Describe how to revise a weak thesis into a stronger one.

• A. Keep it vague and broad.
• B. Make it specific, debatable, and tied to main reasoning; replace vague terms with precise language.
• C. Make it longer with filler words.
• D. Remove it entirely.

Answer: (B)

Focusing on turning a claim into a precise, arguable statement that guides your reasoning. A strong thesis clearly states a position you will defend, and it previews the direction your evidence will take. It should specify exactly what you’re arguing and to what extent, so readers know the scope and boundaries. It must be debatable—something someone could reasonably disagree with—so you have a claim you can support with evidence. It should be tightly tied to the main points you’ll develop, meaning every piece of reasoning in the essay directly supports that claim. Replacing vague language with precise terms makes the claim concrete and easier to defend, and it helps you choose and organize evidence that actually supports it. For example, instead of saying that “the internet affects society,” a stronger thesis might say that “the internet reshapes how teenagers form social connections by accelerating communication, which in turn changes social norms and expectations about privacy.” That kind of statement gives a clear claim and a path for your argument. Keeping the thesis vague, lengthening it with filler words, or removing it altogether would leave you without a specific claim to defend or a plan to structure your evidence.