Introduction+self-revision

1. Look closely at your introduction. Circle all of the verbs you use, and consider their tenses. You should use: (a) present tense whenever you’re analyzing the literature (b) past tense whenever you’re discussing historical context Are all of your verb tenses correct?

2. When do you give the author and title of the texts you’re analyzing?

Make sure that it’s early enough for the reader to understand your argument. 3. Does your introduction include any hyperbolic generalizations? (i.e., “//The Remains of the Day// is the best book ever written,” or “Everybody must sacrifice personal happiness at some point.” If so, modify your overgeneralization with a qualifying statement (i.e., “//Most// people must sacrifice…”).

4. Write your thesis statement in the space below.

Now evaluate it for its (a) Argumentative nature. Is it just an observation, or does it actually make an argument? (b) Clarity. Can you tell what the focus of the thesis statement is? (c) Specificity. Is your statement too general? Can you make it more specific in any way? (d) Verbs. Are any of them in passive voice? If so, change them to active voice. Do you use any forms of the verb “to be”? If so, try to replace them with a stronger verb. Write your revised thesis statement below: