what is the purpose of thesis statements

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a sentence in a paper or essay (in the opening paragraph) that introduces the main topic to the reader. As one of the first things your reader sees, your thesis statement is one of the most important sentences in your entire paper—but also one of the hardest to write! 

In this article, we explain how to write a thesis statement in the best way possible. We look at what to include and the steps to take for writing your own, along with plenty of thesis statement examples to guide you. 

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, how to write a thesis statement: basics, what to include in a thesis statement (with examples), how to write a thesis statement in 3 steps.

The goal of a thesis statement is to let your reader know what your paper or essay is about. It helps your reader understand the greater context and scope of your topic, plus it lets your readers know what to expect from the rest of the work. 

A secondary benefit of a thesis statement is that it makes it easier to search for papers on a particular topic, especially in the realm of academic writing like research papers and thesis papers (which are sometimes known as dissertations when written for doctoral degrees). For example, if you’re writing a paper of your own, you’ll want to look up other papers to use as evidence and sources . You can simply scan the thesis statements of several papers to see which match your topic and could be worthwhile sources to cite. 

Before we get into details, here are the basic steps for how to write a thesis statement: 

• Develop the best topic to cover in your paper
• Phrase your topic as a question-and-answer
• Add some polish

We ’ ll describe each of those steps in more detail below, but we wanted to share a quick guide. Also, we ’ ll provide some thesis statement examples and talk about how to write a thesis statement for different kinds of essays: persuasive, compare-and-contrast, expository, and argumentative essays.

The thesis statement is located at the beginning of a paper, in the opening paragraph, making it an essential way to start an essay . A thesis statement isn’t necessarily the first sentence in an essay; typically you’ll want to hook the reader in an engaging way in the opening sentence before inserting your central idea or argument later in the first paragraph. A thesis statement is often confused with a topic sentence , the first sentence in a paragraph, because they both introduce the central idea of what follows. You can think of thesis statements as the topic sentence of your entire paper.  

Thesis statements are a necessary part of paper and essay writing , but different formats have different rules and best practices. Below, we break down how to write a thesis statement for the most common types of papers. 

How to write a thesis statement for expository and argumentative essays

Expository and argumentative essays are some of the most common types of academic papers. Because they don’t have a formal abstract like research papers, they rely on their thesis statements to provide an overview of what’s discussed. 

Thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays should use strong and decisive language; don’t be wishy-washy or uncertain. You want to take a stand right in the opening so that your readers understand what your paper is trying to show. 

Moreover, thesis statements for these essays should be specific, with some minor details to hint at the rest of the paper. It’s not enough to merely make your point; you also want to provide some basic evidence or background context to paint a full picture. 

If your paper dives into different subtopics or categories, try to fit them into the thesis statement if you can. You don’t have to get into details here, but it’s nice to mention the different sections at the top so that the reader knows what to expect. 

Thesis statement examples

Despite the taboo, insects make an excellent food source and could stem humanity’s looming food shortage, based on both their protein output and the sustainability of farming them. 

The backlash to rock ’n’ roll music in the ’50s by religious groups and traditionalists actually boosted the genre’s popularity instead of diminishing it as intended.

How to write a thesis statement for persuasive essays

Similar to argumentative essays, persuasive essays follow many of the same guidelines for their thesis statements: decisive language, specific details, and mentions of subtopics. 

However, the main difference is that, while the thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays state facts, the thesis statements for persuasive essays state clear opinions . Still, the format is the same, and the opinions are often treated like facts, including conclusive language and citing evidence to support your claims. 

Furthermore, unlike with other essays, it’s appropriate to make emotional connections in a thesis statement in persuasive essays. This can actually be a clever strategy to start your essay off on a more personal, impactful note. 

Advertising should not be allowed in public schools because it’s a distraction from studies and may lead to misguided priorities among the school board, to say nothing of the materialist culture it promotes. 

Exotic pets provide the same love and companionship as conventional pets, so the laws regulating which animals can and cannot be kept as pets should be more relaxed.

How to write a thesis statement for compare-and-contrast essays

Thesis statements for compare-and-contrast essays are tricky because you have at least two topics to touch on instead of just one. The same general guidelines apply (decisive language, details, etc.), but you need to give equal attention to both your topics—otherwise, your essay will seem biased from the start. 

As always, your thesis statement should reflect what’s written in the rest of your essay. If your essay spends more time comparing than contrasting, your thesis statement should focus more on similarities than differences. 

It sometimes helps to give specific examples as well, but keep them simple and brief. Save the finer details for the body of your essay. 

Sean Connery and Daniel Craig are the two most popular actors to portray James Bond, but both have their own distinct and at times contradictory interpretations of the character. 

Now that you know what you’re aiming for, it’s time to sit down and write your own thesis statement. To keep you on track, here are three easy steps to guide you. 

1 Brainstorm the best topic for your essay

You can’t write a thesis statement until you know what your paper is about, so your first step is choosing a topic. 

If the topic is already assigned, great ! That’s all for this step. If not, consider the tips below for choosing the topic that’s best for you:

• Pick a topic that you’re passionate about. Even if you don’t know much about it, it’ll be easier to learn about it while writing if you’re genuinely interested. 
• Narrow down your topic to something specific; otherwise, your paper will be too broad and perhaps too long. Just make sure it’s not too specific, or you won’t have enough to write about. Try to find a happy medium. 
• Check beforehand that there are enough strong, credible sources to use for research. You don’t want to run out of referential material halfway through. 

Once you’ve chosen a topic—and the angle or stance you want to take—then it’s time to put the idea for your thesis sentence into words. 

2 Phrase your topic as a question and then answer it

It’s not always easy to fit your entire thesis into just one sentence, let alone one that’s written clearly and eloquently. Here’s a quick technique to help you get started. 

First, phrase your topic as a question. For example, if you want to write about Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, ask yourself, “What influences did Gandhi have on society after his death?” 

If you already know the answer, write it down—that’s a good start for your thesis statement. If you don’t know the answer, do some preliminary research to find out; you can certainly use what you discover as evidence and sources in your essay’s body paragraphs . 

3 Add some polish

Chances are, your first attempt at a thesis statement won’t be perfect. To get it to its best, try revising , editing , and adding what’s missing. 

Remember the core traits for thesis statements we mentioned above: decisive language, a happy medium of specific but not too specific details, and mention of subtopics. If you’re struggling to contain everything in a single sentence, feel free to move the secondary information to the following sentence. The thesis statement itself should only have what’s most necessary. 

If you’re in doubt, read your thesis statement to a friend and ask them what they think your paper is about. If they answer correctly, your thesis statement does its job. 

Next comes the hard part—writing the rest! While the bulk of the writing lies ahead, at least you’ve nailed down your central idea. To plot out your supporting argument, follow our advice on essay structure and let your ideas flow. 

Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

• Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
• Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

• Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

• Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

• Do I answer the question? Yes!
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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What is a Thesis Statement? A Comprehensive Guide for Students

A comprehensive guide for students on what a thesis statement is and why it's crucial to their academic writing.

If you've ever been tasked with writing an essay or a research paper, you’ve likely encountered the term “thesis statement.” But what exactly is a thesis statement, and why is it so crucial to your academic writing? In this guide, we'll dive into the essentials of thesis statements: what they are, why they matter, and how you can craft a compelling one for your papers. Understanding how to create a strong thesis statement is a fundamental part of academic success, as it not only gives your essay structure but also focuses your research and analysis in a meaningful direction. A well-formulated thesis statement is the foundation of any successful essay, serving not only to guide your writing but also to engage your reader from start to finish. It makes your argument clear, provides coherence, and allows readers to understand what to expect as they read your paper. By defining the core purpose of your essay, a thesis statement helps you avoid tangents and ensures that every part of your writing contributes to the main argument. Crafting a thesis may seem challenging, but with practice, it becomes an invaluable tool that empowers you to present your ideas in a more organized and effective manner.

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the central claim or argument of an essay or research paper. It provides a roadmap for your readers, informing them about what the paper will discuss and the stance you are taking on the topic. Typically, the thesis statement is positioned at the end of the introduction, setting the tone and direction for the entire essay.

Think of the thesis statement as the backbone of your essay. It provides essential structure and purpose, acting as an anchor for both the writer and the reader. Without a clear and precise thesis, your writing can become disjointed and difficult to follow, leaving your reader confused about your main point. An effective thesis statement not only informs your reader of what to expect but also helps you, as the writer, stay on track throughout the writing process. It acts as a reference that ensures every section of your paper contributes meaningfully to the overall argument.

Moreover, a strong thesis statement defines the scope of your essay, allowing readers to understand the boundaries of your discussion. It conveys what your essay will explore, as well as why it matters, giving your writing direction and helping your reader grasp the key points of your argument. This clarity is crucial for creating a compelling and cohesive paper.

Characteristics of a Strong Thesis Statement

Clear and Specific : A strong thesis statement clearly articulates the main idea of your essay. It avoids vague or ambiguous language and is as specific as possible. For instance, instead of saying “Pollution is bad for the environment,” you could write, “Industrial pollution significantly contributes to climate change, negatively affecting both public health and biodiversity.” Specificity helps avoid misunderstandings and provides your reader with a clear sense of your essay’s purpose.

Debatable : A strong thesis statement should present an argument that others can reasonably disagree with. It should invite discussion rather than state an obvious fact. For example, “Exercise is good for health” is not debatable—it’s a generally accepted fact. However, “Regular exercise is the most effective method for preventing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension” is a debatable claim that could be supported or challenged. By taking a clear stance, you encourage readers to engage with your argument.

Focused : Your thesis should zero in on one main idea or argument. Trying to cover too many points makes your thesis confusing and difficult to defend effectively. Keeping your thesis concise and targeted ensures that every part of your paper relates back to this central point. For example, instead of saying, “Technology has changed education, communication, and healthcare,” focus on one aspect, such as “Technology has fundamentally transformed education by providing greater access to resources and personalized learning opportunities.” This level of focus helps maintain clarity throughout your writing.

Supported by Evidence : A thesis must be more than just an opinion; it needs to be backed by credible evidence. You need to be able to support your claim with research, examples, or arguments throughout the paper. A well-supported thesis builds credibility and strengthens your essay’s persuasiveness. Instead of saying, “Social media impacts mental health,” a stronger statement would be, “Excessive use of social media negatively impacts teenagers’ mental health by increasing anxiety levels and fostering unrealistic body expectations.” This specificity sets up the arguments and evidence that will follow.

Concise : A strong thesis statement should be succinct, capturing the essence of your argument in one or two sentences. Avoid overly complex wording or convoluted phrasing. The goal is to communicate your main idea effectively without unnecessary elaboration. A concise thesis ensures clarity, making it easier for both the reader and writer to follow the direction of the essay. For example, instead of writing, “The lack of adequate funding for education has numerous negative effects on both teachers and students, including reduced resources, diminished educational opportunities, and increased stress,” you could simplify it to, “Lack of adequate funding for education negatively impacts both teachers and students by limiting resources and increasing stress.”

Original : A strong thesis should present an original thought or perspective. Avoid clichés or overused arguments, and strive to offer a fresh take on the topic. This originality makes your essay more engaging and sets your writing apart from others. For instance, instead of reiterating a common perspective like, “Technology is advancing rapidly,” you could offer a unique angle: “While technology is advancing rapidly, its benefits are undermined by the widening digital divide, leaving marginalized communities behind.” An original thesis adds intellectual depth and demonstrates critical thinking.

Aligned with Essay Scope : A well-crafted thesis is aligned with the scope and length of your essay. Ensure that your thesis statement is neither too broad nor too narrow for the given assignment. A thesis that is too ambitious may be impossible to fully address in a shorter essay, while an overly narrow thesis may limit your discussion unnecessarily. Tailoring your thesis to fit the scope of your paper ensures you can adequately explore the topic. For example, instead of a broad thesis like, “Climate change affects all aspects of life,” a more scoped version would be, “Climate change disproportionately affects low-income communities by increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events and limiting access to resources.”

Reflective of Your Stance : Your thesis should clearly reflect your stance on the topic. Readers should be able to identify your position immediately upon reading the thesis. This assertiveness is key to constructing a persuasive argument. If your stance is ambiguous, the reader might not understand your perspective or the point you are trying to convey. For example, instead of saying, “There are many solutions to reduce plastic waste,” be more assertive: “Banning single-use plastics is the most effective solution for reducing plastic waste and mitigating environmental damage.”

Engaging : A strong thesis grabs the reader’s attention and encourages them to continue reading. It should pique curiosity and make the reader interested in how you will support your argument. An engaging thesis often addresses a significant issue or a surprising aspect of a topic. For example, instead of writing, “Mental health is important,” a more engaging version might be, “The current education system fails to prioritize student mental health, leading to increased stress and decreased academic performance.” This statement presents a specific problem and invites the reader to learn more about the issue.

Adaptable During Writing : A good thesis statement is adaptable as you progress with your writing. Research and ideas can evolve during the writing process, and it’s important that your thesis remains flexible enough to accommodate new insights or changes in direction. Revisiting your thesis throughout your writing helps you refine and adjust it to ensure it accurately represents the arguments presented. For instance, your initial thesis might be, “Urbanization negatively impacts biodiversity,” but as your research expands, you may refine it to, “Rapid urbanization reduces biodiversity by destroying natural habitats and fragmenting ecosystems, posing a threat to global ecological balance.” Flexibility allows you to develop a more nuanced and well-supported thesis.

Examples of Thesis Statements

Weak Thesis : “Social media has an impact on teenagers.”

• This statement is too broad and lacks focus.

Strong Thesis : “Social media negatively affects teenagers by promoting unrealistic body images and encouraging unhealthy sleep habits.”

• This statement is specific, debatable, and outlines the direction of the paper.

Another Weak Thesis : “The education system needs improvement.”

• This is too general and doesn’t provide a clear argument.

Another Strong Thesis : “The education system needs reform to address the growing disparity in resources between urban and rural schools, which directly affects student outcomes.”

• This statement is specific, gives direction, and presents a debatable claim that can be substantiated with evidence.

Weak Thesis : “Climate change is a serious issue.”

• This statement is obvious and lacks a clear, focused argument.

Strong Thesis : “Climate change poses a significant threat to coastal communities due to rising sea levels, increased frequency of hurricanes, and erosion of protective ecosystems.”

• This thesis clearly outlines the specific aspects of climate change being addressed and sets a direction for the paper.

Weak Thesis : “Technology has changed communication.”

• This statement is too broad and does not present a clear stance.

Strong Thesis : “The rise of social media platforms has revolutionized communication by creating new opportunities for instant global interactions while also leading to concerns about privacy and misinformation.”

• This statement is specific, debatable, and provides a clear path for the essay.

Weak Thesis : “Healthy eating is good for you.”

• This is too simplistic and doesn’t offer anything new or interesting.

Strong Thesis : “A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can significantly lower the risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life.”

• This statement is specific, provides clear benefits, and can be backed with evidence throughout the essay.

Weak Thesis : “Reading is beneficial.”

• This statement is vague and doesn’t explain why or how reading is beneficial.

Strong Thesis : “Regular reading improves cognitive function, reduces stress, and increases empathy, making it an essential habit for personal growth and mental well-being.”

• This thesis is specific, presents clear arguments, and outlines the benefits that will be expanded upon in the paper.

Weak Thesis : “Animal testing is wrong.”

• This statement is opinionated but lacks specificity and direction.

Strong Thesis : “Animal testing should be banned because it is inhumane, often ineffective, and alternative testing methods are available that do not involve suffering.”

• This thesis presents a clear argument, specifies reasons, and indicates how the essay will be structured.

Weak Thesis : “College tuition is too high.”

• This is a broad statement and lacks a specific argument.

Strong Thesis : “The rising cost of college tuition disproportionately affects low-income students, leading to increased student debt and limiting opportunities for upward social mobility.”

• This statement is specific, focused, and presents a clear stance that can be supported with evidence.

Weak Thesis : “Exercise is important.”

• This is too general and doesn’t provide a clear angle.

Strong Thesis : “Regular exercise not only improves physical health by reducing the risk of chronic conditions but also enhances mental health by decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression.”

• This statement is detailed, presents multiple benefits, and offers a clear path for further discussion in the essay.

How to Craft an Effective Thesis Statement

Crafting a compelling thesis statement takes practice, but the following steps can help you establish a strong foundation for your paper:

Start with a Question : Begin by turning your topic into a question. If your topic is climate change, you might ask, “How does industrial activity contribute to climate change?” Framing your topic as a question helps you focus on a specific aspect of a broader issue, making it easier to craft a targeted thesis statement.

Answer the Question : Your thesis statement should provide a clear answer to your research question. For example, “Industrial activity contributes to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.” This direct response helps ensure that your thesis is clear and provides a solid foundation for your essay.

Refine and Specify : Once you have a basic thesis, refine it to be more precise. Ensure it is concise, focused, and unambiguous. Adding specific details—such as groups affected or particular consequences—can sharpen your thesis. For example, “Industrial activity significantly contributes to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases, leading to rising global temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events.” These specifics make your argument more compelling and clearly define the direction of your paper.

Ensure Alignment with Your Arguments : As you write, make sure each body paragraph relates back to your thesis. This consistency helps maintain a coherent structure throughout your paper and keeps your writing focused. Revisiting and tweaking your thesis as you go can help ensure it accurately reflects the arguments you’re presenting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too Broad or Vague : Avoid broad statements that don’t clearly convey your position. Instead of saying, “Technology is changing the world,” opt for something more specific, like, “Advancements in renewable technology are reshaping the global energy market and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.”
• Stating Facts Instead of Arguments : A thesis should present an argument, not a mere fact. For instance, “The Earth orbits the sun” is a fact, not a thesis.
• Lack of Specificity : Be clear and specific about your argument. Instead of saying, “Pollution affects health,” say, “Air pollution from factories increases the risk of respiratory diseases among urban populations.” This clarity makes your argument more engaging and easier to support.

Why is a Thesis Statement Important?

A well-crafted thesis statement provides direction and purpose for your essay. It tells your reader what to expect, helps establish the scope of your paper, and ensures that your argument is clear from the outset. A clear thesis statement acts as a blueprint for both the writer and the reader, keeping the content focused and organized. Without a strong thesis, your ideas can become disorganized, resulting in a paper that lacks coherence and a clear purpose. This often leads to confusion, as the reader may struggle to determine the main point of your essay.

A strong thesis also makes it easier for readers to understand your perspective and follow your reasoning. It acts as a guide for the entire paper, showing readers how each point contributes to your overall argument. By establishing a clear focus, a strong thesis helps ensure that all the content you include is relevant and necessary. As you develop each paragraph, you can refer back to your thesis statement to make sure every piece of information you provide supports the core argument. This consistency and unity are what make a thesis statement such an essential element of effective writing.

Furthermore, a well-defined thesis statement is instrumental in enhancing the persuasiveness of your writing. It allows you to take a definitive stance on an issue, providing a solid foundation for building your arguments. When your thesis is robust, crafting body paragraphs that clearly support your position becomes much easier, leading to a well-supported and logical conclusion. This solid foundation helps in creating a paper that is not only informative but also compelling, guiding the reader through your argument in a cohesive manner.

A well-crafted thesis also helps in refining your writing process. It encourages you to conduct thorough research to back up your claims and to structure your paper logically. As you progress in your writing, the thesis acts as a checkpoint—allowing you to evaluate whether each section contributes effectively to your overall argument. This makes the writing process more efficient, as you avoid unnecessary digressions and focus only on what strengthens your main claim.

Additionally, a good thesis statement sets the tone for your paper. It helps the reader understand the importance of the topic and why they should care about your argument. By providing a clear and engaging thesis, you draw your reader in and create interest in what you have to say. An effective thesis statement is like a promise to the reader—it promises that the content that follows will be insightful, well-researched, and worth their time.

In academic settings, a strong thesis is particularly important because it demonstrates your ability to engage with complex ideas critically. It shows that you can formulate an argument, support it with evidence, and present it in a coherent manner. This is a vital skill not only for academic writing but also for professional and real-world communication. A well-defined thesis serves as a marker of your analytical abilities, illustrating your capability to distill complex subjects into a precise, persuasive argument.

Moreover, a strong thesis statement plays a crucial role in helping you achieve depth in your analysis. It challenges you to think critically about your subject, encouraging you to consider different viewpoints, potential counterarguments, and the broader implications of your topic. By refining your thesis, you clarify your own understanding of the subject and strengthen the arguments that you present. This ultimately results in a more nuanced and sophisticated essay, which is essential for academic success.

When your thesis is well thought out, the rest of the essay becomes more structured and impactful. Each body paragraph serves as a piece of the puzzle that fits neatly into the overall picture set forth by your thesis. This organized approach not only makes it easier for your reader to understand your points but also helps build the persuasiveness of your argument step by step, ultimately leading to a strong and effective conclusion.

Final Thoughts

Writing a strong thesis statement is an essential skill for academic success. While it may take time and practice, understanding the characteristics of an effective thesis can set you on the right path to creating well-focused and persuasive essays. Remember, a good thesis is specific, debatable, focused, and supported by evidence. Use this guide to help craft thesis statements that elevate your writing and effectively communicate your ideas.

Ready to start crafting your thesis? Begin by considering your topic, framing a question, and developing a clear answer. Take the time to refine your thesis until it accurately conveys your position and encourages meaningful discussion. With dedication and practice, you can develop thesis statements that make your essays stand out—clearly communicating your argument and creating a persuasive, well-organized, and insightful paper. A well-constructed thesis sets the stage for impactful academic writing that effectively conveys your thoughts to the reader.

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Developing a Thesis Statement

Many papers you write require developing a thesis statement. In this section you’ll learn what a thesis statement is and how to write one.

Keep in mind that not all papers require thesis statements . If in doubt, please consult your instructor for assistance.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement . . .

• Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic.
• Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper.
• Is focused and specific enough to be “proven” within the boundaries of your paper.
• Is generally located near the end of the introduction ; sometimes, in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or in an entire paragraph.
• Identifies the relationships between the pieces of evidence that you are using to support your argument.

Not all papers require thesis statements! Ask your instructor if you’re in doubt whether you need one.

Identify a topic

Your topic is the subject about which you will write. Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic; or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper.

Consider what your assignment asks you to do

Inform yourself about your topic, focus on one aspect of your topic, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts, generate a topic from an assignment.

Below are some possible topics based on sample assignments.

Sample assignment 1

Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II.

Identified topic

Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis

This topic avoids generalities such as “Spain” and “World War II,” addressing instead on Franco’s role (a specific aspect of “Spain”) and the diplomatic relations between the Allies and Axis (a specific aspect of World War II).

Sample assignment 2

Analyze one of Homer’s epic similes in the Iliad.

The relationship between the portrayal of warfare and the epic simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64.

This topic focuses on a single simile and relates it to a single aspect of the Iliad ( warfare being a major theme in that work).

Developing a Thesis Statement–Additional information

Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic, or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper. You’ll want to read your assignment carefully, looking for key terms that you can use to focus your topic.

Sample assignment: Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II Key terms: analyze, Spain’s neutrality, World War II

After you’ve identified the key words in your topic, the next step is to read about them in several sources, or generate as much information as possible through an analysis of your topic. Obviously, the more material or knowledge you have, the more possibilities will be available for a strong argument. For the sample assignment above, you’ll want to look at books and articles on World War II in general, and Spain’s neutrality in particular.

As you consider your options, you must decide to focus on one aspect of your topic. This means that you cannot include everything you’ve learned about your topic, nor should you go off in several directions. If you end up covering too many different aspects of a topic, your paper will sprawl and be unconvincing in its argument, and it most likely will not fulfull the assignment requirements.

For the sample assignment above, both Spain’s neutrality and World War II are topics far too broad to explore in a paper. You may instead decide to focus on Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis , which narrows down what aspects of Spain’s neutrality and World War II you want to discuss, as well as establishes a specific link between those two aspects.

Before you go too far, however, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts. Try to avoid topics that already have too much written about them (i.e., “eating disorders and body image among adolescent women”) or that simply are not important (i.e. “why I like ice cream”). These topics may lead to a thesis that is either dry fact or a weird claim that cannot be supported. A good thesis falls somewhere between the two extremes. To arrive at this point, ask yourself what is new, interesting, contestable, or controversial about your topic.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times . Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Derive a main point from topic

Once you have a topic, you will have to decide what the main point of your paper will be. This point, the “controlling idea,” becomes the core of your argument (thesis statement) and it is the unifying idea to which you will relate all your sub-theses. You can then turn this “controlling idea” into a purpose statement about what you intend to do in your paper.

Look for patterns in your evidence

Compose a purpose statement.

Consult the examples below for suggestions on how to look for patterns in your evidence and construct a purpose statement.

• Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis
• Franco turned to the Allies when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from the Axis

Possible conclusion:

Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: Franco’s desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power.

Purpose statement

This paper will analyze Franco’s diplomacy during World War II to see how it contributed to Spain’s neutrality.

• The simile compares Simoisius to a tree, which is a peaceful, natural image.
• The tree in the simile is chopped down to make wheels for a chariot, which is an object used in warfare.

At first, the simile seems to take the reader away from the world of warfare, but we end up back in that world by the end.

This paper will analyze the way the simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64 moves in and out of the world of warfare.

Derive purpose statement from topic

To find out what your “controlling idea” is, you have to examine and evaluate your evidence . As you consider your evidence, you may notice patterns emerging, data repeated in more than one source, or facts that favor one view more than another. These patterns or data may then lead you to some conclusions about your topic and suggest that you can successfully argue for one idea better than another.

For instance, you might find out that Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis, but when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from them, he turned to the Allies. As you read more about Franco’s decisions, you may conclude that Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: his desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power. Based on this conclusion, you can then write a trial thesis statement to help you decide what material belongs in your paper.

Sometimes you won’t be able to find a focus or identify your “spin” or specific argument immediately. Like some writers, you might begin with a purpose statement just to get yourself going. A purpose statement is one or more sentences that announce your topic and indicate the structure of the paper but do not state the conclusions you have drawn . Thus, you might begin with something like this:

• This paper will look at modern language to see if it reflects male dominance or female oppression.
• I plan to analyze anger and derision in offensive language to see if they represent a challenge of society’s authority.

At some point, you can turn a purpose statement into a thesis statement. As you think and write about your topic, you can restrict, clarify, and refine your argument, crafting your thesis statement to reflect your thinking.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Compose a draft thesis statement

If you are writing a paper that will have an argumentative thesis and are having trouble getting started, the techniques in the table below may help you develop a temporary or “working” thesis statement.

Begin with a purpose statement that you will later turn into a thesis statement.

Assignment: Discuss the history of the Reform Party and explain its influence on the 1990 presidential and Congressional election.

Purpose Statement: This paper briefly sketches the history of the grassroots, conservative, Perot-led Reform Party and analyzes how it influenced the economic and social ideologies of the two mainstream parties.

Question-to-Assertion

If your assignment asks a specific question(s), turn the question(s) into an assertion and give reasons why it is true or reasons for your opinion.

Assignment : What do Aylmer and Rappaccini have to be proud of? Why aren’t they satisfied with these things? How does pride, as demonstrated in “The Birthmark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” lead to unexpected problems?

Beginning thesis statement: Alymer and Rappaccinni are proud of their great knowledge; however, they are also very greedy and are driven to use their knowledge to alter some aspect of nature as a test of their ability. Evil results when they try to “play God.”

Write a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the essay you plan to write.

Main idea: The reason some toys succeed in the market is that they appeal to the consumers’ sense of the ridiculous and their basic desire to laugh at themselves.

Make a list of the ideas that you want to include; consider the ideas and try to group them.

• nature = peaceful
• war matériel = violent (competes with 1?)
• need for time and space to mourn the dead
• war is inescapable (competes with 3?)

Use a formula to arrive at a working thesis statement (you will revise this later).

• although most readers of _______ have argued that _______, closer examination shows that _______.
• _______ uses _______ and _____ to prove that ________.
• phenomenon x is a result of the combination of __________, __________, and _________.

What to keep in mind as you draft an initial thesis statement

Beginning statements obtained through the methods illustrated above can serve as a framework for planning or drafting your paper, but remember they’re not yet the specific, argumentative thesis you want for the final version of your paper. In fact, in its first stages, a thesis statement usually is ill-formed or rough and serves only as a planning tool.

As you write, you may discover evidence that does not fit your temporary or “working” thesis. Or you may reach deeper insights about your topic as you do more research, and you will find that your thesis statement has to be more complicated to match the evidence that you want to use.

You must be willing to reject or omit some evidence in order to keep your paper cohesive and your reader focused. Or you may have to revise your thesis to match the evidence and insights that you want to discuss. Read your draft carefully, noting the conclusions you have drawn and the major ideas which support or prove those conclusions. These will be the elements of your final thesis statement.

Sometimes you will not be able to identify these elements in your early drafts, but as you consider how your argument is developing and how your evidence supports your main idea, ask yourself, “ What is the main point that I want to prove/discuss? ” and “ How will I convince the reader that this is true? ” When you can answer these questions, then you can begin to refine the thesis statement.

Refine and polish the thesis statement

To get to your final thesis, you’ll need to refine your draft thesis so that it’s specific and arguable.

• Ask if your draft thesis addresses the assignment
• Question each part of your draft thesis
• Clarify vague phrases and assertions
• Investigate alternatives to your draft thesis

Consult the example below for suggestions on how to refine your draft thesis statement.

Sample Assignment

Choose an activity and define it as a symbol of American culture. Your essay should cause the reader to think critically about the society which produces and enjoys that activity.

• Ask The phenomenon of drive-in facilities is an interesting symbol of american culture, and these facilities demonstrate significant characteristics of our society.This statement does not fulfill the assignment because it does not require the reader to think critically about society.

Drive-ins are an interesting symbol of American culture because they represent Americans’ significant creativity and business ingenuity.

Among the types of drive-in facilities familiar during the twentieth century, drive-in movie theaters best represent American creativity, not merely because they were the forerunner of later drive-ins and drive-throughs, but because of their impact on our culture: they changed our relationship to the automobile, changed the way people experienced movies, and changed movie-going into a family activity.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast-food establishments, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize America’s economic ingenuity, they also have affected our personal standards.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast- food restaurants, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize (1) Americans’ business ingenuity, they also have contributed (2) to an increasing homogenization of our culture, (3) a willingness to depersonalize relationships with others, and (4) a tendency to sacrifice quality for convenience.

This statement is now specific and fulfills all parts of the assignment. This version, like any good thesis, is not self-evident; its points, 1-4, will have to be proven with evidence in the body of the paper. The numbers in this statement indicate the order in which the points will be presented. Depending on the length of the paper, there could be one paragraph for each numbered item or there could be blocks of paragraph for even pages for each one.

Complete the final thesis statement

The bottom line.

As you move through the process of crafting a thesis, you’ll need to remember four things:

• Context matters! Think about your course materials and lectures. Try to relate your thesis to the ideas your instructor is discussing.
• As you go through the process described in this section, always keep your assignment in mind . You will be more successful when your thesis (and paper) responds to the assignment than if it argues a semi-related idea.
• Your thesis statement should be precise, focused, and contestable ; it should predict the sub-theses or blocks of information that you will use to prove your argument.
• Make sure that you keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Change your thesis as your paper evolves, because you do not want your thesis to promise more than your paper actually delivers.

In the beginning, the thesis statement was a tool to help you sharpen your focus, limit material and establish the paper’s purpose. When your paper is finished, however, the thesis statement becomes a tool for your reader. It tells the reader what you have learned about your topic and what evidence led you to your conclusion. It keeps the reader on track–well able to understand and appreciate your argument.

Writing Process and Structure

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Getting Started with Your Paper

Interpreting Writing Assignments from Your Courses

Generating Ideas for

Creating an Argument

Thesis vs. Purpose Statements

Architecture of Arguments

Working with Sources

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources

Using Literary Quotations

Citing Sources in Your Paper

Drafting Your Paper

Generating Ideas for Your Paper

Introductions

Paragraphing

Developing Strategic Transitions

Conclusions

Revising Your Paper

Peer Reviews

Reverse Outlines

Revising an Argumentative Paper

Revision Strategies for Longer Projects

Finishing Your Paper

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

How to Proofread your Paper

Seeking Feedback from Others

Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative and Group Writing

Reference management. Clean and simple.

What is a thesis statement? [with example]

What is a thesis statement?

Purpose of a thesis statement, how to write the best thesis statement, thesis statement example, frequently asked questions about thesis statements, related articles.

A thesis statement is a concise description of the goal of your work. This element is one of the most essential components of academic writing , as it tells your readers what they can expect in your paper.

A thesis statement is the main argument of your paper or thesis.

If you find yourself in the process of writing a a paper, but you don't know how to create a thesis statement , you've come to the right place. In the next paragraphs, you will learn about the most important elements of a thesis statement and how to come up with one.

A thesis statement highlights the main topic, shows how it will evolve, and conveys clearly the aim of your work. It does not only share the topic but it conveys the conclusion you came up with.

A good thesis statement provides directions for the development of the topic throughout the paper. In sum, this element of academic writing is crucial to sound research .

You can create a great thesis statement by following the format we outlined in our guide How to write a thesis statement .

In general, you should adhere to the following tips to write the best thesis statement:

• Focus the main idea of your thesis into one or two sentences.
• Write the answer to the main question of your topic.
• Clearly state your position in relation to the topic.
• Do not state the obvious. Give a disputable stance that requires evidence.

Tip: To check if your thesis is clear, explain it to a peer or colleague. If they are confused, then you likely need to re-write it.

Here's an example of a thesis statement:

In what follows, I will explore Fiorina’s position in more depth, focusing especially on her claim that technology is "a great tool for democratization." Ultimately, I argue that the primary problem with Fiorina’s stance lies in her laissez-faire understanding of technology. By granting technology a kind of independent existence apart from human motivation and intent—by positing that "technology permits anybody to play," as if it possesses an autonomy all its own—Fiorina unwittingly opens the way for the very kind of discriminatory and undemocratic mechanisms that her position seemingly rejects.

Tip: Once you finish your paper, return to your thesis statement to make sure that it reflects what you actually wrote.

A thesis statement is part of the introduction of your paper. It is usually found in the first or second paragraph to let the reader know your research purpose from the beginning.

In general, a thesis statement should have one or two sentences. It really depends on your academic and expertise level. Take a look at our guide about the length of thesis statements, for more insight on this topic.

Here is a list of Thesis Statement Examples that will help you understand better how to write them.

Yes. Every good essay should include a thesis statement as part of its introduction. Of course, if you are a high school student you are not expected to have an extremely elaborate statement. A couple of clear sentences indicating the aim of your essay will be more than enough.

Here is a great YouTube tutorial showing How To Write An Essay: Thesis Statements .

• Effective Writing Practices Tutorial
• Organization
• Thesis Statement

A thesis statement expresses the central idea of your written assignment. In essays, a thesis statement is usually included in the introduction. In longer pieces of writing, it may appear further along, but still near the beginning part.

A thesis statement is "your answer to the central question or problem you have raised" (Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers , 50). As you develop your essay or research paper, your thesis may change. Revise it to reflect the scope and the central idea of your writing.

Consider the paragraph below (also discussed in this tutorial's Introduction section):

The University of Illinois envisions an increase in its enrollment to more than 70,000 in under a decade by setting up the Global Campus, a new online education program. While an enrollment of 70,000 students might sound impressive, it is only about half of the current enrollment of the University of Phoenix, a pioneer in online education (Foster, The Chronicle of Higher Education ). The Internet, which has been transforming the landscape of traditional pedagogy in the last few years, is argued to be the most significant development in educational technology in our lifetime. In the last decade, the growth of the Internet has caused various educational institutions and businesses to rethink how they deliver knowledge and information to their learners and to adopt new ways of implementing instruction that takes into consideration recent developments in educational technology. However, in their rush to stay on the cutting edge of technology, some educators look only at the positive features the Internet has to offer and often forget to consider its limitations. The Internet can be extremely valuable for education, but online instruction is not appropriate for all classes in all situations; its implementation needs to be based on the instructor's learning objective, the need for technology, and the availability of resources .

From a student research paper on Advantages and Limitations of Web-Based Instruction :

The central idea or the thesis statement of this student paper is expressed in the last sentence of the introduction.

From the previous example we can observe the following:

It is hard to argue the positive effect of the Internet on teaching and learning, but is all online instruction advantageous?

While, we cannot deny that online instruction is very valuable in education, it may not be suited for all learning situations. The decision to use online instruction should be based the learning objectives, the need for it, and the availability of resources.

Rule To Remember

A thesis statement expresses the central idea of your written assignment.

The rest of the paper then needs to focus on developing the suggested answer to the problem and provide sufficient evidence to support the writer's view.

Writing evolves in stages; sometimes, you may not know what your thesis will be until you start to write. The concept of a working thesis is important here.

A working thesis "should have two parts: a topic part, which states the topic, and a comment part, which makes an important point about the topic" (Lunsford, The Everyday Writer , 36).

When we consider the example from page one again, we can easily point out the topic and the comment components of the working thesis:

Online instruction is not appropriate for all classes in all situations.

Its implementation needs to be based on the instructor's learning objective, the need for it, and the availability of resources.

Another Rule To Remember

Make your thesis statement interesting, specific, and narrow in scope.

A successful thesis has the following characteristics:

• It is interesting to the readers
• It is specific
• It narrows down the scope of the topic to "make it manageable "

(Lunsford, The Everyday Writer , 36)

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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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