LESSON 2.19
One Sentence - Hyperthesis
You have learned to create a two-sentence hyperthesis. Now let’s examine the one-sentence hyperthesis.
Review: The Two-Sentence Hyperthesis
In the two-sentence hyperthesis, you write the What Statement. Then you start a new sentence with a phrase that links the Why Statement to the What Statement. The second sentence usually will contain the word because near the sentence’s beginning. For example:
- Terrance Hunt’s theory of how the Easter Island statues were moved differs dramatically from Jo Anne Van Tilburg’s theory. That difference is important because …
The One-Sentence Hyperthesis
In the one-sentence hyperthesis, you write a two-sentence hyperthesis. Then delete extra words and bring the two parts together, using starting with because:
Two-Sentence Hyperthesis | One-Sentence Hyperthesis |
Ouabain causes hypertension. That occurs because it triggers erratic heart contractions and interferes with sodium calcium transfer. | Ouabain causes hypertension because it triggers erratic heart contractions and interferes with sodium calcium transfer. |
Individual or Small-Group Activity
Turn the following two-sentence hyperthesis into one-sentence hyperthesis.
- I like ice worms. That is because they remind me of my grandfather, a famous truffle hunter.
- Flavonoids reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. That occurs because they lower platelet aggregation and inhibit oxidation of low-density lipoproteins.
- Petting companion animals (PCA) reduces the progression of coronary heart disease. That happens because PCA lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Read the Hyperthesis!
Take care to read what the one-sentence hyperthesis says! The one-sentence hyperthesis below, for instance, does not make sense:
Two-Sentence Hyperthesis | One-Sentence Hyperthesis |
Terrance Hunt’s theory of how the Easter Island statues were moved differs dramatically from Jo Anne Van Tilburg’s theory. That difference is important because it points out two greatly differing histories of what caused the destruction of the civilization. | Terrance Hunt’s theory of how the Easter Island statues were moved differs dramatically from Jo Anne Van Tilburg’s theory because it points out two greatly differing histories of what caused the destruction of the civilization. |
According to the hyperthesis on the right, the theories differ because they point out differences in the island’s history. But that is not why the theories differ. As a matter of fact, Van Tilburg says that the statues were moved lying down on large sledges made of logs. Hunt says the islanders stood up the statues and “walked” them like people walking a refrigerator.
When in Doubt …
If you are not sure whether to use a two-sentence hyperthesis or a one-sentence hyperthesis, then use the two-sentence kind. You are far less likely to run into problems.
Individual or Small-Group Activity
Complete the exercise: Nicaragua