Thesis tips

Hey gang. I found these thesis tips from the Springfield Township High School Library website. It's good advice, so I posted it here for a little extra guidance. I may post other supplemental information or interesting tidbits here from time to time so check back! Guess what? You can post helpful information here for your classmates too!

Attributes of a good thesis:

• It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.
• It tackles a subject that could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned.
• It is specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing “everything about …” Instead of music, think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your argument about it.
• It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence. Note: Be flexible. The evidence may lead you to a conclusion you didn't think you'd reach. It is perfectly okay to change your thesis!
• It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work.
• It anticipates and refutes the counter-arguments
• It avoids vague language (like "it seems").
• It avoids the first person. ("I believe," "In my opinion")
• It's not a question.
• It should pass the So what? or Who cares? test (Would your most honest friend ask why he should care or respond with "but everyone knows that"?) For instance, "people should avoid driving under the influence of alcohol," would be unlikely to evoke any opposition.
  

Simple equations for a thesis might look something like this:

Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis
What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis


How do you know if you've got a solid tentative thesis?
Try these five tests:

• Does the thesis inspire a reasonable reader to ask, "How?" or Why?"
• Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?"
• Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"?
• Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the subtopics needed to prove the thesis)?
• Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper or project?
  

If you cannot answer "YES" to these questions, what changes must you make in order for your thesis to pass these tests?