More on Thesis Statements

1. A thesis must have a what--a subject--and a why--telling the reader why the issue matters.

2. A thesis should come near the beginning of the paper.

3. A thesis should be arguable: it must be supported with evidence and reasonable people could disagree.

4. A thesis should be fairly specific.

Non-specific thesis: Campus rape is a big problem.

Specific Thesis: University administrators are failing to institute policies to curb this serious problem.

Non-specific thesis: The death penalty in Florida is badly managed.

Specific thesis: Laws and procedures governing the use of the death penalty in Florida increase the likelihood of an innocent person being executed.


Note that in the thesis about the death penalty, this argument can be supported with evidence, it is fairly specific, and reasonable people can disagree with it. No doubt the Florida governor would claim that the death penalty in the state is fair and procedurally sound.

Note that the non-specific version uses the bland and vague word is. The improved version uses the more descriptive verb increase.