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How to write a thesis statement for a research paper

The thesis statement is the central argument of your research paper makes and serves as a roadmap for the entire essay. Therefore, writing a strong thesis statement is essential for crafting a successful research paper—but it can also be one of the most challenging aspects of the writing process. In this post, we discuss strategies for creating a quality thesis statement.
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is the main argument of an academic essay or research paper . It states directly what you plan to argue in the paper.
A thesis statement is typically a single sentence, but it can be longer depending on the length and type of paper that you’re writing.
How to write a good thesis statement
In this section, we outline five key tips for writing a good thesis statement. If you’re struggling to come up with a research topic or a thesis, consider asking your instructor or a librarian for additional assistance.
1. Start with a question
A good thesis statement should be an answer to a research question. Start by asking a question about your topic that you want to address in your paper. This will help you focus your research and give your paper direction. The thesis statement should be a concise answer to this question.
Your research question should not be too broad or narrow. If the question is too broad, you may not be able to answer it effectively. If the question is too narrow, you may not have enough material to write a complete research paper. As a result, it’s important to strike a balance between a question that is too broad and one that is too narrow.
Thesis statements always respond to an existing scholarly conversation; so, formulate your research question and thesis in response to a current debate. Are there gaps in the current research? Where might your argument intervene?
2. Be specific
Your thesis statement should be specific and precise. It should clearly state the main point that you will be arguing in your paper. Avoid vague or general statements that are not arguable (see below). The more specific your thesis statement is, the easier it will be to write your paper.
To make your thesis statement specific, focus on a particular aspect of your topic. For example, if your topic is about the effects of social media on mental health, you can focus on a specific age group or a particular social media platform.
3. Make it debatable
A good thesis statement must be debatable (otherwise, it’s not actually an argument). It should present an argument that can be supported with evidence. Avoid statements that are purely factual or descriptive. Your thesis statement should take a position on a topic and argue for its validity.
4. Use strong language
Use strong, definitive language in your thesis statement. Try to avoid sounding tentative or uncertain. Your thesis statement should be confident and assertive, and it should clearly state your position on the topic.
It’s a myth that you can’t use “I” in an academic paper, so consider constructing your thesis statement in the form of “I argue that…” This conveys a strong and firm position.
To help make your thesis more assertive, avoid using vague language. For example, instead of writing, "I think social media has a negative impact on mental health," you might write, "Social media has a negative impact on mental health" or “I argue that social media has a negative impact on mental health.”
5. Revise and refine
Finally, remember that your thesis statement is not set in stone. You may need to revise, and refine, it as you conduct your research and write your paper. Don't be afraid to make changes to your thesis statement as you go along.
As you conduct your research and write your paper, you may discover new information that requires you to adjust your thesis statement. Or, as you work through a second draft, you might find that you’ve actually argued something different than you intended. Therefore, it is important to be flexible and open to making changes to your thesis statement.
The bottom line
Remember that your thesis statement is the foundation of your paper, so it's important to spend time crafting it carefully. A solid thesis enables you to write a research paper that effectively communicates your argument to your readers.
Frequently Asked Questions about how to create a thesis statement
Here is an example of a thesis statement: “I argue that social media has a negative impact on mental health.”
A good thesis statement should be an answer to a research question. Start by asking a question about your topic that you want to answer in your paper. The thesis statement should be a concise answer to this question.
Start your thesis statement with the words, “I argue that…” This conveys a strong and firm position.
A strong thesis is a direct, 1-2 sentence statement of your paper’s main argument. Good thesis statements are specific, balanced, and formed in response to an ongoing scholarly conversation.

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- How to Write a Thesis Statement for Your Research: Tips + Examples

Every research paper builds on a central argument that reflects the position of the researcher—this is known as the thesis statement. More than defining the researcher’s central argument, a good thesis statement tells the reader how to interpret the subject matter being discussed.
Without any doubt, writing a good thesis statement is an important step in developing an effective research paper. In this article, we’ll show you how to create different types of thesis statements plus examples you can learn from. Ready? Let’s get started!
What is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement is a single sentence or assertion that captures the core argument of your research. In other words, it summarizes the claim or primary idea that you want to pass across in the dissertation.
A good thesis statement helps you achieve two major things. First, it gives the reader a clear idea of what your research is about; that is, what the paper is saying about the topic. Next, it asserts your unique position for or against the argument at hand.
Typically, you’d find the thesis statement at the conclusion of your research paper’s introductory paragraph. So when next you’re reading a research paper, look out for that ONE sentence that ties together the main idea of the research paper’s argument.
Explore: 21 Chrome Extensions for Academic Researchers in 2021
Importance of a Thesis Statement
Since you have an abstract and research proposal, why should you bother writing a thesis statement? The first thing you need to know is that the abstract and thesis statement work differently. An abstract summarizes your research paper, highlighting its key points while a thesis statement communicates the core idea of your paper.
Let’s go through a few reasons why you need a thesis statement in research.
- A good thesis statement establishes the core idea behind your research paper. It introduces readers to the core idea of your work.
- After reading your thesis statement, your professor would understand your unique position on the argument at hand. In other words, a thesis statement declares the position of the researcher on the specific subject.
- It serves as an “accountability check”. When you make a claim in research, you’d have to provide supporting arguments and points that confirm this claim.
- A good thesis helps the reader to focus on the main idea of your research paper.
- A thesis statement sets the pace for your essay and helps you to organize your ideas neatly.
- It tells the audience what comes next by presenting the writer’s point of view. The rest of your paper is about reinforcing this statement with supporting facts or case studies.
- A good thesis statement helps you achieve cohesion and coherence in your essay.
Read: Writing Research Proposals: Tips, Examples & Mistakes
Categories of Thesis Statements
1. informative thesis .
You’d find an informative thesis statement in essays and research papers that do not argue for or against a topic. In other words, an informative thesis is one that simply communicates the purpose of an essay, without making any arguments or claims that can be true or false.
When writing an informative thesis, your primary focus should be communicating the purpose of your research in a clear and concise manner. Be careful not to steer up any arguments or make any claims that you need to provide evidence for.
Examples of Informative Thesis Statements
- The first wave of feminism focused on securing women’s rights to vote and other legal issues.
- Diabetes is a major cause of medical conditions like blindness, kidney failure, and stroke.
Important Read: Research Questions: Definitions, Types + [Examples]
2. Persuasive Thesis
A persuasive thesis statement is one that makes a claim and goes on to show why that claim is true. Unlike an informative thesis, a persuasive thesis sets out to make a bold argument that forms the core idea of your research process.
Persuasive statements have two parts. In the first part, the researcher makes an assertion that she believes to be true. In the second part of the statement, the researcher provides some evidence to back up this claim. The goal is to provide a solid backing that convinces the reader to agree with the researcher’s position.
Let’s look at a few examples of a persuasive thesis statement.
Learn About: How to Write a Problem Statement for your Research
Examples of a Persuasive Thesis Statement
- Students who sleep early perform better in the classroom because they have higher levels of concentration.
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best types of sandwiches because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good.
Many research papers adopt persuasive thesis statements because it allows the researcher to highlight major discoveries from their systematic investigation.
Learn More: Cross-Sectional Studies: Types, Pros, Cons & Uses
Types of Thesis Statements
Now that you’re familiar with the major categories of thesis statements, let’s discuss some common types of thesis in academic research.
1. Analytical Thesis Statement
An analytical statement is a logical presentation of the researcher’s stance in a systematic investigation. Here, the researcher breaks down an idea into different parts, evaluates these parts closely, and clearly presents the order of the analysis to the reader. This means that your thesis needs to mention the specific aspect that you’ll focus on and state what insight it gives us into the text’s meaning or purpose.
How to Formulate an Analytical Thesis Statement
- Break down your main idea into its key components.
- Discover the logical relationship among the parts.
- Discover the motives, causes, and underlying assumptions.
- Make the required inferences and lay out evidence to support your claims.
Examples of Analytical Thesis Statement
Sample 1: Purdue.edu (Source)
An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.
Sample 2: Study.com (Source)
Though World War I had many different causes, burgeoning nationalism fomented the sense of aggression that ultimately led to the War’s beginning and proliferation.
Read: Double Blind Studies in Research: Types, Pros & Cons
2. Expository Thesis Statement
The purpose of an expository thesis statement is to get the reader acquainted with your research paper. In other words, it sets the expectations for your essay by stating your research topic plus the key areas you will touch on in the paper.
Because of its nature, an expository thesis doesn’t have to give a strong opinion. Rather, it should clearly communicate the theme of your essay, and hint at supporting arguments that you will touch on. After reading your expository thesis, the reader should have a clear idea of what they’ll learn from your essay.
Examples of an Expository Thesis Statement
Sample 1: Scribbr.com (Source)
The invention of Braille transformed the lives of blind people in the nineteenth century, but its success depended on mainstream acceptance by sighted teachers, and this process was shaped by debates about disabled people’s place in society.
Although there are different causes of world war 1, Militarism, Nationalism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Assassination led to the war’s beginning.
Read: Hypothesis Testing: Definition, Uses, Limitations + Examples
3. Argumentative Thesis Statement
This is the most common type of thesis you’d find in research papers. Basically, the purpose of an argumentative thesis is to make a claim that people can agree or disagree with. Throughout the research paper, you’d have to provide facts, figures, and data that convince the audience to agree with your position.
Examples of an Argumentative Thesis Statement
- Children who have single parents find socialization more challenging compared to their counterparts.
- Junk food can help you become healthier and get rid of excess calories.
Elements of a Good Thesis Statement
How do you know you’ve written an excellent thesis statement? The simple way to do this is to match your thesis statement against the features on this list.
In this section, we’d go through some of the elements of a good thesis statement.
- Interpretation: More than regurgitating facts, a good thesis statement must explain these facts and show their significance.
- Precision: Your thesis statement should highlight specific facts, and create a logical relationship among these facts. it states that two ideas were similar or different, without explaining how they were similar or different, it is too vague.
- Element of Surprise: Do you have any information that can catch the reader’s attention and convince them to agree with your position? Now is a good time to highlight them and win the reader over to your side.
- Evidence: A thesis statement should contain an opinion or point of view that can be supported with evidence.
- Demonstrability : Any claims you’ve made in your statement must be backed by reasons and examples for your opinion.
Read: Research Report: Definition, Types + [Writing Guide]
Steps for Writing a Thesis Statement
Step 1: Start with a Question
Ask yourself a simple question concerning what you’d like to explore or find out regarding a topic.
Step 2: Write an Answer to this Question
After conducting your initial research, string all the information you gather to form a tentative answer to this question. The purpose of this temporary response is to guide your research.
Step 3: Develop Your Answer
This is the point where you flesh out your answer with new and supporting evidence. You need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you.
Examples of a Strong Thesis Statement
Sample 1 : Schools should provide educational resources for low-income students so that they can perform better in the classroom.
Sample 2 : Prioritizing diversity and inclusion in the workplace can lead to richer ideas, better employee collaboration, and more empathy among people from different backgrounds.
Sample 3 : Countries with high poverty levels record higher incidences of violence.
Sample 4: 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.
Examples of a Weak Thesis Statement
A weak thesis statement is too broad or ambiguous, making it difficult for the reader to understand your position. Weak thesis statements may also lack evidence. Here are a few samples.
Sample 1: Technology has its advantages and disadvantages.
This statement is weak because it doesn’t point to the type of technology you’re referring to. Also, it attempts to argue two points in a single sentence.
Sample 2 : Taking affirmative action is a way to reduce gender-based violence.
This is a statement of fact that doesn’t pique the interest of the reader. Instead, you should establish a thesis that is arguable, and state the how or why of your position.
Although a thesis statement is just a single sentence, you should take your time to formulate one. 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.
When you have a well-rounded understanding of the data, you can build a strong thesis statement that captures the core of your research.

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Developing a Thesis

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This handout covers major topics relating to writing about fiction. This covers prewriting, close reading, thesis development, drafting, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Once you've read the story or novel closely, look back over your notes for patterns of questions or ideas that interest you. Have most of your questions been about the characters, how they develop or change?
For example: If you are reading Conrad's The Secret Agent , do you seem to be most interested in what the author has to say about society? Choose a pattern of ideas and express it in the form of a question and an answer such as the following: Question: What does Conrad seem to be suggesting about early twentieth-century London society in his novel The Secret Agent ? Answer: Conrad suggests that all classes of society are corrupt. Pitfalls: Choosing too many ideas. Choosing an idea without any support.
Once you have some general points to focus on, write your possible ideas and answer the questions that they suggest.
For example: Question: How does Conrad develop the idea that all classes of society are corrupt? Answer: He uses images of beasts and cannibalism whether he's describing socialites, policemen or secret agents.
To write your thesis statement, all you have to do is turn the question and answer around. You've already given the answer, now just put it in a sentence (or a couple of sentences) so that the thesis of your paper is clear.
For example: In his novel, The Secret Agent , Conrad uses beast and cannibal imagery to describe the characters and their relationships to each other. This pattern of images suggests that Conrad saw corruption in every level of early twentieth-century London society.
Now that you're familiar with the story or novel and have developed a thesis statement, you're ready to choose the evidence you'll use to support your thesis. There are a lot of good ways to do this, but all of them depend on a strong thesis for their direction.
For example: Here's a student's thesis about Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent . In his novel, The Secret Agent , Conrad uses beast and cannibal imagery to describe the characters and their relationships to each other. This pattern of images suggests that Conrad saw corruption in every level of early twentieth-century London society. This thesis focuses on the idea of social corruption and the device of imagery. To support this thesis, you would need to find images of beasts and cannibalism within the text.
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Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is arguable, which means a thoughtful reader could disagree with it and therefore needs your careful analysis of the evidence to understand how you arrived at this claim. You arrive at your thesis by examining and analyzing the evidence available to you, which might be text or other types of source material.
A thesis will generally respond to an analytical question or pose a solution to a problem that you have framed for your readers (and for yourself). When you frame that question or problem for your readers, you are telling them what is at stake in your argument—why your question matters and why they should care about the answer . If you can explain to your readers why a question or problem is worth addressing, then they will understand why it’s worth reading an essay that develops your thesis—and you will understand why it’s worth writing that essay.
A strong thesis will be arguable rather than descriptive , and it will be the right scope for the essay you are writing. If your thesis is descriptive, then you will not need to convince your readers of anything—you will be naming or summarizing something your readers can already see for themselves. If your thesis is too narrow, you won’t be able to explore your topic in enough depth to say something interesting about it. If your thesis is too broad, you may not be able to support it with evidence from the available sources.
When you are writing an essay for a course assignment, you should make sure you understand what type of claim you are being asked to make. Many of your assignments will be asking you to make analytical claims , which are based on interpretation of facts, data, or sources.
Some of your assignments may ask you to make normative claims. Normative claims are claims of value or evaluation rather than fact—claims about how things should be rather than how they are. A normative claim makes the case for the importance of something, the action that should be taken, or the way the world should be. When you are asked to write a policy memo, a proposal, or an essay based on your own opinion, you will be making normative claims.
Here are some examples of possible thesis statements for a student's analysis of the article “The Case Against Perfection” by Professor Michael Sandel.
Descriptive thesis (not arguable)
While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.
This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.
Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence)
Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.
This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.
Arguable thesis with analytical claim
While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.
This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.
Arguable thesis with normative claim
Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.
This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.
Questions to ask about your thesis
- Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?
- Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?
- Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?
- Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?
- Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
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- What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples
What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples
Published on September 14, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.
A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master’s program or a capstone to a bachelor’s degree.
Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation , it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete. It relies on your ability to conduct research from start to finish: choosing a relevant topic , crafting a proposal , designing your research , collecting data , developing a robust analysis, drawing strong conclusions , and writing concisely .
Thesis template
You can also download our full thesis template in the format of your choice below. Our template includes a ready-made table of contents , as well as guidance for what each chapter should include. It’s easy to make it your own, and can help you get started.
Download Word template Download Google Docs template
Table of contents
Thesis vs. thesis statement, how to structure a thesis, acknowledgements or preface, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review, methodology, reference list, proofreading and editing, defending your thesis, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about theses.
You may have heard the word thesis as a standalone term or as a component of academic writing called a thesis statement . Keep in mind that these are two very different things.
- A thesis statement is a very common component of an essay, particularly in the humanities. It usually comprises 1 or 2 sentences in the introduction of your essay , and should clearly and concisely summarize the central points of your academic essay .
- A thesis is a long-form piece of academic writing, often taking more than a full semester to complete. It is generally a degree requirement for Master’s programs, and is also sometimes required to complete a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts colleges.
- In the US, a dissertation is generally written as a final step toward obtaining a PhD.
- In other countries (particularly the UK), a dissertation is generally written at the bachelor’s or master’s level.
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The final structure of your thesis depends on a variety of components, such as:
- Your discipline
- Your theoretical approach
Humanities theses are often structured more like a longer-form essay . Just like in an essay, you build an argument to support a central thesis.
In both hard and social sciences, theses typically include an introduction , literature review , methodology section , results section , discussion section , and conclusion section . These are each presented in their own dedicated section or chapter. In some cases, you might want to add an appendix .
Thesis examples
We’ve compiled a list of thesis examples to help you get started.
- Example thesis #1: “Abolition, Africans, and Abstraction: the Influence of the ‘Noble Savage’ on British and French Antislavery Thought, 1787-1807” by Suchait Kahlon.
- Example thesis #2: “’A Starving Man Helping Another Starving Man’: UNRRA, India, and the Genesis of Global Relief, 1943-1947″ by Julian Saint Reiman.
- Example thesis #3: “An Introduction to Higher-Order Frames in Communication: How Controversial Organizations Maintain Legitimacy Over Time” by Kees Smeets
The very first page of your thesis contains all necessary identifying information, including:
- Your full title
- Your full name
- Your department
- Your institution and degree program
- Your submission date.
Sometimes the title page also includes your student ID, the name of your supervisor, or the university’s logo. Check out your university’s guidelines if you’re not sure.
Read more about title pages
The acknowledgements section is usually optional. Its main point is to allow you to thank everyone who helped you in your thesis journey, such as supervisors, friends, or family. You can also choose to write a preface , but it’s typically one or the other, not both.
Read more about acknowledgements Read more about prefaces
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An abstract is a short summary of your thesis. Usually a maximum of 300 words long, it’s should include brief descriptions of your research objectives , methods, results, and conclusions. Though it may seem short, it introduces your work to your audience, serving as a first impression of your thesis.
Read more about abstracts
A table of contents lists all of your sections, plus their corresponding page numbers and subheadings if you have them. This helps your reader seamlessly navigate your document.
Your table of contents should include all the major parts of your thesis. In particular, don’t forget the the appendices. If you used heading styles, it’s easy to generate an automatic table Microsoft Word.
Read more about tables of contents
While not mandatory, if you used a lot of tables and/or figures, it’s nice to include a list of them to help guide your reader. It’s also easy to generate one of these in Word: just use the “Insert Caption” feature.
Read more about lists of figures and tables
If you have used a lot of industry- or field-specific abbreviations in your thesis, you should include them in an alphabetized list of abbreviations . This way, your readers can easily look up any meanings they aren’t familiar with.
Read more about lists of abbreviations
Relatedly, if you find yourself using a lot of very specialized or field-specific terms that may not be familiar to your reader, consider including a glossary . Alphabetize the terms you want to include with a brief definition.
Read more about glossaries
An introduction sets up the topic, purpose, and relevance of your thesis, as well as expectations for your reader. This should:
- Ground your research topic , sharing any background information your reader may need
- Define the scope of your work
- Introduce any existing research on your topic, situating your work within a broader problem or debate
- State your research question(s)
- Outline (briefly) how the remainder of your work will proceed
In other words, your introduction should clearly and concisely show your reader the “what, why, and how” of your research.
Read more about introductions
A literature review helps you gain a robust understanding of any extant academic work on your topic, encompassing:
- Selecting relevant sources
- Determining the credibility of your sources
- Critically evaluating each of your sources
- Drawing connections between sources, including any themes, patterns, conflicts, or gaps
A literature review is not merely a summary of existing work. Rather, your literature review should ultimately lead to a clear justification for your own research, perhaps via:
- Addressing a gap in the literature
- Building on existing knowledge to draw new conclusions
- Exploring a new theoretical or methodological approach
- Introducing a new solution to an unresolved problem
- Definitively advocating for one side of a theoretical debate
Read more about literature reviews
Theoretical framework
Your literature review can often form the basis for your theoretical framework, but these are not the same thing. A theoretical framework defines and analyzes the concepts and theories that your research hinges on.
Read more about theoretical frameworks
Your methodology chapter shows your reader how you conducted your research. It should be written clearly and methodically, easily allowing your reader to critically assess the credibility of your argument. Furthermore, your methods section should convince your reader that your method was the best way to answer your research question.
A methodology section should generally include:
- Your overall approach ( quantitative vs. qualitative )
- Your research methods (e.g., a longitudinal study )
- Your data collection methods (e.g., interviews or a controlled experiment
- Any tools or materials you used (e.g., computer software)
- The data analysis methods you chose (e.g., statistical analysis , discourse analysis )
- A strong, but not defensive justification of your methods
Read more about methodology sections
Your results section should highlight what your methodology discovered. These two sections work in tandem, but shouldn’t repeat each other. While your results section can include hypotheses or themes, don’t include any speculation or new arguments here.
Your results section should:
- State each (relevant) result with any (relevant) descriptive statistics (e.g., mean , standard deviation ) and inferential statistics (e.g., test statistics , p values )
- Explain how each result relates to the research question
- Determine whether the hypothesis was supported
Additional data (like raw numbers or interview transcripts ) can be included as an appendix . You can include tables and figures, but only if they help the reader better understand your results.
Read more about results sections
Your discussion section is where you can interpret your results in detail. Did they meet your expectations? How well do they fit within the framework that you built? You can refer back to any relevant source material to situate your results within your field, but leave most of that analysis in your literature review.
For any unexpected results, offer explanations or alternative interpretations of your data.
Read more about discussion sections
Your thesis conclusion should concisely answer your main research question. It should leave your reader with an ultra-clear understanding of your central argument, and emphasize what your research specifically has contributed to your field.
Why does your research matter? What recommendations for future research do you have? Lastly, wrap up your work with any concluding remarks.
Read more about conclusions
In order to avoid plagiarism , don’t forget to include a full reference list at the end of your thesis, citing the sources that you used. Choose one citation style and follow it consistently throughout your thesis, taking note of the formatting requirements of each style.
Which style you choose is often set by your department or your field, but common styles include MLA , Chicago , and APA.
Create APA citations Create MLA citations
In order to stay clear and concise, your thesis should include the most essential information needed to answer your research question. However, chances are you have many contributing documents, like interview transcripts or survey questions . These can be added as appendices , to save space in the main body.
Read more about appendices
Once you’re done writing, the next part of your editing process begins. Leave plenty of time for proofreading and editing prior to submission. Nothing looks worse than grammar mistakes or sloppy spelling errors!
Consider using a professional thesis editing service or grammar checker to make sure your final project is perfect.
Once you’ve submitted your final product, it’s common practice to have a thesis defense, an oral component of your finished work. This is scheduled by your advisor or committee, and usually entails a presentation and Q&A session.
After your defense , your committee will meet to determine if you deserve any departmental honors or accolades. However, keep in mind that defenses are usually just a formality. If there are any serious issues with your work, these should be resolved with your advisor way before a defense.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5–7% of your overall word count.
If you only used a few abbreviations in your thesis or dissertation , you don’t necessarily need to include a list of abbreviations .
If your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they won’t be known to your audience, it’s never a bad idea to add one. They can also improve readability, minimizing confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader.
When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.
Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:
- Your anticipated title
- Your abstract
- Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)
A thesis is typically written by students finishing up a bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Some educational institutions, particularly in the liberal arts, have mandatory theses, but they are often not mandatory to graduate from bachelor’s degrees. It is more common for a thesis to be a graduation requirement from a Master’s degree.
Even if not mandatory, you may want to consider writing a thesis if you:
- Plan to attend graduate school soon
- Have a particular topic you’d like to study more in-depth
- Are considering a career in research
- Would like a capstone experience to tie up your academic experience
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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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- Writing a Thesis Statement (website/handout) From the University of North Carolina Writing Center this handout describes how to create a thesis statement for your research paper.
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How to write a thesis statement for a research paper

In any research paper writing task, you will have to write a thesis statement. For some students, it’s a challenge. But without a thesis, you remain unfocused and baseless in your arguments.
A thesis statement is a crucial part of any research paper. It is the central argument or claim that the paper will be defended. This statement should be clear and concise, as it will serve as a road map for the rest of the paper. The thesis statement will also help to keep the paper focused and on track. By providing a main point to focus on, it will be easier to keep the paper organized and well-argued. Finally, the thesis statement can also help to spark ideas for further research. After reading a well-crafted thesis statement, readers should have a good sense of what the rest of the paper will entail and be eager to see where the argument will lead. In short, a strong thesis statement is essential for any successful research paper.
What is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement in a research paper can be defined as a single or two sentences that tie together the main argument in a paper. It states a single specific claim that your essay supports.
What are Research Findings?
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A good thesis has two parts. It should tell what you plan to argue, and how you plan to support your claim.
The functions of a thesis statement include;
- Establishes the purpose of your paper.
- Guides the reader on what your paper argues.
- Shows how you will validate your claims.
- Keeps your writing focused.
What makes a good thesis
A thesis statement is a sentence that states the main idea of a research paper or essay. It makes a claim, directly answering a question.
A good thesis statement is clear, specific, declarative, and on-topic. It must be well-written and free of errors.
Additionally, a good thesis statement should be arguable; that is, it should be debatable and open to discussion.
Narrow focus:
A good thesis statement should also be sufficiently narrow so that it can be fully supported within the text of the paper.
Interesting:
Finally, a good thesis statement is interesting; it should make readers want to learn more about the topic at hand.
For example:
A good thesis statement for a research paper on the Holocaust might look something like this: “The Holocaust was a genocide of unprecedented scale and cruelty, in which Nazi Germany systematically killed millions of Jews.”
This statement is clear , specific , declarative , and on-topic .
Additionally, it is arguable (some people might dispute whether the Holocaust was actually a genocide), and it is interesting (readers will want to learn more about the Holocaust after reading this statement).
In sum, a good thesis statement for a research paper needs to meet all of these criteria: clarity, specificity, declarative, on-topic, arguable, and interesting.
If you can find these qualities, then you have a good thesis statement for a research paper!
Types of thesis in research
There are several different types of thesis statements, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The following overview will help you choose the best type of thesis statement for your research paper.
Explanatory thesis
The first type of thesis statement is the explanatory thesis. This type of statement simply explains the main point of your paper without taking a position.
For example, an explanatory thesis might state that “The American Revolution was caused by economic, social, and political factors.” While this type of statement is helpful in providing an overview of your paper’s topic, it lacks the focus necessary to make a strong argument.
Analytical thesis
The second type of thesis statement is the analytical thesis. This type of statement takes a position on the issue at hand and then supports that position with evidence from your research. For example, an analytical thesis might state that “The American Revolution was fought for liberty and equality.” This type of statement is more arguable and provides more support for your paper.
Argumentative thesis
The third type of thesis statement is the argumentative thesis. This type of statement makes a claim that will be defended in your paper. For example, an argumentative thesis might state that “The American Revolution was fought for liberty and equality, and it resulted in the founding of the United States.” This type of statement provides more support for your paper and is more likely to generate a strong response from readers.
Factual thesis
A factual thesis statement simply states a fact about the topic. For example, “The United States is made up of 50 states.”
A factual thesis statement is a statement that can be proven true or false using evidence from reliable sources. It is different from an opinion thesis statement, which is a statement of opinion that cannot be proven true or false. A factual thesis statement must be clear and concise, and it should state the main point of your paper.
It is important to remember that a factual thesis statement can be disproved if new evidence arises, so it is important to choose your sources carefully.
However, if you can support your thesis statement with strong evidence, it can still be a valuable addition to your paper.
How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Research Paper
Now that you know the different types of thesis statements, you can begin writing your own. To write a good thesis statement, follow these steps:
1. Choose a topic.
Your topic should be something that you are interested in and have a strong opinion about. Avoid writing about topics that are too broad or too fully-explored by other authors.
2. Do some research.
Once you have chosen a topic, take some time to learn more about it. Read other papers on the topic, and take note of any particularly strong evidence or well-crafted arguments. This will help you develop your own ideas and formulate a more specific thesis.

3. Develop your argument.
Based on your research, decide what position you want to take on your topic. What do you think is the most important factor to consider? What evidence do you have to support this position? Be sure to choose an argument that you can support with evidence from your paper.
4. Write your thesis statement.
Once you have developed your argument, express it in one or two sentences. Be sure to include evidence that supports your position. Remember, your thesis statement should be arguable and specific.
5. Test your thesis statement.
Once you have written your thesis statement, try to argue with it. Are there any points you could dispute? Any counterarguments you can think of? If so, revise your thesis statement to make it more specific or nuanced.
A good thesis statement is essential to writing a strong research paper. By following the tips above, you can develop a well-crafted thesis statement that will help you produce a successful paper.
10 Tips for writing a thesis statement for your paper
A thesis statement is a crucial part of any academic paper. It should be clear and concise, and it should present the main argument of your paper. In this article, we will share 10 essential tips for writing a thesis statement.
- Start with a broad statement that you can narrow down later.
- Make sure your thesis statement is clear and easy to understand.
- Be sure to include only relevant information in your thesis statement.
- Keep your thesis statement short and to the point.
- Be sure to proofread your thesis statement for grammar and spelling errors.
- Make sure your thesis statement flows logically from one point to the next.
- Check to see if your thesis statement addresses the main points of your paper.
- Remember that your thesis statement should be arguable.
- Avoid using first person pronouns in your thesis statement.
- Seek help from a writing tutor or professor if you need assistance crafting a strong thesis statement.
Follow these ten recommendations to develop an outstanding thesis statement for your academic paper.
Hypothesis vs Thesis In Research
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. A thesis statement is a declarative sentence that asserts the position a paper will be taking. This statement should be both specific and arguable, generally in the form of a claim or an assertion.
A hypothesis is generally meant to be proven or disapproved by research, while a thesis statement sets forth an argument to be defended in a paper.
In some cases, the two may be similar, but they serve different purposes in research.
A thesis statement presents an argument or claim that will be supported by evidence, while a hypothesis predicts what will happen given certain circumstances.
Thesis statements are found in the introductions of research papers, while hypotheses are used in experiments to test whether a certain outcome will occur based on the given conditions.
In short, a hypothesis is designed to be proven or disapproved, while a thesis statement is an assertion that will be defended in a paper.
Examples of Research Paper Thesis Statements
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best types of sandwiches because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good.
- Child labour should be punishable by the community because it deprives children of their basic rights.
- Religion should not be made compulsory in schools because it disputes the laws of science and confines scholars to a particular religious alienation.
- The Red Cross Association that has gained popularity in Africa over the past several years offers a way to increase accessibility to health facilities to marginalized communities.
- Passive smoking is as harmful as active smoking. It leads to the same health issues. Such type of smoking increases the threat of cancer and heart disease, and that is why it should be banned in public places.
Keep in mind the questions that a thesis should answer. Reach to our team of professional writers for further guidance.

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Thesis and Purpose Statements
Use the guidelines below to learn the differences between thesis and purpose statements.
In the first stages of writing, thesis or purpose statements are usually rough or ill-formed and are useful primarily as planning tools.
A thesis statement or purpose statement will emerge as you think and write about a topic. The statement can be restricted or clarified and eventually worked into an introduction.
As you revise your paper, try to phrase your thesis or purpose statement in a precise way so that it matches the content and organization of your paper.
Thesis statements
A thesis statement is a sentence that makes an assertion about a topic and predicts how the topic will be developed. It does not simply announce a topic: it says something about the topic.
Good: X has made a significant impact on the teenage population due to its . . . Bad: In this paper, I will discuss X.
A thesis statement makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of the paper. It summarizes the conclusions that the writer has reached about the topic.
A thesis statement is generally located near the end of the introduction. Sometimes in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or an entire paragraph.
A thesis statement is focused and specific enough to be proven within the boundaries of the paper. Key words (nouns and verbs) should be specific, accurate, and indicative of the range of research, thrust of the argument or analysis, and the organization of supporting information.
Purpose statements
A purpose statement announces the purpose, scope, and direction of the paper. It tells the reader what to expect in a paper and what the specific focus will be.
Common beginnings include:
“This paper examines . . .,” “The aim of this paper is to . . .,” and “The purpose of this essay is to . . .”
A purpose statement makes a promise to the reader about the development of the argument but does not preview the particular conclusions that the writer has drawn.
A purpose statement usually appears toward the end of the introduction. The purpose statement may be expressed in several sentences or even an entire paragraph.
A purpose statement is specific enough to satisfy the requirements of the assignment. Purpose statements are common in research papers in some academic disciplines, while in other disciplines they are considered too blunt or direct. If you are unsure about using a purpose statement, ask your instructor.
This paper will examine the ecological destruction of the Sahel preceding the drought and the causes of this disintegration of the land. The focus will be on the economic, political, and social relationships which brought about the environmental problems in the Sahel.
Sample purpose and thesis statements
The following example combines a purpose statement and a thesis statement (bold).
The goal of this paper is to examine the effects of Chile’s agrarian reform on the lives of rural peasants. The nature of the topic dictates the use of both a chronological and a comparative analysis of peasant lives at various points during the reform period. . . The Chilean reform example provides evidence that land distribution is an essential component of both the improvement of peasant conditions and the development of a democratic society. More extensive and enduring reforms would likely have allowed Chile the opportunity to further expand these horizons.
For more tips about writing thesis statements, take a look at our new handout on Developing a Thesis Statement.

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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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How to Write a Thesis Statement
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 References Approved
This article was co-authored by Gerald Posner . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 26 testimonials and 81% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 3,181,048 times.
Whether you’re writing a short essay or a doctoral dissertation, your thesis statement can be one of the trickiest sentences to formulate. Fortunately, there are some basic rules you can follow to ensure your thesis statement is effective and interesting, including that it must be a debatable analytical point, not a general truism.
Crafting Great Thesis Statements

- Thesis: "Computers allow fourth graders an early advantage in technological and scientific education."
- ' Thesis: "The river comes to symbolize both division and progress, as it separates our characters and country while still providing the best chance for Huck and Jim to get to know one another."
- Thesis: "Through careful sociological study, we've found that people naturally assume that "morally righteous" people look down on them as "inferior," causing anger and conflict where there generally is none."

- Ex. "This dynamic between different generations sparks much of the play’s tension, as age becomes a motive for the violence and unrest that rocks King Lear."
- Ex. "The explosion of 1800s philosophies like Positivism, Marxism, and Darwinism undermined and refuted Christianity to instead focus on the real, tangible world."
- Ex. "Without the steady hand and specific decisions of Barack Obama, America would never have recovered from the hole it entered in the early 2000s."

- "While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions."
- "The primary problem of the American steel industry is the lack of funds to renovate outdated plants and equipment."
- "Hemingway's stories helped create a new prose style by employing extensive dialogue, shorter sentences, and strong Anglo-Saxon words."

- "After the third and fourth time you see him beat himself, one finally realizes that Huck Finn is literature's first full-blown sadomasochist."
- "The advent of internet technology has rendered copyright laws irrelevant -- everyone can and should get writing, movies, art, and music for free."
- "Though they have served admirably for the past two centuries, recent research shows that America needs to ditch the two-party system, and quickly."

- "By owning up to the impossible contradictions, embracing them and questioning them, Blake forges his own faith, and is stronger for it. Ultimately, the only way for his poems to have faith is to temporarily lose it."
- "According to its well-documented beliefs and philosophies, an existential society with no notion of either past or future cannot help but become stagnant."
- "By reading “Ode to a Nightingale” through a modern deconstructionist lens, we can see how Keats viewed poetry as shifting and subjective, not some rigid form."
- "The wrong people won the American Revolution." While striking and unique, who is "right" and who is "wrong" is exceptionally hard to prove, and very subjective.
- "The theory of genetic inheritance is the binding theory of every human interaction." Too complicated and overzealous. The scope of "every human interaction" is just too big
- "Paul Harding's novel Tinkers is ultimately a cry for help from a clearly depressed author." Unless you interviewed Harding extensively, or had a lot of real-life sources, you have no way of proving what is fact and what is fiction."
Getting it Right

- is an assertion, not a fact or observation. Facts are used within the paper to support your thesis.
- takes a stand, meaning it announces your position towards a particular topic.
- is the main idea and explains what you intend to discuss.
- answers a specific question and explains how you plan to support your argument.
- is debatable. Someone should be able to argue an alternate position, or conversely, support your claims.

- "Because of William the Conqueror's campaign into England, that nation developed the strength and culture it would need to eventually build the British Empire."
- "Hemingway significantly changed literature by normalizing simplistic writing and frank tone."

Finding the Perfect Thesis

- A clear topic or subject matter
- A brief summary of what you will say
- [Something] [does something] because [reason(s)].
- Because [reason(s)], [something] [does something].
- Although [opposing evidence], [reasons] show [Something] [does something].
- The last example includes a counter-argument, which complicates the thesis but strengthens the argument. In fact, you should always be aware of all counter-arguments against your thesis. Doing so will refine your thesis, and also force you to consider arguments you have to refute in your paper.

- There are two schools of thought on thesis timing. Some people say you should not write the paper without a thesis in mind and written down, even if you have to alter it slightly by the end. The other school of thought says that you probably won't know where you're going until you get there, so don't write the thesis until you know what it should be. Do whatever seems best to you.

- Never frame your thesis as a question . The job of a thesis is to answer a question, not ask one.
- A thesis is not a list. If you're trying to answer a specific question, too many variables will send your paper off-focus. Keep it concise and brief.
- Never mention a new topic that you do not intend to discuss in the paper.
- Do not write in the first person. Using sentences such as, "I will show...," is generally frowned upon by scholars.
- Do not be combative. The point of your paper is to convince someone of your position, not turn them off, and the best way to achieve that is to make them want to listen to you. Express an open-minded tone, finding common ground between different views.

Sample Thesis and List of Things to Include

Community Q&A

Video . By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.
- An effective thesis statement controls the entire argument. It determines what you cannot say. If a paragraph does not support your thesis, either omit it or change your thesis. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
- Think of your thesis as a case a lawyer has to defend. A thesis statement should explain to your readers the case you wish to make and how you will accomplish that. You can also think of your thesis as a contract. Introducing new ideas the reader is not prepared for may be alienating. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

- ↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html
- ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
- ↑ http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/thesis-statements
- ↑ https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/writing-a-thesis
About This Article

To write an effective thesis statement, choose a statement that answers a general question about your topic. Check that your thesis is arguable, not factual, and make sure you can back it up your with evidence. For example, your thesis statement could be something like "Computers allow fourth graders an early advantage in technological and scientific education." To learn about writing thesis statements for different types of essays or how to incorporate them into your essay, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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Join the Writing Center and Library for an in-person research and writing thesis clinic for graduate students on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10am-2pm at the Library's Archives & Special Collections, 950 Building, South Campus. The clinic will focus on: • Strategizing your research • Presenting an overview of Writing Center services • Writing strategies • Citing sources with Zotero • Using Library Online Research Databases • Avoiding plagiarism • Sharing examples of previous graduate theses • Submitting your own thesis to our Archives Don't miss this important opportunity to learn from the best and gain skills to make your thesis research productive, fun, and rewarding. Space is limited, so please remember to RSVP HERE for this in-person event.
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How To Write A Thesis Statement For A Research Paper

The heart of every research paper is the thesis statement. It is the first thing anyone reading research papers checks, as it gives a reader prior information about the research paper. The thesis statement usually gives short and precise information on the research paper. For a well-written research paper, the thesis statement serves an important purpose.
While the thesis for research paper is important in any research paper, most people find it challenging to develop a compelling thesis statement for their research paper. To help students and researchers, this article provides detailed and helpful information on how to write a research paper thesis statement.
- 1. What is a Thesis Statement?
- 2. Do Research Papers Have a Thesis?
- 3. Important Things to Note in Writing a Good Thesis for a Research Paper
- 4. Step By Step Guide for Writing a Thesis Statement
- 5. Characteristics of a Good Thesis Statement
- 6. Notable Research Paper Thesis Statement Examples
- 7. Thesis Topic 1: The Challenges of Mandatory Online Learning on College Students During COVID
- 8. Thesis Topic 2: The Provision of Educational and Learning Resources for Low-Income Students
- 9. Thesis Topic 3: The Prevalence of Internet and Cyberbullying and the Need for Government Legislation Against It
What is a Thesis Statement?
Researchers have described the thesis statement as the foundational stage of any well-written research paper. The thesis statement provides firsthand information and argument of what is contained in a research paper.
The tone is usually precise and declarative, touching across all the core areas of the research paper. Your thesis statement should incorporate all the highlighted keywords in your research paper. Thesis statements are not generic; they are specific, as the purpose is to give readers a clear understanding of what to expect from the rest of the research paper.
Whether you are writing a research paper as a term paper, or as your undergraduate dissertation, a thesis statement is essential in the writing process. It provides foundational knowledge of what the research paper will be shaped around.
The thesis statement appears at the top of the research paper. It should be the first thing any reader notices when they read through a research paper. It usually comes immediately after the research title.
Do Research Papers Have a Thesis?
Yes, they do. Oftentimes, many undergraduate students new to research writing ask whether or not a research paper has a thesis. The simple answer is yes. Every research paper must have a thesis.
The thesis statement is the most important part when writing your research paper. It provides information on the research, it also serves as a research writing guide, outlining the relevant areas to touch across in the body of the research.
In the structure of a research paper, the thesis statement is essential. Without it, a research paper will be considered incomplete. Although there is no single way to conduct research, writing research usually has an acceptable structure. A research paper structure should contain:
Thesis statement Literature review Research methodology Result and findings Discussion Conclusions Reference
The above is the basic structure of a good research paper, and in it, there must always be a detailed thesis statement. On the other hand, you can pay for thesis and never worry about all those points.
Important Things to Note in Writing a Good Thesis for a Research Paper
When it comes to research writing, one of the challenges college and university students still face is the problem of how to write a good thesis statement for their research paper. Anyone can write a thesis statement, but it takes a lot of effort and training to learn how to write a good thesis for a research paper.
Definitely, writing a research paper is not easy and writing a good thesis statement is certainly not easy either. There are important things to note on how to write a thesis for a research paper. Some of them include:
It Should be Concise : Your thesis statement has to be concise; this involves the ability to communicate knowledge about your research topic in a few words. Your thesis should not contain unnecessary words or sentences. Make it as brief as possible; this helps prioritize the main information conveyed. Use Clear Grammar : Clear grammar is essential in any form of writing, and it certainly applies to your research paper thesis statement. Your grammar must be clear, rich, and convey information without difficulty. Thus, always use simple grammar when writing your thesis statement. Present a Strong Argument : The purpose of a thesis statement is to convey clear and specific thoughts about a research paper. Therefore, your thesis should convey that thought declaratively.
Step By Step Guide for Writing a Thesis Statement
Every piece of great research writing must follow a regular structural pattern. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to write a good thesis statement for your next research paper.
- Define Your Topic : Your thesis statement has to be definitive. It has to give a succinct definition of what your topic entails. Making it as definitive as possible will show that you have a good knowledge and understanding of what your research is all about. For example, if you have a topic like “The challenges of mandatory online education to college students,” your thesis statement should provide a detailed explanation of why mandatory online learning today has become a source of challenge for college students. You can begin this by first giving insight into what has given rise to mandatory online learning in the first place; this helps to give context as well as structure to your thesis statement.
- Avoid Vagueness : Most students often vaguely present their thesis statement that it becomes difficult for readers to pinpoint the intended purpose of the research. Your thesis statement should give readers clear information about your paper’s content. Avoid making the statement vague as this affects the understanding on the part of the readers. It has to be both precise and straight to the point. Making your points clear and straightforward will present you as informed in the subject matter and confident in your assertions. Also, a straightforward thesis statement immediately provides a clear picture of what the research is or isn’t about.
- Number of Sentences : Your thesis statement should not be bulky. Always make it as short as possible. Its purpose is to provide brief and detailed information on the rest of the paper. Therefore, it should be as short as possible. To achieve this, try as much as possible to limit it to a certain number of sentences. A well-formed thesis statement should not exceed two sentences. Or, in most cases, three.
- Answer the Research Question : Before starting a research paper, students and young researchers must always start with a gap analysis. The gap analysis details areas not covered by previous research in your study. Through these, a research problem is identified, and a research question will be formed. This question must be addressed in your thesis statement as well. For instance, in the research topic, “The challenges of mandatory online education to college students,” the research question automatically is, “why are mandatory online classes imposed on college students?” In your thesis statement, you should be able to address this question, giving insight on why mandatory online classes have taken over in-person classes and why it’s become a problem for college students.
- Practice : In any form of writing, practice makes perfection; this also applies to your thesis statement. Don’t be consumed by the idea of drafting an all-inclusive thesis statement in one try. Draft as many thesis statements as you can and gradually add all the relevant points that should be included in your essay.
Characteristics of a Good Thesis Statement
Even with a how-to guide on writing a good thesis statement, there are other things to note about a good thesis statement. There are certain things contained in a good and well-written thesis statement, and some of them include:
- It Must be Specific : It is not a well-written thesis statement if it is not specific. A good thesis statement indicates clearly what the research will be all about. Avoid vague or broad statements in your thesis. Your thesis must maintain a particular context and your knowledge built around that context. In the research topic, “The challenges of mandatory online education on college students,” your thesis should revolve around how making online classes mandatory now affects college students. Taking your thesis statement beyond this affects the message of your thesis. To achieve specificity in your research, always narrow down your point to concentrate solely on your research topic.
- Present a Solid and Convincing Argument : Narrowing down your thesis statement to focus on your research topic helps you to build a solid argument around that topic. Leaving room for vagueness in the statement stops your thesis from building a strong argument. To create a thesis with a solid argument, focus on being specific in your thesis statement.
- Should be Engaging : A good thesis statement has to be effective and engaging. It attracts the interest of readers and keeps them reading. Ultimately, a great one should have the ability to hook readers’ interest.
- Topic-related : Your thesis statement should only revolve around your research topic. Avoid touching areas that are not related to your research topic. If your topic is, the challenges of imposing online learning on college students, your thesis should only address how mandatory online classes affect college students.
Notable Research Paper Thesis Statement Examples
An important point to note is that a good research topic births a good thesis statement. After you have successfully chosen a research topic, the next thing on your to-do list is to prepare your thesis statement. Below, we have provided you with a list of some research paper thesis examples to guide you in writing your own.
Thesis Topic 1: The Challenges of Mandatory Online Learning on College Students During COVID
An example of the thesis statement you can form from the above topic could look like :
“The advent of Covid-19 has brought about a global strain in many sectors, that its impact is also largely palpable in the educational sector where it has been recorded to have disrupted an existing traditional mode of learning, causing schools to consider other modes of learning such that many learning institutions now regard virtual learning as a viable solution. However, studies show that college students are becoming tired of online learning during a pandemic, which has been pointed as causing a significant strain on students’ learning abilities. This study explores how online learning (which used to be a student’s delight Pre-COVID) has become a hectic learning style especially for college students and how this is largely reliant on the pandemic”.
Thesis Topic 2: The Provision of Educational and Learning Resources for Low-Income Students
A thesis statement for a topic like this will look like this :
“Educational inequality has become prevalent in our society today. One of the challenges children face from low-income homes is the inaccessibility of educational and learning tools, which poses a serious problem for students in this category to have equal access to education and learning like their fellow counterparts. Against the backdrop of this major educational disparity is also a government with little-to-no provision made to create solutions to this rising educational challenge. This study examines the challenges of low-income homes, how this affects their ability to meet the educational demands of their children, and the government’s role in making certain educational and learning materials accessible to the wider public”.
Thesis Topic 3: The Prevalence of Internet and Cyberbullying and the Need for Government Legislation Against It
“With the growth of technology and with more and more people gaining access to smartphones as well as the availability of several social media spaces for public engagement, cyberspace has become a favorable playing ground for several cyberbullying activities. With this, cyberbullying is gaining ground, gradually getting out of hand, with more and more people falling victim to cyber bullies daily; this has become an issue of general interest—the need to address the growing unsafety on the internet propagated by online trolls. With almost no successful strategy to handle this, the issue can be curbed through the implementation of government legislation. This study examines the prevalence of cyberbullying, its effect on individuals, and the role the government can play in ensuring that internet safety can be restored”.
Solution To Your Thesis Problem
Are you a college or university student in need of online thesis help of any form? Look no further as our team provides the required thesis writing service that will be beneficial to you. Your information is secure with us, and our team of writers will help you create the perfect thesis statement and research paper that will ensure you score good marks from your professor.
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Our 24/7 online team is made up of experts in various learning fields who range from Ph.D. holders, graduates, and other educated writing professionals and professors who will provide you with high quality, custom, and unique writing services that will earn you excellent grades in your degree, all at an affordable price, and a quick turnaround time.

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Harassment and abuse perceived to harm poor women less − new research finds a ‘thicker skin’ bias

Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University
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Nathan Cheek received funding from the National Science Foundation.
Purdue University provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.
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People think sexual harassment and domestic abuse are less harmful for women in poverty than for higher-income women, according to four studies involving 3,052 Americans conducted by my colleagues and me . We also found that people believe women in poverty require less help and support when experiencing these kinds of sexual misconduct.
My research partners and I recruited participants of different ages, genders and incomes. We asked them to read about either a low-income woman or a high-income woman who was dealing with workplace sexual harassment or intimate partner abuse. Then we had participants rate how distressing these instances would be for the woman.
The harassment events described inappropriate behavior from a co-worker, such as sexual comments and unwanted advances, while domestic abuse events included threats, demeaning comments and physical violence from the woman’s partner. In some of the studies, participants also rated how much social support or bystander intervention would be necessary for these events.
Our participants rated the harassment and abuse events as less upsetting for the lower-income woman than for the higher-income woman. They also thought the lower-income woman would need less emotional support from friends and family and less help from bystanders than the higher-income woman. On average, participants thought she needed only 85% as much help as her higher-income counterpart.
The result was the same whether the woman was white, Black, East Asian or Latina. Both low- and high-income study participants shared this pattern of judgment – as did male and female participants.
Why it matters
There is no data that shows lower-income women are less affected by gender-based violence – in fact, there is evidence they are often more affected .
Women in poverty are more likely to experience sexual harassment and domestic abuse – and have more difficulty finding support after experiencing sexual misconduct. Our research suggests that stereotypes about toughness may contribute to the neglect low-income women encounter when they seek help after violence.
It isn’t that study participants didn’t like the low-income woman. In fact, in our studies, participants rated the low-income woman as friendlier and warmer than the higher-income woman. But liking the low-income woman didn’t prevent participants from thinking the harassment and abuse would be less harmful for her.

Such perceptions may have wide-ranging consequences. For example, low-income women may not receive the care they need from those around them. They also may be disproportionately neglected by those in powerful positions, such as human resources managers and police investigating domestic abuse.
Biased perceptions may help explain why lower-income women encounter more barriers in the legal system .
Already, the neglect of low-income women has been effectively part of U.S. federal workplace law based on several rulings from courts hearing sexual harassment claims . For example, in the 1995 case Gross v. Burggraf , the court ruled that sexually harassing behaviors in a “white collar” workplace do not necessarily qualify as harassment in “blue collar” contexts like construction sites.
This logic echoes our study participants’ judgments – and also partially explains why low-income women have spoken out about being sidelined by the #MeToo movement .
What other research is being done
Our research fits with a growing body of work examining beliefs around experiencing adversity. People seem to widely endorse the idea “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Individuals who have experienced past hardship, such as women experiencing financial difficulties, are perceived by others to have grown a “ thicker skin ,” making them less affected by new negative events.
Our findings show this kind of bias exists for low-income women – and highlight the need for strategies to counteract this biased belief.
The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.
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How to use ChatGPT to do research for papers, presentations, studies, and more

ChatGPT is often thought of as a tool that will replace human work on tasks such as writing papers for students or professionals. But ChatGPT can also be used to support human work, and research is an excellent example.
Whether you're working on a research paper for school or doing market research for your job, initiating the research process and finding the correct sources can be challenging and time-consuming.
Also: 5 handy AI tools for school that students, teachers, and parents can use, too
ChatGPT and other AI chatbots can help by curtailing the amount of time spent finding sources, allowing you to jump more quickly to the actual reading and research portion of your work.
Picking the right chatbot
Before we get started, it's important to understand the limitations of using ChatGPT . Because ChatGPT is not connected to the internet, it will not be able to give you access to information or resources after 2021, and it will also not be able to provide you with a direct link to the source of the information.
Also : The best AI chatbots: ChatGPT and other noteworthy alternatives
Being able to ask a chatbot to provide you with links for the topic you are interested in is very valuable. If you'd like to do that, I recommend using a chatbot connected to the internet, such as Bing Chat , Claude , ChatGPT Plus , or Perplexity .
This how-to guide will use ChatGPT as an example of how prompts can be used, but the principles are the same for whichever chatbot you choose.
1. Brainstorm
When you're assigned research papers, the general topic area is generally assigned, but you'll be required to identify the exact topic you want to pick for your paper or research. ChatGPT can help with the brainstorming process by suggesting ideas or even tweaking your own.
Also: How ChatGPT (and other AI chatbots) can help you write an essay
For this sample research paper, I will use the general topic of "Monumental technological inventions that caused pivotal changes in history." If I didn't have a specific idea to write about, I would tell ChatGPT the general theme of the assignment with as much detail as possible and ask it for some proposals.
My prompt: I have to write a research paper on "Monumental technological inventions that caused pivotal changes in history." It needs to be ten pages long and source five different primary sources. Can you help me think of a specific topic?
As seen by the screenshot (below), ChatGPT produced 10 viable topics, including "The Printing Press and the Spread of Knowledge", "The Internet and the Digital Age", "The Telegraph and the Communication Revolution", and more.
Also: How to use the new Bing (and how it's different from ChatGPT)
You can then follow up with ChatGPT to ask for further information. You can even tweak these topics with an angle you like more, and continue the feedback loop until you have a topic you are settled on.
2. Generate an outline
Once you have selected a topic, you can ask ChatGPT to generate an outline, including as much detail for your assignment as possible. For this example, I used the first topic that ChatGPT suggested in the previous step.
My prompt: Can you give me an outline for a research paper that is ten pages long and needs to use five primary sources on this topic, "The Printing Press and the Spread of Knowledge"?
ChatGPT generated a 13-point outline that carefully described the areas I should touch on in my paper, as seen in the photo (above). You can then use this outline to structure your paper and use the points to find sources, using ChatGPT as delineated below.
3. Tell ChatGPT your topic and ask for sources
Now that you have a topic and outline established, you can ask ChatGPT about the topic of your project and ask it to deliver sources for you.
My prompt: Can you give me sources for a ten-page long paper on this topic, "The Printing Press and the Spread of Knowledge"?
ChatGPT outputs a list of five primary and five secondary sources that you can include in your paper. Remember, because ChatGPT can't give you internet links, you will need to seek out the specific resources on your own, whether that's Googling or visiting your school library.
Also: How to use Stable Diffusion AI to create amazing images
When I asked Bing Chat the same question, it provided sources with clickable links that you can use to access the material you need quicker. For that reason, I would use Bing Chat for this step.
4. Describe a specific idea and ask for sources
Instead of describing the whole topic, you can also use a chatbot to find sources for a specific aspect of your paper.
Also: How (and why) to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus
For example, I asked ChatGPT for sources for a specific bullet in the paper outline that it generated above.
My prompt: Can you give me sources for the social and intellectual climate of when the printing press was generated?
As in the prior example, ChatGPT generated five primary and five secondary resources for the topic.
Using this feature for smaller chunks of your essay is a good alternative because it gives you more options on sources and provides tailored insight that you can use to carefully craft your piece.
5. Ask for examples of a specific incident
I use this prompt a lot in my workflow because I can sometimes remember that something specific happened, but can't pinpoint what it was or when it happened.
This tool can also be used when you need to find a specific example to support your topic.
Also: How to use ChatGPT to write an essay
In both cases, you can ask ChatGPT to help you identify a specific event or time period, and incorporate those details in your article.
In our essay example, if I wanted to include a rebuttal and delineate a time when implementing technology had negative impacts, but couldn't think of an incident on my own, I could ask ChatGPT to help me identify one.
My prompt: What was a time in history when implementing technology backfired on society and had negative impacts?
Within seconds, ChatGPT generated 10 examples of incidents that I could weave into the research as a rebuttal.
6. Generate citations
Creating a page of the works you cited, although valuable and necessary for integrity, is a pain. Now, you can ask ChatGPT to generate citations for you by simply dropping the link or the title of the work, and asking it to create a citation in the style of your paper.
Also: How to make ChatGPT provide sources and citations
I asked ChatGPT to generate a citation for this article for ZDNET. As seen by the photo (above), the tool asked me to include the access date and the style for the citation, and then quickly generated a complete citation for the piece.
ChatGPT generated:
Great, here's the MLA citation for the web link "How to Use ChatGPT to Write an Essay" from ZDNET, accessed on September 15: "How to Use ChatGPT to Write an Essay." ZDNET, https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-chatgpt-to-write-an-essay/. Accessed 15 Sept. 2023.
If you used something other than a website as a source, such as a book or textbook, you can still ask ChatGPT to provide a citation. The only difference is that you might have to input some information manually.
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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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The thesis statement is made up of one or two sentences that concisely summarize the main points or arguments of a piece of writing, such as an academic essay or research paper thesis. The thesis statement fulfills various roles in a piece of writing, not the least of which is to directly address the research question.
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
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.
Using paper checkers responsibly Pollution is bad for the environment. This thesis statement is not debatable. First, the word pollution implies that something is bad or negative in some way. Furthermore, all studies agree that pollution is a problem; they simply disagree on the impact it will have or the scope of the problem.
1. Start with a question A good thesis statement should be an answer to a research question. Start by asking a question about your topic that you want to address in your paper. This will help you focus your research and give your paper direction. The thesis statement should be a concise answer to this question.
Matt Ellis Updated on April 13, 2023 Students A thesis statement is a sentence in a paper or essay (in the opening paragraph) that introduces the main topic to the reader. As one of the first things your reader sees, your thesis statement is one of the most important sentences in your entire paper—but also one of the hardest to write!
AI Thesis Statement Generator. Lay the foundation for a compelling research paper, persuasive essay, and more with Grammarly's thesis statement generator, which helps spark original ideas for your paper's thesis statement in two quick steps. Step 1. Enter target audience. Paste or type the name of the person or group who will read your paper.
Ready? Let's get started! What is a Thesis Statement? A thesis statement is a single sentence or assertion that captures the core argument of your research. In other words, it summarizes the claim or primary idea that you want to pass across in the dissertation. A good thesis statement helps you achieve two major things.
Answer: He uses images of beasts and cannibalism whether he's describing socialites, policemen or secret agents. To write your thesis statement, all you have to do is turn the question and answer around. You've already given the answer, now just put it in a sentence (or a couple of sentences) so that the thesis of your paper is clear. For example:
Here are some examples of possible thesis statements for a student's analysis of the article "The Case Against Perfection" by Professor Michael Sandel. Descriptive thesis (not arguable)
Download Word template Download Google Docs template Note Many departments and/or fields of study have specific structural guidelines for theses. When in doubt, ask your supervisor. Table of contents Thesis vs. thesis statement How to structure a thesis Title page Acknowledgements or preface Abstract Table of contents List of figures and tables
Keenious is a resource recommender tool designed to aid in the identification and discovery of scholarly research. It analyzes writing from text documents and PDFs to recommend the most relevant articles and topics to explore using artificial intelligence combined with conventional search algorithms. For more information, visit this guide.
1 It should be clear and concise: A research paper thesis statement should use plain language and explain the topic briefly, without going into too much detail. 2 It's a single sentence: A thesis statement is generally only one sentence, which helps keep the topic simple and makes it easier to understand.
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:
From the University of North Carolina Writing Center this handout describes how to create a thesis statement for your research paper. How to Write a Thesis Statement (Website/handout) From Indiana University Bloomington Writing Center this handout provides more examples of thesis statement writing.
A good thesis statement is essential to writing a strong research paper. By following the tips above, you can develop a well-crafted thesis statement that will help you produce a successful paper. 10 Tips for writing a thesis statement for your paper. A thesis statement is a crucial part of any academic paper.
Writing Process and Structure Thesis and Purpose Statements Thesis and Purpose Statements Use the guidelines below to learn the differences between thesis and purpose statements. In the first stages of writing, thesis or purpose statements are usually rough or ill-formed and are useful primarily as planning tools.
The thesis statement for a research paper is mostly like any other thesis statement, but it's a good idea to develop a working thesis statement for your research paper before you actually begin the heavy research. Keep in mind that you might still need to do some preliminary research in order to develop your ideas and a solid focus for your paper.
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?
Writing an effective background section in 3 easy steps. To create a coherent and engaging section, adhere to the following algorithm. Step 1. Recognize the research problem. Start by precisely delineating the research problem or defining the gap in current knowledge that your investigation seeks to tackle.
Always take a case-by-case approach. Based on your research, you may also opt for a 3-part thesis statement. Clearly dictate your assertion on the topic. Create a thesis statement that is debatable, but can be proven with evidence and reasoning. Place your thesis statement as a conclusion to the Introduction section of your paper.
Doing so will refine your thesis, and also force you to consider arguments you have to refute in your paper. 5. Write down your thesis. Writing down a preliminary thesis will get you on the right track and force you to think about it, develop your ideas further, and clarify the content of the paper.
thesis statement is analogous to a "movie trailer" that gives readers an engaging glimpse into the main conclusion, compelling them to read further. As research progresses and the broader
Join the Writing Center and Library for an in-person research and writing thesis clinic for graduate students on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10am-2pm at the Library's Archives & Special Collections, 950 Building, South Campus. The clinic will focus on: • Strategizing your research. • Presenting an overview of Writing Center services.
Make it as brief as possible; this helps prioritize the main information conveyed. Use Clear Grammar: Clear grammar is essential in any form of writing, and it certainly applies to your research paper thesis statement. Your grammar must be clear, rich, and convey information without difficulty.
What other research is being done Our research fits with a growing body of work examining beliefs around experiencing adversity. People seem to widely endorse the idea "what doesn't kill you ...
1. Brainstorm. When you're assigned research papers, the general topic area is generally assigned, but you'll be required to identify the exact topic you want to pick for your paper or research ...
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 ...