The writing template book part 3 pdf

12
The
Writing Template Book
If you cannot write your
own
variation
of a
template, that's FINE!
It
just means
that that template
is
not
for
you.
Forget about it. Concentrate
on
templates that you
are
comfortable with. Finding the right template
is
like finding the right pair of pants.
You
try them
on
until some
fit.
•
I
COMPARISON/CONTRAST THESIS SENTENCES
These templates

can be
used
for
essays where
you are
instructed
to
compare
and
contrast.
Comparison/Contrast
Template
1
The differences [similarities] between
and
are , and
they
pronounced deserve
striking merit
thorough investigation
rigorous scrutiny
examination
Examples
The differences between college
and
high school
are
pronounced,
and
they

deserve thorough investigation.
The similarities between
R-rated
movies
and
PG-rated movies
are
pronounced,
and they
merit rigorous scrutiny.
Your
Thesis
Sentences
1
Thesis Sentence Templates
13
Comparison/Contrast Template 2
r
some
similarities,
Although they bear
Despite bearing
superficial
minor
the differences between and
are
clear
remarkable
striking
pronounced

J
Examples
Although they bear
some
superficial
similarities, the differences
between Athens
and
Sparta
are
clear.
Despite bearing
some
minor
similarities,
the
differences between
Pele
and
Ronaldinho
are
pronounced.
Your Thesis Sentences
1.
2.
3.
14 The
Writing Template Book
Comparison/Contrast Template
3

While some differences between and
are
the similarities
are
evident
noticeable
striking
pronounced
salient
Examples
While some differences between
Japan
and
the United States are
evident,
the similarities are
salient.
While some differences between high school and college are evident,
the similarities
are
striking.
Your Thesis Sentences
1.
2.
3.
•
II.
PROPOSITION THESIS SENTENCES
The next eight templates
are for use in

responding
to a
proposition.
A
proposition
is a
statement that establishes
the
truth
or
falsity
of
some-
thing. This sentence
not
only clarifies your position—it establishes your
mastery
of
some sophisticated syntax. These templates begin with noun
clauses.
A
noun clause
is a
group of words that acts just like
a
noun, serv-
ing
as a
subject,
an

object
of a
verb,
or an
object
of a
preposition. Using
a noun clause correctly will make
a
good impression
on
your reader.
Proposition:
X is Y
Proposition Example:
Democracy is the best form of government.
X
Y
Thesis Sentence Templates
15
Proposition Template
1
(Agreement)
C
N
The that
X is Y is a one,
notion
1
fascinating

2
belief
an
interesting
thought thought-provoking
idea provocative
proposition
and
one
that
I
believe
in.
V
)
Examples
The
notion
that
democracy is the best form of government is a
fascinating
one,
and one
that
I
believe
in.
The thought that
world peace
will

be
3
attained in the next decade is
an
interesting
one,
and one
that
I
believe
in.
Your Thesis Sentences
1.
(proposition: Secrecy*
is bad.)
2.
(proposition: America
is a
melting
pot.
*
*)
* Secrecy means keeping secrets.
* * Melting
pot is a
common metaphorical description of the United States
and its
history,
meaning that immigrants eventually melt into society
so

that
one
nationality can't
be
distinguished from another. This
was
especially popular
in the
early 1900s.
This template
can be
used when
you
agree with
the
proposition.
16 The
Writing Template Book
Notes
1.
Of the
alternatives
in the
first blank
of the
template,
I
prefer
the
word

notion. It is a
more abstract word than
the
others
and
sounds
a bit
more sophisticated.
2.
There
are thousands of
adjectives that
can be
used
in the
last
blank.
3.
In the
second example,
will be is
used instead
of
is.
You can
change
tenses like this
to fit
your thesis.
3.

(Write your
own
sentence.)
Thesis Sentence Templates
17
Proposition Template
2
(Disagreement)
The
that
is
notion
belief
thought
idea
proposition
is
untenable
1
dubious
absurd
cockamamie
groundless
unfounded
absolutely wild
Examples
The
belief
that
the president can do anything he wants is

groundless.
The idea that all men
are
created equal
is
dubious.
Your Thesis Sentences
1.
{proposition:
Hot
dogs
are the
best food.)
2.
(Write your
own
sentence.)
3.
(Write your
own
sentence.)
This template
can be
used when
you
disagree with
the
proposition.
Therefore,
the

adjective
in the
final blank
has to be a
negative
one.
18 The
Writing Template Book
Note
1.
The
first
two
adjectives,
untenable
and
dubious,
represent
mild
disagreement.
The others represent strong disagreement.
In
general,
it is
advisable
to go
with mild disagreement because questions
are
usually structured
so

that
there are reasonable arguments
on
both
sides,
and
if you strongly
disagree,
you should be able to pick apart the opposing arguments (you must
do
this
to receive
the
best score), which should
not be
easy
to do.
However,
researchers
who
have studied
the
scoring
of
tests
like
the
Test
of
Written

English'
1
'
(TWE)
or
TOEFL'
1
'
note that
the
strength of students' arguments
is
not
nearly as important as
their
organization,
syntax, vocabulary,
and
the
length
of their essays.
Thesis Sentence Templates
19
Proposition Template
3
(Disagreement)
2.
3.
Notes
1.

This template begins with
a
noun clause.
It is a
sophisticated struc-
ture that will impress your reader.
2.
Be
sure
to
look
up and
understand each
of
these adjectives.
The
first three indicate mild disagreement, while
the
last five indicate
strong disagreement.
That
X is Y is a/an
proposition.
1
dubious
2
suspicious
problematic
untenable
egregious

groundless
unfounded
absolutely wild
V
J
Examples
That
democracy is the best
form
of government is a
dubious
proposition.
That
the city of New Orleans can be restored to its condition prior to
Hurricane Katrina is
an untenable proposition.
Your Thesis Sentences
1
20 The
Writing Template Book
Proposition Template 4 (Disagreement)
To hold
1
that
X is Y is an
example
of
thinking. irrational
muddled
unfounded

fuzzy
V
J
Examples
To hold that
learning a second language is easy is an
example
of
fuzzy
thinking.
To hold that
life is harder now than it was for our ancestors is an
example
of
muddled
thinking.
Your Thesis Sentences
2.
3.
Note
To hold
here means
"to
hold
the
opinion."
The use of
this infinitive
shows strong diction
and a

good grasp
of
high-level structure.
Thesis Sentence Templates
21
Proposition Template
5
(Disagreement)
\
To subscribe
to
the
1
that
is .
belief irrational
notion indefensible
proposition absurd
nonsensical
I
J
Examples
To subscribe to the
belief
that
the world will come
to an
end tomorrow
is
absurd.

To subscribe to the notion that
vitamin
C
can make you live to
be one
hundred is
nonsensical.
To subscribe to the
proposition
that
women
are
inferior to men
is
irrational.
Your Thesis Sentences
l.
2.
3.
Note
•
1. To
subscribe
to X
means
"to
believe
X."