University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central message. The argument s you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement.
A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused. You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your reader a sense of direction.
Your thesis what is the thesis statement in the essay should be as clear and specific as possible.
Normally you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument sso your thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of where your argument is taking you. Your thesis what is the thesis statement in the essay be limited to what can be structure of argument in the specified number of pages. Shape your topic so that you can get straight to the "meat" of it. Being specific in your paper will be much more successful than writing about general things that do not say much.
Don't settle for three pages of just skimming the surface. The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is /fashion-week-essay.html broad, what is the thesis statement in the essay, superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis too general with three possible revisions more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic:. Your thesis statement is no exception to your writing: By being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make sure that your reader understands exactly what you mean.
These words tell the reader next to nothing if you do not essay water scarcity explain what you mean by them. Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is obvious.
To avoid misunderstandings, be as specific as possible. Compare the original thesis not specific and clear enough with the revised version much more specific and clear:. Do not expect to come up with a fully formulated thesis statement before what is the thesis statement in what is the thesis statement in the essay essay have finished writing the paper.
The thesis will inevitably change as you revise and develop your ideas—and that is ok! Start with a tentative thesis and revise as your paper develops. Avoid, avoid, avoid generic arguments and formula statements. They work well what is the thesis statement in the essay get a rough draft started, but will easily bore a reader. Keep revising until the thesis reflects your real ideas.
Avoid formula and generic words.
Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many "to be" verbs as possible. A few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning. Use your own words in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an original, insightful, and memorable thesis makes a distinct impression on a reader.
You will lose credibility as a writer if you become only a mouthpiece or a copyist; you will gain credibility by grabbing the reader with your own ideas just click for source words. A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas. It signals a writer who has intelligence, commitment, and enthusiasm.
Center for Writing Studies: Quick Links Home Search Contact. How what is the thesis statement in the essay does it need to be? In order to write a successful thesis statement: Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of what is the thesis statement in the essay paragraph or late in the paper.
Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words. Are there two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating conjunction i. Would a subordinating conjunction help i.
Or do the two statements imply what is the thesis statement in the essay fuzzy unfocused thesis? source
If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further development. Is your thesis statement too general? Compare this original thesis too general with three possible revisions more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic: There are serious objections to today's horror movies.
Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more what is the thesis statement in the essay, what is the thesis statement in the essay flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence.
Without a thesis, your argument falls flat and your information is unfocused. That type of thesis is a long, well-written paper that takes years to piece together. This sentence can tell a reader whether your essay is something they want to read.
The thesis statement is that sentence or two in your text that contains the focus of your essay and tells your reader what the essay is going to be about. Although it is certainly possible to write a good essay without a thesis statement many narrative essays , for example, contain only an implied thesis statement , the lack of a thesis statement may well be a symptom of an essay beset by a lack of focus. Many writers think of a thesis statement as an umbrella:
Use the guidelines below to learn the differences between thesis and purpose statements. In the first stages of writing, thesis or purpose statements are usually rough or ill-formed and are useful primarily as planning tools. A thesis statement or purpose statement will emerge as you think and write about a topic.
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