Writing a Thesis Statement

Sandi Greene, M.A. English Adjunct Faculty

Just like everything in the universe circles around the sun, everything in an essay circles around the thesis statement. No matter what type of paper you write—evaluation, research, argumentation—the center of your paper will be your thesis statement. From now through the rest of your education, instructors will want you to have a well-developed thesis statement in your essays. This is why it is important that you learn to do it correctly.

So just what is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is:

 A one or two sentence statement that makes an ASSERTION as to the purpose or point of your paper.  Located near the END of your introduction.  Always the center of your paper—everything else in your paper must support, be related to, or point back to your thesis statement.  What you want to prove in your essay.  Some type of opinion that a reasonable person could disagree with or argue against.  Answers the questions “how?” or “why?”  Passes the SO WHAT? TEST. What in the world does this have to do with anything? Why should I care? Why should others care?

A thesis is not:  A fact or observation. Wrong: There are many classes to take in college. Correct: College provides the opportunity for students to explore their gifts and talents, and hopefully gain insight into what career they can focus on.

 A generalization. Wrong: Men are insensitive to women. Correct: Often men and women have miscommunication and this can cause women to believe that some men are insensitive to their feelings.

 An exaggeration. Wrong: Eating healthy is so terrible. Correct: Eating only fruits and vegetables for long periods of time can be dangerous because there are other nutrients needed for a human body.

 A question. Wrong: Is this war justified? Correct: The current war with Iraq is justified because terrorism is being averted, the Iraqi people are being freed, and there is no question that weapons of mass destruction are no longer in Iraq.  Too broad. Wrong: All animals are cool. Correct: The Anteater is one of the most unique and interesting animals within the animal kingdom.

 Too narrow. Wrong: The song “Killing Friends” is offensive. Correct: Music with vulgar language and images can negatively influence young children and teenagers.

 An announcement. Wrong: This essay talks about how assisted suicide is wrong. Correct: Assisted suicide should be illegal because people do not have the right to decide when they should die.

 Vague or general. Wrong: Charles Dickens was a good author. Correct: Charles Dickens was one of the greatest authors of all time because of his unique use of characterization, books that had to do with significant social issues, and his use of description.

 Avoids first person. Wrong: I believe that smoking is bad for people. Correct: Smoking should be avoided by people of all ages because it poses one of the deadliest health risks today.

While writing your paper, you will have a tentative, or working, thesis. This means that your thesis will most likely change as you find support and write your paper. You may write and rewrite your thesis several times while writing an essay. The important thing is that in the end you have a specific and focused thesis and that everything else in your paper supports or works to prove this thesis to be true.

Questions:

1. Everything in an essay circles around the ______statement. 2. A thesis is only how many sentences? ______or ______. 3. A thesis is located near the ______of the ______. 4. Every thing in your paper must ______, be ______to, or _____ back to your thesis statement. 5. A thesis statement makes an ______. 6. A thesis statement answers the questions ______and ______.

Now, practice writing a thesis statement of your own:

7. Pick a general topic for your next Essay: ______

8. Ask a question about that topic: ______

9. What is YOUR answer to that question? ______

10. Put that answer in the form of an opinion: ______

11. Rewrite it again in the form of a thesis statement: ______

Here is an example for you:

A general topic for a Proposal Essay: Health Care A question about that topic: Can the government provide their own health care plan that is affordable for those who don’t have health care or are denied because of preexisting conditions? My answer to that question?: Yes, if they were willing to put time and money into that plan. That answer in the form of an opinion: The government should offer a health care plan that is affordable for every American regardless of income or preexisting conditions. Rewritten again in the form of a thesis statement: The government should put time and money into offering a health care plan that is affordable for every American regardless of income or preexisting conditions.

Please Check Your Thesis

Now check the following rules against your statement. Use the space to rewrite your statement if you need to: My thesis statement is only one or two sentences. My thesis statement is an opinion and not a fact or observation. A reasonable person could disagree with my thesis statement. My thesis statement passes the So What? Test My thesis statement is not a generalization or exaggeration. My thesis statement is not too broad or too narrow. My thesis statement is not a question. My thesis statement is no an announcement and it avoids first person. My thesis statement is not too vague or general.

Rewrite here.