How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples
By Sarah
This will help you determine your particular interests and a possible starting point for your essay or research.
How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. It usually comes near the end of your introduction.
Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.
What impact did the invention of braille (the raised-dot reading system used by blind and visually impaired people) have?
Step 2: Write your initial answer
After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process.
The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education. The invention of braille improved the lives of blind people.
Step 3: Develop your answer
Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.
In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.
The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.
In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.
The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.
Step 4: Refine your thesis statement
The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.
Example: Improved thesis statement on internet use The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: it facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers. Example: Improved thesis statement on the invention of braille The invention of braille transformed the lives of blind people in the 19th century, but its success depended on mainstream acceptance by sighted teachers, and this process was shaped by debates about disabled people’s place in society.
These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.
Types of thesis statements
Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:
- In an argumentative essay, your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
- In an expository essay, you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.
Frequently asked questions about thesis statements
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.
Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
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Shona McCombes
Shona has a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees, so she’s an expert at writing a great thesis. She has also worked as an editor and teacher, working with students at all different levels to improve their academic writing.
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Shona McCombes
Shona has a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees, so she’s an expert at writing a great thesis. She has also worked as an editor and teacher, working with students at all different levels to improve their academic writing.
How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples
A strong introduction sparks your reader’s curiosity, gives background information on your topic, and presents a clear thesis statement.
How to Write Topic Sentences | 4 Steps, Examples & Purpose
A topic sentence sums up the main point of each paragraph. Use topic sentences to structure your ideas and keep your paragraphs focused.
Academic Paragraph Structure | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples
Each paragraph in your paper should focus on one central point. Follow these 6 steps for a strong paragraph structure.
Give the reader a general knowledge of what the paper is about
This type of advertising and solicitation constitutes psychological harassment; it misleads consumers through a fallacious belief that if they buy, they will win, and it should be made illegal. In lieu of any formal training, Woolf substantially and extraordinarily educated herself although it is true that her home environment was an academic one and she was given guidance from her father, Leslie Stephen, as well as other relatives.
Most of the guidelines of this handout specifically relate to writing a thesis for a multiple source essay. Remember, it is best to keep your thesis open while you are doing your research, and it is necessary to have a few possible narrow topics in mind before beginning intensive reading. Also, the questions that you formulate in the first stage of the thesis are important, as they will guide you in your research.
Resources:
https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/handouts/the-writing-process-1/invention/Developing-a-Thesis-Statement
https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-statement/
https://paperpile.com/g/thesis-introduction/
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