Thesis Samples

Review the following examples of thesis sentences. Which impress you as the strongest? Why? How would you advise the authors of these models to improve their thesis sentences?

1.      The boundaries that the government and certain individuals have crossed has placed our freedom to live and exist in life in question.  Thus, censoring what the country is exposed to can in no way be deemed as rational.  However, parents should retain the right to block what their children are exposed to until their children can make their own decisions.

2.      Even though technology, lifestyle, and the world’s views overall have changed drastically, censorship remains the same.  Music, art, and the Internet are censored with the same value in mind—preserve morals that are lost and gone in the US

3.      I hold the position that some forms of censorship are legitimate and are necessary to promote the common good for society.  While some incidents of censorship have gone to the extreme, there are plenty of reasons why it must be done.  As mentioned previously, censorship has been practiced for thousands of years.  First, a brief history of censorship should lend rise to the various complexities of censorship, specifically the censorship of books in public schools.  Also, some of my own solutions and suggestions will be offered.

4.      I feel that all Americans who consider themselves law abiding citizens and are against capital punishment should consider the possibility of being in the man’s shoos of whom I spoke earlier.  By considering the historical background, issues, and the main points of argumentation for capital punishment, people who are against it will quickly have a change of heart and aid in decreasing the number of murders, not just feel sorry for the murderers.

5.      Because of this and the many debates that go on for and against the death penalty, slowing down the process of justice, capital punishment cannot be as an effective way to deal with malicious criminals who need to be dealt with, as it would be if all were in favor of it.

6.      Although the death penalty is an unrealistic way of looking at crimes against society, there are solutions that can be reached that are more effective in combating the problem of violent crime.

7.      However, I strongly disagree that capital punishment is the answer.  The practice of capital punishment is tainted with many discrepancies that make it ineffective, unlawful, and controversial.

8.      Like many other non-smokers, I want to protect my health.  I think that smoking should be banned from all public facilities including day-care centers.  However for smokers, this means that non-smokers are finally taking a stand for their rights.

9.      I am ready to stand up with the American people against the tobacco industry and smokers, and ban tobacco smoke from our environment.

10.  By giving a brief background on the history of smoking including some very important dates, and exploring the complexity of the issue, I will explain why smoking should not be permitted in public places, and try to find an effective solution to the problem, a solution that will hopefully make both smokers and nonsmokers happy.

11.  Smoking must be banished immediately from public since its effects are fatal to many innocent people.

12.  We should have the option to make informed decisions about what we are exposed to, but parents have the obligation to help our children to do the same.

13.  Through background information, related cases, and examples of benefits, I will explain to you why I am in favor of the death penalty.

14.  Regardless of people’s views on recycling, they must realize the crucial role that recycling plays in reducing landfill waste, and they must force Congress to create more legislation that encourages residential and industrial recycling.

Author Lorena Russell
Last edited 20 Feb 2005
Email lrussell@unca.edu