Exercises
Monday, February 21, 2005
Thesis Example
[SETTING THE SCENE]A.A. Milne’s classic series, “Winnie the Pooh,” has been rightly hailed as a masterpiece of children’s literature. Its collection of memorable animal characters has made its mark on the imagination of several generations of children. [TRANSITION TO THESIS]A closer look at Milne’s stories, however, reveals that while the Pooh stories can be enjoyed as light-hearted tales about friendship in the forest, Milne also uses a specific literary device to illuminate a deeper truth about the human condition. The conspicuous prevalence of Pooh’s honey (or “hunny,” as the bear incorrectly but charmingly spells it), inclines the reader to search for the meaning behind this focal point of Pooh’s worldview. The reader can conclude that [THESIS]Pooh’s hunger for honey is a metaphor for the human need for love. This conclusion rests on three themes: [ESSAY MAP]Pooh’s consideration of honey as a vital and indispensible element of life, the connection between Pooh’s sense of well-being and the adequacy of his honey supply, and the way in which Pooh internalizes his honey as a route to personal empowerment.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Thesis Exercise
Task: In your group, come up with a thesis for each essay or video segment. Best thesis gets a prize.
1) Jonathan Franzen’s essay “Imperial Bedroom.”
WINNER: Group 5
We as Americans want to keep our private private and our public public. It
appears as though we are losing privacy through increases in technology and a
blurred line between private and public space; but the illusion of privacy
still remains important.