how long should a thesis statement be in an essay

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

•   [email protected]
• Shapiro Library
• SNHU Library Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ: How long should my thesis statement be?

• 61 Academic Support, Writing Help, & Presentation Help
• 27 Access/Remote Access
• 7 Accessibility
• 10 Building/Facilities
• 8 Career/Job Information
• 26 Catalog/Print Books
• 28 Circulation
• 126 Citing Sources
• 19 Copyright/Plagiarism
• 308 Databases
• 24 Directions/Location
• 18 Faculty Resources/Needs
• 7 Hours/Contacts
• 19 Innovation Lab & Makerspace/3D Printing
• 25 Interlibrary Loan
• 43 IT/Computer/Printing Support
• 3 Library Instruction
• 41 Library Technology Help
• 8 Multimedia
• 19 Online Programs
• 20 Periodicals
• 25 Policies
• 8 RefWorks/Citation Managers
• 5 Research Guides (LibGuides)
• 219 Research Help
• 2 Social Media
• 23 University Services
• 1 Workshops/Events

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2023 Views: 26467

Thesis statements are often one sentence, however, in some cases (e.g. a very in-depth or detailed paper) it may be appropriate to include a longer thesis statement.

You should ask your professor for their advice if you think you need to use a thesis statement that is longer than one sentence.

Remember that depending on the type of paper you are writing, thesis statements should either be a description of the subject of your paper (i.e. an "explanatory" thesis) or should be an argument or claim (i.e. an "argumentative" thesis). Keep thesis statements concise, without extra words or extraneous information; if you are having trouble keeping your thesis statement to once sentence, consider whether your thesis is specific enough, directly supports your paper, and accurately describes or argues the purpose or claim in your paper.

Further Help

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way length of a thesis statement in your class assignments and projects.

Campus Students

To access academic support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu.

Online Students

To access help with citation and more, visit Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:

• The Complete Guide to Using Academic Support via Brightspace This link opens in a new window
• Accessing Writing STEM Help This link opens in a new window
• Share on Facebook

Was this helpful? Yes 24 No 46

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are a self-serve option for users to search and find answers to their questions. 

Use the search box above to type your question to search for an answer or browse existing FAQs by group, topic, etc.

Tell Me More

Link to Question Form

More assistance.

Submit a Question

Related FAQs

How long should a thesis statement be?

Writing a good and efficient thesis statement is an important skill for students and researchers to acquire. Although everyone is in agreement that research statements should be concise, there seems to be little guidance with regards to their optimal length. So, exactly how long should a thesis statement be? Well , it depends … is the boring but correct answer.

To get at the question, let’s dissect the following:

●  How does the nature of the paper impact the length of your thesis statement?

●  How specific should your thesis statement be?

●  Where in a paper or essay does a thesis statement belong?

How does the nature of the paper you are writing impact the length of your statement?

A rule of thumb is to always craft a thesis statement that reflects your knowledge and the scope of the paper you are writing. A broad thesis that ties together a limited number of thoughts in a fairly short paper should be concise, a sentence or two at most. But if you are involved in an in-depth professional discourse where your thesis interacts with other detailed arguments in a rich dialogue, the thesis statement can be three or four sentences long. In other words, a complex argument requires more words. Joe Haley, who used to work as a writing instructor at Johns Hopkins University, illustrates this well by contrasting the difference in scope between these two theses statements about Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

• 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 fine, the size is ultimately determined by the aim and scope of your paper and how much knowledge you have of the topic.

How specific should your thesis statement be?

Whether you happen to be writing an analytical, expository or argumentative paper, you need the thesis statement to frame the topic you are covering and for it to declare your specific position on the topic at hand. It is important for the thesis statement to make it clear to the reader what you are arguing for without unnecessary exposition. It is all about striking the right balance between not having a flat and trivial thesis and not imparting too much extraneous information.

Although it’s impossible to put a specific number on it, most experts advise staying in a range between 25-50 words for a thesis statement. Try to keep it to a single sentence, if you can, preferably to three or four lines in a paragraph. You should certainly not exceed a single paragraph. Make sure every word in your thesis statement is purposeful. Remove all vague or unnecessary words.

Where in a paper or essay does a thesis statement belong?

Irrespective of whether you are writing an essay or an analytical research paper, the thesis statement always belongs in the beginning, preferably in the first paragraph. It helps the reader understand the purpose of the paper and the intentions of the author.

Some final advice!

Take time to really think about how you compose your thesis statement. Do it right and it can be an invaluable map that guides the reader.

Treat the writing process as an act of discovery. Don’t worry if your thesis statement changes as you are writing, just remember to revise the thesis statement to reflect where you have ended up in your journey.

Submit your response Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email address

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > Rules for writing a thesis statement

Rules for writing a thesis statement

If you struggle with writing thesis statements, you’re not alone—there are plenty of rules that go into writing them. Learn the different rules to write a strong thesis statement that will shape a persuasive argument for your essay.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence that summarizes the main points or themes of your essay. Not only does it establish the core of your argument, every point you make in your essay should reinforce it. To write a strong thesis statement, you should know where to put it, what it should include, and how long it should be.

Write with Confidence using Editor

Elevate your writing with real-time, intelligent assistance

Follow these rules to create a strong thesis statement.

Know what to include in your thesis statement

Use this checklist as a guide to ensure you write a strong thesis statement right from the beginning. A good thesis statement should:

• Be debatable
• Can be supported
• Makes a clear, specific point
• Make the reader care about your stance
• Answer the essay’s prompt or question
• Not contain a question

Here’s an example of a weak thesis statement:

• Access to clean water is a serious concern that should be considered.

Why is this weak? The above thesis doesn’t contain a persuasive argument or specific, compelling facts.

Here’s an example of a strong thesis statement:

• Improving irrigation, recycling wastewater, and developing better water conservation technologies are essential to providing people around the world with clean water.

Why is this strong? This thesis makes clear, specific points that can be supported with facts.

Use a confident tone

For a powerful thesis statement, write with a confident tone . Especially when writing a persuasive essay or an argumentative essay , confidence goes a long way. Make sure to research your points and back them with supporting facts throughout your essay. Simply “doing your homework” can push you to write with more certainty.

Know where to put your thesis statement

A thesis statement should always go at the end of your introductory paragraph. In this position, the statement captures the audience’s attention and sets the stage for what they can expect in the following paragraphs.

Make your thesis statement the right length

Concise and to the point, effective thesis statements are usually only one sentence long. The length of your thesis may vary depending on the prompt and complexity of your paper. There’s no specific rule as to how many words your thesis statement should be, but 20 to 50 words is a common length.

Use the correct punctuation

Don’t use question marks. A thesis statement should not be raised in the form of a question—so question marks have no place in an effective thesis.

Similarly, while you may be excited about your thesis statement, don’t use exclamation points either. This is standard for most common forms of academic writing as well.

Avoid quotations

While tempting, don’t use a quote as your thesis statement. Unfortunately, one of the rules of thesis writing is that you can’t use quotes in it. Your thesis statement should reflect the points discussed in your paper as well as the stance you are taking, and it’s unlikely you can find a single quote that can do that.

Use a third-person voice

Don’t use phrases like “I think,” “I feel,” or “I believe” in your thesis statement, as using first-person phrases can weaken the impact of your thesis. In general, most academic papers require writing in the third person.

Writing a thesis statement can feel challenging but knowing the seven different rules that go into creating one will make the process easier. Next, explore how you can master the art of essay writing .

Get started with Microsoft 365

It’s the Office you know, plus the tools to help you work better together, so you can get more done—anytime, anywhere.

Topics in this article

More articles like this one.

Playing with paraprosdokians

There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can’t. That’s a paraprosdokian right there. Learn how to take a phrase and turn it on its head.

Is it OK to use AI on your school assignments?

Generative AI is a popular and powerful tool, but it’s not without its pitfalls. Learn how to avoid consequences, such as plagiarism, when writing with AI.

6 types of rhyming schemes to use in your work

Depending on how you use them, rhyme has the power to create joy or suspense. Learn about six different types of rhyme to try out next time you sit down to write.

6 different poetry forms to play with

Did you know trying new poetry forms doesn’t just make you a better poet? It makes you a better writer too. Try out one of these six poetry types to see what you can come up with—bonus points if you try all six.

Everything you need to achieve more in less time

Get powerful productivity and security apps with Microsoft 365

Explore Other Categories

• Writing Home
• Writing Advice Home

Using Thesis Statements

• Printable PDF Version
• Fair-Use Policy

When you are asked to write an essay that creates an argument, your reader will probably expect a clear statement of your position. Typically, this summary statement comes in the first paragraph of the essay, though there is no rigid rule about position. Here are some characteristics of good thesis statements, with samples of good and poor ones. Note that the better examples substitute specific argumentative points for sweeping general statements; they indicate a theoretical basis and promise substantial support. (See Some Myths About Thesis Statements, below, for a discussion of times not to use a thesis statement. See also the file General Advice on Essay Writing .)

1. It makes a definite and limited assertion that needs to be explained and supported by further discussion:

2. it shows the emphasis and indicates the methodology of your argument:, 3. it shows awareness of difficulties and disagreements:, some myths about thesis statements.

• Every paper requires one . Assignments that ask you to write personal responses or to explore a subject don’t want you to seem to pre-judge the issues. Essays of literary interpretation often want you to be aware of many effects rather than seeming to box yourself into one view of the text.
• A thesis statement must come at the end of the first paragraph. This is a natural position for a statement of focus, but it’s not the only one. Some theses can be stated in the opening sentences of an essay; others need a paragraph or two of introduction; others can’t be fully formulated until the end.
• 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.
• You can’t start writing an essay until you have a perfect thesis statement . It may be advisable to draft a hypothesis or tentative thesis statement near the start of a big project, but changing and refining a thesis is a main task of thinking your way through your ideas as you write a paper. And some essay projects need to explore the question in depth without being locked in before they can provide even a tentative answer.
• A thesis statement must give three points of support . It should indicate that the essay will explain and give evidence for its assertion, but points don’t need to come in any specific number.

• Write my thesis
• Thesis writers
• Buy thesis papers
• Bachelor thesis
• Master's thesis
• Thesis editing services
• Thesis proofreading services
• Buy a thesis online
• Write my dissertation
• Dissertation proposal help
• Pay for dissertation
• Custom dissertation
• Dissertation help online
• Buy dissertation online
• Cheap dissertation
• Dissertation editing services
• Write my research paper
• Buy research paper online
• Pay for research paper
• Research paper help
• Order research paper
• Custom research paper
• Cheap research paper
• Research papers for sale
• Thesis subjects
• How It Works

How Long Should a Thesis Statement Be?

Students often ask how long should a thesis statement be when given a paper to write. This article addresses frequently asked questions concerning thesis statements and other relevant issues. We will answer several questions, including how many words in a thesis and how long should a thesis statement be.

How Long is a Thesis Statement, and Where Should it Be?

How long can a thesis statement be and not be, how long should a thesis statement be for a high school student, how many sentences are in a thesis statement, how long should a thesis paper be, how long is a thesis supposed to be for high school essay, how long are thesis statements for college essays, what is the length of a typical thesis statement for professional research papers, how long does a thesis paper have to be.

How long is a thesis paper that determines many things and has brought about several questions like how many words should a thesis statement be? It should not be too long, thirty to forty words at the most. As a rule, your thesis statement should reflect your knowledge and the scope of the essay you are writing. Whether you are writing an analytical research paper or an essay, the thesis statement should be in the introduction part. Your thesis should be at the beginning of the paper, preferably in the first paragraph.

A too-short thesis statement won’t give the sufficient information an audience needs, while one too long will be offering too much. This is something to keep in mind when researching; how long should a thesis statement be? Regardless of how long your essay or research paper is, your thesis statement should explain your position in short sentences. That means it should be convincing enough to get your audience interested in your point of view. Your thesis statement should not exceed one paragraph, whether you’re writing a school essay or an in-depth research paper.

If you’re writing a paper in high school, your thesis shouldn’t be more than two sentences long. Your teacher doesn’t expect you to have an extremely elaborate thesis statement as a high school student. So, one or two short sentences indicating your essay’s aim should be more than enough. Knowing how many sentences are in a thesis statement helps ensure you don’t overdo it.

How many sentences should a thesis statement depend on what type of paper you are writing? A thesis statement should normally be no more than two sentences long unless you are writing a very long paper. Your thesis statement should be short and straight to the point, declaring your specific position on the topic you’re writing on.

A good thesis will strike the right balance between not having a flat thesis and not giving too much information. How many sentences are in a thesis determines how many should be in a thesis statement?

A thesis paper is usually forty pages long, but it varies significantly from project to project and from one expertise level to another. This number includes texts, figures, and a list of references, but it doesn’t include appendices. Also, don’t take these generalizations on how long should a thesis be too seriously, especially if you’re working on a labor-intensive project.

How Many Words is a Thesis?

How long a thesis is usually around eighty to a hundred thousand words long, depending on the topic’s depth. At the master’s or college level, a thesis fluctuates between fifteen and twenty thousand words. However, research journals ask for articles no more than three to five thousand words. After knowing how long is a thesis, the next question is, how long should your thesis statement be?

Your thesis in high school should be short, depending on what topic you are working on. It is better to contain one concise sentence, clearly stating your thoughts on the topic. It is this thought you’ll expound on later in the essay. Always ask your teacher or instructor for clarity on how long is a thesis statement.

A college thesis statement’s length depends on how many sentences is a thesis and how many points a writer mentions. It should contain at least two clauses, an independent clause, your opinion, and a dependent clause, the reasons. It would help if you aimed for a single sentence at least two lines long, or at most forty words long.

A typical thesis statement for professional research papers is usually no more than fifty words long. However, thesis statements don’t exactly have an exact word count, but most experts advise staying within that range. Once you know how long are thesis papers, you’ll have an idea of how long a thesis statement should be.

A single sentence clearly stating your position is great, but it may be hard to compress all your thoughts into one sentence. Thus, if you can’t do one sentence, you can keep it to two, four at the most, lines in a paragraph.

Your thesis paper has to be as long as the instructions say; there is no one-rule-fits-all answer to this question. If you’re writing a thesis paper in college, it wouldn’t be as long as writing a Ph.D. thesis paper . A thesis length is at least three thousand words and at most a hundred thousand. How long should a thesis be in an essay is a common question for people new to writing professional research papers.

Your thesis statement may be short or long, depending on your academic level. While there is no one rule on how long is a thesis statement supposed to be, experts advise 20-50 words. Long or short, your thesis should clearly state your paper’s aim in one to four lines; leave out irrelevant words. If you need professional help writing your thesis, you can contact our expert team to give you the best services.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• 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.

What can proofreading do for your paper?

Scribbr editors not only correct grammar and spelling mistakes, but also strengthen your writing by making sure your paper is free of vague language, redundant words, and awkward phrasing.

See editing example

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 .

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!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

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 .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, August 15). How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 5, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-statement/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, academic paragraph structure | step-by-step guide & examples.

I'm still unsure of the difference of an essay structure or plan, and the thesis statement, or claim. Aren't they the same?

Jack Caulfield (Scribbr Team)

Hi Samhita,

A thesis statement is a sentence or two in your essay or paper that expresses the main argument you intend to get across in the text. It's a way of getting across your ideas to the reader in the text itself.

Meanwhile, an essay outline is more something for yourself, to help you plan out your structure before you start writing or to show your instructor that you have a clear structure in mind. It's not something that you include in the final text, but an earlier stage in the writing process.

Still have questions?

What is your plagiarism score.

How to Write a Thesis Statement: Quick and Easy Guide 2023

Defining What is a Thesis Statement

Have you ever avoided writing a research paper because you believed it would be worthless and not make much academic contribution? We get it! Some people lack the courage and confidence to sit down with paper and a pen (or, more often, a laptop) and allow their viewpoint to flow through pages on any subject. If this has ever happened to you, trust us when we say that your research and creative abilities will be unquestionable after using our solution.

Are you secretly double-checking if you indeed clicked on the article on a thesis statement? Don't bother! The solution we mentioned above actually lies in crafting a perfect thesis statement that will work wonders for your research paper. Never undervalue the impact of a strong thesis statement articulating your position and providing direction for your writing. It is a cornerstone of your academic essay, providing readers with your main idea and the rationale for your study, ultimately motivating them to read the remaining pages in one go.

So, what is a thesis statement aside from praising its power? A thesis statement, presented in the introduction section of a paper, is a brief overview of the subject matter that includes your stance on the issue. Just like a navigating tool, thesis statements set a clear direction in which your upcoming paragraphs will flow and where the main body will defend your claim and arguments. After familiarizing yourself with the thesis statement definition, let's now examine the characteristics of a strong thesis statement prepared by our custom essay service

Qualities of a Good Thesis Statement

A solid thesis must be specific and defined. Moreover, it should:

• Clearly and promptly state the primary topic and supporting elements of your article;
• Serve as a blueprint so that your audience may freely comprehend your thoughts;
• Offer readers delight at the end of the work when they learn you have kept your promise by supporting or elaborating on your key topic.
• Expand through combining reasoning, observing, and reporting;
• Limit your study by giving you one single core topic that interests you;
• Focus your writing on a single, well-developed, or credible assertion;
• Arrange your thoughts so that you are aware of the central themes your article should address
• Clarify your writing by staying on course to achieve your intended goal.

How to Write a Thesis Statement: Getting it Right

Students frequently take a long time to draft their initial thoughts without knowing what a thesis statement should contain. A well-organized structure can help you finish your academic writing project quickly. So, let's break down the essential steps for writing a thesis statement with our admission essay writing service .

• Brainstorm ideas: Having a range of writing topics is usually preferable. In this manner, you will only pick a subject that appeals to you the most and can interest your audience. To generate a list of outstanding ideas and pick a topic based on them, collaborate with your friends, family, or instructors.
• Narrow and focus: We must emphasize that broad and general information has no place in a well-written work. The purpose of writing is to establish a special point about a subject. So, make sure the thesis reflects it.
• Understand the essay format , goal, and target audience: In most cases, the instructor assigns them, but even if you get to pick them, you must realize that they will have a significant impact on your thesis statement. When writing a persuasive essay, your goal will be to convince a certain audience of anything. While writing a descriptive essay, your goal is to explain something to a certain audience. Your thesis must incorporate at least one of each of these.
• Conduct research: You must do in-depth research using reliable, current sources. Always use academic databases to gain access to the materials you'll need for your study.
• Support your answer with reasoning: Select related evidence to bolster your main point. Throughout your research paper, ensure all of your arguments are supported by examples relevant to your thesis.
• Check how it aligns: Most often, authors will select to draft their body paragraphs before coming up with their thesis statement. A writer can set out to show one thing yet wind up changing their original thesis. Because of this, it's crucial to review your essay and make sure your thesis is consistent with the points you've made. When revising the main argument, make any necessary changes if you have evidence contradicting the initial claim.

Good Thesis Statement Examples

Now that you know the major steps of how to write a thesis statement, you should also remember that a thesis statement can take various forms, depending on the author's objectives. We created good thesis statement examples to give you a more precise illustration. This is a list of the most prevalent types of thesis statements:

Argumentative Thesis Statement

A strong, argumentative thesis statement example should take a stance about an issue. It should explain the basics of your argument and help your reader to know what to expect in your essay. An argumentative thesis must make a claim about which reasonable people can disagree. Let's take a look at an example:

'The federal government must limit the number of sodas distributed at fast-food places since junk food harms overall well-being.'

Analytical Thesis Statement

A good analytical essay example demands going further and looking at the bigger picture. The following are key terms and phrases to remember when creating an analytical thesis statement: What is being claimed, how is it justified, and what does it imply? What are the ramifications, or why is it meaningful?

Example: 'The effects of the ongoing racism problem are visible in the world's sociocultural and commercial aspects. This issue is mostly being fueled by socio-ethnic prejudice within a population. '

Expository Thesis Statement

An expository essay introduces the reader to a new subject and educates them on it by providing facts, illustrations, or justifications. Your thesis statement should describe to the audience what she will discover in your essay if you are creating an expository essay.

Example: 'The possibility of stroke and rapid heart rate is increased by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).'

Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement

Several strategies can be used in compare and contrast essays. Some call for you to concentrate mostly on contrasts or similarities. Yet, for some, you need to pay attention to both.

Example: 'Although authoritarian and permissive parenting appears to be fundamentally contradictory, they share one important trait: both parents allow their kids to take responsibility for their actions.'

Cause and Effect Thesis Statement

Cause and effect essays examine how an event or scenario came about and what occurs due to that circumstance. You must give the cause of an event or occurrence in a cause-and-effect thesis statement.

Example: 'While several causes have led to the increase in homelessness, one of the most significant is the inadequate social support services.'

Elements of a Thesis Statement

An essay’s thesis consists of the following elements:

• The main idea of your paper expressed in a simple sentence.
• The reason(s) why you support and choose this idea.
• A counterargument to your claim. This is a valid piece of information which can, in turn, support your position. Use it only in case you have one.

Thesis Statement Examples & Templates

For many students, the best way to learn is to see some realistic examples. So here we will see how a thesis statement depends on the aim of the paper:

Make a claim about a chosen topic/question and try to justify this main argument by using reasons and credible evidence. Decide which type of thesis you plan to use. The main argument could be an opinion, analysis, or proposal. The writer should offer something some people can disagree with. Persuade the audience of your truth throughout the paper.

Example:The Brexit referendum result was caused by working-class frustration with the political elite and by austere policies that have eroded public services and fragmented communities; the referendum offered an alternative to the status quo.

You do not have to introduce a strong argument, you rather need to analyze, interpret, and evaluate different aspects of the same topic. It should introduce the key points of your analysis.

Example:An assessment of a barn owl’s flight technique depicts a couple of flight patterns: the ones connected with hunting prey and those related to courtship.

The main aim of an expository thesis statement is to explain and discuss the facts of a topic.

Example:Gerbils are believed to be a perfect pet for kids as they are low-maintenance and cheap.

In a compare and contrast thesis statement your goal should be to compare, review, and juxtapose the two points.

Example:While Judaism and Christianity are Abrahamic religions sprung from the same cultural hearth, they are different by their implementation of traditions, their realizations of religious cannons, and their perceptions of Jesus Christ.

In a cause and effect thesis statement you need to explain the reason for some event or happening.

Example:The primary reason why high school bullying takes place is the fact that modern teens watch violent videos and play violent video games.

In-Text Examples

Download PDF examples of essays with a thesis statement. The statements are highlighted.

Cricket, in the South of Asia between 1880-2005, played a political role in not only easing tensions and restrictions of caste members, but allowing Pakistan and India to release some political tensions from a religious aspect.

In Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea, the setting is the hot and colorful West Indies in the post-colonial days. In Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre the setting is murky gray England: the heart of the empire and Mr. Rochester’s home. Thornfield in Wide Sargasso Sea is depicted as dark and ancient, while Antoinette’s surroundings in Jane Eyre are often green and dream-like. The contrasting climates and settings in the two novels showcase how different Antoinette’s concept of home is from Jane’s, yet they also add parallel qualities to the two novels

Want to Unlock the Power of Thesis Statement Ideas?

Secure your academic success with our custom-crafted thesis statements and elevate your research to the next level!

FAQs on Thesis Statements

If you're looking for additional information on writing thesis statements, our rewrite essay service compiled a list of frequently asked questions that will give you thorough answers and help you strengthen your statement.

How Do I Start a Thesis Statement?

When unsure how to start a thesis statement, remember that an original thesis should be developed early in the writing process. Once you have selected your essay topic, you must choose what you will argue for in support. A concise thesis statement will give your essay a framework and focus.

You may provide a rough solution to this issue after conducting some preliminary studies. At this point, it can be straightforward and should guide the writing and research processes.

How Long Should a Thesis Statement Be?

Regardless of its many elements, a thesis statement must only be one sentence long. Rule-breaking is not as crucial as writing clearly. Still, the thesis may extend to two sentences in some circumstances, although it should always be stated briefly rather than generally addressed in a paragraph. Depending on the kind of paper, several thesis statements may be used.

When asking 'how long should a thesis statement be' from the length perspective, there isn't a universally applicable solution to this question. However, limiting your thesis statement to between 20 and 50 words is advisable.

Can a Thesis Statement Be a Question?

If you're still wondering - 'can a thesis statement be a question?', the answer is no since it would not be seen as appropriate in scholarly work. A question can't be proven, unlike a declaration or assertion, and your complete claim is meant to respond to a query. Its original goal would be completely defeated if expressed as an inquiry.

On the other hand, you can ask questions within topic sentences as they are the core concept of a body paragraph, giving your reader a feel of the issue and piquing their interest. Yet, you must ensure that the next sentence continues to address it.

Final Words

Now you know what's a thesis statement, yet you might still be struggling to construct a good statement. Don't worry; a strong thesis statement template is never simple to write. Nevertheless, with our essays help , it can be made with little effort.

If you ever wished 'If only I could pay someone to write my paper ,' consider your wish come true! At EssayPro, you will be matched with a qualified academic writer who has previously produced many strong thesis statements and is familiar with all the necessary components. Keep in mind that education does not have to be stressful!

Need a Perfect Thesis Statement?

Set up your research paper for greatness by entrusting your thesis statement to our expert writers

Related Articles