In "What Is a Thesis?" Jo Ray McCuen defines the thesis and describes its three most important characteristics. In "The Thesis" Sheridan Baker advises how to arrive at a compelling thesis. A thesis is not just a subject; it is an idea about a subject. On this point both writing teachers agree.
             In McCuen's essay, the author gives a definition of the thesis and outlines three main points that make a good paper. Although it is possible to write a good essay without a thesis statement, the lack of a thesis statement may leaves an essay lack of focus; hence, all essays should have a thesis to guide the direction of the paper. According to McCuen, "The thesis is a single sentence that announces to your reader exactly what you intend to argue, to prove, to refute, to describe, to tell, or to explain. By convention, it is usually the final sentence of the first paragraph" (93). Having a thesis is not enough, though. A paper should have a good thesis. As McCuen describes in her essay that "The precision with which you word your thesis will help determine the quality of your essay. At a minimum, a good thesis predicts, controls, and obligates" (95). McCuen also describes those three characteristics in very details. A attractive thesis should make the reader raise questions and want to read more. After reading a thesis, the reader can tell development of the paper. Moreover, a thesis must be restricted in focus of an essay to what can be discussed in detail within the paper's expected length. Finally, a thesis should not be confusing; in other words, it must be open to only one interpretation (McCuen 95-98).
             On the other hand, Baker talks more about writing a persuasive thesis in his essay. An effective persuasive thesis must have an "edge" that expresses in general terms the views of your opposition. As a writer, one need to offer some new, interesting perspective on an issue. Some theses are less specific, more passive, and more obvious; ...