What is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement is usually a brief or a summary of an essay or any other piece of academic writing. It gives readers an idea of the main topic of an essay or a research paper.
For a thesis statement to be compelling, it is essential to ensure that it:
- Summarizes the main topic effectively
- Makes a strong claim
- Sheds light on the writer’s stance
Importance of a Thesis Statement
A thesis statement allows the writer to make their stance on the topic known to the readers. A good thesis statement is one that is:
- Relevant to the main topic of the essay
- Specific, precise, and short (one or two sentences long)
- Informative and aptly summarizes the main argument for the readers
- Contentious, especially in the case of an argumentative essay
How to Write an Effective Thesis Statement
Following are some steps to help writers come up with an effective thesis statement:
Step 1: Research
It is important to thoroughly research the topic to understand which aspects should be included in the essay or research paper. Since it is practically impossible to include all aspects, narrowing down the key points can help ensure that the thesis statement is impactful.
Step 2: Outline
A good way to begin writing a thesis statement is by creating an outline. The outline can function as a working thesis statement, which can later be altered to suit the final version of the paper.
Step 3: Revise
The original thesis statement may change depending on the arguments eventually presented. The final thesis statement should clearly summarize the key points and not contradict the conclusion drawn by the writer.
Step 4: Refine
If the thesis statement is too vague or confusing, it should be refined to ensure that it is concise.
Types of Thesis Statements
1. Argumentative Thesis Statement
The thesis statement in an argumentative essay is the claim the writer makes at the beginning of the essay. This claim can be an opinion, an interpretation, or a cause-effect statement among others. Once presented, the claim is backed by relevant evidence, which supports a logical conclusion.
Example of an argumentative thesis statement:
Smoking is harmful and should therefore be banned in public places.
Example of an effective argumentative thesis statement:
Smoking causes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in not just smokers, but secondhand smokers too. Considering the health risks secondhand smoking poses, it is high time for smoking to be banned in public places.
2. Analytical Thesis Statement
The main function of a thesis statement in an analytical essay is to thoroughly evaluate all the key points concerning the topic and present the analysis in an orderly manner.
Example of an analytical thesis statement:
The main theme in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” is guilt.
Example of an effective analytical thesis statement:
In the short story “The Tell-Tale Heart ,” Edgar Allan Poe uses the dead man’s beating heart as a symbol to represent the theme of guilt.
3. Expository Thesis Statement
Since the writer doesn’t have to take sides or put forth an argument in an expository essay, the thesis statement need not be argumentative or analytical.
Example of an expository thesis statement:
Excessive alcohol consumption is bad for health.
Example of an effective expository thesis statement:
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause liver and heart diseases among other things.
Writing an impactful thesis statement is a skill that can be learned by practice. Also, knowing how to write a compelling thesis statement is crucial to mastering academic writing.
