writing and vocabulary

Question

Which of the following is a strong thesis statement? a) Inherit the Wind is a play about racism. b) Why is U2 one of the most popular bands in world? c) Tax reform is not an adequate solution to America's current economic problems d) This paper will examine the causes and effects of the Civil War

Answer 1

Of these, I would agree that C) "Tax reform is not an adequate solution to America's current economic problems" is the strongest. It is more specific than the others, and can be supported and contested. However, it is a bit vague. Tax reform is a big fish, and 'America's current economic problems' is a bigger fish. You may want to specify what tax reform you are talking about, or which economic problems you are specifically referring to (i.e. the shrinking middle class, national debt, etc.). 

 

A is a weak introductory sentence that could be turned into a thesis (At its core, Inherent the Wind is a play concerned with racism in the American South). B is a question, but can also easily be reformed into something of a thesis (The following paper will examine why U2 is one of the most popular bands in the world). D is technically a thesis statement as you are saying exactly what the paper will be doing. However, it is too vague. You would have to say in a thesis (even if it is brought up in the introductory paragraph) which Civil War you are talking about. 

Answer 2

c 

C is a thesis statement requiring support

while b is a question; a and d are introductory but not thesis statements