You’ve come up with an argument for your thesis statement that holds your opinion. And you just wondered if it’s a good idea to put it as a quote to add credibility. Should you do that?
The thesis statement of an essay should express your argument in your own opinion on the topic being discussed. It is not appropriate to express your opinion as a quote in the thesis statement, as the thesis statement should be original and reflect your own thoughts and ideas.
In this post, we want to give you a quick rundown on why a quote should not be your thesis statement and instead how to use it properly in your essay. Let’s get to it.
Should I express my opinion as a quote in the thesis statement of an essay?
While quotes can be used to support your argument in the body of the essay, the thesis statement should be a clear, concise, and well-crafted sentence that states your position on the topic and sets the tone for the rest of the essay.
Quoting someone else’s opinion in the thesis statement may not effectively convey your own stance on the topic. It may even have the opposite effect of detracting from the credibility of your argument.
What does a quote do in an essay?
Quotes, in general, can be used as evidence to support the writer’s argument or claims in the introduction, body paragraphs, as well as conclusion.
In an essay, a quote serves several purposes:
- Evidence: Quotes can be used to provide supporting evidence for the writer’s arguments or claims.
- Authority: Quoting experts or authoritative sources can add credibility to the writer’s arguments and help to establish their stance.
- Illustration: Quotes can help to illustrate a point or bring an argument to life, making it more engaging and memorable for the reader.
- Counterargument: Quotes can also be used to present counterarguments or opposing viewpoints, helping to strengthen the writer’s overall argument by showing the complexity of the issue.
- Aesthetic: Quotes can also be used for their aesthetic appeal, adding interest and diversity to the essay.
Regardless of the purpose, quotes should always be used sparingly and in context, and the writer should ensure that they are properly cited and attributed to the original source.
Can you use a quote in the thesis statement of argumentative or persuasive essays?
In an argumentative or persuasive essay, the thesis statement serves as the main argument or position that the writer is taking on a particular topic. You, as the writer, should take a stand and present a debatable argument.
That said the argument should be your own and not someone else’s in form of a quote or citation.
Can you use a quote in the thesis statement of expository and analytical essays?
In expository and analytical essays the thesis statement serves a different purpose than in argumentative or persuasive essays. The main goal is to present information and analyze data, rather than taking a particular stance.
As a result, the thesis statement should be a clear and objective statement of the main idea or argument that is not debatable and free from any opinion. That said, a quote is the last thing you want to use as it presents an opinion of someone else’s, obviously.
Wrapping up
In short, it is not recommended to express your opinion as a quote in the thesis statement of an argumentative or persuasive essay. Instead, your thesis statement should clearly state your own position in your own words.
More on thesis statements
- Can a Thesis Statement Be Two Sentences?
- Can a Thesis Statement Be an Opinion?
- Can a Thesis Statement Be a Question?
- Can a Thesis Statement Be a Quote?
Jump into these quick guides to write a strong thesis statement in no time. We have included tons of good (and bad) examples to show you how to do it right. A simple formula is included in each article to help you create your strong thesis statement with suggested wordings.