The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your or .
Thesis statements don’t spring fully formed from the head of Zeus (look it up!); they develop naturally during the writing process. Once you have a pretty solid idea of the topic you are going to write about, sketch out a tentative, or working, thesis statement to help guide your writing. Some students like to write this controlling sentence on a 3x5 inch card and keep it next to the computer as they write their draft to prevent going off topic.
Your thesis statement should stimulate the reader to continue reading your paper. Many writers choose to illustrate that the chosen topic is controversial in one way or another, which is an effective way to pull in readers who might agree with you and those who don’t!
This working thesis statement is not written in stone. As you research, think, write, and revise, you will discover that your subject needs to be narrowed or expanded, or you will discover nuances that need to be accounted for. That’s fine! With each discovery, you should tweak and adjust the thesis statement so that it says precisely what you mean to say and prepares readers for what you are going to tell them.
For example, consider the following thesis statement:
A thesis statement is a single sentence that declares the main purpose of the entire essay, answering the question, “What is my opinion?” or “What will I illustrate, define, analyze or argue in this essay?” The thesis statement helps the writer stay focused while writing and sets the reader’s expectations for the essay. Here is a brief overview:
Drafting a thesis statement that is neither too broad nor too narrow can be a challenge. Consider the following thesis statements, one set for each of the three categories of essay:
Once you have completed a draft of your paper, reassess the thesis statement to make sure it is strong and clear and covers everything in the draft. If it does not, add whatever has been left out in the thesis; it is easier to adjust the thesis statement than to rewrite the whole essay, and if you have been adjusting the thesis statement all during the process, it should be very close.
Sometimes it is useful to mention your supporting points in your thesis. An example of this could be: John Updike's Trust Me is a valuable novel for a college syllabus because it allows the reader to become familiar with his writing and provides themes that are easily connected to other works. In the body of your paper, you could write a paragraph or two about each supporting idea. If you write a thesis statement like this, it will often help you to keep control of your ideas.
Here’s an example of a weak thesis statement:
Since thesis statements present an argument, they require support. All paragraphs of the essay should explain, support, or argue with your thesis. You should support your thesis statement with detailed evidence that will interest your readers and motivate them to continue reading the paper.
Here’s an example of a strong thesis statement:
The ability to compose a strong thesis statement is a skill you’ll use over and over again during your college days and beyond. Compelling persuasive writing is important, whether you’re writing an academic essay or putting together a professional pitch.
How to write a thesis statement:
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.
Where Does The Thesis Sentence Go in An Essay
An isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your ) that every part of the essay relates to.
Where Does The Thesis Sentence Go in An Essay
The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.
Where Does The Thesis Sentence Go in An Essay
A specific thesis statement also helps you focus your argument — you should be able to discuss your thesis thoroughly in the allotted word count. A thesis that’s too broad won’t allow you to make a strong case for anything.