Can a Thesis Statement Be an Opinion?

A lot of work goes into a thesis statement. We certainly get that. The question is, should it reflect personal opinion or remain impartial?

A thesis statement can be an opinion in persuasive or argumentative essays, as it should take a stand and be arguable. On the other hand, the thesis statements for analytical or expository essays should present facts and evidence and, therefore should be free from any personal opinion.

This blog post will explore the different perspectives on this topic and help you understand when it is appropriate to express an opinion in a thesis statement.

What is an opinion when it comes to a thesis statement?

An opinion in a thesis statement refers to a personal viewpoint or belief about a particular topic. 

In academic writing, a thesis statement should present a factual argument or claim that can be supported by evidence, rather than simply expressing a personal opinion. 

While opinions may be interesting and thought-provoking, they are less likely to be considered as solid arguments in academic writing.

Which kind of thesis statement(s) should and should not contain an opinion?

An opinion should be present in persuasive or argumentative essays in the thesis statement. The goal of these types of essays is to convince the reader to agree with the writer’s perspective. 

On the other hand, analytical or expository essays should not contain opinions, as the goal is to objectively present information. The thesis statement of these essays should be neutral, thus free from a personal viewpoint,  by providing enough information and evidence as support.

Examples of thesis statements with an opinion

Let’s look at some examples of thesis statements with an author’s opinion. Again, make sure the opinion (aka your argument) is well backed up with evidence and support in your essay.

Thesis statements with an opinion – Example #1

“The use of fossil fuels is the leading cause of climate change and should be banned immediately.”

Explanation: This statement presents a clear opinion that the use of fossil fuels should be banned and the reason for this opinion (leading cause of climate change).

Thesis statements with an opinion – Example #2

“The recent rise in popularity of plant-based diets is a positive trend in terms of promoting sustainability and reducing the negative impact on the environment.”

Explanation: This statement presents the author’s opinion that the rise in popularity of plant-based diets is positive and gives reasons for this opinion (promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact).

Thesis statements with an opinion – Example #3

“Capital punishment is a barbaric and outdated practice that has no place in modern society.”

Explanation: This statement presents the author’s opinion that capital punishment is barbaric and outdated and that it should not exist in modern society.

What’s next?

Hopefully, you now understand that the thesis statement for argumentative or persuasive essays should be an opinion for the sake of presenting the argument. In contrast, analytical and expository essays, by their neutral nature, should not present an opinion in the thesis statement.

Want to stay on top of your thesis statement? Read these posts below if you haven’t yet done so already: