A thesis is fragile when assumptions masquerade as facts.
| Concept | Explanation | |---|---| | Fact | Observed and verifiable information. | | Estimate | Calculated or forecast value with known uncertainty. | | Assumption | Belief required for the thesis to work. | | Narrative | Explanation connecting facts and expectations. | | Unknown | Material issue for which evidence is incomplete. |
Key idea: A thesis becomes fragile when assumptions are presented as facts.