The thesis is
NOT
an announcement (Nadell, McMeniman, Langan 41)
Do not begin:
"I am going to discuss . . ." or "This paper will be about . . ."
NOT
factual (41)
There must be room for debate and dialogue; facts are facts.
NOT
too broad (42) or too narrow
Can the topic be addressed in the space allotted?
Is there enough support to develop the topic in the length required?
Nadell, Judith, Linda McMeniman, and John Langan. The Longman Writer: Rhetoric and Reader. Brief ed. New York: Longman, 2003. Print.