When trying to develop a thesis, first think about the purpose of your paper. If you are writing about a short story, consider focusing on a particular aspect of the work. For instance, identify a major conflict in the story that you can link to society to show a deeper undertone of the work. Then, pinpoint why the conflict happened in the story and why it is important to discuss. Try to narrow the story down to a specific theme/idea that paints a bigger picture of what the story is about and demonstrates its relation to the world at large.
If you're writing a paper about a controversial issue, choose an essay topic with which many people agree but others disagree. Allow your thesis to essentially be an argument and present your own personal position. This will help you solidify a strong main idea in the introduction of your paper and come up with examples to back up your point. In addition, make sure your thesis is not so vague or specific that you have a hard time covering the topic satisfactorily in the amount of pages required.
Make sure your thesis touches on a precise point in a concise and comprehensible manner. In addition, attempt to include the words "because" or "although" in your thesis statement to make sure you clearly explain your reasoning. Be sure the thesis covers just one main idea, as introducing multiple ideas in your thesis simply will make your readers confused about the intention of your essay.
Do not make your thesis a question, because a question is not as sure and demonstrative as a bold thesis statement. On the other hand, do not use an exclamatory statement or write a thesis that is unnecessarily belligerent and irrational, as this simply will frustrate and isolate some readers and may keep them from reading the rest of your essay.