Writing a Thesis Statement What is it? A thesis statement is a strong statement that you can prove with evidence. It is not a simple statement of fact. A thesis statement should be the product of your own critical thinking after you have done some research. Your thesis statement will be the main idea of your entire project. It can also be thought of as the angle or point of view from which you present your material.
When do I write it? You will develop a thesis statement about your research topic after you have written the question you want to answer and have done some actual research into the topic. You will then present your thesis statement in your introduction (last sentence), prove it with evidence in the body of your paper, and finally restate it along with a summary of your evidence in your conclusion.
How do I write it?
Look again at your question you want to answer. Look at the kinds of information you have been finding while taking notes. Decide what kind of statement you have enough evidence to prove. (Be sure that you have done enough research to make a strong argument. You may be challenged.) Write that as your thesis statement.
Example:
Question: How did Elizabeth I use her marriage-ability during her rule?
Restatement of the question: Elizabeth I did indeed use her suitors as a strategy during her rule.
Thesis: Elizabeth I used several unsuccessful engagements to influence England’s foreign policy and to leave England a more influential nation in European balance of power.
A thesis does not begin to state evidence or examples. It should be found in the introductory paragraph or refined in the concluding paragraph. It shouldn’t be a combination of several topic sentences within the essay or paper. In all cases, an effective thesis: Fully addresses the question asked
Takes a position with regard to the question asked
Provides organizational categories that will be used/expanded in the essay (can be 3-pronged)
There are many ways to approach writing a thesis statement. Just make sure that it is not simple a fact and that you can prove it and support it with good evidence from reliable sources.
Here are some ways to approach it:
Define a problem and state your opinion about it (without using “I” or “My”) Evaluate the importance of a particular event or individual on our history Look at an issue/topic from a new, interesting perspective Compare two or more of something similar and give your rating about them Put out your ideas about how something was influenced to be the way it is or was (music, art, political leadership, genocide)
What does it look like? Here are some Question to Answer examples and how to turn them into some possible thesis statements.
Question to Answer Possible thesis statement "What effects did Abraham Lincoln’s The assassination of Abraham Lincoln proved to be the ultimate assassination have on Americans?" disaster for the South. The Progressive Presidents were successful in their goals of eliminating corruption in the government. “Was the Progressive Movement successful in improving life for or Americans?” Despite its many successes, the Progressive Movement failed African Americans.
"What impact did the Triangle Shirtwaist Despite its tragedy, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire had a positive Factory have on factories in America?” impact on working conditions in America. “What were some new inventions that The invention of the ______telephone ______, Ford Model T____, changed life for Americans at the turn of and ____airplane___ transformed American life in the late 1800s. the 19th century?” ______The Cuban Revolt____, Yellow journalism______, and __the “What caused the Spanish American sinking of the Maine__ were the main causes of the Spanish American War?” War.
You can see that there is more than one way to write a thesis statement, depending on what you find out in your research and what your opinion is. Good Thesis Writing Takes Practice
Weak thesis: “Eleanor Roosevelt was a strong leader as First Lady.” This thesis lacks an argument. Why was Eleanor Roosevelt a strong leader?
Strong Thesis: Eleanor Roosevelt recreated the role of the First Lady by her advocacy for women’s and civil rights, by lobbying for national legislation and by fostering women’s leadership in the Democratic Party. This thesis has an argument: Eleanor Roosevelt “recreated” the position of First Lady and a three-part structure with which to demonstrate HOW she remade the job.
Ideas from: Samuels, Holly. “Writing a Thesis Statement.” September 2005. CRLS Research Guide. 25 Oct. 2005. http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/13_Thesis_Statement.asp