According to the 1A Grading Rubric, an A thesis is clear, compelling, and sophisticated; in contrast, a B thesis lacks the latter two qualities.
The terms compelling and sophisticated are subjective so we need defining characteristics.
A compelling and sophisticated thesis must be
1. beyond a cliche or over-familiar statement
2. must challenge the intellect on not be a truism or platitude that the reader already knows
3. must not be something one would stumble upon on a fifth grade essay
Here is a thesis that is not compelling or sophisticated:
Jealousy is a mental problem characterized by obsession, insecurity, delusion, and violence.
Here is an improved thesis with more sophistication:
Jealousy is a mental disease of the narcissist, the person who projects his own cheating tendencies onto his mate; who invests so much worry and energy in the fantasy that his partner is cheating on him that he actually wants her to cheat on him; who has no capacity for love or empathy but can only exist in the most hellish form of solipsism.
If your thesis is part of an argumentative essay, as in your final paper, you need two components in your thesis to give it sophistication:
You need a dependent clause that often poses objections to your thesis
And you need an independent clause, your thesis, that is in part a response to your dependent clause.
Example
While decriminalizing marijuana will no doubt increase consumer addiction, this argument falls flat on its face when we examine the way underground marijuana increases crime organizations, increases violence, and remains stigmatized even as other legal consumer addictions permeate society in far more dangerous ways in the form of alcohol, pharmaceutical drugs, junk food, etc.
If you have an argumentative thesis with a dependent clause that shows objections, then part of your essay should address those objections, called a counterargument.
Introduction
Thesis with 4 mapping components
4 body paragraphs that support mapping
2 paragraphs that refute your opponents' objections
conclusion
Important
Please remember your final paper is a test of your ability to adhere to the student learning objectives, which are manifest in the grading rubric. Your grade reflects your adherence to those objectives and your preparedness and readiness for higher levels of English like 1C and especially 1C. Therefore, English 1A instructors must be precise and consistent in the application of the rubric to your essay. As a test, the final paper cannot be rewritten, so be sure to proofread it several times.