The document provides guidance on writing a strong thesis statement, including what elements it should contain and examples of both strong and weak thesis statements. A good thesis statement makes a specific claim, indicates how the claim will be proven through examples and evidence, and establishes the significance or importance of the topic. It should avoid simply restating the topic, proving obvious facts, or being too general. The thesis statement is the foundation and central argument of the entire paper.

1. Strong Thesis Statements“In this paper, I am going to tell you my opinion of the things that are going on in the world of television in the modern day world.”And your point is?

2. What is a thesis statement?It is a complete sentence that expresses your position on a given topic.

3. It narrows down your topic to a specific focus of investigation.

4. It establishes a direction for the entire paper, especially if it consists of sub-parts.

5. It is the thread the connects all parts of your paper.

6. It is always stated near the beginning of your paper.What is not a thesis statement?A thesis is never a question; it could be the answer to a question.

7. A thesis is not a statement of purpose.

8. A thesis is not simply a topic.Your thesis should include three components: WHAT, HOW, and WHYWHAT—claim about topicHOW—the events, ideas, sources, etc. that you choose to prove your claimWHY—the significance of your idea in terms of understanding your position as a whole (answers the dreaded “so what?” question)

9. Successful Thesis StatementIn both its geography and its brutality, the U.S. Civil War remains vastly different from other conflicts experienced by Americans in the past three centuries; Specifically, the widespread impact of the war on the citizenry, the economy, and the landscape proves that the importance of the Civil War lies as much on the home front as it does on the battlefield.

10. Why is it successful?Answers WHATMentions HOWStates WHYIn both its geography and its brutality, the U.S. Civil War remains vastly different from other conflicts experienced by Americans in the past three centuries; Specifically, the widespread impact of the war on the citizenry, the economy, and the landscape proves that the importance of the Civil War lies as much on the home front as it does on the battlefield.

11. What to AvoidThe plot summary thesis: The Confederate soldiers gave up their weapons after General Lee surrendered to General Grant.Proving the universal: The U.S. Civil War was a conflict between the North and the South.The overly general thesis: The U.S. Civil War demonstrated that war could be very bloody. [Note: if you can plug another subject/topic into your thesis, your thesis is probably too general.]

12. More to AvoidThe cliché thesis: The U.S. Civil War proved that war is hell. The list thesis: The death of civilians, the destruction of cities, and the devastation of countrysides showed the extent to which the U.S. Civil War severely damaged the entire nation. [Nothing technically “wrong” with this thesis, but it’s really boring! This is a great place to start with a thesis statement; then expand and/or finesse the what? how? and why? components.]