definition of word thesis statement

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How to Create an Effective Thesis Statement in 5 Easy Steps

Creating a thesis statement can be a daunting task. It’s one of the most important sentences in your paper, and it needs to be done right. But don’t worry — with these five easy steps, you’ll be able to create an effective thesis statement in no time.

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas

The first step is to brainstorm ideas for your paper. Think about what you want to say and write down any ideas that come to mind. This will help you narrow down your focus and make it easier to create your thesis statement.

Step 2: Research Your Topic

Once you have some ideas, it’s time to do some research on your topic. Look for sources that support your ideas and provide evidence for the points you want to make. This will help you refine your argument and make it more convincing.

Step 3: Formulate Your Argument

Now that you have done some research, it’s time to formulate your argument. Take the points you want to make and put them into one or two sentences that clearly state what your paper is about. This will be the basis of your thesis statement.

Step 4: Refine Your Thesis Statement

Once you have formulated your argument, it’s time to refine your thesis statement. Make sure that it is clear, concise, and specific. It should also be arguable so that readers can disagree with it if they choose.

Step 5: Test Your Thesis Statement

The last step is to test your thesis statement. Does it accurately reflect the points you want to make? Is it clear and concise? Does it make an arguable point? If not, go back and refine it until it meets all of these criteria.

Creating an effective thesis statement doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these five easy steps, you can create a strong thesis statement in no time at all.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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• thesis statement

a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence.

Origin of thesis statement

Words nearby thesis statement.

• short end of the stick, the
• The show must go on
• thesis play
• Sketch Book, The
• Skin of Our Teeth, The
• sky's the limit, the
• Snows of Kilimanjaro, The
• The Social Contract

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

What is a thesis statement? I need some examples, too.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement clearly identifies the topic being discussed, includes the points discussed in the paper, and is written for a specific audience. Your thesis statement belongs at the end of your first paragraph, also known as your introduction. Use it to generate interest in your topic and encourage your audience to continue reading.

You can read chapter four of Schaum's Quick Guide to Writing Great Research Papers an eBook in our online collection, click the title to open: "How Do I Write a Thesis Statement?" .

Another option is to think of a thesis statement as one complete sentence that expresses your position .

• Narrows the topic down to a specific focus of an investigation.
• Establishes a direction for the entire paper.
• Points forward to the conclusion.
• Always stated in your introduction. (Usually at the end of the first paragraph).
• Always take a stand and justify further discussion.

A thesis statement is not a statement of fact.

Your readers—especially your instructors—want to read writing that engages them. Consequently, you must write thesis statements that are arguable, not factual. Statements of fact seem easy to write about because, well, they are easy to prove. After all, they’re facts. The problem is that you cannot write engaging papers around statements of fact. Such theses prevent you from demonstrating critical thinking and analytical skills, which you want to show your instructor. If you were to write a paper around the next two statements, your writing would probably be quite dull because you would be restating facts that the general public already knows.

Thesis Statements always take a stand and justify further discussion.

In order to make your writing interesting, you should develop a thesis statement that is arguable. Sometimes you will be writing to persuade others to see things your way and other times you will simply be giving your strong opinion and laying out your case for it.

Take a look at the following examples:

Statement of fact:

Small cars get better fuel mileage than 4x4 pickup trucks.

Arguable thesis statement:

The government should ban 4x4 pickup trucks except for work-related use.

Foul language is common in movies.

The amount of foul language in movies is disproportionate to the amount of foul language in real life.

State ment of fact:

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease.

Arguable thesis statement/opening paragraph:

Researchers think the incidence of celiac disease is increasing in the USA not only because of an increase in the ability and awareness to diagnose it, but also because of changes in the agricultural system. In particular, they are looking at the increased use of pesticides, insecticides, and genetically modified wheat as culprits. Some of these theories are more likely to be valid than others.

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• Last Updated Oct 13, 2020
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• this is really helpful by rita on Nov 14, 2021
• Yes, thank you. This is really helpful. It's been YEARS since I have encountered the term "thesis statement", and I needed a refresher on what it was before beginning my final presentation for a college course. This page answered all of my questions! by Brigitte on Dec 06, 2021
• Thank You. This helped by Deborah Smith on Mar 23, 2022
• Great explanation. This will definitely help my writing, by Jack on Dec 15, 2022
• This a very helpful website for me. Thank you by Catie on Jan 09, 2023

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Tips on writing a thesis statement, what is a thesis statement.

The thesis statement is the sentence that states the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control the ideas within the paper. It is not merely a topic. It often reflects an opinion or judgment that a writer has made about a reading or personal experience. For instance: Tocqueville believed that the domestic role most women held in America was the role that gave them the most power, an idea that many would hotly dispute today.

What Makes a Strong Thesis Statement?

• A strong thesis statement gives direction to the paper and limits what you need to write about. It also functions to inform your readers of what you will discuss in the body of the paper. All paragraphs of the essay should explain, support, or argue with your thesis.
• A strong thesis statement requires proof ; it is not merely a statement of fact. You should support your thesis statement with detailed supporting evidence will interest your readers and motivate them to continue reading the paper.
• Sometimes it is useful to mention your supporting points in your thesis. An example of this could be: John Updike's Trust Me is a valuable novel for a college syllabus because it allows the reader to become familiar with his writing and provides themes that are easily connected to other works. In the body of your paper, you could write a paragraph or two about each supporting idea. If you write a thesis statement like this it will often help you to keep control of your ideas.

Where Does the Thesis Statement Go?

A good practice is to put the thesis statement at the end of your introduction so you can use it to lead into the body of your paper. This allows you, as the writer, to lead up to the thesis statement instead of diving directly into the topic. If you place the thesis statement at the beginning, your reader may forget or be confused about the main idea by the time he/she reaches the end of the introduction. Remember, a good introduction conceptualizes and anticipates the thesis statement.

Tips for Writing/Drafting Thesis Statements

• Know the topic . The topic should be something you know or can learn about. It is difficult to write a thesis statement, let alone a paper, on a topic that you know nothing about. Reflecting on personal experience and/or researching will help you know more information about your topic.
• Limit your topic . Based on what you know and the required length of your final paper, limit your topic to a specific area. A broad scope will generally require a longer paper, while a narrow scope will be sufficiently proven by a shorter paper.
• Brainstorm . If you are having trouble beginning your paper or writing your thesis, take a piece of paper and write down everything that comes to mind about your topic. Did you discover any new ideas or connections? Can you separate any of the things you jotted down into categories? Do you notice any themes? Think about using ideas generated during this process to shape your thesis statement and your paper.

What is a Thesis Statement?

Introduction.

Writing the thesis statement is one of the most important things when it is about thesis writing. But what is a thesis statement? How to write a thesis statement? What is the thesis statement example? If you are stumbling with your thesis writing, you are at the right place.

Today's article explains the concept of a thesis statement. A thesis statement is basically a one-sentence statement that puts the main idea of a thesis in a nutshell while explaining the purpose of the research. Ultimately, a thesis statement is the foundation of your dissertation essay upon which you construct the building of a thesis.

However, if this foundation is not strong enough, the building will be shaky. It's tricky to write a perfect thesis statement if you are a newbie. That's why researching properly before writing a thesis statement is recommended. Let's understand this concept.

Starting with the definition, a thesis statement is a single sentence that describes how the writer is going to interpret the subject matter under discussion. In a single sentence, it explains what a reader should expect from the succeeding discussion. The rest of the write-up gives arguments, opinions, supporting ideas, and logic for the thesis statement.

The importance of a thesis statement can be analyzed from the fact that it carries a certain number of marks in academic writing. Not only failing to mention it but also writing a weak thesis statement leads to the deduction of marks. To avoid any kind of risk, we must learn how to write it and make it concise, clear, and eye-catching. It may be difficult to write because summing a whole essay into a single statement is not an easy task. But as a proverb says.

How to Write a Thesis statement?

Now the question pops up, Which steps do we need to take to make a thesis statement strong? A study conducted by Research prospect states that out of 5, every 3 students lack proficiency in writing skills, which is a great number. Trying not to be among those three, let's learn how to write a thesis statement in 5 easy steps. First, we need to know that a good thesis statement is simple, concise, and adherent to the rest of the paper.

Step 1: Select the essay style:

This is the most important step as the type of thesis statement pursued varies surely with the type of essay you choose. Depending on the content, there are two types of essays. So, here are two further questions! What is a thesis statement from the perspective of an expository style essay, and how do write a thesis statement for expository essays? And what is thesis statement from the perspective of a persuasive style essay, and how to write a thesis statement for a persuasive essay?

While Focusing on the title of the topic, we need to answer the question in the title while writing the thesis statement. If it’s not a question, we shall assume the question in our minds. While keeping that question in mind, the answer to the question must support our argument in the rest of the paper (in the case of an argumentative essay).

This type of essay demands an argument of the writer, his personal opinion and support for a particular point of view. The thesis statement for such an essay must either give the opinion of the writer or clearly define which side of the argument the writer supports and the reason for it.

The next part of your thesis statement will give a logical reason for "why" or "how" you support a certain side of the argument.

It usually occurs at the concluding line of the introductory paragraph but can also be located at the beginning of an introductory paragraph or even middle. 

In order to stay on track and avoid shifting your focus from the core idea of the essay, keep visiting your thesis statement while writing the essay.

A thesis statement is usually 1 or 2 sentences long. Too many lengthy statements are avoided to avoid the reader getting frustrated.

Finally, evaluate the thesis statement of this article. It's an expository one as it provides factual information and not the writer’s personal opinion or argument. It starts with the first basic step i.e answering the question of the title. Then gives a logical answer for "how".

The next part of the statement includes the summary of the rest of the information. Observing practically, it can be evaluated that the article contains no information other than the one, mentioned in the article.

Make a Thesis Statement via Mind-mapping

Mind maps are a visual articulation of your thoughts, opinions, and ideas. It helps you to contextualize your vision and draw inspiration from it to guide your direction of writing and craft the language and terminologies that will best express your vein of thought.

Mind mapping can work wonderfully to guide you in choosing an appropriate thesis statement for your essay. Mind-maps help develop an understanding of the text that you are trying to write. A visual map of ideas whether hand-drawn or done through computer software is a fun way of putting together all your ideas and assertions in one easy-to-read format.

This mapping of ideas will orient you towards the central theme or element of the essay that is crucial for you to highlight. This central idea is what needs to be communicated to the reader and therefore will determine the content and form of your thesis statement.

Here, you can choose EdrawMind to create your mind maps. 

A thesis statement is an important part of writing that must be written while following the rules. It is an eye-catching part for the reader and the impression for the rest of the work depends on this as it occurs at the starting point. Substituting the statement with the proverb, "First impression is the last impression", a writer must stick to the thesis statement in whole writing.

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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.

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FAQ - English & Grammar

What Is a Thesis Statement? Definition and Examples.

What is a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is a declaration of one or two sentences that gives the topic and purpose of an essay or speech. More specifically, it provides information to the audience about what the author/speaker intends to prove or declare, with specific discussion points. The thesis statement is usually placed toward the end of the introductory paragraph.

What Should a Thesis Statement Include?

Regardless of the type of paper or speech you’re writing, a strong thesis statement should include the following five elements:

·          Restatement of the Topic : You should state the main topic of your dissertation before your thesis statement, usually within the first or second sentence. The proceeding thesis statement should then refer back to this topic.

·          Declaration of Your Position : After restating the main topic of your essay, declare your personal viewpoint on the issue.

·          An Opposing Viewpoint : Many topics are quite controversial, such as abortion, the death penalty, and vaccines, and can include a myriad of perspectives. An effective thesis statement is one that offers an opposing viewpoint, even if the main topic isn’t debatable. For example, if the main topic of your essay is about how pollution is harmful to the environment, your thesis might give your personal opinions of the worst effects of pollution. These opinions are what will have opposing viewpoints.

·          Reasons to Support Your Stance : For a strong thesis, it’s not enough to simply state what you believe; you have to provide reasons for that belief. In a standard five-paragraph essay, having at least three reasons/discussion points is sufficient to support your thesis.

·          Evidence to Support Your Stance : Whether your intentions are to persuade, inform, entertain, or educate your audience, make sure your thesis includes evidence from credible sources to support your discussion points.  

Structuring Your Thesis Statement

When writing a thesis statement for the first time, it’s important to understand how to structure it. Answering the following questions may help. Use your responses to write your statement, keeping each component in the same order as your answers. Keep in mind that #2 and 3 can be reversed, as in the examples in the next section.

1.        What is your essay about?

2.        What opinion/belief do you wish to convey on this topic?

3.        What is one other belief (preferably a common one) on this topic?

4.        Why do you hold your beliefs on the topic (give three reasons)?

5.        What evidence do you have to support each of your reasons?

Thesis Statement Examples

The following is a list of topics that are commonly selected for high school or college essays, as well as an example thesis statement for each topic. Each of these examples contains a mention of the topic, a reference to an opposing viewpoint, a declaration of the writer’s personal beliefs on the issue, and a list of reasons to support the beliefs.

Please note, these statements are intended for example purposes only and may or may not include actual facts about the topics.

·          Nationwide Legalization of Marijuana : While there are some benefits of marijuana, this drug should be illegal in all 50 states because it’s addictive, it can lead to psychotic disorders, and legalizing it can pose a risk for contamination. 

·          Mask Mandates : Despite the claims of masks being used as a preventive measure against COVID-19, mask mandates should be banned worldwide because they infringe on personal rights, masks can be dangerous, and masks are proven to be ineffective in preventing infection.

·          The Ketogenic Diet : Although the ketogenic diet is rising in popularity, it should not be used as a long-term means of weight loss/maintenance because there are negative side effects, carbohydrates boost the release of serotine, and you’re more likely to eat an unhealthy amount of red meat.

·          Universal Healthcare : The Unites States does not currently offer universal healthcare, but it should because doing so would increase the average lifespan, improve overall public health, and create more jobs.

·          Vegetarianism : While most Americans eat meat and enjoy it, vegetarianism is a better diet option because you won’t be contributing to animal cruelty, you can have more protection against certain diseases, and it will be easier for you to consume the vitamins that your body needs.

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Thesis Statement: Definition, Importance, Steps & Tips!

Let’s accept it. There’s one superpower we all want in our lives – the power of persuasion.

Whether it is to convince our parents to let us get a dog OR to convince our teachers that we actually forgot the assignment at home – we all need great persuasion skills at some point in our lives.

But, the time when we need this superpower the most is…*drumroll*…while writing an essay or a research paper.

Writing a good and persuasive paper is not an easy feat, and we all know that. It takes tons of sleepless nights and, not to forget, multiple cups of coffee.

But, do you know the key to writing a good paper or essay ? It’s the thesis statement ! You need to write this statement in order to give a brief introduction to the argument you’ve made in the rest of the paper.

The more solid your thesis statement is, the more people would want to read your essay or paper. So, in this blog, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about a thesis statement. Ready? Let’s go!

What’s a Thesis Statement? (Definition)

A thesis statement is defined as a concise statement that is generally written at the end of the introduction. This statement sums up the entire paper or essay in a few words.

Basically, a thesis statement is a brief introduction to your topic and your point of view. It reveals the argument that you have made in the rest of your paper.

In short, a thesis statement encapsulates the main idea that you want to share through your paper or essay. It’s like a claim that you’re making through the paper.

Now that you know what a thesis statement is, let’s find out why you need to write it in the first place.

Read more:   How to Write a Thesis with Perfection?

Why Do You Need to Write a Thesis Statement?

1. to put focus on the central idea.

Your thesis statement conveys the core idea of your paper – loud and clear. It tells the readers what you’ve talked about in your paper and exactly what they should expect from it.

This short statement tells the readers what you’ve argued about in your essay and why you wrote it in the first place. Simply put, a thesis statement gives the readers a short glimpse into what lies ahead for them.

If you don’t write a thesis statement, the reader won’t know the reason why you wrote the paper. He won’t have any idea about what you’re trying to convey through the paper unless he reads the whole thing.

2. To Guide The Readers

When you’re writing other things, it’s okay to keep the reader in suspense. But, when you’re writing a research paper or an essay , you need to be very clear about what you want to prove or demonstrate.

A thesis statement tells the reader the entirety of the paper and what they are going to find on the way. It guides them about the elements of your paper, the argument you’ve made in the paper, and everything else.

This short statement often makes the difference between whether your paper will be read or ignored. So you need to make sure that it’s truly rock-solid, but more on that later.

3. Helps You Organize Your Essay

A thesis statement is like a road map. Without it, you’d be lost, i.e., you won’t know which way you should be taking your paper or essay. 🙂

This statement acts as a foundation on the basis of which you can write the rest of the essay and organize it in a way that supports your thesis statement!

Your thesis statement is the backbone of your paper. It needs to be strong, and it should support your paper wholeheartedly. So let’s go and learn how to write a thesis statement that does just that!

Read more:  Purpose Statement: What is it & How to Write it?

How to Write a Thesis Statement in 3 Easy Steps?

Step 1. think about the question.

Let’s suppose that your paper or essay is on ‘The effects of gaming on children.’

Now, to write a thesis statement for the same, you first need to think of a question that’s associated with the topic. For example, ‘Does gaming affect children’s behavior?’ OR ‘Do video games cause aggressive behavior?”

Let’s take another example. If your paper is on Euthanasia, your question can be, ‘Should euthanasia be allowed?” OR “Should human beings have the right to decide on issues of life and death?”

You need to think deeply about the question that you’re answering in the paper and write it down. To get started, ask yourself: What are you talking about in the paper? What’s the core idea? What’s the essence of your paper?

Step 2. Write Down The Answer

Now that you know the question, it’s time to write down its answer. You don’t need a 100% solid answer at this step. Just write down a basic, short and sweet draft of your answer.

For example, if your paper proves that gaming doesn’t affect children’s behavior, then that’d be the answer, or vice versa. Just go through your findings, and you’d find the answer easily.

All in all, you need to just write a brief summary of what you’ve described in detail later in your paper. It’s as easy as it sounds. The hard part is the next step…

Step 3. Convince The Readers About The Answer

Now comes the most crucial part – convincing the readers about your answer. Saying, “yes, gaming affects children’s behavior because I conducted a survey, and that’s what I found” is not enough.

Take the answer you wrote in the last step and shape it into something solid and awesome. Make it as convincing as you can, because that is going to be your final thesis statement.

Tip: Create multiple drafts of your thesis statement, and then use the one that sounds the most powerful and supports your paper or essay the best.

Read more:  How to Write an Insane White Paper that Gets High Engagement?

Tips for Writing a Good Thesis Statement:

1. clear & concise.

Remember that your thesis statement is just a tiny part of your paper, not the entire paper. So don’t drag it too much. Keep it short and sweet and crystal clear.

Wrap your statement up in as few words as you can so that the readers can grasp it in seconds. If they have to go to lengths to understand what the paper entails, they’d probably bail out on it.

There’s another thing that you should avoid while writing a thesis statement: giving away everything in it. Don’t try to every single thing about your paper in it; otherwise, no one would ready your paper.

2. Explains Only a Single Idea

if you want your thesis statement to be powerful, don’t overcomplicate things. What we are trying to say is, convey just one single idea through your thesis statement.

Basically, write about the single most important thing that your paper talks about. You can always get into the other details later in the paper. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Another reason why you should not tangle all the ideas together because that’d make it extremely hard for the readers to understand your core point.

3. Something That Requires Evidence

Don’t write a statement everyone already knows about, like “we live on the planet earth”. You need to write a statement that requires hard proof.

All in all, don’t write a vague statement. Write one that makes the readers want to read more and talk about it. Write something that can be argued upon.

For example, if your essay is on animal testing, you can write, “ artificial intelligence is dangerous because, in the hands of the wrong person, it could easily cause mass casualties. “

Before you go!

Our team at  bit.ai  has created a few awesome education templates to make your processes more efficient. Make sure to check them out before you go, y ou might need them!

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Wrapping Up

We’ve told you why it’s important to write a thesis statement, and we’ve shared some great tips for writing the perfect one. In short, you’ve all the information you need to write an awesome thesis statement.

Always remember, the better your thesis statement is, the better your paper is going to be. It’s the building block of your paper. It is something that guides the reader, and yourself.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t put off your paper or essay any longer. Get up, grab a cup of coffee and start working on it. We’re totally rooting for you!

This blog was written by the Bit.ai team. Bit.ai is a powerful documentation and collaboration platform where you and your team can easily create, access, share, and manage all your documents under one roof. To learn more about this wonderful platform, visit Bit.ai .

Further reads:

Grant Proposal: What is it & How to Write it?

Study Guide: What is it & How to Create an Amazing One?

Mission Statement: What is it & How to Write it? (With Examples)

Positioning Statement: Definition, Elements & Examples!

Research Proposal: How to Write a Perfect One? (Steps & Format)

How To Write A Research Paper?

How To Write A Case Study (With Template)

9 Amazing Flowchart Tools & Software for Visualizing Data!

9 Awesome Assignment Writing Tips to Get Better Marks!

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About Bit.ai

Bit.ai is the essential next-gen workplace and document collaboration platform. that helps teams share knowledge by connecting any type of digital content. With this intuitive, cloud-based solution, anyone can work visually and collaborate in real-time while creating internal notes, team projects, knowledge bases, client-facing content, and more.

The smartest online Google Docs and Word alternative, Bit.ai is used in over 100 countries by professionals everywhere, from IT teams creating internal documentation and knowledge bases, to sales and marketing teams sharing client materials and client portals.

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Thesis Statement Example – Importance Of A Good Thesis Statement

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Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Definition
• 3 Writing a Thesis Statement
• 4 Examples for Research Papers
• 5 Thesis Statement Examples
• 6 In a Nutshell

A thesis statement is defined as a sentence or paragraph that expresses the key idea or central message of a research paper. A thesis statement is the foundation of an essay, research paper, or any other piece of academic writing. Thesis statement examples are samples that might help you to find your thesis statement. It comes after the background of information, at the end of the introduction of your research paper. Thesis statements should not be mistaken for research paper introductions. While an introduction is used as a gateway to your research paper to capture the reader’s attention, the thesis statement example is a highlight of the paper’s main idea.

Thesis statements are fundamental elements in academic writing, particularly research papers and essay writing. When writing a research paper, your argument reflects the article’s main idea or central message, which is referred to a thesis statement.

This article highlights everything that you should know about writing a thesis statement and gives you some thesis statement examples that might inspire you.

What is a thesis statement example?

A thesis statement refers to the sentence or set of sentences used in academic writing to offer a way to understand and interpret the thesis topic . It gives a summary of points regarding what will be addressed throughout the research paper or essay. The thesis statement example is a sample for you which can help and inspire you to find your thesis statement.

Can a thesis statement be a question?

The answer is no. A thesis statement cannot be a question. This is because a thesis statement points out a claim or idea that will be supported by the rest of the paper. A question does not give the direction the research paper takes, which is what a thesis statement is about. What you may be thinking about is the research question . The research question forms the basis of your thesis statement.

What are the two types of thesis statements?

There are two types of thesis statements , including argumentative and analytical thesis statements. An analytical thesis statement provides an analysis of the different parts of the main idea of a research paper through a broken-down discussion. The parts are then evaluated and presented in the order of the analysis. An argumentative thesis statement, on the other hand, is the format where the author makes a claim about the topic of discussion then presents their opinion in support of their claim.

How many sentences should a thesis statement have?

The thesis statement should be 1-2 sentences. It presents the thesis topic to the reader as well as the author’s stance on this topic and the tone of the paper. In rare cases, the thesis statement can be longer if you’re writing a very long and detailed paper, however, it’s best to always check with your supervisor or professor.

Tip: For optimal thesis formatting , the thesis statement should always be placed towards the end of the introduction- regardless of the length of the thesis statement.

What is a bad example of a thesis statement?

Bad: Despite an increase in the consumption of dieting products, obesity is on the rise.

Good: Despite an increase in the consumption of dieting products, obesity is on the rise as many dieting products lack proper scientific research regarding the nutritional effects that they have on the body.

The first thesis statement example is vague and unclear. If there are more people on diets, why is obesity still rising? The second thesis statement example is better as it provides evidence to support the claim that is made. You can find more thesis examples at our blog post ‘How to Write a Thesis Statement’ . These thesis statements were created to serve as examples and as such, no research was conducted on the above topics.

Writing a Thesis Statement

Whether you are writing a dissertation or a simple essay, formulating a thesis statement example can be challenging. Here is a step by step guide on how to write a good thesis statement example.

Make Your Thesis an Answer to Your Research Question

Your thesis statement example must respond to questions arising from any opinion, suggestion, or claim to be made throughout the research paper. This does not mean formulating your thesis statement into a question. It means supporting your paper’s main idea by answering questions that the reader may have. You might want to do some research on the topic of discussion before drafting your thesis statement example.

Identify the Right Type of Thesis Statement Example

Some research papers are meant to persuade, while others educate or shed light on specific issues. This is why you need to identify whether your thesis statement example should be analytical, argumentative, or even expository. When choosing the type of thesis statement to use, you might want to have the end in mind by considering the goal of the research paper or essay.

Make a Claim

You should take a firm stance on the topic and address it in detail. This is to ensure that every point made in the thesis statement example is well supported in the body of your essay or research paper. Ensure that your points are clearly addressed. Do not mince your words on your stance.

Your Thesis Statement Must Be Supported with Proof

It is said that a thesis statement example is the punchline of any research. It is in the thesis statement that the paper’s body holds together. You must, therefore, ensure that everything said can be backed up with some evidence.

Watch the Length of Your Thesis Statement Example

A thesis statement example should be concise and direct to the point. This is to enable the reader to easily identify and grasp the topic and the direction of your research paper. You might want to limit the length of your thesis statement to about one to two sentences.

Position Your Thesis Statement Appropriately

Due to the significant role that a thesis statement plays, it is essential to find the right place to position it in your research paper. Thesis statements are ideally positioned towards the end of the article’s introduction or at the end of the first paragraph. This is where you give the reader a glimpse of what to expect from your research work.

Examples for Research Papers

A thesis statement is an essential component of every piece of academic writing, including a research paper. Depending on the type of academic paper you are writing, a thesis statement example may differ in application. However, that does not exclude your academic work from the guiding principles of writing a thesis statement example. If you are wondering why it is necessary to formulate a thesis statement, here are some reasons why you must consider having one:

• Argument Development

You want your research work to be persuasive and convincing. You must, therefore, have your ideas organized and developed in a comprehensible and academic framework. This is where a thesis statement comes in handy. It enables you to give the reader a glimpse of your claim or stance before engaging the entire research work.

• A Guide to Your Research Work

Most readers want to know what to expect before they can read an article, essay, dissertation, or research paper. This is why you should formulate a thesis statement example. The statement acts as a guide to the argument captured in the rest of the article.

Thesis Statement Examples

Here are some examples of thesis statements:

In a Nutshell

• A thesis statement example is a fundamental element in the drafting of any academic work, including essays and research papers.
• A thesis statement is a sentence or paragraph that expresses the key idea or main message of a research paper.
• There are two types of thesis statements, including argumentative and analytical thesis statements.
• Since it points out a claim or idea that will be supported by the rest of the paper, a thesis statement example cannot be used as a question.
• A thesis statement example is significant in research paper writing as it is used to develop the author’s argument and offer a guide to the entire research work.

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