A Thesis Is a Promise

Every clause creates an obligation

• A thesis requires a defense through textual evidence and a line of reasoning.
• That requirement applies to every part of what you wrote, not to its general drift.
• So a thesis with four claims in it has promised four defences, and an essay has time for two.

A thesis with four parts has promised four deliveries; the essay cannot leave three parcels in the van.

Cut what you will not defend

• Read your thesis back and underline every separable claim.
• For each, ask whether a paragraph is coming that defends it.
• If not, cut it — an undefended clause in a thesis is a promise the essay breaks in front of the reader.

A previewed reasoning is a stricter promise

• A thesis may preview the line of reasoning — and if it does, the essay must follow that order.
• So previewing helps the reader and binds the writer, which is a fair trade if your plan is settled.
• If it is not settled, do not preview: a broken order is more visible than no preview at all.

Do not promise more than the text supports

• The temptation on a strong text is to claim something large in the first sentence.
• But the CED does not require a thesis to list points, elements or evidence — nor to be grand.
• The rubric rewards a claim you defend, not a claim you announce.

A promise check

• Underline every separable claim in your thesis and count them.
• Match each to a body paragraph. Cut any with no match.
• If your thesis previews an order, check the paragraphs follow it.