Having a great thesis and introduction are must haves for this blog post. If you did not watch the video about writing a GREAT thesis statement, you MUST!!! It it the video that will change your entire essay approach. Having a great thesis demands that you use ideas INSTEAD of devices and that makes the entire essay different.
So, I am going to give you a prompt. Your job is to write a GREAT thesis statement based on one of the formula's from the video. UNDERLINE IT inside of your GREAT introduction!!!!
In the comments, you MUST challenge any thesis statements and introductions that are NOT great because on Monday, you will draw an introduction (which will contain a thesis) out of a grab bag and will have to write your essay based on whichever you choose. If they are ALL great, there should be no problem writing the essay and conclusion for it.
Here is the prompt I want you to use for the GREAT introduction which will contain a GREAT thesis statement.
(Suggested time—40 minutes. On the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., labor union organizer and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez published an article in the magazine of a religious organization devoted to helping those in need. Read the following excerpt from the article carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze the rhetorical choices Chavez makes to develop his argument about nonviolent resistance.
Use this link to go the essay in it's entirety. Scroll to page 9.
Paul F. was just starting up his begal business. He started out small just selling beagles to a few businesses, but as he predicted his small time begal business took off and he was selling to many big names. However, he did not expect that the numbers would be so showing. Paul F. has just found that many people have been lying, cheating, and stealing.
ReplyDeleteThe introduction was supposed to be about the prompt mentioned in the last part of the blog, so about Cesar Chavez and his writing!
DeleteThroughout history there have been many protest but in those protest there is a recurring theme, this is that most of the protest that actually changed something were peaceful. Labor union organizer and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez wrote an article about the power and importance of peaceful protest on the tenth anniversary of Martin Luther King juniors death. chavez main point of the text was to give reasons to why peaceful protest are more powerful. i think that Chavez was right and that peaceful protest actually make a point and show people that you want a change.
ReplyDeleteIn the thesis, you should talk of HOW the author conveys his message. You mentioned that the author wanted to convince his audience why peaceful protest is more powerful, but what ideas does Chavez use to prove that? For example, you could say Chavez argues the dignity of human life is more valuable than anything, and therefore violence only results in a net loss (In the actual thesis, that example might be written as, “...revealing violence only ends in a loss,”).
DeleteThe judgement and hate that is forming in, and filling, our world is similar to that which consumed our world fifty, sixty, seventy years ago. Our world is being filled with injustices and wrongs. In more ways than one it is easy to relate the fights for racial freedom to as early as when Martin Luther King Jr. fought for racial liberties during the civil rights movement. Though it is crucial to remain from violence, Cesear Chavez, an influential civil rights leader and labor union organizer, expressed the importance of speaking out and fighting for this just cause in many of his public speeches and writings. Chavez worked to rally his fellow union workers not to insight violence, rather, he called them to test their limits and use courage by putting nonviolent measures into action.
ReplyDeleteAudrey, this is a great introduction! I really like your opening sentence, because it shows that there is a connection between events that are occurring now and events that occurred in the past.
DeleteGreat job on your introduction Audrey! The opening sentence and thesis are really good!
DeleteThis is a great introduction Audrey. You have a lot of great context in the beginning of your introduction.
DeleteAs events over this past year have shown, violent protests do not bear any fruits. When the civil rights movement began in the 50s and 60s with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leading it, he encouraged everyone to stand up for what is right, but in a peaceful way. Cesar Chavez, a man who developed labor unions and led the civil rights movement, produced and published a piece of writing for a magazine of a religious establishment ten years after Martin Luther King, Jr., had been shot and killed. By emphasizing the idea that every human life has value, expressing that non-violence attracts people of good character, and describing that violence can yield change but at a cost, Chavez carries on and exhibits the same idea of nonviolent protest that Martin Luther King, Jr., a man of great honor to this day, advocated for.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good introduction Melaina! The ideas in your thesis will allow for a great paper.
DeleteGreat Introduction Melania! The imagery you use sounds great and really ties the introduction together.
DeleteThis is a great introduction Melaina. You have a really good attention grabber and a great thesis that will open your paper usurp for many good ideas.
DeleteGood introduction, I like how you clearly connected Martin Luther King Jr to Chavez, proving that Chavez obviously has a good argument.
DeleteDr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for people of color and devoted his life to achieving their equality. He used an approach of nonviolence to fight for freedom and to end segregation. On the tenth anniversary of his assassination, Caesar Chavez, a labor organizer ans civil rights leader, wrote an article which was published in a religous magazine about how an approach similar to Martin Luther King’s will be a successful means of achieving a goal. By discussing morals, human lives that could be lost, and the effect of the workers and farmers, Chavez convinces his audience that nonviolent resistance will bring lasting victory.
ReplyDeleteAbby, this is an awesome introduction! I really like the way you have organized the backstory before the introduction of the analysis for context. Although, I am not sure I understand what you meant by the effects on workers and farmers.
DeleteI think this is a decent introduction, but some things could be worked.
DeleteMaybe it is not your style, but I felt that you had a good chance to invoke imagery in your introduction by using MLK. If it is not, just make sure to really grab the reader somewhere in the introduction, like with a good attention getter or a shocking statement.
In your thesis, make sure to use strong verbs when transitioning from idea to idea. Basically, just put verbs before, “human lives,” and “effect.” Do not just use one verb for all three ideas.
While you still presented three ideas in the thesis, you could have combined the last two. I felt that the effect of the farmers and the loss of life could be tied together, which would have allowed you to include another broad idea.
These things may seem small, but I feel together they can make you lose credibility, which could leave a wrong impression of your ability.
In war, soldiers run onto the battlefield with courage, even when gunshots are being fired straight at them, but what will their death produce? Many people lose their lives fighting for a cause using violence, but it ultimately never produces anything. Cesar Chavez, a labor union organizer and civil rights leader, realized the dignity of the human person and knew change needed to happen. Ten years after the death of Martin Luther King Jr, Chavez made his ideas public in a religious organization’s magazine to honor a legendary leader. By calling for his audience to follow through with their religious doctrine, invoking American principles, and delving into the fruitlessness of violence, Chavez advocates for America to become a country of justice by respecting the dignity of all life.
ReplyDeleteTanner, this is a really great introduction. You had a great hook at the beginning, and I especially loved your use of logic here. This work really showed your credibility as a writer! Awesome essay!
Delete“The rich may have money, but the poor have time.” Ten years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the legacy he left behind in the fight for justice and equality continues to impact civil rights activists. Cesar Chavez, a labor union organizer, speaks on Dr. King’s life mission to share his view that nonviolent resistance is more effective. By exploring past instances of resistance among minority groups, utilizing the truth of value in each human life, and appealing to the common belief that most people are good, and therefore nonviolent, Chavez is able to convince his audience that this movement will work. Beyond this, Chavez is able to instill hope in the reader for a better world.
ReplyDeleteGreat thesis Gina! I love the way your thesis starts with a Martin Luther King quote. It really hooks the reader as well as keeps the hook relevant. Great Job Gina!
DeleteGood introduction Gina, I liked how you outlined the logic Chavez uses to prove that good people naturally avoid violent solutions to problems.
DeleteHistory has been filled with conflicting morals since the beginning of time. Protest is used as a voice to stand up for what is right and just. On the tenth anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior's death, a civil rights leader by the name of Cesar Chavez, wrote an article to explain the important reasons behind a peaceful protest. Chavez honors King by explaining how peaceful protests respect the dignity of life, attract people’s support, and how changes that come from violence also come with consequences.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great introduction Lani! Your thesis statement really popped out to me and I like how you reference that conflicting morals have always been an issue. Great job!
DeleteThe Civil Rights Movement, which sparked in the 60s and then again in the last year, was originally characterized by only peaceful protests and sit-ins. However, these non-violent acts slowly began to turn to being violent. In response to this, labor union organizer and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez gives argument as to why non-violence is the way we should move towards. By directly appealing to the moral beliefs of his audience, and comparing the effects of both violent and non-violent protests, Chavez is able to affirm the belief that only the non-violent will help to truly change the issue.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your introduction Jackie! I liked how, in the first sentence, you pointed out that the Civil Rights movement was sparked last year. I also liked your closing sentence.
DeleteDuring the 1960’s in America, the civics rights movement was at its highest peak. After Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, there were many times of outbreaks for violence in response to the tragedy. Cesar Chavez pleads with the people to help them see that the best and only way to adhere meaningful and significant change is through nonviolent actions. His use of proper and striking diction, portraying peaceful protests as a light, and appeals to the fundamental beliefs of is readers leaves the audience with little doubt to the proper cause of action.
ReplyDeleteGood work with your introduction, Mason! I like how you mention that Chavez pleaded with the people to see the effectiveness of non-violence and to put it into use.
DeleteBefore his assassination in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader in
ReplyDeletethe civil rights movement. He was fighting for equality for multiple groups of people including African Americans and those who were facing injustice. He led many peaceful protests during the civil rights movement, and the civil rights leader Cesar Chavez agrees with his peaceful, nonviolent approach. Chavez establishes the effects of violent and nonviolent protests, explaining that everyone has value and worth, and by showing who is affected the most by these protests. By doing this, Cesar Chavez tells us that nonviolent protests are the way to go.
Great introduction Tami! I like how you brought up his use of how people are affected by the protests. Overall, well done!
DeleteBefore his assassination in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader in
Deletethe civil rights movement. He was fighting for equality for multiple groups of people including African Americans and those who were facing injustice. He led many peaceful protests during the civil rights movement, and the civil rights leader Cesar Chavez agrees with his peaceful, nonviolent approach. Chavez establishes the effects of violent and nonviolent protests, explains the importance of human dignity, and shows the cost of sufferin. By doing this, Cesar Chavez conveys to the audience that nonviolent protests are effective methods to receive a positive effect.
I loved reading your introduction Tami! I enjoyed the information about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and I thought it broadened the subject of the introduction well. Wonderfully written!
Delete“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Nearly two months before his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke these words as a beacon of hope for those suffering from injustice. The labor union organizer and civil rights leader Cesar Chaves serves as an example of hope and inspiration as he speaks to the less fortunate through an article in a religious magazine. On the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King Jr., Chaves conveys his belief that nonviolent action against resistance is the most advanced strategy for victory by stating the value of human life, remembering the devastating consequences of violence throughout history, and declaring that time is the most important ally for change.
ReplyDeleteHope, I really like your introduction! Your first sentence is very eye-catching, and drew me into reading more. Likewise, your thesis statement is well-executed and well-supported through your line of reasoning.
DeleteActs of violence have never allowed a group or community to advance in good moral standing. On the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s death, Cesear Chavez, a civil rights leader and labor union organizer, wrote an article about the importance of nonviolent solutions to tricky problems. As a civil rights leader, it is necessary to express the importance of avoiding violence in protests in order to gain support. Chavez argues that violence brings no honor to a group or community. In times of uncertainty, humans naturally choose nonviolent solutions in order to preserve the morals that shape society. Caesar Chavez invites the members of his labor union to have the courage to stand up for what they believe in, without using violent tactics. As Christians, no act of violence is ever justified.
ReplyDeleteTommy, I really like your use of the rhetorical situation, and your establishment of a sound line of reasoning. I also like how you stated that Chavez was a civil rights leader and what he stood for. Your use of descriptive language is eye-catching as well.
Delete“The American people and people everywhere yearn for justice.” Cesar Chavez said in a published article on the tenth anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination in a religious magazine. Martin Luther King Jr. rallied countless individuals to the topic of civil rights through peaceful protest and nonviolence. Likewise, Cesar Chavez advocated for similar topics, and published his article in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. in order to continue his work toward civil justice. By accentuating the effects of violence and nonviolence, Chavez uses comparison and contrast, tone, and contextual examples to give a sound background to his argument in order to deliver his message about the importance of nonviolent resistance and its benefits.
ReplyDeleteCesar Chavez’s published article uses the history of the support for nonviolent protests to show that it is the way to get desired results. He shows the successful use of nonviolent protests by Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi and how people are naturally drawn toward it. By connecting history of violence being matched with violence it shows that people when shown that you get better and lasting results when non-violence is used. The article by Chavez makes good examples of nonviolent protests to persuade the unions to gather support rather than enemies to get their desired outcome. Acting with emotion and violence will cause more hardship because of the cost of the victory.
ReplyDelete