20 Sep write your thesis for Assignment 2

Hi all!

I just wanted to share some resources on how to write your thesis for Assignment 2!

If you are confused about the Thesis Formula, this is from one of your assignment prompts where this is explained:

“Thesis: The thesis answers the level 3 research question you ask in your introduction and lays out the structure of your argument, creating the readers expectations for what is to come in the analysis:

1. Acknowledges an alternative view of the subjectthe opposition (an although point)
2. Refers to the subject of the question
3. Makes an assertion about the subject (your position on the issue)
4. Provides at least 3 reasons (sometimes fewer, sometimes more) to support the assertion,
listed in the most logical and persuasive order for your argument.

Stated as a formula: TS = O + S + A + R (3+)

Thesis Sentence = Opposition + Subject + Assertion + Reasons (3+)

Here is an example related to the assignment for MMW 122 (not a current event; topic used as an example in the instructions for Assignment 1):

Although the editorial stance of most news publications is generally in favour of religious freedom, press coverage of the request to build a mosque close to the former site of the World Trade Center shows a distinct tinge of Islamophobia, as evidenced by an analysis of the language, images, and sources of diverse news media outlets.”

Here is another sample thesis helpfully provided by one of my fellow TAs, Reem!

‘Although critics claim that certain media outlets may avoid linking natural disasters to climate change simply to avoid controversy, my findings suggest that many elite, mainstream outlets are actively disgracing and deluding scientific evidence supporting a causal link between the climate crisis and an increase in extreme weather events around the globe, while disregarding the detrimental effects of the events on human livelihood, and possibly the Earths survival. These outlets are doing this by carefully constructing news articles to revolve around ulterior distractions, misleading rhetoric, and blame games; neglecting to address the possible looming implications of extreme weather on human livelihood, and strategically painting the humanitarian crises in ways that deliberately avoid details of their severity.’

/ Bonus tip: This student’s scholarly sources were a scientific study linking natural disasters to climate change and a sociology article about climate change denial strategies, both highly reputable and peer-reviewed.”