Writing Thesis Statements

Which would be the better thesis for the following prompt: Based on the article “Bridging Worlds”, explain how the obstacles to building the Panama Canal were overcome. Support your answer with important and specific details from the article.

• The obstacles to building the Panama Canal were successfully overcome through careful diplomacy, creative financing, and the stubborn will of the sponsor nations.

• The obstacles to building the Panama Canal were overcome in various ways.

Which would be a better thesis for the following prompt: Explain why “Save the Seagrass, Save the Seahorse” is an appropriate title for the article. Support your answer with important and specific details from the article.

• In this essay, I will tell you why "Save the Seagrass, Save the Seahorse" is a very appropriate title for the article.

• The article was very appropriately titled "Save the Seagrass, Save the Seahorse" as it outlined the how conservation, animal rights, and human responsibility work together to solve a problem.

Which would be a better thesis for the following prompt: Based on the foreword, explain why Filipovic believes keeping a diary or journal is valuable. Support your answer with important and specific details from the foreword.

• According to the foreword, Filipovic believes keeping a diary or journal is valuable for reflecting, memorializing, and for good writing practices.

• The foreword tells us many reasons why Filipovic believes keeping a diary or journal is valuable.

Which would be a better thesis for the following prompt: Explain how the information in the article supports the title, “Surviving, for Better and Worse.” Support your answer with important and specific details from the article.

• There is a lot of information in the article "Surviving, for Better and Worse" and this information works very effectively to support the title in several ways.

• The information in the article supports the title "Surviving, for Better and Worse" very effectively through a variety of methods, including detailed accounts of survivals and an analysis of the cost of surviving.

Which would be a better thesis for the following prompt: Explain how the author builds tension in the excerpt. Support your answer with important and specific information from the excerpt.

• The author does an excellent job of building tension in the excerpt by using imagery, establishing a mood, and by foreshadowing danger.

• Tension is key to any good story. The author of the excerpt builds tension and does an excellent job of keeping the reader on their toes throughout the story.

A thesis statement should not directly announce your topic by using phrases such as, "This essay will talk about ........" Which of the following makes the best thesis statement?

• Even though there are several references to fantasy characters and motifs that children can relate to, Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a novel intended for adults because of the mature political theme and background that is pervasive throughout the novel.

• I think that Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a novel for adults because of the advanced nature of the themes and characters.

• It is a novel for adults.

A thesis statement is a complete sentence. It is not a question. Which of these is a thesis statement.

• Have you ever read a novel meant for children but you found it interesting? Haroun and the Sea of Stories is that novel.

• Novels can be for anyone.

• When considering many of Rushdie's past political statements, it becomes clear that Haroun and the Sea of Stories was meant to be a political commentary that discusses governmental, societal, and religious issues of the time.

Which of the following is a thesis?

• What are they serving for lunch at the Hy-Vee?

• They need to put a Caribou in the Hy-Vee.

• Let me tell you how I would improve the Hy-Vee if I were in charge of that place.

• The Hy-Vee is a great place to have a meal and sit quietly to finish one's homework.

Which thesis statement is BEST fit for the following prompt: Write an essay explaining whether it is ever okay to break the rules.

• Breaking the rules should be allowed during emergencies because it can help someone that is hurt.

• I think breaking the rules should be allowed if it is necessary because there would be less crime if there were people to stop it and I believe it would allow citizens to step up when something is wrong.

• Both breaking and not breaking the rules have good and bad aspects to each.

• Breaking the rules is unacceptable because there are rules set in society to keep order and going against the structure that is set in place would cause chaos.

Which thesis statement is BEST fit for the following prompt: Write an essay explaining whether it is important to laugh.

• It is important to laugh because life would just be boring without it.

• Laughter is a necessity to have in life since it brightens many people's days and is the key to true happiness.

• Humor is vital in life because it makes you happy and smile more.

• Humor makes everyone feel happy and is the key to true happiness.