5.1 Section Title
true
true
You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.
Exercise C1-5
Thesis statements
true
In each pair, click on the passage that would work better as a thesis statement for a three-to-five-page college paper. Remember that a thesis should be a central idea that requires supporting evidence; it should be of adequate scope for a three-to-five-page paper; and it should be sharply focused.
Click Submit after each question to see feedback and to record your answer. After you have finished every question, your answers will be submitted to your instructor’s gradebook. You may review your answers by returning to the exercise at any time. (An exercise reports to the gradebook only if your instructor has assigned it.)
Example
Question
5.1
Correct. This sentence effectively asserts a position that the writer can support in the paper.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This statement simply reports a fact. Although a thesis can include factual information, it must make an assertion that can be supported in the paper.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.2
Correct. This statement focuses on one idea that can be developed within the length requirements of a college paper. The other version is too broad.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This assertion is too broad to make an effective thesis for a college paper. To develop the idea adequately, the writer would need more than three to five pages.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.3
Correct. This sentence focuses clearly on the ideas that the writer will develop in the paper.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This version is too vague. The words popular and important do not provide as sharp a focus as the details in the other version do: stage presence, poetry, authentic working-class rage.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.4
Correct. This sentence makes a claim that can be argued in the paper. The other version is too factual.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This version is too factual to be a thesis statement. While the writer may have to explain in the paper how the electoral college works, that information does not constitute a thesis that the writer can support.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.5
Correct. This version clearly asserts a central idea for the paper. The other version is too vague.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This version is too vague to make a good thesis. A thesis should take a stand on a clearly focused issue.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.6
Correct. This sentence clearly states a main point and sets up a three-part organization for the paper.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This sentence is too vague to make a good thesis. The words interesting and issue do not provide a clear focus for the paper.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.7
Correct. This sentence presents a clear, focused assertion that the writer can back up with a persuasive argument.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This statement’s assertion is too vague. Its key word, mindless, provides readers with little idea of the direction the paper will take. The other sentence does a better job of restricting the focus of the paper.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.8
Correct. This sentence sets forth a position that the paper can defend.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This sentence describes a factual situation; it does not make an assertion that the writer can defend in the paper.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.9
Correct. This thesis can be adequately developed in a college paper. The other version is too broad and too vague.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This version is too broad for a college paper, and the word unfair makes it vague as well. The other version has a clearer, more restricted focus.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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Question
5.10
Correct. In addition to stating a clear assertion, this sentence sketches the organization of the paper.
For more help, see section C1-c.
Sorry. This sentence is too vague. Much to be desired could mean many different things.
For more help, see section C1-c.
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