1. Arguable:
- It should present a claim that can be debated or challenged.
- It's not a simple statement of fact.
- Example: "Cats are better pets than dogs." (This is debatable)
2. Focused:
- It should be specific enough to be covered within the scope of your paper.
- Avoid broad generalizations.
- Example: "The Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on society." (Too broad) vs. "The Industrial Revolution led to increased urbanization and pollution in England." (More focused)
3. Clear and concise:
- It should be easy to understand and should avoid jargon or overly complex language.
- It should be stated in a single sentence (generally).
4. Supported by evidence:
- While your thesis statement doesn't need to be "true" in the literal sense, you must be able to provide evidence to support your argument throughout your paper.
5. Relevant to your audience and purpose:
- Consider who you are writing for and what you aim to achieve with your paper. Your thesis should be relevant to both.
In summary: A strong thesis statement presents a clear, focused, and arguable claim that you will then support with evidence throughout your paper. It doesn't need to be "true" in the sense of being a verifiable fact, but it should be a claim that you can defend with evidence.