Developing a Thesis  Specific and Focused

Developing a Thesis  Specific and Focused Bad Example: Social networking is important in our society today.

Developing a Thesis  Specific and Focused Good Example: Facebook is a beneficial tool and should be used by all those who wish to strengthen their social bonds with friends and family.

Developing a Thesis  Specific and Focused Bad Example: People need to stay healthy for several important reasons.

Developing a Thesis  Specific and Focused Good Example: Students must get sufficient sleep at night in order to succeed in school.

Developing a Thesis  Specific and Focused  Arguable, Non-neutral Statement

Developing a Thesis  Arguable, Non-neutral Statement Bad Example: America's anti-pollution efforts should be addressed.

Developing a Thesis  Arguable, Non-neutral Statement Good Example: America's anti-pollution efforts should focus on privately owned cars because it would allow most citizens to contribute to national efforts and care about the outcome.

Developing a Thesis  Arguable, Non-neutral Statement Bad Example: The War of 1812 came before the Civil War.

Developing a Thesis  Arguable, Non-neutral Statement Good Example: The War of 1812 set into motion the main events that caused the Civil War.

Developing a Thesis  Specific and Focused  Arguable, Non-neutral Statement  Avoid Vague Language and Announcements

Developing a Thesis  Avoid Vague Language and Announcements Bad Example: In this essay, I will outline the arguments for and against sex education in schools.

Developing a Thesis  Avoid Vague Language and Announcements Bad Example: In my opinion, the Women ’ s Center performs a valuable service on campus and deserves a budget renewal.

Developing a Thesis  Avoid Vague Language and Announcements Good Example: The Women ’ s Center performs a valuable service on campus and deserves a budget renewal.

Developing a Thesis  Specific and Focused  Arguable, Non-neutral Statement  Avoid Vague Language and Announcements  Provides a Map for the Reader (optional)

Developing a Thesis  Provides a Map for the Reader Good Example: Black Elk Speaks accurately represents Indian lifestyle through its attention to cultural detail, its use of Indian words, and its direct quotes from Black Elk.

Developing a Thesis  Provides a Map for the Reader Good Example: At least twenty-five percent of the federal budget should be spent on helping upgrade business to clean technologies, researching renewable energy sources, and planting more trees in order to control or eliminate pollution.