Chart 1: Main Idea and Support
Finding the Main Idea and Support
Follow the steps listed on pages 5–6 to find the thesis and main points of “The Perils and Promises of Praise,” by Carol S. Dweck. (You’ll find the article on p. 6 of your print book.) Write down the thesis of the reading and then the heading of each section of the reading. Your entries should look like this:
Thesis:____________________________________________________________________
Main point of “Fixed or Malleable?” section:________________________________________
Example: Some students believe intelligence is fixed, but others believe that intelligence can grow and be developed.
Main point of “The Two Faces of Effort” section: ___________________________________
Main point of “The Effects of Praise” section: ______________________________________
Main point of “Motivated to Learn” section: ________________________________________
Main point of “Going Forward” section: __________________________________________
Compare your ideas with your classmates’ responses. If you had very different ideas about the thesis or main points, reread the article with the various responses in mind. Which ideas are a better fit? Why?
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