Which of the following is an explanatory thesis? Watching what people will say and do in the real-life, unusual situations found in reality TV is more entertaining than the made-up, orchestrated situations of sitcoms. Sitcoms are a low form of comedy, with no other purpose than to make people laugh using crude jokes. Reality TV, on the other hand, in its various forms, teaches us about human nature. Reality TV feeds off the basest elements of human nature: cruelty, vulgarity, and exploitation of the most vulnerable of our society; conversely, sitcoms are valuable because they are creative expressions of well-thought-out writing, acting, and directing. Reality TV and sitcoms are favorite forms of entertainment that stir up the emotions of viewers, both positive and negative.

Answer 1

An explanatory thesis typically explains or clarifies a topic without taking a strong stance or argument on it. Among the options provided, the thesis that best fits this definition is:

"Reality TV and sitcoms are favorite forms of entertainment that stir up the emotions of viewers, both positive and negative."

This statement simply presents a fact about reality TV and sitcoms and their impact on viewers’ emotions without arguing for one being better or worse than the other. It serves to explain the emotional engagement of viewers with these two forms of entertainment.