About Thesis Statement

Academic writing is all about logic and clarity. Your teachers won't read between the lines, trying to understand what you mean. Rather, you should clearly articulate your main points right from the start, in a thesis statement, the last sentence (or two) in your introduction part.

Thesis statement definition

Generally, a thesis statement is defined as a short statement summarizing the main claims and supported by examples and arguments in the text.

Extending this definition, a thesis statement is:

  • summary;
  • position;
  • plan;
  • logical center.

The next question to answer is what a good thesis statement is.

  • It passes the 'so what' test. In other words, nobody will read it and exclaim 'so what?' 'Why should I care?'
  • It clearly explains your stance. The idea of making it generic and uncertain to avoid mistakes can be rather attractive. However, it's better to avoid sitting on two chairs. Dare to write what you really think.
  • It prepares readers for what will follow. Your thesis statement should connect your entire paper into a whole. Make sure that all the following stuff supports your main idea. Feel free to delete all the irrelevant facts that occasionally cross your mind and get into your paper.

Summarize Your Main Points

If you occasionally change your conclusion, be sure to get back to your thesis statement and change it as well. Revisit this part whenever it is necessary.

DosDon'ts
  • Briefly state what your paper is about.
  • Revisit and rewrite your thesis statement if necessary.
  • Use complete sentences.
  • Don't include too much detail.
  • Don't stick to the first version of your thesis statement, no matter what.
  • Don't assume that a thesis statement is a mere announcement of the topic.

E.g. The role of self-motivation, which affects time management and personal productivity, in academic success should not be underestimated.

Present a Plan of Your Paper

DosDon'ts
  • Briefly mention your main arguments.
  • Combine arguments into a complete sentence.
  • Don't jump from one argument to another one.
  • Don't make vows (This paper will discuss, in this essay I am going to speak about...)

E.g. Raising bilingual kids is associated with a number of difficulties, including the additional pressure on parents, expenses on literature and training, the necessity to search for appropriate academic institutions, but the outcomes are worth all the efforts.

Logically Structure Your Paper

DosDon'ts
  • Use your entire essay to develop and defend your thesis statement.
  • Make your thesis statement the logical center of your essay.
  • Don't include any irrelevant information which has no connection with your thesis statement.
  • Don't include any information contradicting your main claim expressed in the thesis statement.

Use 4 Classical Thesis Statement Formulas

The easiest way to write a strong thesis statement is to use a thesis statement generator.

However, if you don't trust any software, here're the classical formulas explained and illustrated with really good examples of thesis statements:

  1. Position. This formula is applicable to argumentative writing. Though any thesis statement is based on the author's opinion, clearly expressing your position is especially important for argumentative writing.

E.g. The nature of smoking addition is more psychological than physical though the combination of the two factors can make dropping a harmful habit especially hard.

  1. Recommendation. Depending on your topic, your position can take a form of a recommendation. The cue words to use in this formula are should (be banned, prohibited, outlawed, encouraged, sponsored, developed), may, might etc.

E.g. Raising dangerous breeds of dogs without special permission and training should be banned.

  1. Description. Depending on the type and topic of your paper, taking a stance may seem inappropriate. Then descriptive formula is a better choice.

E.g. Optimists always focus on the positive side of life, wear a smile most of the time and look younger and more attractive, than pessimists.

  1. Relationship. Establishing a relationship between certain aspects is one of the most widely used academic writing patterns. The cue words that can come in handy are affect, effect, direct or indirect relationship, influence.

E.g. Despite the numerous factors influencing individual's learning outcomes, there is a direct relationship between the amount of time spent on studying and the student's score on tests.

Avoid 4 Typical Mistakes

If you really want to make your thesis statement shine, use the following checklist to avoid the most common mistakes. Read your thesis statement and ask yourself if it is not:

  • Too obvious.
  • E.g. Parents play an important role in an infant's life. (Compare: The parents' relationships and lifestyle play an important role in shaping an infant's personality.)
  • Ambiguous.
  • E.g. The goal of a literature review is to fill in the gaps in knowledge. (Compare: A good literature review should discuss the questions which were not covered in previous studies by other researchers.)
  • Too straightforward.
  • E.g. This paper will discuss the mating rituals of penguins. (Compare: The mating rituals of penguins illustrate the level of organization and development of this species.)
  • Uncertain.
  • E.g. Sometimes coffee is your friend, but sometimes it is a foe. (Compare: Excessive caffeine intake does more harm than good, having a negative impact on an individual's cardiovascular system and sleep patterns.)

How To Write A Thesis Statement

If you're about to sit down and write a quality paper, you will probably need to research how to write a thesis statement. Many people have trouble with this technique. The truth is, without it, your essay or paper may lack the extra kick that it needs to stand out from the crowd. Additionally, your essay may be difficult to read and understand.

When learning how to create your thesis, you will need to first understand the function of a thesis statement. This statement is used to introduce the topic or theory that your paper will be discussing. A thesis statement may include a thoughtful questions or may simply state your point. We often learn how to create these during our early education years, but it can be easy to forget how to go about it.

In order to get started, you will need to first think about the topic that you’re writing about. In some cases, you may have free range to choose your topic, while sometimes you may have to write on a specific matter. You will need to first understand your topic so that you can create a proper thesis and write a great essay.

You will then need to think about your essay requirements. If your essay is to be several pages long, you will usually want to create a paragraph dedicated to your statement and other important information. If you are writing a very short paper, you may only have a sentence dedicated to this portion of your essay. It all depends on the requirements of your paper. Make sure that you properly understand these length requirements.

You will also need to think about the type of paper that you’re writing. For some papers, you may find that you’re trying to persuade others into believing a certain way about an issue. You may also find that you’re just writing a simple explanatory essay on a certain topic. You may also need to present a thoroughly researched paper about different aspects of a topic. You will then have a better understanding of the thesis statement that you need to create.

To get started, you will want to begin introducing your topic. You will want to use good wording and make sure that your sentences interest the reader enough to want to read more. This will all be in the first paragraph of your paper. At the end of this paragraph, you will include your thesis.

Create a very specific sentence that explains what you'll be talking about. Are you writing about your daily activities and how you go about those activities? If so, the following sentence may be a good thesis statement: I spend my days cleaning, cooking, and watching my children. This would tell your readers what exactly you do, and what your paper will talk about. Generally, you will then explain each thing that you do in its own paragraph.

Take care when creating your essay or paper. You want to make sure that you have a clear and understandable thesis so that others know what you’re going to discuss!

Thesis statement FAQS:

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is one or two sentences that express clearly and concisely the main ideas of your paper. It should argue a position and answer questions posed by your paper. It provides structure for the paper, as though it were a roadmap to help the reader navigate through the material. It also acts as mortar: holding together the various bricks of a paper, summarizing the main point of the paper "in a nutshell," and pointing toward the paper's development.

What are the rules for writing a thesis statement?

  1. Make sure your thesis reflects the full range of your argument.
  2. Avoid using a thesis that is too broad to be defended in your paper or too narrow to be a full response to the assignment.
  3. Choose a thesis that can be supported by several solid arguments. Ask yourself How? and Why? questions to deepen your thesis.
  4. Make sure your thesis statement is easily identifiable.
  5. Do not just reword the professor’s question; claim your own position.

Are there different types of thesis statements?

There are three types of thesis statements that should be used based upon what kind of paper you are writing.

  • Analytical: breaks down an issue or an idea into its parts, evaluates these, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
  • Expository: explains something to the audience.
  • Argumentative: makes a claim about a topic and justifies it with specific evidence.

What are some examples of these types of thesis statements?

Analytical: An analysis of the college admission process reveals two principal problems facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds..

Expository: The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers..

Argumentative: High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

What 3 things should a thesis statement have?

A thesis statement should have three key elements:

  • A clear and specific topic: The thesis statement should clearly indicate what the paper is about and provide a specific focus for the reader.
  • A main point or argument: The thesis statement should make a claim or argument that the paper will support or argue against. It should be a concise and debatable statement that presents the writer's perspective on the topic.
  • Supporting evidence: The thesis statement should provide a roadmap for the rest of the paper and indicate what evidence or arguments will be used to support the main point. This helps to ensure that the paper is coherent and well-supported.

Where can I get a thesis statement?

You can get a thesis statement by brainstorming ideas and then formulating them into a sentence that states the main idea of your paper. You may also want to consult with your professor or classmates for help in developing a strong thesis statement.

What is a strong thesis statement?

A strong thesis statement is a clear and concise statement that conveys the main point of an essay, research paper, or other written work. It should be specific enough to be supported with evidence, but broad enough to allow for further exploration. In essence, it serves as the foundation of your argument and should provide readers with an idea of what to expect from the rest of your paper.

What is a simple thesis statement?

A simple thesis statement should be specific, focused, and provide enough information to guide readers through your argument.

A simple thesis statement could be: "Technology has had a positive impact on our lives."

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