The backbone of informational writing is the thesis. The thesis is the main argument of a rhetorical speech or essay. A good thesis follows the following structure:

subject  +  strong verb +  finish your thought

The thesis has two cousins that also follow this structure: the topic sentence, which is like a thesis without the argument and is used for expository writing; and the claim, which kicks of a paragraph of specific evidence and reasoning supporting the thesis. Theses, topic sentences, and claims all need strong verbs for two reasons: 1) ​Strong verbs grab a reader's attention and keep the audience engaged, and 2) Strong verbs help you get specific. Consider these two sentences:

Alexander Hamilton's role in the founding of America is largely ignored.

Historians have unfairly diminished Alexander Hamilton's role in the founding of America.

The second one is much more specific than the first--the action verb forces the author to declare who has caused the ignorance of Hamilton and thereby gives the author a narrower target to hit when trying to prove the thesis. Since the action verb is the hardest part of developing a thesis, topic sentence, or claim, here are a bunch of strong verbs you could use:

analyzes
argues
articulates
attacks
attempts
begs
borrows from
challenges
claims
clarifies
compares
considers
contradicts
conveys
creates

criticizes
demands
demonstrates
describes
destroys
​diminishes
discusses
distinguishes
encourages
establishes
evaluates
evokes
excites
exposes
explains

expresses
frightens
highlights
illustrates
inquires
makes
​minimizes
offers
outlines
personifies
persuades
portrays
presents
presumes
promotes

proves
questions
recommends
reflects upon
refutes
reveals
seeks
shows
suggests
tackles
tells
​tests
troubles
tries
warrants