Good Thesis Statements vs Bad Thesis Statements

High school sports have a positive influence on high school students because they teach social skills, reinforce time management skills, and provide exercise to students.

• Good thesis

• Bad thesis

"High school sports have a positive influence on high school students because they teach social skills, reinforce time management skills, and provide exercise to students."

Is a good thesis because (check all that apply):

• It is specific

• It is something you can argue

• It has three supporting points

• It uses good vocabulary

Burma is a country in Southeast Asia.

• Good thesis

• Bad thesis

"Burma is a country in Southeast Asia."

Is a bad thesis because (check all that apply):

• It is a fact, and not debatable

• It's too short

• It's too broad.

In Hacket and Goodrich's play, we see many characters with different personalities, giving rise to the theme of personality conflict.

• Good thesis

• Bad thesis

"In Hacket and Goodrich's play, we see many characters with different personalities, giving rise to the theme of personality conflict."

Is a good thesis because (check all that apply):

• It is specific

• It is debatable

• It sounds smart

Because University offers more class choices, increased personal freedoms, and additional extracurricular activities, it is a better educational institution than high school.

• Good thesis

• Bad thesis

"Because university offers a more class choices, increased personal freedoms, and additional extracurricular activities, it is a better educational institution than high school."

What are the three reasons provided in this good example of a thesis? (check all that apply):

• offers more class choices

• better educational institution

• increased personal freedoms

• additional extracurricular activities

World hunger has many causes and effects.

• Good thesis

• Bad thesis

Which is a better thesis statement?

• Experts estimate that half of elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar.

• Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.