Writing Homework Help

NOTE: ( Thesis statement has to be sent today and wait for the prof approval to type the rest of the speech)

On the first few days of the semester, I supply you with a variety of readings that will assist you in discovering your topic, dealing with anxiety, a guide for speaking, delivering your speech and more. You should scan those readings and review them as needed for the semester.

It would be smart if you made a copy of each of those readings or saved them to your computer for easy access.

Those readings are a CLICK away, so please read them when you have time and the need for that information.

Your first speech is INFORMATIVE and should be 3-5 minutes long with NO visual aids.

In order to write a cohesive speech, you need a clearly stated thesis.

I want to teach you how to create your 3-part thesis. Before you read how to do this, please read “7 Steps to Pick a Perfect Speech Topic.” Once you have the general idea of what you will talk about, then you must narrow your focus and write your thesis.

Here is a template (guide) for developing your 3-part thesis:

Let’s say that you have decided to speak about sports. The topic of “Sports” is huge so you much narrow the focus so the point of your speech will be understandable in the 3-5 minutes you will be speaking.

TOPIC : Sports

(This topic is huge, so ask yourself What kind of sports? and then answer your question in the next step(s) where you restrict (narrow) your idea to make it manageable for the amount of time that you have been given to speak.

1st RESTRICTION : Winter Sports

If you have seen the Winter Olympics on television then you know that there are too many winter sports to discuss in 3-5 minutes. So you ask yourself Which winter Sport? and then answer your question in the next step.

2nd RESTRICTION : Snow Skiing

You have narrowed down your topic so it is now time to brainstorm what you know about snow skiing. So ask yourself What do I know about snow skiing? You might know that this sport is expensive. You might know that this sport is dangerous. You might know that this sport is popular. The more you brainstorm, the more ideas you will come up with. I came thought of 3 ideas but you may come up with only 2 or 6 or 9. It doesn’t matter how many ideas you think of because you will only select one idea for your speech.

I will take my 3 brainstorming ideas and turn them into questions.

QUESTIONS:

1. Why is the sport of snow skiing so expensive?

2. Why is the sport of snow skiing so dangerous?

3. Why is the sport of snow skiing so popular?

IMPORTANT: You are NOT going to answer all these questions. You are going to look at your questions and determine which one you know about and interests you. You will then answer only that one question and you will answer it in 3 parts.

Here are my thoughts:

I don’t want to talk about “expensive” because that’s boring.

I don’t want to talk about “dangerous” because I have to do a lot of research about all the accidents on ski mountains and it is very depressing to read about skiing catastrophes.

I do know why the sport is popular, so I will speak on the popularity of snow skiing.

You have completely and beautifully narrowed your focus to make it manageable for a 3-5 minute speech. Now it is time to answer your question “Why is the sport of snow skiing so popular?”

Answer your question in ONE SENTENCE – with 3-PARTS. The answer to your question is called your THESIS.

THESIS: (One sentence in 3 parts)

The sport of snow skiing has grown in popularity because it takes place in a unpolluted environment, it provides high adventure and it never loses its challenge.

EXCELLENT! Now you have 3 very specific ideas on which to deliver you speech !!

So what is the next step?

IMPORTANT: Your thesis should be the last line in your introductory paragraph.

Use your thesis to construct your outline.

In your ENG 101 classes you learned how to construct an outline. If you have forgotten, then consult Purdue OWL (listed on your syllabus) as a reminder.

SAMPLE: Please look at how I took the thesis and broke it down into outline format (an excellent guide for your speech):

I. Unpolluted environment

A.

B. (In this area of the outline, you will provide the details of the subject.)

C.

II. High adventure

A.

B. (In this area of the outline, you will provide the details of the subject.)

C.

III. Never loses its challenge

A.

B. (In this area of the outline, you will provide the details of the subject.)

C.

Notice that the words “Introduction” and “Conclusion” do not appear in an outline – according to MLA (Modern Language Association) rules.

NEXT:

The introductory paragraph is very important because your reader will make a judgment call on you at this point…so you want a VERY interesting, attention-getting introduction. Your should NEVER begin a paper with this: “This paper is going to be about……” NO! NO!

GOALS OF THE INTRODUCTION

1. Get attention by arousing interest and motivation to read your essay.

• Standing at the podium does not mean that people will actually listen to you.
• Get attention by arousing interest and motivation to listen.

1. Set the tone for the paper
   • Humor signals lighthearted
   • Serious signals somber or thoughtful
   • Do not mix i.e. Do not start with a joke and think that you will successfully segway into war or abortion NO! NO!
2. Create a bond of goodwill between you and your audience

• In the first few words, you establish what the audience will feel about you as a person and a speaker.
• If you are warm, enthusiastic, and friendly and give the audience a sense that what you are talking about is in the audience’s best interest, they will listen.

1. Establish your credibility
   • Credibility is built and maintained as you write. Establish it in the introduction.
2. Lead into the content of your speech

• Use your thesis to lead into the speech after your attention-getting intro

Here are just a few ideas for writing an attention-getting introduction:

1. Relate a story

Example: Susan’s boss told her that her dress was too tight and too short. Beth’s supervisor pinched her every time she walked near him. John knew that making love to Norma, the Vice-President of the company was the only way to get a promotion.

Degrading, counterproductive, and criminal – these words describe sexual harassment in the workplace. This is the cancer of the workplace. Sexual harassment is a problem for both men and women. These harassers want power over us and victims are unaware of how to cut off this power.

To stop sexual harassment in the workplace you should… INSERT YOUR ONE SENTENCE, 3-PART THESIS….

2. Ask a question or questions

Example: Have you ever wondered of late what is going on with consumers? Why are they so full of contradictions when it comes to spending money? Why will they buy a $500 leather jacket at full price but wait for a $25 sweater to go on sale? Why will they eagerly pay $3.00 – $5.00 for a cup of coffee but wait for hamburger meat to go on sale. Why will they spend too much money on bath soaps but wait for a coupon for toilet paper. If we do not understand consumer thinking then …… INSERT YOUR ONE SENTENCE, 3-PART THESIS…. ….companies will not be able to attract new consumers, their research and development will be adversely affected, and long-term profit sales will be very poor.

3. Give an incentive to listen

Example: Every one who is reading this essay today is fired ! You have no job! You are unemployed! Some of you are sitting comfortably and saying to yourself, “It can’t happen to me.” Did you know that last month 29,000 people, secure in their jobs and positions for the last 16 years or more were told to go with not much more than “Thanks” and a good record? What can you do so that you never hear “You are fired!” or “You are laid off?” INSERT YOUR ONE SENTENCE, 3-PART THESIS…. Become a better employee by upgrading your skills, not participating in company gossip, and always maintain a professional demeanor at work and on your social media.

4. Personal Reference

Example: Were you tired when you got up this morning to attend an 8:00 a.m. class? I’ll bet there were a few of you who vowed never to take another 8:00 a.m. class. But did you ever stop to think that maybe the problem isn’t the class but that you just might not be getting enough sleep – that you are, indeed sleep deprived. You need more sleep! INSERT YOUR ONE SENTENCE, 3-PART THESIS…. Sleep deprivation can lead to a lowered immune system, less involvement in your day-to-day school work, and ultimately (according to longevity experts) it can reduce the length of your life.

5. Cite a Quotation

Example: Over 500years ago William Shakespeare said, “The quality of mercy is not strained. It dropeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It blesses him that gives and him that takes. Tis mightiest of the mightiest. Tis the crowned monarch better than his drown.” This quote only serves to prove that Shakespeare is indeed a man for all times because he was calling for a balance between mercy and justice. Certainly this is a contemporary problem of the 21st century as it much have been for the Elizabethan 16th century. INSERT YOUR ONE SENTENCE, 3-PART THESIS…. If our judicial system does not begin to balance mercy with justice, we will have overpopulated prisons, an overcrowded court system, and a very disgruntled public.