A thesis is a well-written statement of a successful essay or research paper. Whether you are working on a school assignment, a dissertation or a research paper, writing a thesis helps the reader get a gist of the topic you are working on. Writing a thesis statement guide is a skill that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Through this blog, we will guide you about the requirements of writing a thesis statement, give examples, and show you how to conduct research for your topic. And, certain factors should be considered when writing these statements as they set a foundation in the book.
What Is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement is a single or two sentence concluding the main idea or argument of the paper. A way to tell the readers what to expect and why your argument or analysis of the topic matters. What is it that you can present differently in the paper than what has already been researched? This would be a great way to connect with your readers giving them a clear idea about the topic and the difference. Therefore, a strong thesis statement should be concise, clear to the point, and debatable as well. Set the rest of the paper with your statement of thesis.
Why Writing a Thesis Statement is Important?
Make sure to focus on these key points to understand why writing a Thesis statement is important:
Focus: Make sure to focus on a specific argument or perspective you have of the research topic.
Clarity: The reader should understand the main purpose of the paper by giving your thesis statement a read.
Organisation: Organise the framework properly to show the arguments logically. This should be presented in a proper flow.
Engagement: The thesis statement should be engaging, inviting the readers to take an interest in the paper.
Types of Thesis Statements
These are the thesis statement examples one can use according to the academic guidelines given by the university. These are the three most common types of thesis statements:
Analytical Thesis Statement
In this type of analytical statement, one gets to break down an issue or idea into components, evaluate them and present the analysis to the reader.
- Example: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby reveals the moral and social decay of the Jazz Age, as reflected through the green light, the valley of ashes, and the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg.
Argumentative Thesis Statement
The argumentative thesis takes a clear look at the debatable topic giving the foundation on why this topic was pursued.
- Example: Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are essential to fight climate change and should be replaced with fossil fuels by the year 2040 for a sustainable future.
Expository Thesis Statement
This type of thesis statement explains the topic or process without making an argument on the same.
- Example: The process of fermentation involved in winemaking has three critical steps - Preparation, fermentation, and aging, each of them contributes to the wine’s final flavour profile.
Steps for Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement
Step 1: Choose a Specific Topic
Start by choosing a broad subject, and narrowing it down to a specific and focused aspect of the topic. Such as:
- Broad Topic - Climate Change
- Specific - The effects of climate change on coastal areas or communities
Step 2: Ask Questions
Direct a question to define or establish the argument or perspective for your topic. For example:
- What are the consequences climate change has on coastal communities?
- How can the government address these challenges?
Step 3: Take a Position
Based on your research or perspective, decide your viewpoint. Your thesis statement is a reflection of the viewpoint you have. For example:
Climate change has an effect on the coastal communities and the government should implement relocation policies and infrastructure investments to decline its impact.
Step 4: Draft Your Thesis Statement
Combine the topic and a concise statement that acts as a summary of your argument or analysis.
Step 5: Refine and Revise
A thesis statement is not the final verdict. As you move forward towards the research part or your ideas evolve, you can revisit the thesis according to the research you have done. Therefore, the thesis statement should be specific, concise, and also arguable.
Characteristics of a Strong Thesis Statement
Find out how you can write a strong thesis statement by understanding and keeping in mind the following characteristics:
- Be Specific: Make sure to be specific about your thesis statement. Do not write stories or take long to reach the main point of the statement. And, be clear to convey the message of the argument or analysis properly.
- Weak: “The effects of social media are many”
- Strong: “Social Media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok set beauty standards, significantly impacting self-esteem in the younger generation.
Clarity:
A strong thesis statement is not confusing or phrased. It is understandable and has a strong readability.
Arguability:
A thesis should be presented in a debatable claim. One should avoid stating facts that cannot be argued.
- Weak: Water is essential to survive.
- Strong: Access to clean water is a fundamental right that should be prioritised by governments worldwide through infrastructural improvement.
Conciseness:
The thesis statement should be in a sentence or two. Avoid using complex words for better readability and understanding.
Examples of Thesis Statements
These are some of the examples of thesis statements:
Argumentative:
The legalisation of marijuana at the federal level will boost the economy as well as reduce captivity rates for minor drug offences.
Analytical:
Shakespeare’s use of tragic flaws in Macbeth is a highlight of the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and its consequences on personal integrity.
Expository:
Photosynthesis is a process of converting sunlight into energy and consists of three stages - Light absorption, energy conversion, and glucose synthesis.
How Should You Start Writing a Thesis Statement?
Some tips for writing a thesis statement:
- Start On Time:
Don’t start your thesis statement too late or just before the deadline, make sure to start on time to properly write a thesis statement.
- Be Flexible:
When working on your thesis statement, be flexible and open to options of research. And in addition, this will keep your work on point.
- Test Your Thesis:
Once your thesis is complete, make sure to do a fact check properly and test the thesis statement.
- Get Feedback:
Once your thesis is complete, get feedback from your professors or an expert writing a thesis statement.
- Place Your Thesis Strategically:
Before starting the thesis statement and thesis, create a strategy and find out the references you will use for the research part.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
There are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a thesis statement:
Being Indefinitive:
Avoid writing statements that may lead to shifting the focus of the reader.
- Weak: Education is important. "Education is important."
- Improved: Implementing STEM-focused curriculums in govt, schools help in preparing students for future advancements in technology.
Including Multiple Ideas:
A thesis should have its focus on one main idea rather than confusing your readers with many different arguments.
Overloading with Difficult Words:
Make sure when writing that your language is accessible to the general public so that anyone can understand.
Thesis Help
Writing a thesis statement might seem difficult at the beginning for new students. Therefore, a thesis statement requires research and statements to attract readers with ease.
- Online Tools:
You can make use of thesis generators to get some ideas related to your statement of thesis. They will help you in structuring your idea and you can further edit it accordingly.
- Writing Centers:
Most schools and universities offer writing centres where you can get one-on-one guidance.
- Peer Review:
Share the thesis with your peers and other classmates to get an opinion or get a fresh perspective.
- Professional Help:
Get professional help from a tutor or someone you are seeking feedback from such as an expert who will help in refining your thesis into perfection.
Get Thesis Help From Assignment Writer AU
Writing a thesis statement and thesis might seem a tough task for someone who is occupied with other tasks and assignments as well. If you are looking for assistance in writing a thesis or creating a statement for the same, our experts for thesis help will assist you in the same. Our experts will need details about your thesis and the topic you are looking to write the statement on. Therefore, Assignment Writer AU has over 5k+ experts helping students with their assignments.
Conclusion
A thesis statement is written to provide focus and clarity along with a direction to the reader on the research you have done in your thesis. Whether you are writing an analytical statement, argumentative statement or expository thesis statement, follow the steps and tips outlined in this guide. This helps in creating a statement that captures the main idea and engages the audience. A strong thesis evolves with your research and writing, so make sure to refine your statement when working on the thesis. With research and patience, you can write the best thesis statement with an impact on the reader.