Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Specific and FocusedSpecific and Focused

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Specific and FocusedBad Example:

Social networking is important in our society today.

Specific and FocusedBad Example:

Social networking is important in our society today.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Specific and FocusedGood Example:

Facebook is a beneficial tool and should be used by all those who wish to strengthen their social bonds with friends and family.

Specific and FocusedGood 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 ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Specific and FocusedBad Example:

People need to stay healthy for several important reasons.

Specific and FocusedBad Example:

People need to stay healthy for several important reasons.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Specific and FocusedGood Example:

Students must get sufficient sleep at night in order to succeed in school.

Specific and FocusedGood Example:

Students must get sufficient sleep at night in order to succeed in school.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Specific and Focused

Arguable, Non-neutral Statement

Specific and Focused

Arguable, Non-neutral Statement

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Arguable, Non-neutral StatementBad Example:

America's anti-pollution efforts should be addressed.

Arguable, Non-neutral StatementBad Example:

America's anti-pollution efforts should be addressed.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Arguable, Non-neutral StatementGood 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.

Arguable, Non-neutral StatementGood 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 ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Arguable, Non-neutral StatementBad Example:

The War of 1812 came before the Civil War.

Arguable, Non-neutral StatementBad Example:

The War of 1812 came before the Civil War.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Arguable, Non-neutral StatementGood Example:

The War of 1812 set into motion the main events that caused the Civil War.

Arguable, Non-neutral StatementGood Example:

The War of 1812 set into motion the main events that caused the Civil War.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Specific and Focused

Arguable, Non-neutral Statement

Avoid Vague Language and Announcements

Specific and Focused

Arguable, Non-neutral Statement

Avoid Vague Language and Announcements

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Avoid Vague Language and AnnouncementsBad Example:

In this essay, I will outline the arguments for and against sex education in schools.

Avoid Vague Language and AnnouncementsBad Example:

In this essay, I will outline the arguments for and against sex education in schools.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Avoid Vague Language and AnnouncementsBad Example:

In my opinion, the Women’s Center performs a valuable service on campus and deserves a budget renewal.

Avoid Vague Language and AnnouncementsBad Example:

In my opinion, the Women’s Center performs a valuable service on campus and deserves a budget renewal.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Avoid Vague Language and AnnouncementsGood Example:

The Women’s Center performs a valuable service on campus and deserves a budget renewal.

Avoid Vague Language and AnnouncementsGood Example:

The Women’s Center performs a valuable service on campus and deserves a budget renewal.

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Specific and Focused

Arguable, Non-neutral Statement

Avoid Vague Language and Announcements

Provides a Map for the Reader (optional)

Specific and Focused

Arguable, Non-neutral Statement

Avoid Vague Language and Announcements

Provides a Map for the Reader (optional)

Developing a ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Provides a Map for the ReaderGood 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.

Provides a Map for the ReaderGood 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 ThesisDeveloping a Thesis

Provides a Map for the ReaderGood 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.

Provides a Map for the ReaderGood 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.