DAESAThe Writing ProgramUndergraduate Writing CenterWriting GuidesThesis Statements

Thesis Statements

Why do I need a thesis?

  • For readers: a thesis helps a reader understand what the paper is about, why you’re writing, and gives them a “guide” or “roadmap” to your paper.
  • For writers: a thesis will help you focus your paper, organize your ideas, and develop your own argument or contribution.

Attributes of a strong thesis

Scope

A strong thesis provides a controlling theme for your writing. It helps your reader understand what will, and won’t, be included in your paper. It’s a kind of filter for what goes in and what is irrelevant.

Specificity

A strong thesis allows you to do in-depth on a topic, issue, or argument. It forecasts what your paper is about and what you, as the writer, will accomplish. If a reader can’t visualize this, your thesis is too broad or vague.

Justifies discussion

A strong thesis should be relevant and add to an intellectual discussion instead of providing information already out there. A thesis makes an arguable claim or contributes something new, meaning that it is possible reasonable people disagree with your argument or paper. This means you’re doing work in your paper and contributing something to the larger conversation. This is what makes your paper relevant and compelling to read.

Has a main or controlling idea

A thesis should be more than a list of all the sub-ideas in your paper. It should also indicate the work you’ll do as a writer (are you going to argue, reflect, analyze, etc.) and the work your paper will do (does it contribute something new, show something different, review important information, etc.). A thesis should have one main idea that connects all the other ideas in your paper together.

Examples

Example of an ineffective thesis

Nicotine is bad for your health.

The problem

Most people would agree with this, so it’s not compelling. This statement doesn’t have a clear purpose or idea, is too large in scope, and is vague. It’s not clear when reading this statement what the paper will be about or why the writer is writing.

Example of revised thesis

Taxing nicotine products is not enough to protect public health; it’s unethical to make money on a dangerous addiction. Nicotine products should be illegal rather than regulated.

Why it’s better

This is an arguable claim. People may agree or disagree, making the thesis more interesting. It’s also more specific, narrow in scope, and indicates a clear stance or position.

Examples of other types of thesis statements

Just like there are many different reasons to write a paper, and many different types of papers, there are different types of thesis statements. Here are a few:

  • Argument: Refined sugar should be banned on college campuses and replaced with healthier options because according to several studies, increased intake of refined sugar has several detrimental cognitive effects.
  • Reflective: Although moving around from school to school gave me an unstable start to my academic career, each school had one teacher who helped me figure out what I wanted to do in life.
  • Expository: In his book, Dennis Baker uses builds on Smith and West’s findings about plant life in similar environments to support his argument that the extinction of lichen will dramatically affect the Arctic tundra ecosystem.

Thesis myths

Myth #1: A thesis is always one sentence

The number of sentences in a thesis statement varies depending on the type of paper you’re writing, the complexity of the paper, and considerations like readability. While it’s true that a thesis statement can be one sentence, the “statement” can be comprised of several sentences. When writing your thesis statement, try not to focus on getting everything in one sentence first. Focus on the elements of a strong thesis statement, then edit for concision and readability. When in doubt, consult the assignment instructions or the required style guide.

Myth #2: You can’t use personal pronouns like “I”

Whether or not to use personal pronouns in academic or professional writing depends on many factors, like your audience, the situation, the type of paper you’re writing, the field or discipline, and personal style. Traditionally, writers were advised against using “I” in academic writing, but this advice has changed over the years and become more nuanced. There are situations where it’s acceptable, even preferable, to use personal pronouns in writing. However, there are situations where this use is still unacceptable or may seem unprofessional. Using “I” in your early drafts can help you to clarify your thesis and you can always edit it later to sound more professional. When in doubt, consult the assignment instructions, ask your faculty for advice, consult the style guide, or look at other examples in your field.

Tips for writing your thesis

  • Your thesis may be unclear in the beginning as you figure out what you want to say. Try writing different versions until you narrow it down.
  • You can revise your thesis as you write Your thesis may change as you write because you’re clarifying your ideas. Revising your thesis as you write your paper is not only OK, but good writing!
  • Early drafts of your thesis are for you, as you figure out what you want to say. Later drafts of your thesis should be oriented to your reader.