Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is made up of three different parts

1) Identification (What is the topic you are talking about?) (What do you believe about the topic?) 2) Claim 3) Direction (What are the 3 main reasons you can support your claim?

Use the thesis while writing.

A thesis serves a useful purpose: the writer can check the body of the paper against it, since it promises a reader what will follow. If the body contains other information, such as other major reasons for the differences cited, then the thesis might need to be revised.

An Effective Thesis Statement

A thesis statement helps unify a paper. It should summarize the main point and guide the paper's development. A thesis statement is usually expressed in one sentence.

thesis statement

A thesis statement is a statement of the central idea in a work which states its purpose.

A thesis takes a stand; it does not make an announcement.

Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving the environmental problems of the Indian River Lagoon. Thesis: Solving the environmental problems of the Indian River Lagoon will prove more difficult than many people believe.

A thesis statement narrows the topic.

Broad: The American automobile industry has many problems. Narrow: The primary problem facing the American automobile industry is competition from foreign auto makers.

Provide clear, specific support for thesis statement.

Example: High school graduates should be required to take two years off to serve in the military or pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness. The paper that follows should present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should serve in the military or pursue community projects before entering college.

A thesis is a main idea, not a title.

Title: The effect of the Internet on society. Thesis: Continuing advances in the Internet are having a great impact upon communication in modern society.

A thesis statement makes an assertion; it is not a simple statement or observation.

Fact or observation: More people are attending community colleges. Thesis: Community colleges are attracting more students because they offer job training programs as well as academic courses of study.

A thesis statement is specific.

Vague: John D. MacDonald's stories are very good Specific: John D. MacDonald's stories advanced the thriller genre by employing intelligent dialogue, introducing environmental and economic concerns, and delving into moral issues.

3 parts to a thesis

Topic, claim, and support