Writing and Revising with AI
English B2/C1 · ZSL Heidelberg · Sommersemester 2026
L3 Exercise 02 — Controlling Ideas
Three kinds of controlling idea:
- Thesis — a claim you will defend.
- Enthymeme — a claim plus a because clause.
- Hypothesis — a testable, specific prediction.
1. What kind of controlling idea is this?
Three common problems (Hean Read, p. 60):
- Repeats the question or claim.
- Vague or too simple.
- Too forceful or emotive.
2. What problem does this controlling idea have?
Look back at Section 1 — could any of those examples also have a problem?
3. Try your own
Step 1 — Topic. One short phrase, not a question.
Step 2 — Draft a controlling idea. One or two sentences.
Step 3 — Which kind did you write?
Step 4 — Get a fresh diagnosis. Fill in Steps 1–3 first, then choose a model.