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The Sheridan Baker Thesis Machine

The Sheridan Baker Thesis Machine. Step 1: TOPIC . State the topic under consideration. cats freshman composition grades obesity. Topic . What’s a better pet? Cats or dogs?. Step 2: ISSUE .

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The Sheridan Baker Thesis Machine

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  1. The Sheridan Baker Thesis Machine

  2. Step 1: TOPIC State the topic under consideration. • cats • freshman composition • grades • obesity

  3. Topic • What’s a better pet? Cats or dogs?

  4. Step 2: ISSUE State the specific issue in the form of a debating proposition—a “this is what I believe” statement • Resolved: Cats should be subject to leash laws. • Resolved: Freshman composition should be abolished. • Resolved: Grades are unnecessary in college. • ________ is responsible for obesity

  5. Step 2: Issue • I believe _____ are better pets

  6. Step 3: POSITION + RATIONALE Using a because?clause, convert the resolution into a sentence that states your position on the issue and provides a main rationale for that position. A “this is what I believe and this is why” statement • Cats should be subject to leash laws because they are inveterate wanderers. • Freshman composition should not be abolished because many freshmen are unpracticed writers. • Grades are unnecessary in college because students learn more rapidly without them. • __________ are responsible for obesity because…

  7. Step 3: Position and Rationale • I believe cats are better than dogs because they are more independent and don’t need to be walked.

  8. Step 4: POLISH & QUALIFY (WASABI clause) Refine the rough thesis: Use WASABI and spice it up! add any qualifications and consider dropping overt use of because. • W: Whether, While, When • A: Although • S: Since • A: After • B: Because • I: If

  9. Step 4: Polish and Qualify Although dogs are used to protect homes, cats and their independent, hunting nature makes them the better pet.

  10. WASABI • Because of the crowded nature of city life, the cat's instinctive wanderlust demands that it be restrained. • Although gifted high school graduates should be exempt from freshman composition, most entering students need help in attaining college writing skills. • Although there may be a legitimate need to evaluate the work of college students, the traditional grading system hinders learning and stifles creativity. • While _________ share the responsibility of contributing to the obesity epidemic, ______________ are the most to blame and therefore bear the ultimate responsibility.

  11. Step 5: REVERSE AND TEST Test your faith in the thesis and expose potential counter arguments by reversing your position. • The cat's independent and adaptable nature makes it the only pet capable of living an unrestricted existence within the city. • Although introductory composition may have remedial value for some students, most high school graduates possess writing skills sufficient for success in college courses. • Traditional grading procedures may offend educational purists, but public school systems require pragmatic approaches to evaluation.

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