How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

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Published September ii, 2020. Updated November 12, 2020.

A thesis can exist found in many places—a debate spoken communication, a lawyer's closing argument, fifty-fifty an advertisement. Simply the most common identify for a thesis statement (and probably why you're reading this commodity) is in an essay.

Whether you're writing an argumentative paper, an informative essay, or a compare/dissimilarity argument, you need a thesis. Without a thesis, your statement falls apartment and your information is unfocused. Since a thesis is so important, it's probably a good idea to look at some tips on how to put together a strong 1.

Idea word bubbleWhat is a "thesis argument" anyway?

Yous may have heard of something called a "thesis." It'southward what seniors ordinarily refer to as their final newspaper earlier graduation. That's not what we're talking about here. That type of thesis is a long, well-written paper that takes years to slice together.

Instead, nosotros're talking nigh a single sentence that ties together the main idea of whatever argument. In the context of educatee essays, it's a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your position on it. This sentence tin tell a reader whether your essay is something they want to read.

write strong thesis statement2 Categories of Thesis Statements: Informative and Persuasive

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

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

Example:

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

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

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

Example:

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

In this persuasive thesis statement, yous see that I state my opinion (the best type of sandwich), which means I take chosen a stance. Side by side, I explain that my stance is correct with several key reasons. This persuasive type of thesis can be used in whatever essay that contains the writer'south opinion, including, equally I mentioned above, compare/contrast essays, narrative essays, and so on.

Thesis statement styles 2 Styles of Thesis Statements

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

The offset style uses a listing of two or more points. This style of thesis is perfect for a brief essay that contains only 2 or three body paragraphs. This basic five-paragraph essay is typical of heart and loftier school assignments.

Case:

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

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

In college, five paragraph essays become few and far betwixt equally essay length gets longer. Can yous imagine having only 5 paragraphs in a six-page newspaper? For a longer essay, you need a thesis argument that is more versatile. Instead of listing ii or three distinct points, a thesis can list one overarching point that all body paragraphs tie into.

Example:

Good vs. evil is the main theme of Lewis's Narnia serial, as is made clear through the struggles the principal characters face up in each volume.

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

formula for strong thesis statementFormula for a Strong Argumentative Thesis

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

___________ is true considering of ___________, ___________, and ___________.

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

___________________ is true because of _____________________.

Students usually end up using different terminology than simply "because," merely having a template is ever helpful to go the artistic juices flowing.

ChecklistThe Qualities of a Solid Thesis Statement

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

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

Position: A thesis statement ever belongs at the get-go of an essay. This is because it is a sentence that tells the reader what the author is going to discuss. Teachers will have unlike preferences for the precise location of the thesis, just a good rule of thumb is in the introduction paragraph, within the last two or three sentences.

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

Example of weak thesis:

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

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

Example of a stronger thesis:

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

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

Composing a thesis argument does have a flake more thought than many other parts of an essay. Yet, because a thesis argument tin can contain an entire argument in just a few words, information technology is worth taking the extra fourth dimension to etch this sentence. It can directly your inquiry and your statement so that your essay is tight, focused, and makes readers think.

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