The Thesis Sentence

Question: What is a thesis sentence? Expresses central idea of your essay. Previews specific points covered in body paragraphs Students who believe that intelligence can grow are less helpless, fear making mistakes less, and get higher grades. http://edrev.asu.edu/reviews/rev88.htm

Question: What is a thesis sentence? Topic Topic + Key Points • are less helpless • fear making mistakes less • earn higher grades Topic + Key Points = Thesis sentence Students who believe they can become smarter http://edrev.asu.edu/reviews/rev88.htm

your “what’s the point?” the main idea you want to express A thesis sentence is . . . your “what’s the point?” the main idea you want to express what you want your readers to know your message

Its purpose is to Show why your topic is important Preview your approach Lead the reader into the essay broad context narrowed topic

One type of introduction is a funnel: New research shows that beliefs about intelligence influence success. Some think of intelligence as a fixed quantity,while others believe that it changes as the result of effort and new learning. Students who believe that intelligence can change are less likely to be helpless, fear making mistakes less, and get higher grades. Put your topic in context Show why it matters Note: one prominent researcher in this field is Carol Dweck, whose latest book is Mindset Move from broad to narrow with the ladder of abstraction

Use the ladder of abstraction for context the universe and everything in it life abstract; general carbon-based lifeforms specific; concrete animals mammals Based on the work of S. I. Hawakawa livestock cows Bessie

Use the ladder of abstraction for context the universe and everything in it life abstract; general carbon-based lifeforms • Avoid “Since the dawn of time…” animals • Aim for the middle or lower mammals Based on the work of S. I. Hawakawa • Start one rung above your topic to get context livestock specific; concrete cows Bessie

Use the ladder of abstraction for context the universe and everything in it research into intelligence: • IQ • emotional intelligence • beliefs about intelligence • “scientist in the crib”… New research shows that beliefs about intelligence influence success. Some think of intelligence as a fixed quantity,while others believe that it changes as the result of effort and new learning. Students who believe that intelligence can change are less likely to be helpless, fear making mistakes less, and get higher grades. Take the topic you’re doing and try to put it on the ladder of abstraction characteristics of intelligence; e.g., fixed or not person’s intelligence

Where is your topic on the ladder? the universe and everything in it abstract; general • Avoid “Since the dawn of time…” • Aim for the middle or lower • Start one rung above your topic to get context specific; concrete Your topic

A thesis does generally appear at the end of the introduction limit the topic to a few key areas (three key points) indicate the kind of support to follow help to organize the supporting material use precise wording

Avoid openings like these “I am going to tell you about….” “My essay will explain….” From the dawn of time, people have wondered…. In fact, avoid I and you as much as possible.

Use third person First person (I, we, us) is subjective You works for instructions, but can make you lazy (You might write As you know, when readers don’t know —or don’t agree) Third person (he, she, they) is objective First person As a mother of three, I know how hard it is to be a single parent. Every day is a new challenge. Third person Parenting is not an easy task, but single parents face unique challenges: managing on one income, acting as both mother and father, and building a support network. True for you—is it true for all? Writing like an expert— generally true

One way to find a thesis: Answer your research question. Q. Can sleep help you lose weight? A. Lack of sleep disrupts the hormones that control appetite, store calories, and regulate metabolism. Q. What causes autism? A. Researchers have identified several possible causes, including food allergies, heavy metal toxicity, and mirror neuron disfunction. http://health.howstuffworks.com/sleep-obesity.htm

How does the thesis impact my career? Consider this scenario. In a meeting, the leader says: We have just expanded our territory. How are we going to increase sales over the next quarter?

Career impact of thesis skill continued . . . Whose response to this question is going to make a better impression and get more done? We can hire more salespeople. Since the territory is larger, the company needs as to add many accounts as possible; new salespeople can scout new, smaller accounts, while more experienced salespeople focus on big accounts, existing and new. Response 2 has specific ideas, organized and explained. The person with the specific answer and means of implementation wins the point, wins the promotion, and enjoys long-term career success.