After you have brainstormed and you have some main ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can begin thinking about writing a thesis statement.
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is a complete sentence that contains one main idea. It is often a point , or idea, you want to argue or support in an essay. A thesis statement that contains subpoints also helps a reader know how the essay will be organized.
The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinion on that idea.
The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read in the rest of the essay.
Basics of the Thesis Statement
avoid using the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)
Do Not State the Obvious
In thesis statements, you should avoid using statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or “I am going to write about…”. Try to write a thesis statement that captures your reader’s attention without announcing your main topic and stating the obvious. Look at the example below.
In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse.
Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.
Subtopics or Subpoints
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.
A Thesis Statement States an Opinion or Attitude
Good thesis statements often express a writer’s opinion or attitude on a particular topic. This makes the thesis statement more specific and requires the writer to explain or prove his/her opinion in the essay. Look at the examples below.
Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico.
Cancun is one of the best vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate, beautiful beaches, and proximity to some well-known archeological sites.
This would not be considered a good thesis statement, because it is only expressing a fact. It does not reflect the writer’s opinion or attitude on Cancun. This thesis statement does not give the writer very much to explain or prove in his/her essay.
This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about Cancun. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why going to Cancun is a good choice for visitors.
Really it is the Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Since the thesis statement is the main statement for the entire essay, it should express a complete thought and be a complete sentence. The thesis statement is asserting an opinion or idea, so it should not be a question. Look at the examples below to see how they can be made into thesis statements.
The sport of cross-country running.
This is not a complete sentence.
The sport of cross-country running has allowed me to get in better shape, be disciplined, and meet some interesting people.