LESSON 3.8
Write the Hyperthesis
Let’s begin with a quiz. It will serve as a review before we work on an essential skill: writing the hyperthesis.
Task 3.8.1 – Tandem
Answer the following without using notes or the Net:
- How many sentences are in a What Statement?
- How many variables are in a What Statement?
- At least one variable, or their relationship, must be ________.
- What image does the What Statement look like?
- The Why Statement tells us the What Statement is _________ or ______________.
- What is the maximum number of Ys in a Why Statement?
- What is the minimum?
- How many sentences are usually in a What/Why Statement?
- What is a tautology?
- The Why Statement cannot define, describe, or otherwise _______________ anything in the What Statement.
Writing the What Statement
By now, you should have determined what your Why Section’s subject.. The Why Statement summarizes that idea. Keep the Ys short and precise.
Do not start with because. Usually start it with—
- That is important because …
or - His (or her) achievement is especially important because …
| Hypothesis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Statement | Why Statement | |||
| LH | VP | RH | Because | Y |
| Florence Baker, one of the greatest explorers of east Africa, | overcame | White slavery. | She is especially important because | she reminds us that more slavery exists today than at any other time in human history. |
Repeat the Word because If—
- The Ys are complicated
or - A shorter Y goes after a longer one
| Hypothesis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Statement | Why Statement | |||
| LH | VP | RH | Because | Y |
| Racism against Native American runners | could not stop | Billy Mills from being the first American to win the gold medal in the 10,000 meters in the Olympics. | That is especially important because | his achievement helped Native American runners seek spiritual values and because he helped Native American communities. |
Avoid Platitudes
Platitudes are statements everyone knows is true:
- Take time to smell the roses
- A penny saved is a penny earned
- Don’t cry over spilled milk
- Treat others as we would like others to treat us
Platitudes are boring, and they treat readers as children.
| Hypothesis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Statement | Why Statement | |||
| LH | VP | RH | Because | Y |
| Florence Baker, one of the greatest explorers of east Africa, | overcame | White slavery. | She is especially important because | she reminds us that strong women can overcome horrible conditions. |
Avoid Tautologies
Do not let the Y or Ys define, describe, or otherwise repeat anything in the What Statement.
| Hypothesis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Statement | Why Statement | |||
| LH | VP | RH | Because | Y |
| Racism against Native American runners | could not stop | Billy Mills from being the first American to win the gold medal in the 10,000 meters in the Olympics. | That is especially important because | we should all guard against racism. |
Task 3.8.3 – Tandem or Small Group
Create a Why Statement for your ongoing essay.
What/Why Statements and Introductions
The introduction to your Nonfiction without Narrator (NWON) is complete!
We do not need to “get the reader interested.”
Subject, not style, creates reader interest. You can have an incredible style, but if readers are not interested in the subject, then there is rarely nothing you can do to make them interested.
If, however, your subject is likely interesting to your intended audience, then just introduce it and tell why it is true or important. That takes only two sentences.
Long introductions blur your focus as a writer. The result almost always will be an unorganized essay.
Does Your Instructor Want a Long Introduction?
If your instructor wants a long introduction, then—
- Create the hyperthesis.
- Write the paper.
- Add more to the hyperthesis paragraph. The hyperthesis can be at the beginning of the intro, at the end, or in the middle.