Checklist for Success Content
Introduction & conclusionexplains psych. theories with the help of a movie argumentative content rather than plot summary interesting and insightful connections between theories and behavioral observations; teach us something we don't know! Thesis
- Review the Writing Center's handouts: www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb
Organizationargumentative, two or three story thesis "specific, pointed, and provocative: the kind of statement that promises to reveal something NEW" (H & L 37) serves as a map/ plan ("blueprint) for the essay. appears clearly at the end of the introduction. (Look for your thesis in your conclusion. Thesis statements often get buried there. Move it to the intro and then re-work the intro. & conclusion.) Paragraphsshow a steady progression of ideas from least to most important idea You may move from general to specific, from problem to solution, etc. Make sure you have a definite plan for why you put things in certain spots. (If you reorganize the paragraphs, make sure your level-2 thesis matches the new order!) provide transitions at the start of a new paragraph (something old-> something new; key word method) avoid the 5 paragraph essay (intro., 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion). This format will not do justice to your complex ideas! focus on one idea at a time (sort the laundry)! have topic sentences that argue a point (a mini thesis; a reason for the claim) rather than summarize, refer to an event, or make bland statements that go no where
- NO! NO!: Non-argumentative (who, what, when, where)
Evidence
- YES, LOVE THESE!: Argumentative (why, how, so what?)
- relate back to the claim / thesis. (The paragraph should develop one of the reasons that supports the claim/thesis.)
- each sentence should lead logically into the next
- keep length between 5-8 sentences
Style & Editingbalances evidence and interpretation (* workshop) avoids data-dump (sentence after sentence of evidence w/o analysis or interpretation) cite evidence from the movie AND experts (but do not over do it) usually, 3 pieces of evidence will suffice for each paragraph or mini-point. BALANCE the evidence and YOUR VOICE! Don't drown yourself out! Documentationstyle checklist (see reverse) avoid plagiarism by documenting ALL material that you summarize, paraphrase, or quote use attributive tags correct APA in-text documentation and reference page (with annotated bibliography of all expert sources)