Read Isaac Asimov’s writing on Creativity, invention, and New Ideas
NEW – Pre-assignment Lesson:
Here forward the thesis statement and essay structures begin to take on other characteristics in addition to what has already been covered: Review the following prior to attempting any of the assignments in Module four and five.
New Essay Structures
In addition to the five paragraph essay the class will now visit an essay that also includes a summary paragraph prior to the thesis statement such as is used for rhetorical analysis essays, literature reviews, and literary analysis essays. And an Argument and Persuasion essay structure that includes Opposing View and Rebuttal sections and will be used for the Final Research Essay/Paper. The two new structures are:
Essay including Summary
>Paragraph 1 – Introduction
>Paragraph 2 – Summary
>Paragraph 3 – Writer’s position statement and/or thesis statement
>Paragraph 4-6 – Body paragraphs – Supporting Details
>Paragraph 7- Conclusion
>Work Cited Page
Argument & Persuasion Essays
>Paragraph 1 – Introduction
>Paragraph 2 – Writer’s position statement and/or thesis statement
>Paragraph 3-5 – Body paragraphs – Supporting Details
>Paragraph 6 – Opposing View
>Paragraph 7 – Rebuttal to Opposing View
>Paragraph 8- Conclusion
>Work Cited Page
Introduction Paragraph – characteristics of an introduction paragraph remain the same, except for when the thesis statement is placed in a separate paragraph.
Summary Paragraph – are intended to inform the reader of the essay of the written work one is about to analyze. It needs to be brief and concise while giving a fair summation of said text. Its length depends on the length of the text being summarized. Clearly, the summary of a two page essay is much shorter than the summary of a 30 page article, or a 200 page book. The summary must be unbias. That means that the tone must be neutral no matter how harshly or kindly you wish to write about it.
Thesis Statement
Although many of the characteristics remain the same, there are a few additional elements.
· For this class, begin your thesis statement with “although”
· Only two clauses separated by a comma
· The two clauses are in juxtaposition to each other; this creates tension in the thesis statement.
· First clause always starts with “although” for this course.
· First clause ties back to the background information in the beginning of the introduction. This is not the topic of your essay. This information will not be what is written about in the body of your essay.
· Second clause presents a different perspective or position than presented in the first clause.
· Second clause may also present the writers position with a
should
+verb
or
should not
+verb
phrase.
· Second clause may also present a justification with a
because phrase preceding the three main points (reasons).
· Second clause may also present the writers position and justification with a
should
+verb or
should not
+verb
phrase followed by a
because phrase preceding the three main points (reasons).
· Second clause ends with the explicit list of the
three main points/conditions/reasons which will be the basis of the body of your essay.
Thesis Statement Examples/Models
Here are a variety of models for the thesis statement structures we will use here forward.
·
“Although the original Golden Record may have been a good representation of humanity at that time, an updated version today
should include (item #1), (item #2), and (item #3).”
· “Although some may think that Darwin’s discovery of evolution was just luck or to him being a ‘genius”, Asimov believed that it came about
because three conditions existed, namely (condition #1), (condition #2), and (condition #3)
· “Although the Gold Record sent in the Voyager missions was important for its time, sending out an updated version today would be just as important
because (reason #1), (reason #2), and (reason #3).”
·
“Although many believe that ‘think tanks’ are the answer to creativity and ingenuity, Asimov believes that working in isolation is the answer
because (reason #1), (reason #2), and (reason #3).”
· “Although the Gold Record sent in the Voyager missions was important and very expensive for its time, humanity
should send out an updated version today
because (reason #1), (reason #2), and (reason #3).”
· “Although the Gold Record sent in the Voyager missions was very important but relatively inexpensive for its time, humanity
should Not send outan updated version today
because (reason #1), (reason #2), and (reason #3).”
This Assignment:
Respond to the following through a summary, two (2) thesis statements, and topic sentences
·
·
· Consider human creativity and ingenuity.
· According to Asimov, where do new ideas come from?
Requirements:
This assignment does not require a complete essay response. However, it MUST include:
1. A brief summary (no more than 100 words) of Asimov’s writing presented earlier in the module. (
not an introduction, no hook or other background required for this assignment).
2. Use thesis statement 1 below
> Explicit three main points (
conditions) at the end of the thesis statement
3.
And
Use thesis statement 2 below
> Explicit three main points (
reasons) at the end of the thesis statement
4. Three topic sentences for thesis statement #1
5.. Three topic sentences for thesis statement #2
Examples/Models
Here are the
required
thesis statement structures you
MUST
use for the thesis statements for this assignment.
1.
·
1. “Although some may think that Darwin’s discovery of evolution was just luck or to him being a ‘genius”, Asimov believed that it came about because three conditions existed, namely (condition #1), (condition #2), and (condition #3)
2.
3.
·
·
2. “Although many believe that ‘think tanks’ are the answer to creativity and ingenuity, Asimov believes that working in isolation is the answer because (reason #1), (reason #2), and (reason #3).”
After posting your response to this assignment, place the required comments/critiques for two classmates. Make sure comments to classmates are a brief rhetorical analysis of their post. DO NOT COMMENT ON THE SUBJECT MATTER, instead analyze how your classmate’s post followed instructions, met the structural requirements of the assignment, and give examples of each.
Do not use first person or second person in your response. (No: I, me, my, we, us, our, mine, you, your, etc…) Use MS Word to initially type your response. Double space the entire response. Then copy and paste from MSWord to the assignment text box.
Grade Breakdown Per Post:
·
· Post: 90% (minimum words per detail above)
· Two Comments/critiques to classmates:10% (Minimum 50 words – as a brief rhetorical analysis)
· Total: 100%
Works cited
