1. The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Thesis Statements
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

2. Hunger exists in Appalachia.
Hunger persists in Appalachia because jobs are scarce, and farming in the infertile soil of the region is rarely profitable.
This is a strong thesis statement because it narrows the subject to a more specific and manageable topic and identifies the specific causes for the existence of hunger
Hunger exists in Appalachia.
This is a poor thesis statement because it does not provide any reasons behind WHY “hunger persists in Appalachia.” In addition, this thesis statement gives the reader only a vague idea of what the paper is going to argue.

3. The concept of global warming should not receive the amount of attention that is currently focused on this issue.
This is a poor thesis statement because it is solely based on opinion. A thesis statement needs to be backed up by factual reasoning.
The concept of global warming should not receive the amount of attention that is currently focused on this issue because the earth constantly goes through spells of warming and cooling; the increasing temperature of the earth is but a part of this natural cycle and out of human control.
This is almost a valid thesis statement because it clearly states the writer’s argument without jumping right into statistics, etc, but it’s excessively wordy.

4. The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.

5. The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.
Just terrible. Vague, boring, pointless, obvious.

6. The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.
Just terrible. Vague, boring, pointless, obvious.
While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.

7. The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.
Just terrible. Vague, boring, pointless, obvious.
While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.
Better. Fairly specific and directed. Lacks, however, a central driving point.

8. While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.
Better. Fairly specific and directed. Lacks, however, a central driving point.
While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.

9. While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.
Better. Fairly specific and directed. Lacks, however, a central driving point.
While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.
Best. Very focused, with a singular direction (the clash of moral ideals).

11. Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

12. Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.
Yeah, and?
Also, you should perform one good deed for every English paper you’ve ever written with a thesis like this.

13. Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.
Yeah, and?
Also, you should perform one good deed for every English paper you’ve ever written with a thesis like this.
In Huckleberry Finn, Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.
This one has a clear focus, but the point is still vague. What contrast? Why? Why should we care?

14. In Huckleberry Finn, Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.
This one has a clear focus, but the point is still vague. What contrast? Why? Why should we care?
Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.
This crystalizes the concept, and also gives a sense of its extra-literary importance.

15. Marijuana is most recognized for its calming effect; what is often overlooked is the toll it takes on short-term memory.
Freud is largely criticized for his child sexuality theories, but they could be spot on.

16. When looking at nature vs
When looking at nature vs. nurture, we must look at how each affects children of adoption.
New ideals in Russian culture, such as socialism, regime change, and the industrial revolution, were the cause of the Russian revolution.
Molecular gastronomy is one of the newest trends sweeping both the food and science communities.