the thesis of this essay

How to Write a Thesis Statement

MSt, Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies (University of Oxford)

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What is a thesis statement?

Your thesis statement says exactly what you’re trying to argue in your essay. It captures all the major elements of your argument — the evidence you’re examining, the specific point you’re making, and why it matters. Your thesis is the engine of the essay, driving your argument forward. All your evidence, and the points you conclude from it, direct back to your thesis statement.

How do you capture an entire argument in one statement? While it can take some editing to hone in on your core argument, and articulate it clearly as a thesis, a great thesis statement sets your essay up for success by laying out exactly what you need to prove.

This guide — which borrows some examples and techniques from Andrea Scott’s Formulating a Thesis , Erik Simpson’s Five Ways of Looking at a Thesis , and Keith Shaw’s Thesis Test — will equip you with the tools to write a strong thesis statement — whether you’re writing your first essay or your dissertation.

The question (before the thesis)

A good essay starts not with a statement, but with a question. Asking a good question can be more important than the argument itself: it defines the scope of the essay, its place within the scholarship/field of study, and hints at its significance. Write your question explicitly, to define for your readers and yourself the problem/puzzle/contradiction that motivates your essay.

Your thesis statement is the answer to the question you pose. Before writing your thesis, you need to figure out the question you want to answer. 

• Is there a tension or contradiction that needs explaining?
• Are there conflicting views on your topic? How would you reconcile them?
• Do the standard views of this topic need to be reconsidered?
• Is there something that seems insignificant or tangential that is actually important?
• Is there an approach to this topic that hasn’t yet been explored?
• Is there a gap in the scholarship that needs to be filled?

Coming up with an interesting, arguable question ensures that you will have an interesting, arguable thesis. 

Key qualities of a thesis statement (The Thesis Test)

How can you tell that the thesis you’ve written is a strong one? Check your thesis against these qualities of a good thesis statement:

A good thesis is:

• INTERESTING

Let’s break down what we mean by each of these qualities.

1. The thesis is ARGUABLE

The thesis statement is, above all, an argument. Does your thesis make a claim that a reasonable person could argue against?

Take these examples: 

• Romeo and Juliet is a powerful story of failed love.
• By telling a powerful story of failed love, Romeo and Juliet demonstrates the destructive effects of family pride.
• By comparing versions of the “balcony scene” in three film adaptations of Romeo and Juliet , we can see how the choice of setting for the adaptations affects how “true love” is presented in these movies.

The first example is not an arguable statement; it’s self-evident from reading the play, and a personable person can’t argue against it.

The second example is slightly better because it starts to get more specific, but it still essentially summarizes the main point of the play. Its argument is essentially the moral of the story.

The third example is finally an arguable thesis: it could be argued against, and it requires careful analysis of evidence in order to prove its point.

Sometimes, statements might seem arguable because they require careful attention to the text. For example, you might write:

By examining the cultural influences on the twins in Pleasantville, we can see that David’s nostalgia for the 1950s is motivated by effective media strategies and his loneliness; on the other hand, his sister, Jennifer, does not feel nostalgic for the 1950s because of her strong friendships and feminist values.

This statement looks like it might be a good thesis. It says something that might not be immediately clear on a first watch of the movie and shows that you’ve paid close attention to the text to find evidence for these points. However, this thesis statement ultimately falls short: this essay would only provide a deeper look at what is motivating each of the characters. It wouldn’t actually make a larger point based on these observations or an original argument. 

Let’s compare this example to an arguable thesis statement: 

By looking closely at the issues of race and gender in Pleasantville, we can see that although the film attempts to expose and critique the inequities of the 1950s, its lack of diversity, troubling resolution, incomplete support of feminism, and idolization of the white man play directly into “whitewashing” and patriarchal tendencies.

This essay would include a close reading of the film in service of a larger point. The writer is doing more than providing a plot summary or pointing out details; they are analyzing the text in order to make an original argument.

2. The thesis is MANAGEABLE

Not all thesis statements are created equal. Does your thesis make a claim that can be reasonably proven with the evidence at hand and within the scope of your paper? Part of making your thesis arguable requires making it manageable with the evidence you have.

A book-length dissertation can make a larger, riskier claim than a short essay on Wuthering Heights . There is only so much you can argue when you only have five pages or when you’re drawing all your conclusions from one study. Don’t sell yourself short, but keep in mind your limitations and tailor your thesis to them.

Here are a few examples of theses that go beyond a manageable scope, and how they can be altered to argue within the scope of the evidence:

UNMANAGEABLE: By looking at Henry David Thoreau’s poem “I Am a Parcel of Vain Strivings Tied,” we can see that Transcendentalism is not actually about self-reliance, as the speaker of the poem is saved through outside aid. 

• You can’t make an argument about the core tenets of a philosophical and literary movement only through a close reading of one poem by one of its contributors. 

MANAGEABLE: While Transcendentalism is known for its emphasis on self-reliance, the speaker of Henry David Thoreau’s poem “I Am a Parcel of Vain Strivings Tied” expresses dependence on a “kind hand.” An examination of chance and intention in this poem reveals that the speaker is transformed by a recognition of outside aid. This reading offers a new perspective on what “self-reliance” can look like.

• This reworded thesis emphasizes how this poem does something unexpected without claiming that it totally changes Transcendentalism. Instead, this thesis focuses on what can be proven within the poem and understands the scope of the new perspective it provides.

UNMANAGEABLE: The results of my study — that more members of my neighborhood rated environmental issues as a higher priority than labor issues — shows that middle class voters care more about social issues than economic issues.

• This thesis makes a lot of assumptions without much evidence to back it up. Is your neighborhood representative of middle class voters throughout the country? Did you just ask about environmental versus labor issues? Are both of those actually representative of these broader categories “social” and “economic” issues?

MANAGEABLE: Despite expressing more concern about environmental issues than labor issues, research revealed that more of my neighbors participate in union activities than a recycling program. This study shows a disconnect between values and action in my neighborhood.

• This thesis statement now makes a claim about this neighborhood specifically rather than making sweeping generalizations. 

UNMANAGEABLE: If the Union Army had lost at the Battle of Gettysburg, then the Confederate Army would have taken Pennsylvania and DC and won the Civil War.

• This thesis isn’t arguable or manageable; it makes an argument about a hypothetical situation that can’t really be proven with evidence — certainly not without a lot of it.

MANAGEABLE: In newspaper coverage and speeches made about the Battle of Gettysburg (including Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address), Union media and politicians created the sense that the Battle of Gettysburg had turned the tide of the war long before victory was assured on the battlefield.

• This thesis is still about the importance of the Battle of Gettysburg, but it roots it in specific evidence rather than speculation.

3. The thesis is INTERESTING

Does your thesis address a clear question/puzzle/contradiction? Does it go beyond the obvious? Does it say something original ?

Consider these two different theses:

• Romeo and Juliet is a tale of “star-crossed” lovers. Throughout the play, we see how the cards are stacked against Romeo and Juliet and they are fated to meet a tragic end.

Although we are told from the beginning that it is a tale of "star-crossed lovers," Romeo and Juliet produces its tragedy by calling attention to a series of near-misses, places where the protagonists' downfall could be avoided.

The first example is barely arguable and it is not very interesting. It seems like it’s saying something obvious and self-evident about the play.

The second example, however, says something more strange. It reads against the grain : we think the play is about one thing, but actually (this writer asserts), it’s about the opposite. This makes for a much more interesting thesis, one that offers an unexpected perspective on the play.

Reading against the grain is one technique for articulating an interesting thesis. Here are some other moves:

• There is an inconsistency/contradiction/tension that needs explaining.
• This case study can tell us something about a larger topic/issue.
• Scholars disagree about this, and my argument will show a new perspective or reconcile their thoughts.
• This method/approach has never been applied to this topic.
• It seems like one thing is the case (or we thought it was always this way), but that perspective needs challenging.

4. The thesis is IMPORTANT

Does your thesis have some significance in the context of existing scholarship/the field? Interesting theses are also more likely to be important because they’re saying something original that hasn’t been stated before.

An important thesis usually fills a gap in the existing literature on the topic. What hasn’t been said before? Is there a new approach you’re providing? A new perspective? It can also change the way we think about the topic. How does your particular reading change the way we think about this book or movie or political movement? 

A good thesis has stakes ; it answers the question “so what?” clearly. Let’s look again at our example:

This thesis statement currently has some implied stakes — it changes the way we think about the play. But in order for it to be a strong thesis, it would need another sentence making those stakes explicit.

Your thesis should be manageable, and so should its stakes. A five-page paper on metaphors related to hunger in a certain novel won’t solve food scarcity. But you can still say something worth reading. Have you articulated something in your essay, however small, that hasn’t quite been said before?

5. The thesis is SPECIFIC

Your thesis should say something about your topic specifically — and about something specific within your topic.

A thesis statement says something about the topic you discuss exclusively . If it could apply to various topics, it’s not specific enough. Take these examples:

• Bad: Romeo and Juliet is a powerful story of failed love.
• Not great: By telling a powerful story of failed love, Romeo and Juliet demonstrates the destructive effects of family pride.
• Nearly there: Mercutio might seem like a minor character in Romeo and Juliet , but his language actually tells us something important about how the play works.
• Spot on: Although we are told from the beginning that it is a tale of “star-crossed lovers,” Romeo and Juliet produces its tragedy by calling attention to a series of near-misses, places where the protagonists' downfall could be avoided.

The first example is the worst offender: if you take out “ Romeo and Juliet ” you could slot in so many other texts. The second example is not much better: it gets slightly more specific by discussing family pride, but even so, you could probably think of several other stories that could replace Romeo and Juliet here. 

The third example might seem like it’s specific — it names a specific character and gestures toward the specific evidence it analyzes (his language) — but it ends vaguely. What exactly about the play does Mercutio’s language tell us?

The final example fully passes the test; it says something specific to Romeo and Juliet , includes a specific quote, and requires specific incidents as evidence.

In addition, your thesis should make a lot of information irrelevant . Your thesis should narrow in on a small part of the topic or a motif you’re analyzing. This should ultimately apply to the topic as a whole and have broader implications, but your thesis focuses on specific pieces of evidence that you’ll be examining. Looking at the examples above, the first and second examples ask for evidence from the whole play and invite plot summary. On the other hand, the third example will specifically examine “near-misses” and the fourth will analyze Mercutio’s speeches. 

Magic Thesis Statement (MTS)

The Magic Thesis Statement helps you translate your argument into a well-worded thesis. It serves as a checklist to make sure you have all the necessary elements of a good essay: evidence, original argument, stakes. Most thesis statements that can fit in the MTS also exhibit the characteristics discussed above. 

Try writing your thesis following the MTS:

By looking at [EVIDENCE] through [LENS/SCHOLARLY APPROACH] , we can see [ARGUMENT] [ which most people don’t see ]. This is important because [STAKES] .

Let’s break this down:

By looking at [EVIDENCE] ,

The first blank in the MTS helps identify the precise evidence you’ll be analyzing in your essay. Your thesis should be specific and make a lot of material irrelevant. Focus on what specifically you’ll be analyzing.

• Too broad: “By looking at Shakespeare’s Hamlet ….”
• Getting closer: “By looking at death in Shakespeare’s Hamlet… .”
• That’s better: “By looking at various images of corpses in Shakespeare’s Hamlet….”

through [LENS/SCHOLARLY APPROACH]

This is an optional part of the MTS; not all essays require it. But if you’re examining your evidence through a particularly scholarly approach or lens, it can be particularly helpful. You can also introduce a particular key word that serves as a guiding method here too. Consider these examples: 

• By looking at doubling and doppelgangers in the film Last Night in Soho through Freud’s theory of the uncanny….
• By reading the moors in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights as a liminal space….

we can see [ARGUMENT] .

This next blank in the MTS invites you to state your specific argument (based on the evidence you’ve examined). 

The phrase “which most people don’t see” should not actually appear in your thesis, but it reminds you that your argument should be original and interesting. Here are some examples of the MTS through this point.

By examining how Jane Eyre and Our Mutual Friend stage trials and transformations, we can see how a trial is needed to change a character’s societal and spiritual status, thus equalizing the novel’s heroes and heroines and sanctioning their final marriages.

By examining Tolstoy’s use of “language of age” at turning points in Prince Andrei’s life, we can see that youth, paradoxically, signals moments when Andrei achieves a more mature understanding of the world.

Lots of developing writers make the mistake of ending here. You’ve stated your evidence and your argument, but you’re not quite finished! At this point in your thesis, ask yourself “so what?”

Why does it matter that a trial is required before marriage? How does the use of “language of youth” at moments when Andrei matures change our reading of War and Peace or of Tolstoy’s understanding of youth?

This is important because [STAKES/“SO WHAT?”] .

The last blank in the MTS asks for the stakes of your argument. What new perspective does your essay offer? Why does your argument matter? What’s the big deal?

Push your argument one step further, explicitly stating what it offers to the conversation or why it’s important. Take this completed version of the example above.

By examining Tolstoy’s use of “language of age” at turning points in Prince Andrei’s life, we can see that youth, paradoxically, signals moments when Andrei achieves a more mature understanding of the world. This reading reveals that, for Andrei and for the novel, youth is not only associated with happiness: it allows for emotional complexity and an ability to discern deeper truths that is lost as the characters age.

The last sentence does so much for the thesis. It shows a deep engagement with the text; rather than simply noticing a pattern, the right is truly making an argument about one of the themes of the novel. 

You are allowed to get creative about how exactly the elements of the MTS appear in your thesis. Take this example:

Although the main plot of The Princess Bride rests on the natural power of true love, an examination of the way that fighting sticks (baseball bats, tree branches, and swords) link the frame story to the romance plot suggests that the grandson is being trained in true love. Rather than presenting true love as natural, the film instead suggests that it is socialized.

This thesis doesn’t exactly read as the MTS, but all the elements are there, and it could be rewritten to fit the MTS:

By looking at the use of fighting sticks (baseball bats, tree branches, and swords) in The Princess Bride, we can see how they link the frame story to the romance plot and suggest that the grandson is being trained in true love. This is important because it reconsiders true love — not as natural, despite the importance of its natural power in the romance, but as socialized.

Location of the thesis statement

The thesis statement appears at the end of the introduction . Use your introduction to hook the reader and orient them to the information they need to understand your argument (what text you’re examining, what key terms you’re using, what scholars you’re in conversation with). Then, lay out your thesis before transitioning into your body paragraphs.

Sometimes, a long thesis statement stands as a paragraph of its own. That’s okay, especially if your thesis has multiple sentences and steps.

Your thesis statement should again appear in your conclusion when you remind the reader of your full claim. It doesn’t need to be copy/pasted and exactly the same as it appeared in the introduction, but all of its elements should be reiterated for the reader.

Examples of strong thesis statements

Read the following examples of strong thesis statements, from essays and book chapters, and see if you can identify the different elements of a strong thesis and of the MTS within them.

Example 1: from “University Gothic, c. 1880–1910” by Minna Vuohelainen in Gothic Britain: Dark Places in the Provinces and Margins of the British Isles :

In this essay, I argue that the universities and university towns of fin-de-siècle Gothic manifest all these seemingly incompatible tendencies: while they are places of opportunity, learning and aspiration, their exclusivity nonetheless renders them inaccessible to outsiders while their privileged residents exist aloof from the real world, indulging in dangerous daydreams and experiments. If the Gothic mode typically undermines modern ideals of rationality and progress, ‘University Gothic’ reveals places of supposed learning not to be places of Enlightenment – encapsulating ‘both reason and visibility’ – at all but instead places of darkness where human beings are ruined.

Example 2: from Chapter 2 of Joshua Bennett’s Being Property Once Myself :

Following Afaa Weaver’s suggestion that “black men are the summary of weight,” I would like to track the way that black masculinity as heaviness, as excess, as adornment, as vanity, as exorbitance moves through Song of Solomon in the bodies of birds, how these animals, rather paradoxically, come to signal a certain boundedness to earth, an unwieldy abundance that limits all possibility of escape or futurity. Alongside Nahum Chandler and others, however, I would like to think imaginatively about what such exorbitance avails to us as a frame for imagining alternative black masculinities and to begin with the premise of abundance rather than absence. Using some of Morrison’s most well-known characters—Milkman Dead; his best friend, Guitar; and his father, Macon Dead II—as central examples, I will close read moments of interspecies interaction with birds in the text in an effort to elucidate the generous approach to thinking black masculinity, and black personhood in a broader sense, that Morrison’s work provides.

Example 3: from “‘White Christmas’: Technologies of the Self in the Digital Age” by Diana Stypinska and Andrea Rossi in Philosophical Reflections on Black Mirror :

By examining the central themes of the three stories of “White Christmas,” we will ask who we become as we enter into a relation with intelligent machines that, to different degrees, substitute, replace, or supplement parts of our “selves.” To be more precise, we will inquire into how, in the name of individual self-enhancement, digital technologies (and especially those based on the externalization and automatization of intellectual, relational, and emotional faculties) may alter the conditions under which we encounter both others and the world. By doing so, we will demonstrate that these interventions tend to produce what we will concernedly call a “subjective stasis” (see Section “Digital Technologies of the Self”). In conclusion, we shall show how the loss of the care of self, others, and the world that this entails exposes us to ubiquitous programs of governmental control.

What are the key elements of a good thesis statement?

A good thesis statement is:

Paige Elizabeth Allen has a Master’s degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Princeton University. Her research interests include monstrosity, the Gothic tradition, illness in literature and culture, and musical theatre. Her dissertation examined sentient haunted houses through the lenses of posthumanism and queer theory.

How to Write a Thesis Statement (Full Guide + 60 Examples)

Crafting the perfect thesis statement is an art form that sets the foundation for your entire paper.

Here is how to write a thesis statement:

Write a thesis statement by clearly stating your topic, expressing your position, and providing key points. For example: “Social media impacts teens by influencing self-esteem, enabling cyberbullying, and shaping social interactions.” Be specific, concise, and arguable.

This ultimate guide will break down everything you need to know about how to write a thesis statement, plus 60 examples.

What Is a Thesis Statement?

Table of Contents

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other piece of academic writing.

It presents the topic of your paper and your position on the topic, ideally in a single sentence.

Think of it as the roadmap to your paper—it guides your readers through your arguments and provides a clear direction.

Key Elements of a Thesis Statement

• Clarity: Your thesis should be clear and specific.
• Position: It should convey your stance on the topic.
• Argument: The statement should make a claim that others might dispute.

Types of Thesis Statements

There are various types of thesis statements depending on the kind of paper you’re writing.

Here are the main ones:

• Standard Method – This is the classic thesis statement used in many academic essays. It provides a straightforward approach, clearly stating the main argument or claim and outlining the supporting points.
• Research Paper – Designed for research papers, this type involves extensive research and evidence. It presents a hypothesis or a central argument based on your research findings.
• Informative Essay – Used for essays that aim to inform or explain a topic. It provides a clear summary of what the reader will learn.
• Persuasive Essay – For essays meant to persuade or convince the reader of a particular point of view. It clearly states your position and outlines your main arguments.
• Compare and Contrast Essay – Used when comparing two or more subjects. It highlights the similarities and differences between the subjects and presents a clear argument based on these comparisons.
• Analytical Essay – Breaks down an issue or idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• Argumentative Essay – Makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. It’s similar to the persuasive essay but usually requires more evidence and a more formal tone.
• Expository Essay – Explains or describes a topic in a straightforward, logical manner. It provides a balanced analysis of a subject based on facts without opinions.
• Narrative Essay – Tells a story or relates an event. The thesis statement for a narrative essay usually highlights the main point or lesson of the story.
• Cause and Effect Essay – Explores the causes of a particular event or situation and its effects. It provides a clear argument about the cause and effect relationship.

How to Write a Thesis Statement (Standard Method)

Writing a standard thesis statement involves a few straightforward steps.

Here’s a detailed guide:

• Identify Your Topic: What is your essay about?
• Take a Stance: What is your position on the topic?
• Outline Your Main Points: What are the key arguments that support your stance?
• Combine All Elements: Formulate a single, coherent sentence that encompasses all the above points.
• “Social media has a significant impact on teenagers because it influences their self-esteem, provides a platform for cyberbullying, and shapes their social interactions.”
• “Climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action because it threatens global ecosystems, endangers human health, and disrupts economies.”
• “The rise of remote work is transforming the modern workplace by increasing flexibility, reducing overhead costs, and enhancing work-life balance.”
• “School uniforms should be mandatory in public schools as they promote equality, reduce bullying, and simplify the morning routine.”
• “Digital literacy is essential in today’s world because it improves communication, enhances job prospects, and enables informed decision-making.”

How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Research Paper

Research papers require a more detailed and evidence-based thesis.

Here’s how to craft one:

• Start with a Research Question: What are you trying to find out?
• Conduct Preliminary Research: Gather evidence and sources.
• Formulate a Hypothesis: Based on your research, what do you think will happen?
• Refine Your Thesis: Make it specific and arguable.
• “The implementation of renewable energy sources can significantly reduce carbon emissions in urban areas, as evidenced by case studies in cities like Copenhagen and Vancouver.”
• “Genetically modified crops have the potential to improve food security, but their impact on biodiversity and human health requires further investigation.”
• “The use of artificial intelligence in healthcare can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes, but ethical concerns about data privacy and algorithmic bias must be addressed.”
• “Urban green spaces contribute to mental well-being and community cohesion, as demonstrated by longitudinal studies in various metropolitan areas.”
• “Microplastic pollution in oceans poses a severe threat to marine life and human health, highlighting the need for stricter waste management policies.”

How to Write a Thesis Statement for an Essay

You’ll write thesis statements a little differently for different kinds of essays.

Informative Essay

• Choose Your Topic: What are you informing your readers about?
• Outline Key Points: What are the main pieces of information?
• Draft Your Statement: Clearly state the purpose and main points.
• “The process of photosynthesis is essential for plant life as it converts light energy into chemical energy, produces oxygen, and is the basis for the food chain.”
• “The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that process food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste.”
• “The Industrial Revolution was a period of major technological advancement and social change that reshaped the economies and societies of Europe and North America.”
• “The history of the internet from its early development in the 1960s to its current role in global communication and commerce is a fascinating journey of innovation and transformation.”
• “The impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems is profound, affecting wildlife, indigenous communities, and global weather patterns.”

Persuasive Essay

• Identify Your Position: What are you trying to convince your reader of?
• Gather Supporting Evidence: What evidence backs up your position?
• Combine Elements: Make a clear, arguable statement.
• “Implementing a four-day workweek can improve productivity and employee well-being, as supported by studies from Iceland and Japan.”
• “The death penalty should be abolished as it is inhumane, does not deter crime, and risks executing innocent people.”
• “Public transportation should be made free to reduce traffic congestion, decrease pollution, and promote social equity.”
• “Recycling should be mandatory to conserve natural resources, reduce landfill waste, and protect the environment.”
• “Vaccination should be mandatory to protect public health and prevent the spread of contagious diseases.”

Compare and Contrast Essay

• Choose Subjects to Compare: What are the two (or more) subjects?
• Determine the Basis of Comparison: What specific aspects are you comparing?
• Draft the Thesis: Clearly state the subjects and the comparison.
• “While both solar and wind energy are renewable sources, solar energy is more versatile and can be used in a wider variety of environments.”
• “Although both capitalism and socialism aim to improve economic welfare, capitalism emphasizes individual freedom while socialism focuses on collective equality.”
• “Traditional classroom education and online learning each offer unique benefits, but online learning provides greater flexibility and access to resources.”
• “The novels ‘1984’ by George Orwell and ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley both depict dystopian societies, but ‘1984’ focuses on totalitarianism while ‘Brave New World’ explores the dangers of technological control.”
• “While iOS and Android operating systems offer similar functionality, iOS provides a more streamlined user experience, whereas Android offers greater customization options.”

How to Write a Thesis Statement for an Analytical Essay

An analytical essay breaks down an issue or idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.

• Choose Your Topic: What will you analyze?
• Identify Key Components: What are the main parts of your analysis?
• Formulate Your Thesis: Combine the components into a coherent statement.
• “Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ explores themes of madness and revenge through the complex characterization of Hamlet and his interactions with other characters.”
• “The economic policies of the New Deal addressed the Great Depression by implementing financial reforms, creating job opportunities, and providing social welfare programs.”
• “The symbolism in ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald reflects the moral decay and social stratification of the Jazz Age.”
• “The narrative structure of ‘Inception’ uses nonlinear storytelling to explore the complexities of dreams and reality.”
• “The use of color in Wes Anderson’s films enhances the whimsical and nostalgic tone of his storytelling.”

How to Write a Thesis Statement for an Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence.

It’s similar to the persuasive essay but usually requires more evidence and a more formal tone.

• Choose Your Topic: What are you arguing about?
• Gather Evidence: What evidence supports your claim?
• Formulate Your Thesis: Make a clear, evidence-based statement.
• “Climate change is primarily driven by human activities, such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, which increase greenhouse gas emissions.”
• “The benefits of universal healthcare outweigh the costs, as it ensures equal access to medical services, reduces overall healthcare expenses, and improves public health.”
• “The death penalty should be abolished because it violates human rights, is not a deterrent to crime, and risks the execution of innocent people.”
• “Animal testing for cosmetics should be banned as it is unethical, unnecessary, and alternatives are available.”
• “Net neutrality should be maintained to ensure a free and open internet, preventing service providers from prioritizing or blocking content.”

How to Write a Thesis Statement for an Expository Essay

An expository essay explains or describes a topic in a straightforward, logical manner.

It provides a balanced analysis of a subject based on facts without opinions.

• Choose Your Topic: What are you explaining or describing?
• Outline Key Points: What are the main facts or components?
• Formulate Your Thesis: Combine the elements into a clear statement.
• “The water cycle consists of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, which are essential for maintaining the earth’s water balance.”
• “The human respiratory system is responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide through a series of organs, including the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm.”
• “Photosynthesis in plants involves the absorption of light energy by chlorophyll, which converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.”
• “The structure of DNA is a double helix composed of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of genetic information.”
• “The process of mitosis ensures that cells divide correctly, allowing for growth, repair, and reproduction in living organisms.”

How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay tells a story or relates an event.

The thesis statement for a narrative essay usually highlights the main point or lesson of the story.

• Identify the Main Point: What is the main lesson or theme of your story?
• Outline Key Events: What are the key events that support this point?
• Formulate Your Thesis: Combine the main point and events into a coherent statement.
• “Overcoming my fear of public speaking in high school taught me the value of confidence and perseverance.”
• “My summer volunteering at a wildlife rescue center showed me the importance of compassion and teamwork.”
• “A family road trip across the country provided me with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for our diverse landscapes.”
• “Moving to a new city for college challenged me to adapt to new environments and build independence.”
• “A childhood friendship that ended in betrayal taught me the importance of trust and resilience.”

How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Cause and Effect Essay

A cause and effect essay explores the causes of a particular event or situation and its effects.

It provides a clear argument about the cause and effect relationship.

• Identify the Event or Situation: What are you analyzing?
• Determine the Causes: What are the reasons behind this event or situation?
• Identify the Effects: What are the consequences?
• Formulate Your Thesis: Combine the causes and effects into a coherent statement.
• “The rise in global temperatures is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, and leads to severe weather patterns and rising sea levels.”
• “The introduction of invasive species in an ecosystem disrupts the balance and leads to the decline of native species.”
• “Economic recession is caused by a combination of factors, including high unemployment rates and declining consumer confidence, and results in reduced business investments and government spending.”
• “Prolonged exposure to screen time can cause digital eye strain and sleep disturbances, affecting overall health and productivity.”
• “Deforestation contributes to soil erosion and loss of biodiversity, leading to the degradation of ecosystems and reduced agricultural productivity.”

How to Write a Good Thesis Statement

Writing a good thesis statement is all about clarity and specificity.

Here’s a formula to help you:

• State the Topic: What are you writing about?
• Express Your Opinion: What do you think about the topic?
• Provide a Reason: Why do you think this way?
• “Remote work is beneficial because it offers flexibility, reduces commuting time, and increases job satisfaction.”
• “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining physical and mental health as it boosts energy levels, improves mood, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.”
• “Reading fiction enhances empathy by allowing readers to experience different perspectives and emotions.”
• “A plant-based diet is advantageous for both personal health and environmental sustainability.”
• “Learning a second language enhances cognitive abilities and opens up cultural and professional opportunities.”

Check out this video about how to write a strong thesis statement:

How to Write a Thesis Statement (Formula + Template)

Use this simple formula to craft your thesis statement:

[Main Topic] + [Your Opinion/Position] + [Reason/Key Points]

Template: “__________ (main topic) has __________ (your opinion) because __________ (reason/key points).”

• “Electric cars are the future of transportation because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower fuel costs, and require less maintenance.”
• “Social media platforms should implement stricter privacy controls because user data is vulnerable to breaches, exploitation, and misuse.”
• “Higher education should be more affordable to ensure equal access and promote social mobility.”
• “Television news often fails to provide balanced coverage, leading to public misinformation.”
• “Volunteer work should be encouraged in schools to foster community engagement and personal development.”

Thesis Statement Tips

Writing a strong thesis statement is crucial for a successful essay. Here are some tips to help you craft a killer thesis statement:

• Be Specific: Avoid vague language. Make sure your thesis statement clearly defines your argument or main point.
• Be Concise: Keep it to one or two sentences. Your thesis statement should be brief and to the point.
• Make It Arguable: Ensure that your thesis statement presents a claim or argument that can be disputed.
• Place It Appropriately: Typically, your thesis statement should be placed at the end of your introduction paragraph.
• Revise and Refine: Don’t be afraid to revise your thesis statement as you write and refine your essay. It should evolve as your ideas develop.

Common Thesis Statement Errors

Avoid these common errors when crafting your thesis statement:

• Too Broad: A thesis statement that is too broad makes it difficult to focus your essay. Narrow it down to a specific point.
• Too Vague: Avoid vague language that lacks specificity. Be clear about what you’re arguing.
• Lacks an Argument: Ensure that your thesis statement makes a clear argument or claim. Avoid statements that are purely factual or descriptive.
• Too Complex: A thesis statement should be straightforward and easy to understand. Avoid overly complex sentences.
• Off-Topic: Make sure your thesis statement is directly related to the topic of your essay. Stay on track.

How Do You Start a Thesis Statement?

Starting a thesis statement involves using clear and concise language that sets the stage for your argument.

Here are some exact words and phrases to begin with:

• “The purpose of this paper is to…”
• “This essay will argue that…”
• “In this essay, I will demonstrate that…”
• “The central idea of this paper is…”
• “This research aims to prove that…”
• “This study focuses on…”
• “This analysis will show that…”
• “The main argument presented in this paper is…”
• “The goal of this essay is to…”
• “Through this research, it will be shown that…”

How Long Should a Thesis Statement Be?

A thesis statement should be clear and concise, typically one to two sentences long.

Aim for 20 to 30 words, ensuring it includes the main topic, your position, and the key points that will be covered in your paper.

This provides a focused and precise summary of your argument, making it easier for readers to understand the main direction of your essay or research paper.

While brevity is essential, it’s also crucial to provide enough detail to convey the scope of your argument.

Avoid overly complex sentences that can confuse readers. Instead, strive for a balance between clarity and comprehensiveness, ensuring your thesis statement is straightforward and informative.

Summary Table of Thesis Statement Writing

Final thoughts: how to write a thesis statement.

Writing a strong thesis statement is the cornerstone of a successful paper.

It guides your writing and helps your readers understand your argument. Remember to be clear, specific, and concise. With practice, you’ll master the art of crafting killer thesis statements.

Read This Next:

• How to Write a Hypothesis [31 Tips + Examples]
• How to Write a Topic Sentence (30+ Tips & Examples)
• How to Write a Paragraph [Ultimate Guide + Examples] What Is A Universal Statement In Writing? (Explained) 21 Best Ways To Write Essays When You Are Stuck [Examples]

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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Parts of a Paper / How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis can be found in many places—a debate speech, a lawyer’s closing argument, even an advertisement. But the most common place for a thesis statement (and probably why you’re reading this article) is in an essay.

Whether you’re writing an argumentative paper, an informative essay, or a compare/contrast statement, you need a thesis. Without a thesis, your argument falls flat and your information is unfocused. Since a thesis is so important, it’s probably a good idea to look at some tips on how to put together a strong one.

Guide Overview

What is a “thesis statement” anyway.

• 2 categories of thesis statements: informative and persuasive
• 2 styles of thesis statements
• Formula for a strong argumentative thesis
• The qualities of a solid thesis statement (video)

You may have heard of something called a “thesis.” It’s what seniors commonly refer to as their final paper before graduation. That’s not what we’re talking about here. That type of thesis is a long, well-written paper that takes years to piece together.

Instead, we’re talking about a single sentence that ties together the main idea of any argument . In the context of student essays, it’s a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your position on it. This sentence can tell a reader whether your essay is something they want to read.

2 Categories of Thesis Statements: Informative and Persuasive

Just as there are different types of essays, there are different types of thesis statements. The thesis should match the essay.

For example, with an informative essay, you should compose an informative thesis (rather than argumentative). You want to declare your intentions in this essay and guide the reader to the conclusion that you reach.

To make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you must procure the ingredients, find a knife, and spread the condiments.

This thesis showed the reader the topic (a type of sandwich) and the direction the essay will take (describing how the sandwich is made).

Most other types of essays, whether compare/contrast, argumentative, or narrative, have thesis statements that take a position and argue it. In other words, unless your purpose is simply to inform, your thesis is considered persuasive. A persuasive thesis usually contains an opinion and the reason why your opinion is true.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good.

In this persuasive thesis statement, you see that I state my opinion (the best type of sandwich), which means I have chosen a stance. Next, I explain that my opinion is correct with several key reasons. This persuasive type of thesis can be used in any essay that contains the writer’s opinion, including, as I mentioned above, compare/contrast essays, narrative essays, and so on.

2 Styles of Thesis Statements

Just as there are two different types of thesis statements (informative and persuasive), there are two basic styles you can use.

The first style uses a list of two or more points . This style of thesis is perfect for a brief essay that contains only two or three body paragraphs. This basic five-paragraph essay is typical of middle and high school assignments.

C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series is one of the richest works of the 20th century because it offers an escape from reality, teaches readers to have faith even when they don’t understand, and contains a host of vibrant characters.

In the above persuasive thesis, you can see my opinion about Narnia followed by three clear reasons. This thesis is perfect for setting up a tidy five-paragraph essay.

In college, five paragraph essays become few and far between as essay length gets longer. Can you imagine having only five paragraphs in a six-page paper? For a longer essay, you need a thesis statement that is more versatile. Instead of listing two or three distinct points, a thesis can list one overarching point that all body paragraphs tie into.

Good vs. evil is the main theme of Lewis’s Narnia series, as is made clear through the struggles the main characters face in each book.

In this thesis, I have made a claim about the theme in Narnia followed by my reasoning. The broader scope of this thesis allows me to write about each of the series’ seven novels. I am no longer limited in how many body paragraphs I can logically use.

Formula for a Strong Argumentative Thesis

One thing I find that is helpful for students is having a clear template. While students rarely end up with a thesis that follows this exact wording, the following template creates a good starting point:

___________ is true because of ___________, ___________, and ___________.

Conversely, the formula for a thesis with only one point might follow this template:

___________________ is true because of _____________________.

Students usually end up using different terminology than simply “because,” but having a template is always helpful to get the creative juices flowing.

The Qualities of a Solid Thesis Statement

When composing a thesis, you must consider not only the format, but other qualities like length, position in the essay, and how strong the argument is.

Length: A thesis statement can be short or long, depending on how many points it mentions. Typically, however, it is only one concise sentence. It does contain at least two clauses, usually an independent clause (the opinion) and a dependent clause (the reasons). You probably should aim for a single sentence that is at least two lines, or about 30 to 40 words long.

Position: A thesis statement always belongs at the beginning of an essay. This is because it is a sentence that tells the reader what the writer is going to discuss. Teachers will have different preferences for the precise location of the thesis, but a good rule of thumb is in the introduction paragraph, within the last two or three sentences.

Strength: Finally, for a persuasive thesis to be strong, it needs to be arguable. This means that the statement is not obvious, and it is not something that everyone agrees is true.

Example of weak thesis:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are easy to make because it just takes three ingredients.

Most people would agree that PB&J is one of the easiest sandwiches in the American lunch repertoire.

Example of a stronger thesis:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are fun to eat because they always slide around.

This is more arguable because there are plenty of folks who might think a PB&J is messy or slimy rather than fun.

Composing a thesis statement does take a bit more thought than many other parts of an essay. However, because a thesis statement can contain an entire argument in just a few words, it is worth taking the extra time to compose this sentence. It can direct your research and your argument so that your essay is tight, focused, and makes readers think.

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How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

What’s Covered:

What is the purpose of a thesis statement, writing a good thesis statement: 4 steps, common pitfalls to avoid, where to get your essay edited for free.

When you set out to write an essay, there has to be some kind of point to it, right? Otherwise, your essay would just be a big jumble of word salad that makes absolutely no sense. An essay needs a central point that ties into everything else. That main point is called a thesis statement, and it’s the core of any essay or research paper.

You may hear about Master degree candidates writing a thesis, and that is an entire paper–not to be confused with the thesis statement, which is typically one sentence that contains your paper’s focus. 

Read on to learn more about thesis statements and how to write them. We’ve also included some solid examples for you to reference.

Typically the last sentence of your introductory paragraph, the thesis statement serves as the roadmap for your essay. When your reader gets to the thesis statement, they should have a clear outline of your main point, as well as the information you’ll be presenting in order to either prove or support your point. 

The thesis statement should not be confused for a topic sentence , which is the first sentence of every paragraph in your essay. If you need help writing topic sentences, numerous resources are available. Topic sentences should go along with your thesis statement, though.

Since the thesis statement is the most important sentence of your entire essay or paper, it’s imperative that you get this part right. Otherwise, your paper will not have a good flow and will seem disjointed. That’s why it’s vital not to rush through developing one. It’s a methodical process with steps that you need to follow in order to create the best thesis statement possible.

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

When you’re assigned an essay, there are several different types you may get. Argumentative essays are designed to get the reader to agree with you on a topic. Informative or expository essays present information to the reader. Analytical essays offer up a point and then expand on it by analyzing relevant information. Thesis statements can look and sound different based on the type of paper you’re writing. For example:

• Argumentative: The United States needs a viable third political party to decrease bipartisanship, increase options, and help reduce corruption in government.
• Informative: The Libertarian party has thrown off elections before by gaining enough support in states to get on the ballot and by taking away crucial votes from candidates.
• Analytical: An analysis of past presidential elections shows that while third party votes may have been the minority, they did affect the outcome of the elections in 2020, 2016, and beyond.

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Once you know what type of paper you’re writing, you then need to figure out the point you want to make with your thesis statement, and subsequently, your paper. In other words, you need to decide to answer a question about something, such as:

• What impact did reality TV have on American society?
• How has the musical Hamilton affected perception of American history?
• Why do I want to major in [chosen major here]?

If you have an argumentative essay, then you will be writing about an opinion. To make it easier, you may want to choose an opinion that you feel passionate about so that you’re writing about something that interests you. For example, if you have an interest in preserving the environment, you may want to choose a topic that relates to that. 

If you’re writing your college essay and they ask why you want to attend that school, you may want to have a main point and back it up with information, something along the lines of:

“Attending Harvard University would benefit me both academically and professionally, as it would give me a strong knowledge base upon which to build my career, develop my network, and hopefully give me an advantage in my chosen field.”

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Once you have the point you want to make, you need to figure out how you plan to back it up throughout the rest of your essay. Without this information, it will be hard to either prove or argue the main point of your thesis statement. If you decide to write about the Hamilton example, you may decide to address any falsehoods that the writer put into the musical, such as:

“The musical Hamilton, while accurate in many ways, leaves out key parts of American history, presents a nationalist view of founding fathers, and downplays the racism of the times.”

Once you’ve written your initial working thesis statement, you’ll then need to get information to back that up. For example, the musical completely leaves out Benjamin Franklin, portrays the founding fathers in a nationalist way that is too complimentary, and shows Hamilton as a staunch abolitionist despite the fact that his family likely did own slaves. 

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and that you feel like you can truly write a paper on the topic. Once you’ve done that, you can then begin writing your paper.

When writing a thesis statement, there are some common pitfalls you should avoid so that your paper can be as solid as possible. Make sure you always edit the thesis statement before you do anything else. You also want to ensure that the thesis statement is clear and concise. Don’t make your reader hunt for your point. Finally, put your thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph and have your introduction flow toward that statement. Your reader will expect to find your statement in its traditional spot.

If you’re having trouble getting started, or need some guidance on your essay, there are tools available that can help you. CollegeVine offers a free peer essay review tool where one of your peers can read through your essay and provide you with valuable feedback. Getting essay feedback from a peer can help you wow your instructor or college admissions officer with an impactful essay that effectively illustrates your point.

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Writing a Paper: Thesis Statements

Basics of thesis statements.

The thesis statement is the brief articulation of your paper's central argument and purpose. You might hear it referred to as simply a "thesis." Every scholarly paper should have a thesis statement, and strong thesis statements are concise, specific, and arguable. Concise means the thesis is short: perhaps one or two sentences for a shorter paper. Specific means the thesis deals with a narrow and focused topic, appropriate to the paper's length. Arguable means that a scholar in your field could disagree (or perhaps already has!).

Strong thesis statements address specific intellectual questions, have clear positions, and use a structure that reflects the overall structure of the paper. Read on to learn more about constructing a strong thesis statement.

Being Specific

This thesis statement has no specific argument:

Needs Improvement: In this essay, I will examine two scholarly articles to find similarities and differences.

This statement is concise, but it is neither specific nor arguable—a reader might wonder, "Which scholarly articles? What is the topic of this paper? What field is the author writing in?" Additionally, the purpose of the paper—to "examine…to find similarities and differences" is not of a scholarly level. Identifying similarities and differences is a good first step, but strong academic argument goes further, analyzing what those similarities and differences might mean or imply.

Better: In this essay, I will argue that Bowler's (2003) autocratic management style, when coupled with Smith's (2007) theory of social cognition, can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover.

The new revision here is still concise, as well as specific and arguable.  We can see that it is specific because the writer is mentioning (a) concrete ideas and (b) exact authors.  We can also gather the field (business) and the topic (management and employee turnover). The statement is arguable because the student goes beyond merely comparing; he or she draws conclusions from that comparison ("can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover").

Making a Unique Argument

This thesis draft repeats the language of the writing prompt without making a unique argument:

Needs Improvement: The purpose of this essay is to monitor, assess, and evaluate an educational program for its strengths and weaknesses. Then, I will provide suggestions for improvement.

You can see here that the student has simply stated the paper's assignment, without articulating specifically how he or she will address it. The student can correct this error simply by phrasing the thesis statement as a specific answer to the assignment prompt.

Better: Through a series of student interviews, I found that Kennedy High School's antibullying program was ineffective. In order to address issues of conflict between students, I argue that Kennedy High School should embrace policies outlined by the California Department of Education (2010).

Words like "ineffective" and "argue" show here that the student has clearly thought through the assignment and analyzed the material; he or she is putting forth a specific and debatable position. The concrete information ("student interviews," "antibullying") further prepares the reader for the body of the paper and demonstrates how the student has addressed the assignment prompt without just restating that language.

Creating a Debate

This thesis statement includes only obvious fact or plot summary instead of argument:

Needs Improvement: Leadership is an important quality in nurse educators.

A good strategy to determine if your thesis statement is too broad (and therefore, not arguable) is to ask yourself, "Would a scholar in my field disagree with this point?" Here, we can see easily that no scholar is likely to argue that leadership is an unimportant quality in nurse educators.  The student needs to come up with a more arguable claim, and probably a narrower one; remember that a short paper needs a more focused topic than a dissertation.

Better: Roderick's (2009) theory of participatory leadership  is particularly appropriate to nurse educators working within the emergency medicine field, where students benefit most from collegial and kinesthetic learning.

Here, the student has identified a particular type of leadership ("participatory leadership"), narrowing the topic, and has made an arguable claim (this type of leadership is "appropriate" to a specific type of nurse educator). Conceivably, a scholar in the nursing field might disagree with this approach. The student's paper can now proceed, providing specific pieces of evidence to support the arguable central claim.

Choosing the Right Words

This thesis statement uses large or scholarly-sounding words that have no real substance:

Needs Improvement: Scholars should work to seize metacognitive outcomes by harnessing discipline-based networks to empower collaborative infrastructures.

There are many words in this sentence that may be buzzwords in the student's field or key terms taken from other texts, but together they do not communicate a clear, specific meaning. Sometimes students think scholarly writing means constructing complex sentences using special language, but actually it's usually a stronger choice to write clear, simple sentences. When in doubt, remember that your ideas should be complex, not your sentence structure.

Better: Ecologists should work to educate the U.S. public on conservation methods by making use of local and national green organizations to create a widespread communication plan.

Notice in the revision that the field is now clear (ecology), and the language has been made much more field-specific ("conservation methods," "green organizations"), so the reader is able to see concretely the ideas the student is communicating.

Leaving Room for Discussion

This thesis statement is not capable of development or advancement in the paper:

Needs Improvement: There are always alternatives to illegal drug use.

This sample thesis statement makes a claim, but it is not a claim that will sustain extended discussion. This claim is the type of claim that might be appropriate for the conclusion of a paper, but in the beginning of the paper, the student is left with nowhere to go. What further points can be made? If there are "always alternatives" to the problem the student is identifying, then why bother developing a paper around that claim? Ideally, a thesis statement should be complex enough to explore over the length of the entire paper.

Better: The most effective treatment plan for methamphetamine addiction may be a combination of pharmacological and cognitive therapy, as argued by Baker (2008), Smith (2009), and Xavier (2011).

In the revised thesis, you can see the student make a specific, debatable claim that has the potential to generate several pages' worth of discussion. When drafting a thesis statement, think about the questions your thesis statement will generate: What follow-up inquiries might a reader have? In the first example, there are almost no additional questions implied, but the revised example allows for a good deal more exploration.

Thesis Mad Libs

If you are having trouble getting started, try using the models below to generate a rough model of a thesis statement! These models are intended for drafting purposes only and should not appear in your final work.

• In this essay, I argue ____, using ______ to assert _____.
• While scholars have often argued ______, I argue______, because_______.
• Through an analysis of ______, I argue ______, which is important because_______.

Words to Avoid and to Embrace

When drafting your thesis statement, avoid words like explore, investigate, learn, compile, summarize , and explain to describe the main purpose of your paper. These words imply a paper that summarizes or "reports," rather than synthesizing and analyzing.

Instead of the terms above, try words like argue, critique, question , and interrogate . These more analytical words may help you begin strongly, by articulating a specific, critical, scholarly position.

Read Kayla's blog post for tips on taking a stand in a well-crafted thesis statement.

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