LAN 1220 Tutorial questions

TERM 2 September, 2019 ( For Tutor Only)

THE ACADEMIC WRITING PROCESS

1. Discuss the importance of planning in the process of writing a piece of academic work.
2. State the different stages of the writing process and point out why each stage is critical in
the writing process.
3. Why is it important to analyze a question before you start to write?
4. Analyse the following question according to what was discussed in class by identifying:
(a) instruction word/s; (b) topic (c) aspect; and (d) restriction(s):

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of multipartism in Zambia.

5. (a) Identify three elements that make up a paragraph.

(b) Find two paragraphs from any text of your choice and then indicate the three elements
you have identified in (a) above.

THESIS STATEMENT WRITING

1. What is a thesis statement?

2. What is the importance of a thesis statement in academic writing?
3. What are the characteristics of a thesis statement?
4. How do you know if your thesis statement is strong?
5. Establish good thesis statements for the following questions:
a) Comment on the internationalization of university campuses in Canada.
b) Discuss the relevancy of the role of deputy ministers in the Zambian political system.
c) Analyse why many university graduates are having difficulty finding full-time
employment in their field after completing their degrees.
d) Compare and contrast the socio-economic situation of Zambia and that of Zimbabwe.
e) Argue for Youth leadership in Zambia.
f) Evaluate the strengths and weakenesses of multipartism in Zambia.

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A thesis statement:

 tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under
discussion.
 is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest
of the paper.
 directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or
subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II
or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
 makes a claim that others might dispute.
 is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the
first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the
body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the
logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need
to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The
assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may
assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a
thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast,
to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being
asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on
understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you
do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to
collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as
surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once
you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea
and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your
thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify
relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement.

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

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If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get
some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis
evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the
following:

 Did I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working
thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question.
 Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply
states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are
simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
 Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do
not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,”
see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes
something “successful”?
 Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to be “So
what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
 Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis
and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s
okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course
of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
 Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or
“why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what
you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Writing Effective Thesis Statements

Academic assignments almost always ask students to convince the reader of a particular point
of view on an issue. The thesis statement is the articulation of that viewpoint. When
assignment instructions use words such as: analyze, interpret, comment on, or compare and
contrast, the instructor is usually asking you to state a thesis and defend it. The thesis
statement is generally found at the end of the introduction (although this convention varies by
discipline), and the body of the paper provides evidence in support of your thesis.

As learnt in class, a well-constructed thesis statement:

 Reveals your interpretation of the subject matter or topic of the essay
 Prepares the reader for the content to follow

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  Is stated in such a way that there could be opposing viewpoints as well
 Is specific enough to lead to substantial support

Examples

Assignment #1: Comment on the internationalization of university campuses in Canada.

Vague thesis statement:

The presence of international students on Canadian university campuses provides
benefits to both domestic and foreign students.

Better thesis statement:

The academic and social interaction between international and domestic students on
university campuses in Canada leads to greater tolerance, acceptance and celebration of
diversity.

Other options:
To ensure the financial survival of universities into the future, the recruitment of
international students is crucial.

The success of international students on university campuses in Canada is dependent on

the availability of academic and social support programs.

Assignment #2: Discuss the relevancy of the role of Governor General in the Canadian
political system.

Vague Thesis:
The role of Governor General is no longer relevant in Canadian politics.

Better Thesis:

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 The role of Governor General has evolved into an expensive, sentimental figurehead
and is not essential to modern Canadian governance.

Another option:
Since Canada is an active member of the Commonwealth, the Governor General plays
an essential role in Canadian politics.

Assignment #3: Analyze why many university graduates are having difficulty finding full-
time employment in their field after completing their degrees.

Poor thesis statement:

There are many reasons why university graduates are unable to find employment after
graduation.

Better Thesis statement:

The goal of a university education is not to provide vocational training; it is about
social and personal development in addition to the acquisition of specific skills and
knowledge.

Another option:
Universities continue to be under threat from cuts in funding, declining enrollment, and
replacement by technology; therefore, universities need to adapt their programs and
processes to more closely align with the needs of industry.

DEAR TUTOR: THE NOTES GIVEN ARE FOR GUIDANCE ESPECIALLY ON THESIS
STATEMENTS. PLEASE DON’T SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH THE STUDENTS
BEFORE HAVING COMPLETED THE DISCUSS OF ALL THE QUESTIONS.