Bad & Better Thesis Statements (Page 3 of 4) in pdf

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Bad & Better Thesis Statements (con’t)

5. The research paper thesis.

In another course this would not be at all unacceptable, and, in fact, possibly even

desirable. But in this kind of course, a thesis statement that makes a factual claim that can

be verified only with scientific, sociological, psychological or other kind of experimental

evidence is not appropriate. You need to construct a thesis that you are prepared to prove

using the tools you have available, without having to consult the world's leading expert on

the issue to provide you with a definitive judgment.

Bad Thesis 1: Americans today are not prepared to give up on the concept of free

speech.

Bad Thesis 2: Hate speech can cause emotional pain and suffering in victims just

as intense as physical battery.

Better Thesis 1: Whether or not the cultural concept of free speech bears any

relation to the reality of 1st amendment legislation and jurisprudence, its continuing

social function as a promoter of tolerance and intellectual exchange trumps the call

for politicization (according to Fish's agenda) of the term.

Better Thesis 2: The various arguments against the regulation of hate speech

depend on the unspoken and unexamined assumption that emotional pain is either

trivial.

The Thesis Tests

Is this a complete sentence (and not a question)?

2. Does it have an opposing argument?

2. Is every word clear and unambiguous in meaning?

3. Is the sentence a dead end, or does it call for additional information and explanation?

4. Does the statement make such a large claim that you believe the writer has no hope of proving it

to be true in the space of 4 to 6 pages?

5. What evidence will you need to see before you will believe that the thesis is true?

Bad & Better Thesis Statements Page 3