For my thesis I tried to synthesize all the elements of the project into two sentences. You can see that I chose the different strategies and elements of the article's rhetorical situation that are most relevant to the article and are most relevant to this field's writing style. Since scientific writing (whether it be reporting or otherwise) is mostly based on logic and credibility, these were the two elements that I chose to focus on in terms of rhetorical strategies.
I think this thesis has mapped out my project fairly well and it should be fairly easy to craft a basic structure for the piece. I think I will struggle with incorporating how the elements of the rhetorical situation play a role in how the piece is constructed.
Thesis:
In his article, “Nuclear Waste Solution Seen in Desert Salt Beds,” Matthew L. Wald of the New York Times constructs a position in support of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico. He accomplishes this by employing effective use of appeals to credibility and logic that are appropriate for his general, non-technical audience.
Thesis 2:
In his article, “Nuclear Waste Solution Seen in Desert Salt Beds,” he constructs a supported argument in favor of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico. He accomplishes this by employing effective use of appeals to credibility and logic that are appropriate for his general, non-technical audience.
After reading my classmates Tripp Twyman and Brandon Goldenberg's theses I learned a few important strategies for writing a strong thesis. I also learned that I was should compose more than one thesis so that I can have a couple options to choose from (and because that is the assignment we were given). Above I added the thesis that I used in my draft since it is a new revised version of the one in this post.
In terms of strategies I learned, I thought it was effective how both of my classmates referred to the specific strategies in their thesis. In mine I chose to use the broad terms of ethos, logos, and pathos rather than referring to the specific strategies that give the author these three elements. I thought this latter method was effective and it clearly mapped out the paper from the start.
Mark - Short, sweet and to the point. Though I haven't read your Project 2 draft, from this thesis I would assume there is no reference to cultural values or ideology. If that is the case, then I think you have a strong statement. If not, my only suggestion would be to touch upon it so when you do reference those beliefs later it isn't the first time the audience is hearing about them. Good job!
ReplyDeleteYour theses both convey to the reader what the article is about, and set up your analysis by including the rhetoric strategies the author uses. For the second one, as long as you introduce your author and background information on him, it is to the point and an effective thesis.
ReplyDeleteYour theses both convey to the reader what the article is about, and set up your analysis by including the rhetoric strategies the author uses. For the second one, as long as you introduce your author and background information on him, it is to the point and an effective thesis.
ReplyDeleteI like how you have kept the thesis statement as concise as possible. I know what the rest of the paper will be about when I read them.
ReplyDelete