Theses

A thesis should be a novel or provocative claim toward convincing (argument), explaining (an answer to a question), or motivating (invitation to take action). Avoid exploring, framing, discussing, etc.

Disagreeing with convention is interesting

Theorize: ask good questions, or make an interesting claim.

“It has long been thought that a theorist is considered great because his theories are true, but this is false. A theorist is considered great, not because his theories are true, but because they are interesting.” (Davis, 1971, “That’s Interesting: Towards A Phenomenology Of Sociology And A Sociology Of Phenomenology”)

1. Organization disorganized <-> organized

1. what seems to be a disorganized (unstructured) phenomenon is in reality an organized (structured) phenomenon.
2. what seems to be an organized (structured) phenomenon is in reality a disorganized (unstructured) phenomenon [or organized/structured in a different way.]

2. Composition heterogeneous <-> single
3. Abstraction individual <-> holistic
4. Generalization local <-> general
5. Stabilization unchanging <-> unstable
6. Function ineffectively <-> effectively
7. Evaluation bad <-> good
8. Co-relation unrelated (independent) <-> correlated (interdependent)
9. Co-existence exist together <-> cannot exist together
10. Co-variation positive co-variation <-> negative co-variation
11. Opposition similar (nearly identical) <-> opposite
12. Causation independent (variable) <-> dependent

The Seven Basic Plots

• Overcoming the Monster
• Rags to Riches
• The Quest
• Voyage and Return
• Comedy
• Tragedy
• Rebirth (Wikipedia)