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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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• Can a Thesis Statement Be Two Sentences?

Do you know a thesis statement can have more than one sentence? You’ve got it! A thesis statement can have two sentences. However, it’s important that it is concise and clearly states the main argument or point of the essay. 

A two-sentence thesis statement has the advantage of providing more detail and clarification about the main argument. Not only can this helps readers to understand the main point of the essay better, but it can also create more engaging and thought-provoking content.

In this article, we will walk you through the benefits of a two-sentence thesis statement, the pros and cons, and wrap up with some examples. If you are exploring the territory of having a more comprehensive (aka two-sentence)  thesis statement for your work, you are in the right place.

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What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the foundation of an essay. It is a clear and concise statement that communicates the main argument or point of the essay. 

Thesis statements are usually required in academic papers such as research papers, essays, dissertations, and theses. A thesis statement usually goes at the end of the introduction paragraph in an academic paper.

A thesis statement can be thought of as the GPS navigation system for your paper. Just as a GPS guides you on a road trip, a thesis statement guides your reader through the main points of your paper, providing a clear and concise map of what to expect.

What does a strong thesis statement do? (as opposed to a weak one)

A strong thesis statement sets the tone for the entire essay, guiding the reader through the arguments and evidence presented. It also provides a roadmap for the writer, helping to keep the essay focused and on track.

In contrast, a weak thesis statement is vague, unclear, or unspecific, and does not effectively guide the reader or convey the main point of the paper. A weak thesis statement can cause confusion, lead to a poorly structured paper, and make it difficult for the reader to understand the purpose of the writing.

Typical thesis statement length

A thesis statement is typically one sentence in length, and it clearly and concisely summarizes the main argument or claim of your essay. 

A concise thesis statement is easy to understand, making it easier for the reader to follow your argument. It also makes it easier for you to stay focused on your main point as you write your essay.

At the end of the day, the length of your thesis statement may depend on the complexity of your argument, the length of your essay, and the instructions provided by your professor.

Can a thesis statement be two sentences?

Yes, a thesis statement can be two sentences as long as the two sentences are closely related and logically connected, so the reader can easily understand the purpose of the essay. In some cases, a longer thesis statement may be appropriate, but it is typically recommended to keep it concise and to the point.

The pros and cons of using a two sentences thesis statement

Examples of thesis statements with two sentences.

Let’s look at a  few examples and examine why they are a good use of a two-sentence structure when it comes to a thesis statement.

Two-sentence thesis statements – Example #1

“The rise of technology has drastically changed the way people communicate, leading to both positive and negative effects on human relationships; therefore, it’s crucial to understand the impact technology has on our social lives.”

Explanation:

In this example, the first sentence states the topic (rise of technology) and its effect (change in the communication), while the second sentence highlights the importance of understanding the impact on human relationships. This 2-sentence structure provides a clear and concise overview of the paper, making it easy for the reader to understand the main argument.

Two-sentence thesis statements – Example #2

“The American education system has been struggling for decades to provide equal opportunities to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status; however, the gap between low-income and high-income students still exists, and the root causes need to be addressed in order to create a more inclusive and equitable education system.”

This thesis statement effectively summarizes the main argument and purpose of the paper. 

The first sentence introduces the topic of the American education system and its struggle to provide equal opportunities. The second sentence provides specific detail on the continued gap between low-income and high-income students and argues that the root causes need to be addressed. 

It is a strong use of a two-sentence structure because it succinctly summarizes the main argument and the specific issue that will be addressed in the paper.

Two-sentence thesis statements – Example #3

“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of our healthcare system and the disparities in access to healthcare services; it has also accelerated the adoption of telemedicine and other digital health solutions, but it also raises concerns about privacy and security of medical information; therefore, a comprehensive approach to healthcare reform is necessary to address these challenges.”

Explanation

With two sentences, this thesis statement does an excellent job of summarizing the complex issue of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the healthcare system.

The first sentence states the main problem and sets the context for the rest of the paper. The second sentence clearly states the position the paper takes on the issue and provides the reader with a clear and concise understanding of what the paper is about.

The use of the two-sentence highlights the pressing need for healthcare reform and acknowledges the challenges that need to be addressed, making it easier for the reader to understand the key points of the paper.

Bottom Line

It turns out, a thesis statement can indeed be two sentences long. However, this is not the standard, and most thesis statements are typically one sentence. Whether a thesis statement is one sentence or two sentences, what’s most important is that it effectively communicates the main argument or point of your essay. So, whether you opt for one sentence or two, just make sure your thesis statement packs a punch and guides the reader through your essay.

More on thesis statements

• Can a Thesis Statement Be an Opinion?
• Can a Thesis Statement Be a Question?
• Can a Thesis Statement Be a Quote?

Jump into these quick guides to write a strong thesis statement in no time. We have included tons of good (and bad) examples to show you how to do it right. A simple formula is included in each article to help you create your strong thesis statement with suggested wordings.

• How to Write a Strong Expository Thesis Statement?
• How to Write a Strong Argumentative Thesis Statement?
• How to Write a Strong Analytical Thesis Statement?
• 40 Strong Thesis Statement Examples

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25 Thesis Statement Examples That Will Make Writing a Breeze

Understanding what makes a good thesis statement is one of the major keys to writing a great research paper or argumentative essay. The thesis statement is where you make a claim that will guide you through your entire paper. If you find yourself struggling to make sense of your paper or your topic, then it's likely due to a weak thesis statement.

Let's take a minute to first understand what makes a solid thesis statement, and what key components you need to write one of your own.

A thesis statement always goes at the beginning of the paper. It will typically be in the first couple of paragraphs of the paper so that it can introduce the body paragraphs, which are the supporting evidence for your thesis statement.

Your thesis statement should clearly identify an argument. You need to have a statement that is not only easy to understand, but one that is debatable. What that means is that you can't just put any statement of fact and have it be your thesis. For example, everyone knows that puppies are cute . An ineffective thesis statement would be, "Puppies are adorable and everyone knows it." This isn't really something that's a debatable topic.

Something that would be more debatable would be, "A puppy's cuteness is derived from its floppy ears, small body, and playfulness." These are three things that can be debated on. Some people might think that the cutest thing about puppies is the fact that they follow you around or that they're really soft and fuzzy.

All cuteness aside, you want to make sure that your thesis statement is not only debatable, but that it also actually thoroughly answers the research question that was posed. You always want to make sure that your evidence is supporting a claim that you made (and not the other way around). This is why it's crucial to read and research about a topic first and come to a conclusion later. If you try to get your research to fit your thesis statement, then it may not work out as neatly as you think. As you learn more, you discover more (and the outcome may not be what you originally thought).

Additionally, your thesis statement shouldn't be too big or too grand. It'll be hard to cover everything in a thesis statement like, "The federal government should act now on climate change." The topic is just too large to actually say something new and meaningful. Instead, a more effective thesis statement might be, "Local governments can combat climate change by providing citizens with larger recycling bins and offering local classes about composting and conservation." This is easier to work with because it's a smaller idea, but you can also discuss the overall topic that you might be interested in, which is climate change.

So, now that we know what makes a good, solid thesis statement, you can start to write your own. If you find that you're getting stuck or you are the type of person who needs to look at examples before you start something, then check out our list of thesis statement examples below.

Thesis statement examples

A quick note that these thesis statements have not been fully researched. These are merely examples to show you what a thesis statement might look like and how you can implement your own ideas into one that you think of independently. As such, you should not use these thesis statements for your own research paper purposes. They are meant to be used as examples only.

• Vaccinations Because many children are unable to vaccinate due to illness, we must require that all healthy and able children be vaccinated in order to have herd immunity.
• Educational Resources for Low-Income Students Schools should provide educational resources for low-income students during the summers so that they don't forget what they've learned throughout the school year.
• School Uniforms School uniforms may be an upfront cost for families, but they eradicate the visual differences in income between students and provide a more egalitarian atmosphere at school.
• Populism The rise in populism on the 2016 political stage was in reaction to increasing globalization, the decline of manufacturing jobs, and the Syrian refugee crisis.
• Public Libraries Libraries are essential resources for communities and should be funded more heavily by local municipalities.
• Cyber Bullying With more and more teens using smartphones and social media, cyber bullying is on the rise. Cyber bullying puts a lot of stress on many teens, and can cause depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Parents should limit the usage of smart phones, monitor their children's online activity, and report any cyber bullying to school officials in order to combat this problem.
• Medical Marijuana for Veterans Studies have shown that the use of medicinal marijuana has been helpful to veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Medicinal marijuana prescriptions should be legal in all states and provided to these veterans. Additional medical or therapy services should also be researched and implemented in order to help them re-integrate back into civilian life.
• Work-Life Balance Corporations should provide more work from home opportunities and six-hour workdays so that office workers have a better work-life balance and are more likely to be productive when they are in the office.
• Teaching Youths about Consensual Sex Although sex education that includes a discussion of consensual sex would likely lead to less sexual assault, parents need to teach their children the meaning of consent from a young age with age appropriate lessons.
• Whether or Not to Attend University A degree from a university provides invaluable lessons on life and a future career, but not every high school student should be encouraged to attend a university directly after graduation. Some students may benefit from a trade school or a "gap year" where they can think more intensely about what it is they want to do for a career and how they can accomplish this.
• Studying Abroad Studying abroad is one of the most culturally valuable experiences you can have in college. It is the only way to get completely immersed in another language and learn how other cultures and countries are different from your own.
• Women's Body Image Magazines have done a lot in the last five years to include a more diverse group of models, but there is still a long way to go to promote a healthy woman's body image collectively as a culture.
• Cigarette Tax Heavily taxing and increasing the price of cigarettes is essentially a tax on the poorest Americans, and it doesn't deter them from purchasing. Instead, the state and federal governments should target those economically disenfranchised with early education about the dangers of smoking.
• Veganism A vegan diet, while a healthy and ethical way to consume food, indicates a position of privilege. It also limits you to other cultural food experiences if you travel around the world.
• University Athletes Should be Compensated University athletes should be compensated for their service to the university, as it is difficult for these students to procure and hold a job with busy academic and athletic schedules. Many student athletes on scholarship also come from low-income neighborhoods and it is a struggle to make ends meet when they are participating in athletics.
• Women in the Workforce Sheryl Sandberg makes a lot of interesting points in her best-selling book, Lean In , but she only addressed the very privileged working woman and failed to speak to those in lower-skilled, lower-wage jobs.
• Assisted Suicide Assisted suicide should be legal and doctors should have the ability to make sure their patients have the end-of-life care that they want to receive.
• Celebrity and Political Activism Although Taylor Swift's lyrics are indicative of a feminist perspective, she should be more politically active and vocal to use her position of power for the betterment of society.
• The Civil War The insistence from many Southerners that the South seceded from the Union for states' rights versus the fact that they seceded for the purposes of continuing slavery is a harmful myth that still affects race relations today.
• Blue Collar Workers Coal miners and other blue-collar workers whose jobs are slowly disappearing from the workforce should be re-trained in jobs in the technology sector or in renewable energy. A program to re-train these workers would not only improve local economies where jobs have been displaced, but would also lead to lower unemployment nationally.
• Diversity in the Workforce Having a diverse group of people in an office setting leads to richer ideas, more cooperation, and more empathy between people with different skin colors or backgrounds.
• Re-Imagining the Nuclear Family The nuclear family was traditionally defined as one mother, one father, and 2.5 children. This outdated depiction of family life doesn't quite fit with modern society. The definition of normal family life shouldn't be limited to two-parent households.
• Digital Literacy Skills With more information readily available than ever before, it's crucial that students are prepared to examine the material they're reading and determine whether or not it's a good source or if it has misleading information. Teaching students digital literacy and helping them to understand the difference between opinion or propaganda from legitimate, real information is integral.
• Beauty Pageants Beauty pageants are presented with the angle that they empower women. However, putting women in a swimsuit on a stage while simultaneously judging them on how well they answer an impossible question in a short period of time is cruel and purely for the amusement of men. Therefore, we should stop televising beauty pageants.
• Supporting More Women to Run for a Political Position In order to get more women into political positions, more women must run for office. There must be a grassroots effort to educate women on how to run for office, who among them should run, and support for a future candidate for getting started on a political career.

Still stuck? Need some help with your thesis statement?

If you are still uncertain about how to write a thesis statement or what a good thesis statement is, be sure to consult with your teacher or professor to make sure you're on the right track. It's always a good idea to check in and make sure that your thesis statement is making a solid argument and that it can be supported by your research.

After you're done writing, it's important to have someone take a second look at your paper so that you can ensure there are no mistakes or errors. It's difficult to spot your own mistakes, which is why it's always recommended to have someone help you with the revision process, whether that's a teacher, the writing center at school, or a professional editor such as one from ServiceScape .

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How Many Sentences Does A Thesis Have To Be?

• by Derek Bruce
• January 12, 2022 June 8, 2022

The thesis statement clearly defines the topic under discussion, includes the issues discussed in the document, and is written for a specific audience. A thesis statement is a sentence that expresses the main idea of ​​a research paper or essay, such as an explanatory or reasoned essay.

Table of Contents

What is a basic thesis statement?

A thesis is a basic sentence that states the main idea of your essay. The statement must be stated in the introduction, usually the first paragraph. It should take a stand and justify further discussion.

It is not a fact, but a statement of an opinion. In short, it should tell your reader what to expect from your essay. The basic thesis statement follows these steps:

First, define your topic. Choose a topic that you have a personal interest in. Research your topic and decide what elements are necessary to convey your point of view. A general topic will lead to a long paper, while a narrow topic will result in a shorter one.

It is vital to write a thesis statement that encapsulates the main idea of your paper. Remember that your audience will read the thesis statement and make up their own minds.

Does thesis have to be long?

A thesis statement is not always a proposal; The length of the thesis depends on the depth of the essay. Academic essays usually contain abstracts, a one- or two-sentence summary of the main point of the article, which is usually found at the end of the introduction.

In fact, after you split your long sentence, you may find that the new second sentence can be considered a thesis statement, as in the example below.

Can a thesis be a question?

To make this an argument or statement , the author must be removed from the sentence. However, in the final version of the essay, the presentation should be as clear and concise as possible. Because the statement of the thesis is the main thing that you want to do in the essay; so this should be a suggestion.

Video – How to write a strong thesis statement

Can a thesis statement be a fact?

However, since a thesis can contain the entire topic in just a few words, it is worth spending the extra time writing this sentence. It should be a dissertation that will help you as a writer write your essay. The above working thesis now gives the author the structure of the article .

Your thesis should be mentioned somewhere in the first paragraphs of the article, most often in the last sentence of the introduction . Your thesis does not have to be a strong opinion, but it should clearly indicate the central point you want to make on your topic and mention the key points that you will explain.

Thesis statement example

In an essay that includes text analysis, your dissertation should mention the specific aspect you will focus on and indicate what insight it gives us about the meaning or purpose of the text. Once you’ve decided on the topic of your essay, you need to understand what you mean: a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure .

After you have chosen a question that your essay will answer, write one or two complete sentences that answer that question. So a couple of clear sentences indicating the purpose of your essay should be more than enough.

Thesis statement in essay

The point is to write a well-worded statement that truly reflects your knowledge. When asked to write a controversial essay, your reader is likely to expect a clear statement of your position. Vague or vague statements are not appropriate when it comes to a strong statement. The problem is, you can’t write convincing articles based on statements of fact.

Remember, your dissertation should reflect your findings on the topic. When writing a thesis, you should consider not only the format, but also other qualities, such as length, position in the essay and the strength of the argumentation.

Can a thesis statement be two sentences?

Whether you’re writing a reasoned article, an informative essay, or contrast / contrast, you’ll need a dissertation. Your thesis should not be a simple statement of a fact that is already known to everyone.

A good strategy for creating a strong essay is to show that the topic is ambiguous. Readers will be interested in reading the rest of this article to understand how you can support your thesis.

What make a strong thesis statement?

This abstract style is very suitable for short essays containing only two to three paragraphs of text. This paper shows readers the topic (types of sandwiches) and the direction of the paper (a description of how sandwiches are made). For short papers, the paper may list two or three key points proposed in the paper, but for longer papers that usually cover a few key points, it may give a rough overview of the main topic.

Instead of listing two or three separate paragraphs , the thesis can indicate a general paragraph that all paragraphs in the main text are associated with. For example, if your essay discusses six root causes of an event (two paragraphs each), then your introduction should list (or present) each of these six root causes.

Where is thesis statement located in an academic text?

Thus, this list acts as an outline or map of the essay and gives the reader an idea of ​​the topics that will be covered in the essay. Thus, this list acts as a map or preview of the essay and gives the reader an idea of ​​the topics that will be covered in the essay.

Do not include the subject of each paragraph in the body (unless specified in the assignment). Teachers will have different preferences for the exact placement of the dissertation, but a good rule of thumb is the introductory paragraph in the last two or three sentences.

How to write a thesis statement

This persuasive type of thesis can be used in any essay containing the author’s opinion, including, as I said above, comparison / contrast essays, narrative essays, and so on. If your thesis has two sentences, you can combine the sentences into a sentence using a coordinating or subordinate union to help connect the ideas.

Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your abstract to accurately reflect what you discussed in the article. This often depends on the context, such as the assignment, area of ​​study, and audience.

Types of thesis statements

In a philosophy of religion class, the same statement could be discussed, in which case it would be an analysis requiring more general observations to support it. If this paper is used, it may be revised again to make it more specific ; art, literature, and film need clarification.

Otherwise, do not change the card immediately; consider if you can edit your abstract to fit the needs of your essay. The best thing about a thesis is that it can be edited at any time to suit the needs of the essay or author.

The thesis allows the author to approach the topic with the thesis in mind, even if this thesis can be revised (and will be repeatedly) in the process of writing . The knowledge that the dissertation will be subject to numerous revisions gives the author more freedom in writing the essay.

What are the different types of thesis statements?

To reconsider a thesis, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between the two ideas. This is a strong thesis because it shows that the two ideas are related. This is a strong thesis because it takes a firm stand and because it is specific.

In our essay on the Internet and Education, the thesis outlines our position and highlights the key arguments that we will use to support it. In our press essay, this dissertation summarizes key historical events that we will explain.

When you first started thinking about a document, you might not have a specific question in your head, but as you got more involved in the topic, your ideas became more specific.

A reasoned document contains a statement on the topic and substantiates this statement with concrete evidence. A statement can be an opinion, a policy proposal, an assessment, a cause and effect statement, or an interpretation.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

When writing a thesis statement, it’s important to understand who your audience is. For example, a Christian ministry class will be interested in an argumentative paper based on religious code.

If you’re writing about sociology, your argument may not be as compelling for someone who does not believe in religion. If your thesis statement relies on a moral code that is unpopular with nonbelievers, you may want to reconsider your argument.

How long is the average thesis statement?

How long should your thesis statement be? Many thesis statements are just one or two sentences . Depending on the subject and research done, it could be longer or shorter.

As long as you’re clear on what you’re trying to say, the length will be irrelevant to your readers. After all, your thesis statement should be the first paragraph of your paper.

If you’re unsure of how long your statement should be, consult with your professor.

The length of a thesis statement depends on the paper you’re writing and the scope of the topic. Remember that you want your thesis statement to frame the topic and make your position clear.

It should strike a balance between being too brief and appearing trivial. A good thesis statement should provide just enough background information without being too long.

You should aim for around two or three sentences. However, if you have more time to do it, you can even increase the length.

What is an example of thesis statement?

What is an example of a thesis statement? This short, yet impactful statement should include a specific argument. For example, if the essay is about the benefits of avoiding hiring tests in large corporations, the thesis statement should state this fact.

However, it would be better if this statement provided further details.

While drafting a thesis statement, keep the audience in mind. Make sure to address the prompt that was given by your teacher. Choose a topic that will interest your audience.

The thesis statement serves as the guide for the rest of the paper. It tells the reader what to expect from the paper and explains why the topic is important. As you write the body of the paper, you may need to tweak or refine the statement to fit your main idea.

How do I write a thesis statement?

A good thesis statement is not just a long and rambling argument. It’s a clear and concise statement that should support an argument with logical facts.

The statement should also provide an opposing viewpoint, which is referred to as a counterargument. Having a thesis statement template handy can help keep your arguments clear and concise. The following are some tips on how to write a thesis statement:

o First, choose a topic. Think of a question or topic you’d like to research and decide which is best for your paper. You may need to conduct some research to come up with a topic that’s both narrow and wide.

Once you’ve decided on a topic, brainstorm some ideas about how each paragraph relates to the thesis. If you’re struggling to connect ideas, you’re likely diverging from your essay’s purpose.

What are the 3 parts of a thesis statement?

The first part of a thesis statement is the topic. Although it may seem vague and general, this part of your paper should be very specific. Avoid using jargon or complex sentences; instead, write in plain, simple language.

In a thesis statement, there’s not much space to elaborate; most of the information should be found in the body paragraphs . Here are three basic parts of a thesis statement:

The controlling idea is a word, phrase, or clause that expresses the author’s opinion, attitude, or stand on a subject. It should be clear and specific, and should explain your position on the topic.

A thesis statement should also be a clear, logical conclusion to the essay. Once the reader has read it, the next step is to state the topic. If the topic is controversial, the author can discuss the reasons for her position.

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Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

• Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
• Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

• Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

• Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

• Do I answer the question? Yes!
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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This resource provides tips for creating a thesis statement and examples of different types of thesis statements.

Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Can a thesis statement be two sentences long?

Yes, a thesis statement can be two sentences long.

While following a "formula" for writing, usually one sentence is used. This means that one sentence is usually playing it safe. If you chose to have a longer thesis statement, you are not playing it safe, implying that there is a level of risk involved. To successfully use a two sentence thesis, reread it a few times and make sure it makes sense.

Literary Terminology

Which sentence suggests the least amount of psychic distance, which sentence suggests the greatest amount of psychic distance, which lists the typical steps of the creative writing process, which is the best example of a complex character, add your answer:.

What are two main functions of topic sentences?

Capture the readers interest and to explain, or to discuss and argue for your thesis.

What are the two kinds of sentences?

I thought there were three. Statement: "Her hair is brown" Order: "Get me a drink" Question "Where is my coat?"

How do you spell hypothisys?

The word is likely one of these related forms:hypothesis (noun) - a guess or conjecturehypotheses (plural noun)hypothesize (verb) - to guess, suggest, or speculatehypothesise (UK spelling)The noun comes from hypo and thesis. Hypo means less than, inferior, below. Thesis means a statement or idea. If you put these two words together they mean a statement that is a guess. Hypothesis is usually used in scientific studies.

Two sentences written as one sentences and is usually separated by a comma?

run on sentence

How do you combine two sentences in 'if' condition when they have 'should' in both sentences?

It would be better to be able to see the two sentences.Conditional sentences have an 'If clause' and a 'main clause' eg:If it rains you should stay home.

What is a sample thesis statement?

A thesis statement is one or two sentences.

Where do you use thesis statement?

the typical thesis statement is foundin the introduction to an essay, or another work. the thesis ususally goes at the end of the intro being only one of two sentences long. the thesis explains wat you are going to be talking about in the work

What is the thesis statement and where is it usually found?

The thesis statement is typically one to two sentences found and the end of the opening paragraph. The thesis is used to inform the reader of what you will be discussing in your body paragraphs.

How long should a thesis statement be?

The thesis statement is often one sentence long, having about 30 to 40 words. Apart from the direct answer, the indirect answer could be that the length of the thesis statement depends on the aim of the papers. Since the thesis statement guides the reader and keeps the writer organized of the central idea, let us check out the length of the thesis as per the aim of the papers. The length of the thesis statement depends on the aim of papers like argumentative where the thesis needs to take a logical position to persuade the reader of the claim in one or two sentences. For papers that need to analyze, interpret or evaluate different aspects in an expository paper, the thesis statement should be in two or three sentences, having the key points of the analysis and briefly including the conclusion from it. To explain and discuss the facts of the topic in an analytical paper, it can be in one or two sentences covering the key points. But whatever the aim of the paper, the thesis statement should be concise, disputable and coherent in one or two sentences. It is because the thesis statement explains the entire arguments or analysis in a few words. Hence it is worth taking time to compose these one or two-sentence-long thesis statements to make the paper focused, and the readers think. And if it is challenging, it is advisable to seek help from professional thesis writing services to establish your knowledge of the paper truly. TutorsIndia dot com whatsapp: 918754446690

Which terms are given to the following two parts of the compare and contrast essay a the sentences?

A. Thesis statement B. Clincher sentence

What is a thesis statement for freedom?

A thesis statement for freedom can include pros and cons of freedom of speech. It could be on religious freedom. It would be the one or two sentences in your paper that tells readers the focus of the paper by summarizing that main point.

Where are two places to find a thesis statement?

Introduction and conclusion

What are the two components of the introductory paragraph?

A. the hook and the thesis statement

What is explicit thesis?

An explicit thesis is a one or two sentences that explain directly and very clearly the main idea(s) of the topic.

What is an explicit thesis?

How do you write an introduction for an essay.

An introduction should include background on the subject and a thesis statement indicating the stance you are taking on the paper. It should basically set up the argument for your paper. Start with two or three sentences on whatever subject your are writing about then slap in your thesis.

What are the two components of the introduction paragraph?

The hook and the thesis statement. APEX^ ^

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How to write a thesis statement, what is a thesis statement.

Almost all of us—even if we don’t do it consciously—look early in an essay for a one- or two-sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow. We refer to that condensation as a thesis statement.

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. You can either scroll down or select a link to a specific topic.

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned

Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single question. Your first step, then, is to distill the assignment into a specific question. For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class,” turn the request into a question like, “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” After you’ve chosen the question your essay will answer, compose one or two complete sentences answering that question.

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

A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .”

The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

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How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned

Even if your assignment doesn’t ask a specific question, your thesis statement still needs to answer a question about the issue you’d like to explore. In this situation, your job is to figure out what question you’d like to write about.

A good thesis statement will usually include the following four attributes:

• take on a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree
• deal with a subject that can be adequately treated given the nature of the assignment
• express one main idea
• assert your conclusions about a subject

Let’s see how to generate a thesis statement for a social policy paper.

Brainstorm the topic . Let’s say that your class focuses upon the problems posed by changes in the dietary habits of Americans. You find that you are interested in the amount of sugar Americans consume.

You start out with a thesis statement like this:

Sugar consumption.

This fragment isn’t a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates a general subject. Furthermore, your reader doesn’t know what you want to say about sugar consumption.

Narrow the topic . Your readings about the topic, however, have led you to the conclusion that elementary school children are consuming far more sugar than is healthy.

You change your thesis to look like this:

Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school children.

This fragment not only announces your subject, but it focuses on one segment of the population: elementary school children. Furthermore, it raises a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree, because while most people might agree that children consume more sugar than they used to, not everyone would agree on what should be done or who should do it. You should note that this fragment is not a thesis statement because your reader doesn’t know your conclusions on the topic.

Take a position on the topic. After reflecting on the topic a little while longer, you decide that what you really want to say about this topic is that something should be done to reduce the amount of sugar these children consume.

You revise your thesis statement to look like this:

More attention should be paid to the food and beverage choices available to elementary school children.

This statement asserts your position, but the terms more attention and food and beverage choices are vague.

Use specific language . You decide to explain what you mean about food and beverage choices , so you write:

Experts estimate that half of elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar.

This statement is specific, but it isn’t a thesis. It merely reports a statistic instead of making an assertion.

Make an assertion based on clearly stated support. You finally revise your thesis statement one more time to look like this:

Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.

Notice how the thesis answers the question, “What should be done to reduce sugar consumption by children, and who should do it?” When you started thinking about the paper, you may not have had a specific question in mind, but as you became more involved in the topic, your ideas became more specific. Your thesis changed to reflect your new insights.

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

1. a strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand..

Remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject. For example, if you are writing a paper for a class on fitness, you might be asked to choose a popular weight-loss product to evaluate. Here are two thesis statements:

There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.

This is a weak thesis statement. First, it fails to take a stand. Second, the phrase negative and positive aspects is vague.

Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

This is a strong thesis because it takes a stand, and because it's specific.

2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion.

Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. If your assignment is to write a paper on kinship systems, using your own family as an example, you might come up with either of these two thesis statements:

My family is an extended family.

This is a weak thesis because it merely states an observation. Your reader won’t be able to tell the point of the statement, and will probably stop reading.

While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.

This is a strong thesis because it shows how your experience contradicts a widely-accepted view. A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial. Readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how you support your point.

3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea.

Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper. For example:

Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.

This is a weak thesis statement because the reader can’t decide whether the paper is about marketing on the Internet or Web pages. To revise the thesis, the relationship between the two ideas needs to become more clear. One way to revise the thesis would be to write:

Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.

This is a strong thesis because it shows that the two ideas are related. Hint: a great many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like because , since , so , although , unless , and however .

4. A strong thesis statement is specific.

A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic. For example, if you're writing a seven-to-ten page paper on hunger, you might say:

World hunger has many causes and effects.

This is a weak thesis statement for two major reasons. First, world hunger can’t be discussed thoroughly in seven to ten pages. Second, many causes and effects is vague. You should be able to identify specific causes and effects. A revised thesis might look like this:

Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

This is a strong thesis statement because it narrows the subject to a more specific and manageable topic, and it also identifies the specific causes for the existence of hunger.

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Developing a Thesis Statement

Many papers you write require developing a thesis statement. In this section you’ll learn what a thesis statement is and how to write one.

Keep in mind that not all papers require thesis statements . If in doubt, please consult your instructor for assistance.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement . . .

• Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic.
• Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper.
• Is focused and specific enough to be “proven” within the boundaries of your paper.
• Is generally located near the end of the introduction ; sometimes, in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or in an entire paragraph.
• Identifies the relationships between the pieces of evidence that you are using to support your argument.

Not all papers require thesis statements! Ask your instructor if you’re in doubt whether you need one.

Identify a topic

Your topic is the subject about which you will write. Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic; or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper.

Consider what your assignment asks you to do

Inform yourself about your topic, focus on one aspect of your topic, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts, generate a topic from an assignment.

Below are some possible topics based on sample assignments.

Sample assignment 1

Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II.

Identified topic

Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis

This topic avoids generalities such as “Spain” and “World War II,” addressing instead on Franco’s role (a specific aspect of “Spain”) and the diplomatic relations between the Allies and Axis (a specific aspect of World War II).

Sample assignment 2

Analyze one of Homer’s epic similes in the Iliad.

The relationship between the portrayal of warfare and the epic simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64.

This topic focuses on a single simile and relates it to a single aspect of the Iliad ( warfare being a major theme in that work).

Developing a Thesis Statement–Additional information

Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic, or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper. You’ll want to read your assignment carefully, looking for key terms that you can use to focus your topic.

Sample assignment: Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II Key terms: analyze, Spain’s neutrality, World War II

After you’ve identified the key words in your topic, the next step is to read about them in several sources, or generate as much information as possible through an analysis of your topic. Obviously, the more material or knowledge you have, the more possibilities will be available for a strong argument. For the sample assignment above, you’ll want to look at books and articles on World War II in general, and Spain’s neutrality in particular.

As you consider your options, you must decide to focus on one aspect of your topic. This means that you cannot include everything you’ve learned about your topic, nor should you go off in several directions. If you end up covering too many different aspects of a topic, your paper will sprawl and be unconvincing in its argument, and it most likely will not fulfull the assignment requirements.

For the sample assignment above, both Spain’s neutrality and World War II are topics far too broad to explore in a paper. You may instead decide to focus on Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis , which narrows down what aspects of Spain’s neutrality and World War II you want to discuss, as well as establishes a specific link between those two aspects.

Before you go too far, however, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts. Try to avoid topics that already have too much written about them (i.e., “eating disorders and body image among adolescent women”) or that simply are not important (i.e. “why I like ice cream”). These topics may lead to a thesis that is either dry fact or a weird claim that cannot be supported. A good thesis falls somewhere between the two extremes. To arrive at this point, ask yourself what is new, interesting, contestable, or controversial about your topic.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times . Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Derive a main point from topic

Once you have a topic, you will have to decide what the main point of your paper will be. This point, the “controlling idea,” becomes the core of your argument (thesis statement) and it is the unifying idea to which you will relate all your sub-theses. You can then turn this “controlling idea” into a purpose statement about what you intend to do in your paper.

Look for patterns in your evidence

Compose a purpose statement.

Consult the examples below for suggestions on how to look for patterns in your evidence and construct a purpose statement.

• Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis
• Franco turned to the Allies when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from the Axis

Possible conclusion:

Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: Franco’s desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power.

Purpose statement

This paper will analyze Franco’s diplomacy during World War II to see how it contributed to Spain’s neutrality.

• The simile compares Simoisius to a tree, which is a peaceful, natural image.
• The tree in the simile is chopped down to make wheels for a chariot, which is an object used in warfare.

At first, the simile seems to take the reader away from the world of warfare, but we end up back in that world by the end.

This paper will analyze the way the simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64 moves in and out of the world of warfare.

Derive purpose statement from topic

To find out what your “controlling idea” is, you have to examine and evaluate your evidence . As you consider your evidence, you may notice patterns emerging, data repeated in more than one source, or facts that favor one view more than another. These patterns or data may then lead you to some conclusions about your topic and suggest that you can successfully argue for one idea better than another.

For instance, you might find out that Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis, but when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from them, he turned to the Allies. As you read more about Franco’s decisions, you may conclude that Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: his desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power. Based on this conclusion, you can then write a trial thesis statement to help you decide what material belongs in your paper.

Sometimes you won’t be able to find a focus or identify your “spin” or specific argument immediately. Like some writers, you might begin with a purpose statement just to get yourself going. A purpose statement is one or more sentences that announce your topic and indicate the structure of the paper but do not state the conclusions you have drawn . Thus, you might begin with something like this:

• This paper will look at modern language to see if it reflects male dominance or female oppression.
• I plan to analyze anger and derision in offensive language to see if they represent a challenge of society’s authority.

At some point, you can turn a purpose statement into a thesis statement. As you think and write about your topic, you can restrict, clarify, and refine your argument, crafting your thesis statement to reflect your thinking.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Compose a draft thesis statement

If you are writing a paper that will have an argumentative thesis and are having trouble getting started, the techniques in the table below may help you develop a temporary or “working” thesis statement.

Begin with a purpose statement that you will later turn into a thesis statement.

Assignment: Discuss the history of the Reform Party and explain its influence on the 1990 presidential and Congressional election.

Purpose Statement: This paper briefly sketches the history of the grassroots, conservative, Perot-led Reform Party and analyzes how it influenced the economic and social ideologies of the two mainstream parties.

Question-to-Assertion

If your assignment asks a specific question(s), turn the question(s) into an assertion and give reasons why it is true or reasons for your opinion.

Assignment : What do Aylmer and Rappaccini have to be proud of? Why aren’t they satisfied with these things? How does pride, as demonstrated in “The Birthmark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” lead to unexpected problems?

Beginning thesis statement: Alymer and Rappaccinni are proud of their great knowledge; however, they are also very greedy and are driven to use their knowledge to alter some aspect of nature as a test of their ability. Evil results when they try to “play God.”

Write a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the essay you plan to write.

Main idea: The reason some toys succeed in the market is that they appeal to the consumers’ sense of the ridiculous and their basic desire to laugh at themselves.

Make a list of the ideas that you want to include; consider the ideas and try to group them.

• nature = peaceful
• war matériel = violent (competes with 1?)
• need for time and space to mourn the dead
• war is inescapable (competes with 3?)

Use a formula to arrive at a working thesis statement (you will revise this later).

• although most readers of _______ have argued that _______, closer examination shows that _______.
• _______ uses _______ and _____ to prove that ________.
• phenomenon x is a result of the combination of __________, __________, and _________.

What to keep in mind as you draft an initial thesis statement

Beginning statements obtained through the methods illustrated above can serve as a framework for planning or drafting your paper, but remember they’re not yet the specific, argumentative thesis you want for the final version of your paper. In fact, in its first stages, a thesis statement usually is ill-formed or rough and serves only as a planning tool.

As you write, you may discover evidence that does not fit your temporary or “working” thesis. Or you may reach deeper insights about your topic as you do more research, and you will find that your thesis statement has to be more complicated to match the evidence that you want to use.

You must be willing to reject or omit some evidence in order to keep your paper cohesive and your reader focused. Or you may have to revise your thesis to match the evidence and insights that you want to discuss. Read your draft carefully, noting the conclusions you have drawn and the major ideas which support or prove those conclusions. These will be the elements of your final thesis statement.

Sometimes you will not be able to identify these elements in your early drafts, but as you consider how your argument is developing and how your evidence supports your main idea, ask yourself, “ What is the main point that I want to prove/discuss? ” and “ How will I convince the reader that this is true? ” When you can answer these questions, then you can begin to refine the thesis statement.

Refine and polish the thesis statement

To get to your final thesis, you’ll need to refine your draft thesis so that it’s specific and arguable.

• Ask if your draft thesis addresses the assignment
• Question each part of your draft thesis
• Clarify vague phrases and assertions
• Investigate alternatives to your draft thesis

Consult the example below for suggestions on how to refine your draft thesis statement.

Sample Assignment

Choose an activity and define it as a symbol of American culture. Your essay should cause the reader to think critically about the society which produces and enjoys that activity.

• Ask The phenomenon of drive-in facilities is an interesting symbol of american culture, and these facilities demonstrate significant characteristics of our society.This statement does not fulfill the assignment because it does not require the reader to think critically about society.

Drive-ins are an interesting symbol of American culture because they represent Americans’ significant creativity and business ingenuity.

Among the types of drive-in facilities familiar during the twentieth century, drive-in movie theaters best represent American creativity, not merely because they were the forerunner of later drive-ins and drive-throughs, but because of their impact on our culture: they changed our relationship to the automobile, changed the way people experienced movies, and changed movie-going into a family activity.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast-food establishments, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize America’s economic ingenuity, they also have affected our personal standards.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast- food restaurants, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize (1) Americans’ business ingenuity, they also have contributed (2) to an increasing homogenization of our culture, (3) a willingness to depersonalize relationships with others, and (4) a tendency to sacrifice quality for convenience.

This statement is now specific and fulfills all parts of the assignment. This version, like any good thesis, is not self-evident; its points, 1-4, will have to be proven with evidence in the body of the paper. The numbers in this statement indicate the order in which the points will be presented. Depending on the length of the paper, there could be one paragraph for each numbered item or there could be blocks of paragraph for even pages for each one.

Complete the final thesis statement

The bottom line.

As you move through the process of crafting a thesis, you’ll need to remember four things:

• Context matters! Think about your course materials and lectures. Try to relate your thesis to the ideas your instructor is discussing.
• As you go through the process described in this section, always keep your assignment in mind . You will be more successful when your thesis (and paper) responds to the assignment than if it argues a semi-related idea.
• Your thesis statement should be precise, focused, and contestable ; it should predict the sub-theses or blocks of information that you will use to prove your argument.
• Make sure that you keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Change your thesis as your paper evolves, because you do not want your thesis to promise more than your paper actually delivers.

In the beginning, the thesis statement was a tool to help you sharpen your focus, limit material and establish the paper’s purpose. When your paper is finished, however, the thesis statement becomes a tool for your reader. It tells the reader what you have learned about your topic and what evidence led you to your conclusion. It keeps the reader on track–well able to understand and appreciate your argument.

Writing Process and Structure

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Getting Started with Your Paper

Interpreting Writing Assignments from Your Courses

Generating Ideas for

Creating an Argument

Thesis vs. Purpose Statements

Architecture of Arguments

Working with Sources

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources

Using Literary Quotations

Citing Sources in Your Paper

Drafting Your Paper

Generating Ideas for Your Paper

Introductions

Paragraphing

Developing Strategic Transitions

Conclusions

Revising Your Paper

Peer Reviews

Reverse Outlines

Revising an Argumentative Paper

Revision Strategies for Longer Projects

Finishing Your Paper

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

How to Proofread your Paper

Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative and Group Writing

Research and Writing Guides

Writing a paper? Don't get lost.

How long are thesis statements?

If you find yourself in the process of writing a thesis statement but you don't know how long it should be, you've come to right place. In the next paragraphs you will learn about the most efficient way to write a thesis statement and how long it should be.

A thesis statement is a concise description of your work’s aim.

• What is the proper length of a thesis statement?

The short answer is: one or two sentences. The more i n-depth answer: as your writing evolves, and as you write longer papers, your thesis statement will typically be at least two, and often more, sentences. The thesis of a scholarly article may have three or four long sentences.

The point is to write a well-formed statement that clearly sets out the argument and aim of your research. A one sentence thesis is fine for shorter papers, but make sure it's a full, concrete statement. Longer thesis statements should follow the same rule; be sure that your statement includes essential information and resist too much exposition.

Here are some basic rules for thesis statement lengths based on the number of pages:

• 5 pages : 1 sentence
• 5-8 pages : 1 or 2 sentences
• 8-13 pages : 2 or 3 sentences
• 13-23 pages : 3 or 4 sentences
• Over 23 pages : a few sentences or a paragraph
• Examples of thesis statements

Joe Haley, a former writing instructor at Johns Hopkins University exemplified in this forum post the different sizes a thesis statement can take. For a paper on Jane Austen's  Pride and Prejudice,  someone could come up with these two theses:

In Jane Austen's  Pride and Prejudice , gossip is an important but morally ambiguous tool for shaping characters' opinions of each other.

As the aforementioned critics have noted, the prevalence of gossip in Jane Austen's  oeuvre  does indeed reflect the growing prominence of an explicitly-delineated private sphere in nineteenth-century British society. However, in contrast with these critics' general conclusions about Austen and class, which tend to identify her authorial voice directly with the bourgeois mores shaping her appropriation of the  bildungsroman,  the ambiguity of this communicative mode in  Pride and Prejudice  suggests that when writing at the height of her authorial powers, at least, Austen is capable of skepticism and even self-critique. For what is the narrator of her most celebrated novel if not its arch-gossip  par excellence ?

Both statements are equally sound, but the second example clearly belongs in a longer paper. In the end, the length of your thesis statement will depend on the scope of your work.

• Frequently Asked Questions about the length of thesis statements

There is no exact word count for a thesis statement, since the length depends on your level of knowledge and expertise. A two sentence thesis statement would be between 20-50 words.

The length of the work will determine how long your thesis statement is. A concise thesis is typically between 20-50 words. A paragraph is also acceptable for a thesis statement; however, anything over one paragraph is probably too long.

Here is a list of Thesis Statement Examples that will help you understand better how long they can be.

As a high school student, you are not expected to have an elaborate thesis statement. A couple of clear sentences indicating the aim of your essay will be more than enough.

Here is a YouTube tutorial that will help you write a thesis statement: How To Write An Essay: Thesis Statements by Ariel Bisset.

• Related Articles

Sage-Advices

Collection of recommendatory guides

Can a thesis have two sentences?

Table of Contents

• 1 Can a thesis have two sentences?
• 2 Can my thesis statement be multiple sentences?
• 3 Is a thesis statement always the first sentence?
• 4 Can a statement be more than one sentence?
• 5 Can a thesis have because in it?
• 6 Should your thesis be the first or last sentence?
• 7 Does a thesis statement only have one sentence?

Your thesis should be stated somewhere in the opening paragraphs of your paper, most often as the last sentence of the introduction. Often, a thesis will be one sentence, but for complex subjects, you may find it more effective to break the thesis statement into two sentences.

Can my thesis statement be multiple sentences?

A thesis statement must be one sentence in length, no matter how many clauses it contains. Clear writing is more important than rules like these. Use two or three sentences if you need them. A complex argument may require a whole tightly-knit paragraph to make its initial statement of position.

How many sentences make up a thesis statement?

one-sentence THESIS STATEMENT DEFINITION A thesis statement is a one-sentence declaration of intention — a summation of the main idea your essay will explain at length. An effective thesis statement will make a unique claim or seek to answer an important question.

Which sentence is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. It usually comes near the end of your introduction. Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across.

Is a thesis statement always the first sentence?

The thesis statement usually appears near the beginning of a paper. It can be the first sentence of an essay, but that often feels like a simplistic, unexciting beginning. It more frequently appears at or near the end of the first paragraph or two.

Can a statement be more than one sentence?

Not all sentences express statements and some sentences may express more than one statement. A statement is a more abstract entity than even a sentence type. It is not identical with the sentence used to express it. In a similar way, different sentences can be used to express the same statement.

Can thesis be long?

Length: A thesis statement can be short or long, depending on how many points it mentions. Typically, however, it is only one concise sentence. Position: A thesis statement always belongs at the beginning of an essay. This is because it is a sentence that tells the reader what the writer is going to discuss.

Can the thesis be the last sentence?

However, the thesis sentence may come at a different place, particularly when writing narratives. In narrative writing, the thesis is usually at the end of the paper. Your thesis is likely to be either the first sentence or last sentence of the conclusion.

Can a thesis have because in it?

Hint: a great many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like because, since, so, although, unless, and however.

Should your thesis be the first or last sentence?

What are some examples of good thesis sentences?

• Those running for President should be held to a higher standard of ethical behavior.
• The vaccine created by our team of researchers is promising in the fight against the virus.

How many sentences are needed in a thesis statement?

Does a thesis statement only have one sentence?

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Can a thesis statement be two sentences

Writing a good and effective thesis statement is an important skill for students and researchers to acquire. Although everyone agrees that research reports should be concise, there seems to be little guidance as to the optimal length. So how long should a thesis statement be? Well, that depends… is the boring but correct answer.

To get to the question, we explored the following:

Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement will present your answer or opinion. It is the second and last sentence missing in the introduction. It shows the reader the direction you intend to take in your essay. Also, it’s important that you write this carefully and clearly, as it will affect both functional response and consistency and consistency, which together make up 50% of your grades.

The thesis does not have to be detailed. It’s possible to split it into two sentences if you need more space, but it’s usually just one sentence. For example:

What is a thesis statement?

It should be short, clear and to the point, and should be one or two sentences long. Your thesis statement should also include a topic sentence and a sentence summary or supporting evidence.

What is a “thesis statement”?

A “thesis” is an “argument”, and the thesis statement indicates what the argument of the essay is. Inform readers of your position on the topic as an author. The thesis statement also prevents authors from drifting off topic. It can be short or long, but always include it at the beginning of the essay, in the first paragraph. For short essays, the thesis statement can list two or three main points, but for longer essays that have more main points, it can state the overall main theme.

Think of it as a preview of your essay. For example, if your essay discusses six main reasons for an event (two paragraphs each), your introduction should list (or introduce) each of those six main reasons. Thus, this list acts as an “essay outline” or map, giving the reader an idea of ​​the topics your essay will cover. Usually this list is attached to your thesis statement or comes immediately after it.

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