How to write a thesis statement? A thesis statement is a concise, one- or two-sentence statement that conveys the central message of your essay. It serves as the core of your research topic, outlining your position on the subject and providing a glimpse of the primary arguments that will be developed in your essay.
The type of thesis statement you use will vary depending on the type of essay you are writing, such as an argumentative thesis statement (making a claim), an expository thesis statement (outlining the main points of your subject), or an analytical thesis statement (analyzing an issue).
A thesis statement should encapsulate your entire argument or the full subject you intend to convey, not merely your viewpoint. It may also be beneficial to consider the broader context of your topic to strengthen a weak thesis statement.
How to Write a Thesis Statement?
The purpose of a thesis statement is to guide your readers by summarizing the main components of your essay and indicating what it will discuss and why. Apart from summarizing your essay’s central idea, a strong thesis statement serves several other functions:
- Represents the theme under discussion and your interpretation of it.
- Pinpoints a specific issue within the essay’s topic.
- Informs the audience about the subject matter you will address.
- Acts as a reference point to help you stay on track and adhere to the outlined direction of your essay.
- Assists in organizing your writing so that you can present your points more clearly.
- Encourages you to refine the evidence that supports your ideas or beliefs.
- Makes a claim that may prompt further debate.
- There are two primary types of thesis statements: informative and persuasive.
Informative
This type aims to inform your readers about a subject or process you will cover, without stating your opinion or arguing your point. It provides a roadmap that your essay will follow and guides your audience to the conclusion you intend to reach.
Persuasive
Most essays fall into this category, as they require students to take a position on a given issue and prove why it is valid. Argumentative thesis statements can be confrontational and subjective, as the rest of the essay persuades the reader to share your viewpoint or understand why you hold your particular belief.
Thesis statements can be structured in two main styles
Listing
This style is suitable for shorter essays, typically following a 5-paragraph structure: introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each body paragraph introduces a new concept, argument, or piece of evidence related to the core subject. In such essays, it’s easy to present your thesis as a list of the major points to be discussed in the text.
All-Encompassing Statement
For longer essays that do not fit a rigid writing structure, it’s preferable to state one overarching point that will tie all body paragraphs together. This type of thesis provides more room for versatility, covering a broader scope of issues under the same universal theme.
