This document discusses how to write an effective thesis statement. It explains that a strong thesis statement takes a stand on an issue, justifies discussion of a topic, expresses one main idea, and is specific. The document provides examples of weak and strong thesis statements to illustrate these characteristics. It also advises readers to distill their assignment into a question and compose one or two sentences answering that question to form the basis of their thesis.

2. One- or two-sentence
condensation of the argument or
analysis that is to follow in an
essay

3.  To test your ideas by distilling them into a
sentence or two
 To better organize and develop your argument
 To provide your reader with a ‘guide’ to your
argument

4.  Distill the assignment into a specific question
Example assignment question:
Write a report to the local school board
explaining the potential benefits of using
computers in a fourth – grade class.

5.  Turn the request into a question:
What are the potential benefits of using computers in a
fourth – grade class?
 After you’ve chosen the question your essay will
answer, compose one or two complete sentences
answering that question

6. Example:
Q: What are the potential benefits of using computers
in a fourth grade class?
A: “The potential benefits of using computers in
a fourth-grade class are….”
or
A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class
promises to improve…”

7. A strong thesis takes some sort of stand
Example:
There are some negative and positive aspects to the
Banana Herb Tea Supplement (Weak)

8. A strong thesis takes some sort of stand
Example:
Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes
rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle
and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to
customers (Strong)

9.  A strong thesis justifies discussion
Example:
Animal experimentation is bad. (weak)

10.  A strong thesis justifies discussion
Example:
While most researchers believe that using animals
to test new products helps us to determine the effects
they will have on humans, I believe that animal
experimentation is bad since it is ethically and
morally wrong.
(Strong)

11.  A strong thesis expresses one main idea
Example:
Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of
the internet, and web pages can provide both
advertising and customer support (Weak)

12.  A strong thesis expresses one main idea
Example:
Because the internet is filled with tremendous
marketing potential, companies should exploit this by
using web pages that offer both advertising and
customer support (Strong)

13.  A strong thesis statement is specific
Example:
World hunger has many causes and effects.
Hunger persists in Africa because jobs are scarce and
farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.
(Weak)
(Strong)