You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:
3. Don't make a factual statement. Your essay will develop an issue. Stating a fact doesn't give you anything to develop; there's no where to go. It just is.
Example: In this essay, I will discuss cable television.
OK: In this essay, I will present three reasons why cable television has not delivered on its promises. (Though this includes the writer's attitude about the subject, it is still announcing intent and is not as sophisticated and direct as the following thesis.)
Even better: Cable television has not delivered on its promise to provide an alternative to network programming. (This directly states what the writer will discuss and attempt to prove.) Example: My essay will discuss handgun legislation.
Better: Banning handguns is the first step toward controlling crime in America. The thesis statement is seldom the very first sentence of an essay. In most academic writing, it will be most effective at the end of the introductory paragraph. This allows you to introduce the subject, hook the reader, and/or give background before stating the purpose of the essay. At this point, readers will be ready for whatever you’re going to tell them, creating a natural transition from the introduction to the body. Once you have completed a draft of your paper, reassess the thesis statement to make sure it is strong and clear and covers everything in the draft. If it does not, add whatever has been left out in the thesis; it is easier to adjust the thesis statement than to rewrite the whole essay, and if you have been adjusting the thesis statement all during the process, it should be very close. Example: With characteristic clumsiness, campus officials bumbled their way through the recent budget crisis.
Better: Campus officials had trouble managing the recent budget crisis effectively. Example: Many businesses pollute the environment.
Better: Tax penalties should be levied against companies that pollute the environment.
The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your or .
Thesis statements don’t spring fully formed from the head of Zeus (look it up!); they develop naturally during the writing process. Once you have a pretty solid idea of the topic you are going to write about, sketch out a tentative, or working, thesis statement to help guide your writing. Some students like to write this controlling sentence on a 3x5 inch card and keep it next to the computer as they write their draft to prevent going off topic.
The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.
A thesis statement is a single sentence that declares the main purpose of the entire essay, answering the question, “What is my opinion?” or “What will I illustrate, define, analyze or argue in this essay?” The thesis statement helps the writer stay focused while writing and sets the reader’s expectations for the essay. Here is a brief overview:
You start out with a thesis statement like this:
Miami University could improve its sustainability efforts and discourage waste through installing refill stations and encouraging their use by limiting the sale of bottled water on campus and requiring all first-year students to purchase reusable water bottles
A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:
Begin your thesis statement by identifying your main idea or argument. Start with a specific question related to your topic, or make a definitive claim that you can support with evidence throughout your essay.
You revise your thesis statement to look like this:
This working thesis statement is not written in stone. As you research, think, write, and revise, you will discover that your subject needs to be narrowed or expanded, or you will discover nuances that need to be accounted for. That’s fine! With each discovery, you should tweak and adjust the thesis statement so that it says precisely what you mean to say and prepares readers for what you are going to tell them.
An example of a thesis is here:
The thesis statement is usually found in the introductory paragraph, typically towards the end. It serves as the culmination of the introduction, providing a clear declaration of the main point or argument of the essay. While it's not always the first sentence, the thesis strategically positions itself in the opening section to engage the reader and set the tone for the entire essay. In longer essays, especially those in academic settings, the central sentence may appear in the second paragraph to allow for a more nuanced introduction.