Which sentence is most representative of a strong thesis statement?

Which sentence is most representative of a strong thesis statement?

• A. This essay will discuss several topics.
• B. This essay argues that increased recycling reduces waste by highlighting three main benefits.
• C. The following pages discuss many things.
• D. There are several reasons.

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is how a strong thesis clearly states an arguable claim and shows the essay’s direction. The best option does this by making a specific claim about recycling—that increased recycling reduces waste—and by indicating how the argument will be developed: “by highlighting three main benefits.” This gives the reader a clear position and a sense of the essay’s scope and structure, so evidence can be organized around those three benefits. The other sentences fall short because they sound more like promises to discuss topics rather than making a claim to be supported. They don’t state an argument or outline a direction for the essay, so they leave the reader unsure about what the writer intends to prove or compare.

The main idea being tested is how a strong thesis clearly states an arguable claim and shows the essay’s direction. The best option does this by making a specific claim about recycling—that increased recycling reduces waste—and by indicating how the argument will be developed: “by highlighting three main benefits.” This gives the reader a clear position and a sense of the essay’s scope and structure, so evidence can be organized around those three benefits.

The other sentences fall short because they sound more like promises to discuss topics rather than making a claim to be supported. They don’t state an argument or outline a direction for the essay, so they leave the reader unsure about what the writer intends to prove or compare.