position. A “this is
what I believe and this is why” statement
 Cats should be subject to leash laws because they are
inveterate wanderers.
 Grades are unnecessary in college because students
learn more rapidly without them.
 Twain’s HF is a book about one person’s ethical stand
against the hypocritical practice of antebellum Southern
society.
Step 3: Rationale

I believe cats are better than dogs because
they are more independent and don’t need
to be walked.
Step 4: POLISH & QUALIFY
(WASABI clause)
Refine the rough thesis: Use WASABI and
spice it up! Add any qualifications and
consider dropping overt use of because.
A complex thought deserves to be written in a complex
sentence (dependent clause + independent clause).

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W: Whether, While, When
A: Although
S: Since
A: After
B: Because
I: If
Step 4: Polish and Qualify
Although dogs are used to protect homes,
cats and their independent, hunting nature
makes them the better pet.
WASABI

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
Because of the crowded nature of city life, the
cat's instinctive wanderlust demands that it be
restrained.
While there may be a legitimate need to evaluate
the work of college students, the traditional
grading system hinders learning and stifles
creativity.
Although Huckleberry may not realize it, the
Mississippi River serves as a symbol of freedom
between the lands of chaos, hypocrisy and
destruction in Mark Twain’s HK.
Evaluate on a 1-10 scale. Effective
or not?
1.
2.
3.
William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is about a boy who
disagrees with his father.
William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is about a boy who
is in the process of self-discovery.
In “Barn Burning” young Starty has to choose between
showing loyalty to his father whi is breaking the law
and doing what is just in the eyes of the law. The
conflict between Sarty’s conscience and his loyalty to
his father suggests that society’s laws are more
important than remaining loyal to family.