The document provides guidance on writing a good thesis statement, including that it should give direction to the paper, interest the reader, be supported by evidence rather than just opinion, and suggest a position that could be debated. A good thesis statement reflects the main idea and argument of the paper, tells the reader what to expect, and helps the writer stay focused on their topic in each paragraph. Two example thesis statements are analyzed for their effectiveness.

1. Keep in Mind
Your Claim
+
Evidence
=
Thesis Statement

2. What Makes a Good Thesis Statement?
 It gives a strong direction to your paper
 It interests the reader
 It’s supported by more than your opinion; it contains
some evidence for your opinion
 It suggests a position that could be debated

3. What Does a Thesis Statement Do?
 Reflects the main idea of your paper
 Reflects a personal judgment or opinion of yours
 Tells the reader what to expect
 Helps you keep control of your paper (e.g., every
paragraph discusses your topic)

4. Is this a good thesis statement?
Why or why not?
Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great
American novel.

5. In what ways is this one better?
In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a
contrast between life on the river and life
on the shore.

6. In what ways is this one better?
Through its contrasting river and shore
scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests
that to find the true expression of
American democratic ideals, one must
leave “civilized” society and go back to
nature.

7. Is this a good thesis statement?
Why or why not?
The North and South fought the Civil War
for many reasons, some of which were the
same and some different.

8. In what ways is this one better?
While both sides fought the Civil War over
the issue of slavery, the North fought for
moral reasons while the South fought to
preserve its own institutions.

9. In what ways is this one better?
While both Northerners and Southerners
believed they fought against tyranny and
oppression, Northerners focused on the
oppression of slaves while Southerners
defended their own right to
self-government.