Thesis Statements

While many students fail to see the necessity of a strong thesis statement, it is a requirement of a well-written paper.

Thesis Statement Requirements

A Thesis Statement Should Be:1. Your opinion on the topic of the paper;

2. Worded directly, though not simplistically;

3. Placed at or near the end of your introduction in most cases.

A Thesis Statement Should Not Be1. Strictly informational;

2. Indirect or “cute”;

3. The first sentence in your paper;

4. Grammatically incorrect.

Thesis Statement Suggestions

Avoid writing a thesis that is too informal: Let me take you through some of the cons of

this subject. Slang—the term “cons” (like pros) not really

appropriate for a college level, academic paper Informal—the phrase “let me take you through”

is conversational in nature and would be fine for an oral presentation.

Improved—Because of the negative consequences that would occur, schools should not be forced to consolidate.

Thesis Statement Suggestions

Avoid writing a thesis that is too broad: School consolidation should be taken more

seriously. Vague—explain “more seriously” in more specific

terms. This could mean we should consolidate or we should simply think about it more

Improved—Because of the dire situation of local and state budgets, schools should be consolidated to provide taxpayer relief while maintaining educational programs.

Thesis Statement Suggestions

Avoid writing a thesis that is too narrow: Schools should be consolidated to provide more

diversity for students. Narrow—Technically, if this is your thesis, your

paper has to focus only on diversity, not costs or other factors.

Improved—Because of the savings, educational opportunities, and increased level of diversity created by larger schools, small school districts should be consolidated.

Thesis Statement Suggestions

Consider a thesis that addresses the complexities of the issue:

While school consolidation is necessary in the current financial crisis, it should only be required of schools that can efficiently merge socially, academically, and geographically.

Even though school consolidation has too many negative results to be used generally, there are some small districts not economically viable on their own that should be merged.

Thesis Statement Suggestions

Consider a two part thesis as a transition from the rest of your introduction:

School consolidation will save taxpayers money at the local and state level.

Consolidating schools will lower student achievement.

Combine the two parts: While school consolidation may save

taxpayers money, the resulting effect on student achievement is not worth these savings.

How to Develop a Thesis on Your Topic1. Determine what aspects of your topic are

open to debatable opinion, rather than mere fact or taste;

2. Choose an aspect;3. Consider the evidence you have available or

are able to find. What does it show you?4. Phrase a question based on 1 - 3;5. Answer the question based on the evidence—

this is your working thesis;6. Work this answer into the flow of your

introduction following a transition;7. Focus the rest of your essay on this thesis.

Thesis Development Practice

1. Topic: Abortion

2. Choose an aspect General morality of abortion When human life begins Fathers’ vs. mothers’ rights At what point should abortion be denied Women’s right to her body vs. baby’s right to

life Abortion procedures

Thesis Development Practice

Topic: Fathers’ vs. mothers’ rights

3. Consider the evidence you have available or are able to find. What does it show you? Parental rights laws Adoption law—should it apply? Health and privacy laws Establishing fatherhood Case examples

Thesis Development Practice

Topic: Should the father’s opinion be considered when a woman decides to have an abortion?

5. Answer the question based on the evidence—this is your working thesis; Because the father of a baby has moral and

emotional rights as a parent, abortions should not occur without consent of both parents.

Even though fathers may suffer the loss of a child, women should be allowed complete control over their own bodies and be allowed to choose an abortion.

Thesis Development Practice

6. Work this thesis into the flow of your introduction.

7. Focus the rest of your essay on this thesis.