Thesis Blog

Thesis Statement Blog

These are my choices the weakest thesis statements:

Question 1: A. This thesis statement is very broad and vague. There are no specifics about what is going to be written about.

Question 2: A. This is also an extremely vague statement. There is no substance or base to form a debate over.

Question 3: B. This is common knowledge in the clothing industry. There is no fresh or creative view points to this statement.

Question 4: A. This is a nothing more than a short, short summary. There is nothing in this statement that is an arguable platform.

Question 5: A. This also feels like a summary instead of a thesis statement. It is based more on personal connection than an arguable stance.

My Question:

What makes Tim O’Brien’s writing style so unique?

My Thesis (Answer)

Tim O’Brien”s ability to exploit his poetic style of postmodern writing techniques is the reason “The Things They Carried” is a spellbinding treasure.

Answer to the questions about my thesis:

1.      This is an arguable statement. There are many views and opinions on Tim O’Brien’s style of writing.

2.      This thesis has a specific subject matter. It proclaims Tim O’Brien’s writing style as poetic postmodern is the reason his book is a good read.

3.      It can be supported from the writing in the text, and also the two reputable sources that were used for evidence.

Source Evaluation

Janis E Haswell.  "THE CRAFT OF THE SHORT STORY IN RETELLING THE VIET NAM WAR: TIM O'BRIEN'S THE THINGS THEY CARRIED. " The South Carolina Review  37.1 (2004): 94-109. Humanities Module, ProQuest. Web.  25 Oct. 2010.

http://proquest.umi.com.proxy.yc.edu/pqdweb?index=8&did=757578441&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=4&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1287982750&clientId=1407

I found this article to be very interesting. It is full of insight into the way Tim O’Brien “crafts” his stories of life before, during and after the Vietnam War. It is a deeper look into the way Tim O’Brien writes and why. This is a fresh perspective on the book “The Things They Carried” and provides more insight on the stories meanings.

"Vietnam War." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 25 Oct. 2010 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/628478/Vietnam-War>.

I am going to use the Encyclopedia Britannica for my historical information. It is a very reliable source for true and factual events and dates. By using Encyclopedia Britannica I will have a better understanding of the mindset of America before, during, and after the Vietnam War. It critical to take the pulse of the War at these different times to better understand the writings of Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried”.

Mid-Session Check In

Mid-Session Check In

The biggest challenge that I faced, so far, was becoming a “blogger”. I had heard the phrase but never gave much attention to what it was all about. That leads me into what my has been my biggest success in this class, so far; becoming a “blogger”. Getting set up was a little difficult at first, but now I have come too really like it. There is a great benefit in posting your work and thoughts for others to see; along with the ability to see other classmate’s ideas on the same subject. I truly enjoy it and plan on using it in different venues.  

The literature that we have been reading has stirred me in many directions. Once I started to sincerely analyze the stories and poems through my own personal perception, the floodgates of thinking were ripped open and I was able to find my thought in other people’s work. I have also been noticing that it is becoming a habit to be more analytical when I am reading literature from outside this class.

Other than narrative essays, I usually took a summary type of stance on a paper. Narrative essays were great to write, I felt very creative and free while writing them. Writing analysis has the same feel to it; a freedom to read a piece of literature and form an opinion of what it means. There is no wrong or right, just opinions revealed through my perception of the facts.

I have never immersed myself this deep into literature, but I can feel myself being drawn farther and farther down into the thick of it. This is a required class in the degree I am seeking, but it doesn’t feel like a chore at all. English has become my favorite class and I not only want to excel in this class, but I am going to pursue further education in this area of study. I’m unquestionably looking forward to the second half of this class.