How do you write a thesis statement for an essay?

Question

I don't understand what it is or how to fit it into the essay without it seeming out of place.

Answer 1

What is a thesis?

A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.

A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information. But don't rush! You must do a lot of background reading before you know enough about a subject to identify key or essential questions. You may not know how you stand on an issue until you have examined the evidence. You will likely begin your research with a working, preliminary or tentative thesis which you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the evidence leads.

The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis.)

Remember, your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make it clear, strong, and easy to find.


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Attributes of a good thesis:

It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.
It tackles a subject that could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned.
It is specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing “everything about …” Instead of music, think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your argument about it.
It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence. Note: Be flexible. The evidence may lead you to a conclusion you didn't think you'd reach. It is perfectly okay to change your thesis!
It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work.
It anticipates and refutes the counter-arguments
It avoids vague language (like "it seems").
It avoids the first person. ("I believe," "In my opinion")
It should pass the So what? or Who cares? test (Would your most honest friend ask why he should care or respond with "but everyone knows that"?) For instance, "people should avoid driving under the influence of alcohol," would be unlikely to evoke any opposition.

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Simple equations for a thesis might look something like this:

Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis

What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis

Answer 2

Your thesis statement should come FIRST, and it's the paragraph that summarizes exactly what theory you intend to prove in your essay. It's the first paragraph, and it states a theory that you intend to prove. The first few sentences of the paragraph lead up to your theory. Then the last paragraph should state it outright.

Here's a ridiculous example, but it will show what I mean:

"Many people believe that red is red. Look at all the red hearts. They're red. Blood, all red. But some evidence has shown that red is really blue. For example, there have been some sightings of blue hearts. Blue blood is something we've all heard of. This essay intends to demonstrate that indeed, red can sometimes be blue."

That last sentence IS your thesis statement. The rest of the essay should spit out all the research and experimentation you have done to prove that red is blue.

Then, you start arguing your point paragraph by paragraph. Summarize by closing with a paragraph that summarizes how you proved your first paragraph.


mersh at intelics dot com if you need more help.

Answer 3

the thesis is the most fundamentally important piece of the essay. You shouldn't worry about making your thesis fit your essay, but making your essay fit your thesis.

It is the crux. Essentially it is telling your readers what, specifically, you're going to argue.

So let's say you're talking about bicycles. To write an essay, you need to take a side of an argument *about* bicycles. Well, you like bicycles, so lets say you want to argue that they're good. Not specific enough to write a whole essay on, so lets get more specific. They're better than what? Cars? Why? Well we know they're more beneficial because they're healthy, right? Transportation and exercise all in one. But that's not enough...you should try to make your thesis three sided. So now we think of two more arguments. They're better for the environment, and take up less space. So you start your paragraph off generally, leading into your thesis which looks like

" Bicycles are the superior form of transportation, as they take less space than a car, create no air pollution, and provide beneficial exercise to the user."

That can now be used for three different body paragraphs, covering each point. You dig?