Thesis Critique

What does a good thesis entail?  This activity helps students identify the features of a strong thesis.  The instructor brings 4-5 thesis statements about texts read previously in the class.  Among the sample theses, there is 1 strong one and the rest are relatively weak.  Students break into groups and discuss the positive and negative aspects of the sample theses.  By examining theses that are not their own, students come to appreciate the differences between theses of different qualities, which will help their own writing.