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Thesis
Statements
What is a thesis
statement?
A thesis statement is a sentence that briefly but thoroughly explains the
point you will be making in the paper.
A thesis statement is a CONTROLLING IDEA that outlines the focus of your
paper.
A thesis statement is an ASSERTION that introduces your stance about that
focus.
A thesis statement is a PROMISE to your reader about the content and
organization of the essay.
When should I write my thesis statement?
Every writer has a different process, so there is no definite rule about
when it is appropriate to write your thesis statement. Some people like to
write the body of their essay before they write their thesis statement.
However, if you are new to essay writing, you should probably try to compose
the thesis statement prior to writing the body of your paper because doing
so will enable you to better organize your ideas. If you begin with a solid
thesis statement, you are well on the way to having a strong paper.
Where should I put my thesis statement?
A thesis statement belongs at the end of the first paragraph.
Why do I need a thesis statement?
A thesis statement clarifies the purpose of your paper to readers from the
outset and prepares them for the way your ideas will be organized within the
essay. Having a thesis statement helps you stay focused on the logic of your
argument; every sentence in your text should support the thesis.
How can I write a thesis statement?
*The subject of your sentence should be the topic of your paper.
*The predicate of your sentence should be the assertion about that topic
that the essay makes. Try to use strong, active verbs and avoid using the
verb "to be."
Consider the following two thesis statements:
BAD: There is a lot of
symbolism in The Scarlet Letter.
BETTER: Hawthorne's
use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter falters and ultimately breaks down
with the introduction of the character Pearl.
The second one is more successful than the first because it uses the topic
as the subject of the sentence and then employs a strong, active verb (not a
derivative of "to be") to make a specific assertion about that topic.
Here are more examples of thesis statements:
BAD: Drug abuse is a
big problem.
BETTER: Heroin, long
regarded as a street drug, is fast becoming the drug of choice among middle
class urban professionals.
The second
one is more successful than the first because it is specific about both the
subject of the paper and what argument the paper will make.
BAD: The so-called
"right to bear arms" is a bunch of crap.
BETTER: While revered
as truth by many Americans for decades, the Constitutional "right to bear
arms" has in fact been misinterpreted.
BAD: College is better
than high school
BETTER: NOVA is better
than Broad Run High School because the teachers are more attentive and the
school is closer to my house.
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