lucrative job

7. In today’s crumbling job market, a high school diploma is not significant enough education to

land a stable, lucrative job.

Tip

You can find thesis statements in many places, such as in the news; in the opinions of friends, coworkers

or teachers; and even in songs you hear on the radio. Become aware of thesis statements in everyday life

by paying attention to people’s opinions and their reasons for those opinions. Pay attention to your own

everyday thesis statements as well, as these can become material for future essays.

Now that you have read about the contents of a good thesis statement and have seen examples, take a look

at the pitfalls to avoid when composing your own thesis:

 A thesis is weak when it is simply a declaration of your subject or a description of what you will

discuss in your essay.

Weak thesis statement: My paper will explain why imagination is more important than knowledge.

 A thesis is weak when it makes an unreasonable or outrageous claim or insults the opposing side.

Weak thesis statement: Religious radicals across America are trying to legislate their Puritanical

beliefs by banning required high school books.

 A thesis is weak when it contains an obvious fact or something that no one can disagree with or

provides a dead end.

Weak thesis statement: Advertising companies use sex to sell their products.

 A thesis is weak when the statement is too broad.

Weak thesis statement: The life of Abraham Lincoln was long and challenging.

E X E R C I S E 2

Read the following thesis statements. On a separate piece of paper, identify each as weak or strong. For

those that are weak, list the reasons why. Then revise the weak statements so that they conform to the

requirements of a strong thesis.

1. The subject of this paper is my experience with ferrets as pets.

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