Question

Which sentence is not an example of an effective thesis for an essay comparing two texts about nuclear power in the United States?
A.

Blackwell’s reliance on personal stories and dated reports makes his argument less convincing than Keitel’s.
B.

Keitel’s use of statistics and government reports makes her argument—that nuclear power is safe—more convincing than Blackwell’s assertion that it is not.
C.

Although both authors carefully document their sources and present ample evidence to support their claims, the statistics and expert testimony that Keitel cites are ultimately more convincing.
D.

Keitel argues that nuclear power is safe and Blackwell asserts that it is not.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. Keitel argues that nuclear power is safe and Blackwell asserts that it is not

Explanation:

A thesis statement is a claim that summarizes the position of the author in relation to some subject, situation or issue, in the case of comparative essays that aim at comparing  two elements the thesis statement should tell the reader if the author believes one element is better or different to the other and in which way it is better or different. Additionally, an effective thesis statement is one that focuses on only one subject and expresses a position and not only a fact. Considering this, " Keitel argues that nuclear power is safe and Blackwell asserts that it is not" is definitely not an effective thesis statement because it does not describe how Keitel or Blackwell arguments are more effective or better and it does not provide a position, but only summarizes Keitel and Blackwell arguments.

Answer 2

The answer is D. Keitel argues that nuclear power is safe and Blackwell asserts that it is not.