how tangible is the context i am discussing? *abstract*- intangible qualities ideas and concept ex. truth, honor, kindness, grace *concrete* - words that refer to tangible qualities or characteristics ex. 102 degrees, fat siamese cat, deep spruce green **reveal**- meaning, abstract universal, thematic | **tell**- connects it to the universal ideas | **show**- unique specific concrete facts ⭐️effective essays borrow from fiction and uses concrete details to help show their argument rather than simply telling an argument concrete evidence - gives a solid foundations to base your argument on - gotta have the first rung before you can climb - examples abstract - starts with the thesis, it is often abstract - ✨the ladder✨ human - abstract artist musician guitarist rock guitarist jerry garcia - concrete statement examples: abstract- To excel in college, you have to work hard. concrete- To excel in college, you need to go to your class, do your reading, write several drafts, and review noes. another way to think: when you are specific, you show (evidence and support) that reader what you mean. when you are abstract, you tell (claim) the reader what you mean steps: 1 - give an examples: to climb down the ladder 2 - ask what what it means: to climb up it how to write a defensible thesis - coach hall writes - asserts a clear position to develop throughout the essay - can contain specific evidence or reasons - does not equivocate (argue for both sides equally) checklist: can i prove it with specific evidence and commentary? does it assert a clear position? does it clearly answer the prompt? - turn it into a question stronger essay = stronger thesis writing complex claim - avoid absolutes - set parameter - include a combination of clauses evidence - give "categories" not specifics