Writing Essays - Thesis Statement

What is a Thesis Statement?

• The thesis statement gives the reader insight into the topic. The statement informs them what the essay is about. Without the thesis statement the essay may lack an argument, focus, clarity and continuity.
  • Should be approximately 1-2 sentences long.
  • States your position on a topic
  • Is often your research question reworded as a statement with a position.

Types of Thesis Statements:

• Explanatory: Announces the subject to the reader. Never declares a stance which needs an argument to defend.
• Argumentative- The thesis statement should be a claim. Not a factual statement or personal response to the topic.
  • Should provoke opposition, claim readers may refute.

Your thesis takes a position that others may challenge. First, look at your assignment. Second, break that assignment down into a question. Finally, write one or two sentences answering that question. This should, ideally, become your thesis.

• Your Statement Needs to Be Specific:
  • If the reader asks: ‘So what?’ ‘How?’ or ‘Why?’, then you may need to clarify your statement.
• Common Mistakes:
  • Lack of focus or specificity.
  • Jargon (Word choice is exclusive/hard to understand)
  • Treating your thesis statement like a topic sentence.
  • Not adequately representing your claim.
• Bad Thesis Statements Have:
  • No claim
  • Nothing to argue
  • No hint about where they are headed
  • A long list of information.
• Good Thesis Statements:
  • A clear point of view
  • Detailed blueprint of where the essay is headed.
  • Clear and concise.
• The Difference Between a Thesis and Topic Sentence:
  • Thesis statements are 1-2 sentences that assert your opinion and what will be said throughout the entire essay.
  • Topic Sentence introduce the discussion to follow in a specific paragraph.

The Imaginary Assignment:

The assignments is to figure out what are the benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class.

So, first, you ask the question.

Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?”

Then, you answer it.

A: "The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .

Possible Thesis:

The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth grade class are accessibility, engagement, and collaboration.​​​​​​​