Chapter 20 RR

Thesis statements are hard - Too General
Writing a thesis statement is hard - More Specific
Finding a way to properly state your thesis so that it takes a stand on a debatable issue and allows others to oppose is hard to articulate properly - Specific Stand

Source

I just showed how to take an idea and refine it so that it becomes a good thesis statement.  The thought from the original idea is retained but the final one clearly states a position that a person can agree or disagree with.  Once the thesis statement is fully articulated, it helps the writer lay out the supporting evidence and build a logical argument for why they feel the way they stated in their thesis statement.  Chapter 20 is helpful in guiding a writer through this process.

I thought this chapter was important because an essay must begin with a proper thesis statement.  It showed how to build a strong thesis.  When writing about a topic, it is easy to be tempted into trying to cover all aspects of the issue.  Since we are typically given 3-5 page limits, what results is a paper that shallowly covers many points, but doesn't really make the point the author intended.  This is a sign that the thesis was too broad or unclear.

I am the kind of person that loves practical, actionable advice.  Broad advice like "pick a good topic" or "Make your thesis strong" do not give a writer detailed advice on how to achieve those goals.  The Bedford Guide for College Readers is great because it doesn't stop with broad advice.  It gives specific tips and step-by-step instructions on how to achieve the things you should do.  Visuals like flow charts, marked up examples and tables listing common problems and solutions are fantastic.  If a writer read this book and truly followed the instructions, they could not help but become a much more effective author.

Dustan S