Many students don’t know the difference between a weak thesis and a strong thesis. Here are some clues that show that an essay’s thesis is weak:
A thesis is weak if it is already known to be true, so there is nothing new to be explored. For example,
- Smoking is bad for human health.
- Benjamin Franklin was an 18th century inventor.
- The New England Patriots are a great football team.
A thesis is weak if it is a personal belief, not something to be investigated. For example,
- Summer is the best season.
- Middle school is harder than elementary school.
- Abraham Lincoln ranks number one among US Presidents.
The thesis is weak if it is too broad to be thoroughly investigated.
- Hurricanes are dangerous storms.
- Nancy drew books appeal to girls.
- Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy.
The thesis is weak if it does not make a claim needing to be proven. For example,
- Dr. Seuss wrote popular children’s books.
- Being a police officer is both good and bad.
- In chess, each piece moves in particular ways.
The thesis is weak if it is not controversial, not a statement over which people can disagree.
- Barak Obama was the 44th President of the US.
- No human being has lived for 130 years.
- Alex Fleming’s discovery of penicillin mold was one the greatest medical discoveries of the 20th century.
English Writing Teacher 