Chapter 4: From Thesis to Essay

Chapter Overview

Learning Outcomes

In this chapter we will:

  • Edit the three-storey thesis generated in the previous chapter and reaffirm the principles of editing (Chapter 3).
  • Establish the basic principles of constructing the skeleton of an effective university-level close reading essay.
  • Revisit the definition of a conceptual lens and practice using it in a close reading (Chapter 3).
  • Reaffirm the principles of the three-storey thesis.

In this chapter students will learn the basics of constructing a close reading essay and begin the early stages of turning the three-storey thesis generated in the previous chapter into an essay skeleton. This will prepare them for the next chapter, which asks them to build body paragraphs from this skeleton.