A thesis statement is the most important part of any academic paper. Find out how to write a thesis statement!
A thesis statement is a sentence that states the main idea of an essay or research paper. It is not a question or a topic. A thesis statement cannot be a fact. A thesis statement should be arguable. There are two types of thesis statements: direct and indirect. Thesis statements can be either long or short, depending on how many points they mention.
A good thesis statement will:
- State the main idea of the paper in a concise way
- Be arguable (something that can be proven or disproven)
- Be specific
- Be well-written
Bad thesis statements:
- Are too vague
- They are factual statements that cannot be proven
- Are not arguable (meaning they cannot be proven or disproven)
- Are poorly written
Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis Statement?
- To test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two
- To better organize and develop your argument
- To provide your reader with a "guide" to your argument
In general, your thesis statement will accomplish these goals if you think of the thesis as the answer to the question your paper explores. How can you write a good thesis statement? Here are some helpful hints to get you started.
How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned
No matter how complicated, almost all assignments can be reduced to a single question. Your first step is to distill the assignment into a specific question. For example, suppose your paper topic asks you to analyze women's domestic labor during the early nineteenth century. In that case, you might decide to focus on the products they made from scratch at home.
These are some of the ways how to generate a thesis statement when the topic is assigned:
Pick a topic
Picking a topic is the first step in writing a thesis statement; it is an integral part of brainstorming and preliminary research.
Narrow your topic
After you have picked a topic, it is important to narrow it down by asking further questions about topic. For example, if the topic is "animals", you can ask, "which animals?" or "what do animals do?".
Brainstorm
Brainstorming is a great way to develop ideas for a paper or project. You can start by brainstorming ideas and then narrowing your focus to a specific thesis statement.
Do preliminary research
Preliminary research can help determine if enough information is available on your topic. It can also help you narrow your topic and develop a thesis statement.
Develop a thesis statement
After you have done some preliminary research, you can develop a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a concise, clear, and arguable statement that states the main idea of your paper. It should be located at the end of the introduction.
How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned
Even if you do not have a specific paper topic in mind, you can still look for sources of inspiration. You can use the following strategies to generate a thesis statement:
Look for a topic that is interesting to you
If you are free to choose your paper topic, you can choose a subject that interests you. This will make the research and writing process more enjoyable for you.
Narrow your focus
After you have chosen a topic, it is important to narrow your focus. You can do this by asking yourself further questions about the topic. For example, if your topic is "animals", you can ask, "which animals?" or "what do animals do?"
Brainstorm
Brainstorming is a great way to develop ideas for a paper or project. You can start by brainstorming ideas and narrowing your focus to a specific thesis statement.
Do preliminary research
Preliminary research can help determine if enough information is available on your topic. It can also help you narrow your topic and develop a thesis statement.
Develop a thesis statement
After you have done some preliminary research, you can develop a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a concise, clear, and arguable statement that states the main idea of your paper. It should be located at the end of the introduction.
A thesis statement is one sentence in your introductory paragraph that concisely summarizes your main point(s), claim(s), or argument(s).
Thesis Statement Example
Even though animal testing has been proven useful in some instances, it is inhumane and should not be used as experimentation on living creatures.
This is an example of a thesis statement for a paper where the topic is animal testing. The thesis statement states the paper's main argument, which is that animal testing is cruel and inhumane and should not be used as a method of experimentation on living creatures.
Animal testing has been proven useful in some instances, but it isn't kind and should not be used as experimentation on living creatures.
Key points to keep in mind when writing a thesis statement:
Thesis statements should always be clear and concise
When this is achieved, it is easier for the reader to understand what the paper is about and the main argument(s).
Thesis statements should be arguable
A good thesis statement will be debatable. This means that it can be argued for or against. If a statement is not debatable, it is not a thesis statement.
Thesis statements should be specific
The statement should be specific enough that it can be supported with evidence.
Thesis statements should be focused
The statement should be focused on a single idea or issue. This will make the paper easier to write and easier for the reader to understand.
Thesis statements should be located at the end of the introduction
The statement should be located at the end of the paper's introduction so that it can be used to introduce the main body of the paper.
Now that you have a better understanding of a thesis statement and how to write one, it is time to start working on your own. Remember to keep the tips from this article in mind, and you will be well on your way to writing a great thesis statement in no time. If still in doubt, consult YourTopTutors and get high-quality thesis writing help.
FAQs
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is a concise, clear, and arguable statement that states the main idea of your paper.
What is the purpose of a thesis statement?
The purpose of a thesis statement is to state the paper's main argument.
When should a thesis statement be placed in a paper?
A thesis statement should be located at the end of the paper's introduction so that it can be used to introduce the main body of the paper.
What is a good thesis statement?
A good thesis statement is clear, concise, arguable, and specific.
What is a bad thesis statement?
A bad thesis statement is vague, unfocused, and arguable.
