A thesis statement is a 3- 4 sentence summary that provides the readers with the central point of the whole paper. Your thesis statement should appear at the end of the introduction of your essay or research paper.
Also read: How and What to Write in a Thesis Statement?
What makes a good thesis statement?
Writing a good thesis statement can be the key to success in your academic journey. If you can write a good thesis statement, you’re well on your way to getting a great grade. So keep these tips in mind and get ready to craft your thesis statement – you can do it!
To set you up for success, here are the 3 criteria for a good thesis statement:
1. Concise: Short and to the point
The first thing you need to keep in mind is that a solid thesis statement should be brief and to the point. It should explain the main idea of your paper in a concise way.
Avoid using more words than necessary. You should try to summarize the whole paper in a few sentences.
2. Debatable or arguable (for argumentative essays only)
Your thesis statement should not be a fact that everyone already knows. It should also be arguable, giving you room for debate and argument.
Your thesis statement, especially in an argumentative essay, should be something that others might challenge or disagree with.
Let us take one thesis statement as an example:
A weak thesis statement:
“The government should fight against climate change.“
This thesis statement is a weak statement as it reads like a closed question. You may either agree or disagree that a government is the only party that should bear the responsibilities when it comes to climate change.
A strong thesis statement:
“The government should use XX% of its budget to fight against climate change.“
This example is debatable as some people as people can disagree on this. Some may believe that most of the funds should be used to fight against it. Others may think that other issues such as education and healthcare are also important.
3. Coherent: Relatable to the main point
Your thesis statement can describe several facts about your topic, but they should all add up to a logical argument that expresses one core point. Everything in your thesis statement must be supported and clarified in your paper.
Look at the different types of thesis statements to decide which one will suit your thesis statement. They are meant to be used as examples only for your inspiration.
In other words, it should be relevant to the topic of your paper. A good thesis statement should answer the “so what?” question – why is this topic important and why should people care about it? It should also be able to stand on its own, encapsulating the main points of your paper in a few sentences.
Three types of thesis statements
A good thesis statement can make all the difference when it comes to writing a successful essay. In essence, there are three main types of thesis statements you can use:
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.
An expository thesis statement presents a neutral explanation of a topic or issue, usually with the aim of informing the reader. It presents a fact-based and balanced view without involving the writer’s opinion. Example: “The impact of social media on teenagers will be analyzed through a review of relevant studies.”
An argumentative thesis statement, on the other hand, should take a stance on a topic and argues for or against it. It presents the writer’s opinion and aims to persuade the reader. Example: “The excessive use of social media by teenagers is harmful and should be limited.”
An analytical thesis statement presents an analysis of a topic, breaking it down into its component parts and examining them in detail. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the topic. Example: “The increasing popularity of social media among teenagers can be attributed to its convenience and ease of use, but also raises concerns about privacy and online safety.”
Whichever type of thesis statement you choose to write, make sure it’s clear and focused. A good thesis statement should be able to clearly explain the main idea of your essay and provide direction for the rest of the paper.
Thesis Statement Examples on Different Topics
1. Outer Space: The exploration of outer space is a waste of money; instead, funds should go toward solving issues on Earth, such as poverty, hunger, global warming, and traffic congestion.
2. Use of the Internet: The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to a different perspective, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.
3. Vegan Diet: While a vegan diet is a healthy and ethical way to eat, it also shows a position of power. If you travel around the world, it also limits your access to various cultural eating experiences.
4. University Degree: A university degree delivers significant life and career lessons, but not every high school student should be encouraged to attend university immediately after graduation. Some students may benefit from attending a trade school or taking a “gap year” to think more deeply about what they want to do for a profession and how they may get there.
5. Rise in Nationalism: The rise in populism and nationalism in the U.S. and European democracies has coincided with the decline of moderate and centrist parties that have dominated since WWII.
6. Job experience before University: College graduates should have job experience of a year before entering university to improve their communication skills and increase global awareness and market knowledge.
7. International education: One of the most diverse experiences you can have in college is studying abroad. It is the only way to become thoroughly absorbed in another language and learn how different other cultures and countries are from your own.
Examples: Expository Thesis Statement
An expository thesis statement is entirely based on factual information. Technically, these are not personal statements or ones that the facts and stats can not support.
Instead, it clearly explains the content topics and what major issues will be discussed later so that the readers can have a complete idea of the entire content by reading the thesis statement.
8. This dynamic between different generations sparks much of the play’s tension, as age becomes a motive for the violence and unrest that rocks King Lear.”
9.The United States spends more money on its military budget than all the industrialized nations combined.
10. Gun-related homicides and suicides are increasing after years of decline.
11. Hate crimes have increased three years in a row, according to the FBI.
12. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases the risk of stroke and arterial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).
13. Factors related to students‘ success include effective time management, motivation, and family support.
14. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
15. The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.
16. The explosion of 1800s philosophies like Positivism, Marxism, and Darwinism undermined and refuted Christianity to instead focus on the real, tangible world.
17. People should add exercise into their daily routine because it decreases the risk of high blood pressure and keeps the body at a healthy weight.
18. Not just negative stories, fairy tales also shed a negative impact on the psychology of young children.
19. To make a jelly and peanut butter sandwich, you need to get the ingredients, find a knife and spread the dressing.
20. The life of a college student can be categorized by time for studying, attending classes, giving exams, and socializing with others.
21. High levels of alcohol consumption can become the reason for weight gain, liver complications, and heart disease.
22. According to the FBI, crime rates have increased in the last two years.
Examples: Analytical Thesis Statement
Technically, the analytical thesis statement inspects or breaks down the main idea or issue into different phases. Then, it evaluates completely in order of explanation to give readers a clear picture of what they will be reading further.
23. Alternatives to fossil fuels energies indicate that a better option can be the use of solar and wind power.
24. The criminal justice reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate in late 2018 (“The First Step Act“) aims to reduce prison sentences that disproportionately fall on nonwhite criminal defendants.
25. The rise in populism and nationalism in the U.S. and European democracies has coincided with the decline of moderate and centrist parties that have dominated since WWII.
26. Later-start school days increase student success for a variety of reasons.
27. An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.
28. Although there are different causes of world war 1, Militarism, Nationalism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Assassination that led to the war’s beginning.
29. In “The Third and Final Continent”, the writer exhibits the characters by immigrants: adaptation, tradition, and identity.
30. In “A Worn Path”, the writer creates a fictional character whose faith, determination, and cunning behavior illustrate the invincible human spirit.
Examples: Argumentative Thesis Statement
In such a statement, the writer describes an attitude of an argument to create a debatable topic. Unlike other statement types, in this type, the writer can take a position on a subject to convince the readers about their perspective. Usually, the writer uses examples to explain the point of view better.
31. Technology has decreased our level of connectedness to others.
32. Self-driving cars are too dangerous and should be banned from the roadways.
33. The exploration of outer space is a waste of money; instead, funds should go toward solving issues on Earth, such as poverty, hunger, global warming, and traffic congestion.
34. Street cameras and street-view maps have led to a total loss of privacy in the United States and elsewhere.
35. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to a different perspective, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.
36. High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.
37. Without the steady hand and specific decisions of Barack Obama, America would never have recovered from the hole it entered in the early 2000s.
38. College graduates should have job experience for a year before entering university to improve their communication skills and increase global awareness and market knowledge.
39. While some pundits have drafted graduation as something inevitable for success, this opinion should not be treated as presented.
40. Although uniforms are said to enhance the unity and community spirit, educational institutes should not force students to wear them.
Conclusion
With a good thesis statement, you’ll be able to craft an effective, persuasive essay that will make your readers think. With some practice and dedication, you can create thesis statements that will make your research paper stand out from the crowd.
I need help with my thesis statement to make it in parallel structure.
Although the author presents many credible sources, she has lack in online abuse ways, and she forgets the role of institutions.
This was excellent. Thanks!