1. The Thesis Sentence

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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?

16. 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.