Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can define a thesis statement as a defensible interpretation that requires evidence and a line of reasoning. (Guide: “What a thesis is”)
- I can explain why a topic, a fact, a summary and a list of devices are not theses. (Guide: “The thesis ladder”; Practice questions 1 to 3)
- I can explain what it means to preview a line of reasoning. (Guide: “Previewing a line of reasoning”; Practice question 5)
- I can explain why a thesis does not have to list points, elements or evidence. (Guide: “Previewing a line of reasoning”)
Skills
- I can pick the best thesis from a set of options for a given prompt. (Practice question 1)
- I can turn an observation into a claim and then into a thesis by asking “So what?”. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice question 8)
- I can revise a weak thesis into a defensible one. (Guide: “Strong and weak theses”; Practice questions 4 and 7)
- I can write a one-sentence thesis that answers a prompt. (Practice question 6)
Reasoning
- I can test a draft thesis against the prompt, defensibility and specificity. (Guide: Worked example 1, Step 5)
- I can explain how a thesis can show movement without listing. (Guide: Worked example 2, Step 6)
- I can explain that interpretation is recursive and a thesis may change as I plan. (Guide: “A drafting routine”)
All ticked? Move on to the Topic 3.7 study guide, Commentary and the line of reasoning, or return to the revision notes.