In most college papers, a thesis statement is necessary to convey the main argument or central claim of the essay. It typically shows up towards the end of either the first or second paragraph of the essay, containing the main argument and its consequences.
Your thesis is likely to evolve as you write, particularly once you have a complete draft.
And a solid thesis will develop into a carefully considered and well-supported statement of your final argument. What is the main point? Developing a solid thesis is closely linked to formulating a coherent argument in the essay. Let’s learn how you can do it.
A: Thesis Statement – A Brief Overview!
A thesis statement’s purpose is to educate your reader on the topic of the paper or essay. Helping the reader understand the bigger picture and scope of your topic, while also preparing them for what to expect in the rest of the content.
According to IvoryResearch, another advantage of having a thesis statement is the convenience it provides when searching for papers on a specific topic in academic writing, like research papers and thesis papers (referred to as dissertations in some cases for doctoral degrees).
For instance, when writing your own paper, it is important to research other papers to serve as proof and references. You can easily review the thesis statements of multiple papers to find ones that align with your topic and may be valuable sources for citation.
B: Where Should the Thesis Statement be Placed?
The thesis statement is found at the start of an essay, generally in the first paragraph, serving as a crucial starting point for the paper.
In an essay, the thesis statement might not be the initial sentence, as it is a common practice to captivate the reader with an interesting opening before introducing the main argument or idea in the first paragraph.
A thesis statement is frequently mistaken for a topic sentence, the initial sentence in a paragraph, as they both present the main idea of what comes next. Thesis statements may be also likened to the topic sentence for your paper.
C: Writing a Thesis for an Argumentative Essay
Expository and argumentative essays are among the most frequently encountered academic paper genres. Since they lack a proper formal abstract like academic papers, they depend on their thesis statements to summarize the content.
Thesis statements in argumentative and expository essays must be firm and assertive.
Hence, you will have to avoid being indecisive or vague. Taking a clear stance at the beginning can also ensure that your readers are grasping the thesis of your paper.
Also, for these essays, thesis statements always have to be precise and contain subtle clues about the paper’s content. Simply stating your point is insufficient in most cases; including supporting evidence or background information is necessary to fully illustrate your argument.
If possible, try to incorporate various subtopics or categories into your thesis statement if your paper covers them. You do not need to provide specific information, but it’s helpful to introduce the various sections at the beginning to give the reader an idea of what to anticipate.
An Example:
“Insects, despite being considered taboo, may be a brilliant source of food and have the potential to improve our food shortage through high levels of protein and sustainable farming practices.”
“The opposition from religious groups and traditionalists in the 1950s towards rock ‘n’ roll music increased its popularity rather than decreased it as they hoped.”
D: Writing a Thesis for a Persuasive Essay
Just as argumentative essays, persuasive essays adhere to similar rules when it comes to crafting thesis statements: firm language, precise information, and references to supporting points.
Conversely, the key distinction lies in the fact that, whereas argumentative and expository essays’ thesis statements present facts, the thesis for persuasive essays express definite opinions.
However, the structure remains consistent, with opinions frequently presented as if they were facts, utilizing definitive language and providing evidence to bolster your arguments.
Also, in persuasive essays it is suitable to establish emotional connections in the thesis statement, which is not typically done in other types of essays. Using this approach can be a smart way to begin your essay with a personal and powerful introduction.
An Example:
“Advertising should be prohibited in public schools as it can divert attention from academics and promote materialistic values, influencing the school administration’s decision-making process.”
“Exotic pets offer literally the same level of affection and camaraderie as traditional pets, thus the regulations regarding what animals can be kept as pets should be less strict.”
E: Writing a Thesis for a Compare-and-Contrast Essay
Crafting a thesis statement for compare-and-contrast essays might be challenging as it requires discussing at least two topics instead of focusing on just one.
The same overall rules still stand (clear language, specifics, etc.), yet it is essential to provide the same level of focus on both subjects, and else your essay will appear biased right away.
Your thesis statement must always mirror the content of your essay.
If your article contains more comparisons than contrasts, your thesis statement should emphasize similarities over differences.
Providing clear instances can be beneficial, but they should be concise and uncomplicated. Keep the more intricate information for the main part of your essay.
An Example:
“Sean Connery and Daniel Craig are the top two favored actors to play the coveted title, James Bond, each bringing their own unique and sometimes conflicting portrayals of the character.”
“Although capitalism and communism are typically seen as complete opposites, the reality is that both belief systems often incorporate ideas and principles from each other in practice.”
How to Write a Perfect Thesis Statement?
Now that you have identified your goal, it is time to start writing your thesis statement. To assist you in staying focused, here are three simple steps to lead you in the right direction.
1: Brainstorm a Good Topic for Your Essay
Choosing a topic is the initial step before writing a thesis statement because you must understand the content of your paper. If the subject has already been chosen, that’s excellent!
This is the end of this step. If not, consider the following advice for selecting the most suitable topic for you before you start doing something else:
Select a topic that resonates with you. If you are genuinely interested in a subject, writing about it can help you learn more, regardless of your initial level of knowledge.
Focus your topic on a specific aspect to avoid making your paper overly broad and lengthy. Ensure that the topic is not overly specific, as it may limit the amount of content you can generate. Attempt to locate a balance that brings satisfaction.
Before starting, ensure there are sufficient reliable sources available for research. You want to make sure you have enough examples to refer to until the end.
2: Phrase the Topic as a Query You Have to Answer
Condensing your entire thesis into a single, well-written sentence might be challenging. Here is a fast method to assist you in getting started.
Begin your journey by formulating your subject as an inquiry. If you want to address Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, consider how he impacted society posthumously.
If you are already aware of the solution, make sure to note it down as it can serve as a strong and robust beginning for your thesis statement.
If you are unsure of the answer, conduct some initial investigation to uncover it; the information can be utilized as support and references in the body paragraphs of your essay.
3: Polish Whatever You Have Written
It is likely that your initial thesis statement will not be flawless. For optimal results, make sure to revise, edit, and include any necessary additions.
Keep in mind the key qualities for thesis statements that were discussed earlier: clear language, a balance of detailed yet not overly specific information, and inclusion of subtopics.
If you find it tricky to fit everything into one sentence, don’t hesitate to move extra information to the next sentence. The thesis statement should contain only the essential data.