Non Sequiturs
A non sequitur is an idea that does not follow from the previous idea.
For example, let’s say you are wrote the following as an intro: “I like geoducks, the world’s largest clams, and I like Douglas fir trees,” then the essay is likely to be a failure.
Old: I + clams
New: I + Douglas fir trees
Why: Douglas fir trees + Lincoln
| WHAT STATEMENT | WHY STATEMENT | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LH | VP | RH | because | Y |
| I | like | Douglas fir trees | and | I like geoducks, the world’s largest clams. |
It is possible that you could write an essay about Douglas fir trees and geoducks, but it is highly unlikely. Right now, the only connection is that you like them both. That’s not a strong enough connection. The essay is likely to be a mess.
A hyperthesis that doesn’t explain connections is also a problem:
Incorrect:
| LH | VP | RH | because | Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | like | Douglas fir trees | and | they remind me of the early life of Abraham Lincoln. |
Corrected
| LH | VP | RH | because | Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | like | Douglas fir trees | and | they remind me of my hero, Abraham Lincoln, who was famous for his determination and his height and strength. |