Final answer:
A good thesis statement should avoid vague and general words, opting instead for specific terms to reduce ambiguity and enhance clarity. The aim is to convey information concisely without altering the original meaning, focusing on a strong, defensible claim.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rule#1 for crafting a good thesis encourages the elimination of vague words and advocates for precision in language to minimize ambiguity. This involves replacing broad terms like 'people', 'everything', 'society', or 'life' with more specific terms that clearly convey the intended meaning. The goal is to enhance clarity by avoiding generalizations that can dilute the strength of the thesis statement.
For instance, the sentence 'In almost every situation that I can think of, with few exceptions, it will make good sense for you to look for as many places as possible to cut out needless, redundant, and repetitive words and phrases from the papers, reports, paragraphs, and sentences you write for college assignments' is excessively wordy and can be distilled to 'Whenever possible, cut needless words and phrases from your college writing.' This concise construction not only reduces the word count but also makes the core idea more prominent.
The objective is not to alter the original information but to present it in a more direct and engaging manner. This process includes eliminating redundant adverbs, passive constructions, and phrases that do not contribute to the meaning, rhythm, or emphasis of the sentence. For example, 'A bright light shone on the ocean waves' is significantly more concise than 'There was a really bright light that was shining on the waves in the ocean' without changing the conveyed information.
To ensure your thesis statement is not overly broad or lacking an argument, avoid using sweeping generalizations, dictionary definitions, and direct announcements of your intentions in your writing. Instead, focus on delivering a strong, defensible claim that directly engages with the specific topic at hand.