Tuesday, 3/15: Theses (?), KBARBlogs, Demo Essays

“Warm Up, 3/15 – Theses.” (Theses is the plural form of thesis.)
Which thesis statement is the better of the pair? Why? (Hint: Choose statements that avoid being neutral.)

1. A.) In the last two decades, many new diseases such as AIDS, West Nile Virus, and SARS have appeared on the scene.
   B.) Newly discovered diseases such as AIDS, West Nile Virus, and SARS are a serious threat to the health of millions of people the world over.
2. A.) The fast food industry has taken much of the blame for America’s health problems, but recent research suggests the problem is far more complex.
   B.) Because health concerns have become a widespread problem in America, many people have begun to avoid fast food and to eat healthier foods.
3. A.) Unlike many other professional sports, baseball provides no way of keeping small market teams competitive with teams from larger cities.
   B.) Unable to keep up with competition from other sports, Major League Baseball has become an outdated institution in need of serious reform.
4. A.) The USA PATRIOT Act, however well-intentioned, deals a serious blow to the civil liberties of all Americans.
   B.) The USA PATRIOT Act gives the government access to voice mail and electronic surveillance, not to mention other means of investigating suspected terrorists.
5. A.) With his bluesy style and guitar pyrotechnics, Jimi Hendrix set the standard that has influenced two generations of electric guitar players.
   B.) The great guitarist Jimi Hendrix became famous for his flashy riffs, bluesy style, and outrageous onstage behavior.
6. A.)  Without a widespread grass-roots movement to put pressure on the U.S. Congress, the Voting Rights Act would never have been passed.
   B.) The Voting Rights Act passed by Congress in 1965 included a mass movement of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people.
7. A.) Igor Stravinsky’s orchestral ballet, The Rite of Spring, symbolizes the beginning of the modern era of symphonic music.
   B.) Stravinsky’s famous symphonic ballet, The Rite of Spring, was first performed in Paris in 1913, after the turn of the 20th century.

Tomorrow’s assignment.

What did you read last night?

Usual Format:

• Intro (w/thesis as last sentence)
• argument + cited evidence
• argument + cited evidence
• opposing view/rebuttal (3rd argument + cited evidence)
• conclusion (restate thesis.)

Example essays and rubrics for grading.