College-level Theses and Topic Sentences

1. College-level Theses and Topic Sentences or, How to Improve on the “5-paragraph Essay”

2. Thesis and Topic Sentence Fundamentals The Thesis: the brain (substance) and the backbone (organization) of the paper. -the essay is as intelligent and as interesting as its thesis -the thesis makes a claim about another claim -better theses argue for the validity of an idea rather than take a stand right/wrong or yes/no on an issue -better theses help us think better about what the real issue is or what is at stake Topic sentences: -also make a claim rather than state a fact -clearly relate to the thesis by repeating key words -effectively use transitional words and phrases to link paragraphs

3. A Very Basic 5-paragraph Thesis and Topic Sentence Outline Thesis: The Detroit Tigers are the best team in baseball because they have the best hitting, pitching, and fielding. Topic Sentence #1: One reason the Tigers are the best team in baseball is because they have the best hitting. Topic Sentence #2: Another reason the Tigers are the best team in baseball is because they have the best pitching. Topic Sentence #3: A third reason the Tigers are the best team in baseball is that they have the best fielding. Refute the Opposition Paragraph Topic Sentence: Some people say that the San Francisco Giants are the best team in baseball, but a clear look at the facts…. Conclusion: To repeat, the Detroit Tigers are the best team in baseball because they have the best hitting, pitching, and fielding.

4. A Better-But-Still-Basic Thesis/ Topic Sentence Outline Thesis: The Detroit Tigers are the best team in baseball because they have the best hitting, pitching, and fielding. Topic Sentence #1: One reason the Tigers are the best team in baseball is that they hit for both average and power better than everyone else. Topic Sentence #2: Even more significantly, the Tigers have the best pitching in baseball. Topic Sentence #3: The most important reason the Tigers are the best team in baseball is their superior fielding. Refute the Opposition Paragraph Topic Sentence: Joe Jones of The Baseball News makes a compelling argument that the St. Louis Cardinals are the best team in baseball, but…. Conclusion: The bigger question is where the Tigers rate all-time in comparison to the great teams in baseball history.

5. Even Better (but still basic) Thesis/topic Sentence Outline Thesis: Contrary to popular belief that the St. Louis Cardinals are the best team in baseball, the Detroit Tigers possess much better hitting, pitching, and fielding. Topic Sentence #1: In comparison to the Cardinals, the Tigers hit better for both average and power. Topic Sentence #2: The Tigers also clearly have better starting and relief pitching than the Cardinals. Topic Sentence #3: Most importantly, the Tigers field better than the Cardinals as shown by their low number of errors. Refute the Opposition Paragraph Topic Sentence: It is true that the Cardinals have the best record, but careful analysis demonstrates the Tiger’s true superiority. Conclusion: The case will be settled this fall when the Tigers destroy the Cardinals in the World Series.

6. Want to Write a Better Paper? Make a More Interesting, Less Obvious Argument More interesting, less obvious subjects: -How the Detroit Tigers managed to build a winning team after years of losing seasons. -It’s not statistics but unrecognized intangibles that make the Detroit Tigers winners. -Traditional statistics don’t reveal the story of why the Tigers are winners, but a new better measurement does. -The Tigers winning formula represents a radical new way of achieving baseball excellence. -The mania of sports fanatics to debate baseball greatness is evidence of the decline of American civilization….

7. A HWE1 Very Basic Thesis/topic Sentence Outline Thesis: Carr’s claim that Google is making us stupid is wrong. Topic Sentence 1: The first reason Carr is wrong is because….. Topic Sentence 2: The second reason Carr is wrong is because…. Topic Sentence 3: The third reason Carr is wrong is because…. Refute the Opposition: To those who say that Google helps make information available more quickly to more people, I say…. Conclusion: We should establish controls that allow people access to the Internet only twenty-five minutes a day….

8. The best papers…. Take several paragraphs to explain a point or claim. Do not render the impression that the paragraphs are interchangeable or can stand-alone Convey the impression that certain points need to be explained and understood first, before moving to more complicated points.

9. “I have to tell you this, before I tell you that” Thesis/Topic Sentence Outline Thesis: Carr’s argument that Google is making us stupid is misguided; the real problem is that Google is attempting to monopolize information to monitor and shape our buying habits. Topic Sentence 1: Carr’s basic claim that Google, and the Internet at large, has profoundly affected our lives is true as far as it goes. Topic Sentence 2: Carr’s most dire claims—that Google will lead us down the road to a world in which no one reads books anymore and artificial intelligence technology drains us of our humanity—are also possibilities. Topic Sentence 3: The real fear, however, which Carr basically ignores, is the extent to which Google is attempting to monetize the flow of information. Topic Sentence 4: An example of Google’s monopolization of information is…. Topic Sentence 5: The implication of Google’s actions—whether its owners admit it or not—are dire. Refute the Opposition: Of course, Google’s owners reject the idea that their company’s aims are more capitalistic than beneficial. Conclusion: As we go forward, we should not be scared by scary Hollywood stories about robots that are more human than humans. Instead, we should worry about the consolidation of information, money, and resources in the hands of monolithic corporations such as Google.

10. Another Example of a Very Basic Thesis/Topic Sentence Outline Thesis: Machiavelli’s claim that it is better to be feared than loved is wrong. Topic Sentence 1: The first reason it is better to be loved than feared is…. Topic Sentence 2: The second reason it is better to be loved than feared is…. Topic Sentence 3: The third reason it is better to be loved than feared is…. Refute the Opposition: In spite of all the evidence to contrary, some leaders still believe it is better to be feared than loved…. Conclusion: We should now revamp all our training programs for leaders to emphasize the need for leaders to be loved….

11. Better Thesis/Topic Sentence Outline Thesis: Machiavelli’s claim that it is better to be feared than loved is a false opposition; what is best is for leaders to respect their subordinates and vice-versa. Topic Sentence 1: The most important reason respect is a better leadership attribute is…. Topic Sentence 2: A second reason respect is a better attribute…. Topic Sentence 3: Finally, respect is a better attribute because…. Refute the Opposition: In spite of the evidence to contrary, some leaders still don’t understand the importance of respect. Conclusion: We should now revamp all our training programs for leaders to emphasize the value of respect….

12. Advanced Thesis/Topic Sentence Outline Thesis: Machiavelli’s claim that fear and love define leadership is a false opposition; contemporary leadership values competence and communication. Topic Sentence 1: The idea that fear and love define leadership styles is a product of 15th-century thinking. Topic Sentence 2: However, we can see this concept’s limitations by examining leadership in modern warfare and politics. Topic Sentence 3: Instead of fear and love, the important qualities today are competence and communication. Topic Sentence 4: A good example of the importance of competence and communication is…. Refute the Opposition: Of course, leaders should strive to be respected and orders must be carried out promptly. Still…. Conclusion: To build the most effective military possible, we must go beyond old leadership paradigms to embrace the importance of competence and communication….