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.
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 |