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Thesis Statement – Examples, Writing Guide

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A thesis statement is a concise sentence or two that clearly articulates the main point or argument of an academic paper, essay, or thesis. It serves as the foundation of the document, guiding the reader through the purpose and scope of the research or discussion. A strong thesis statement provides clarity, focus, and direction, making it an essential component of effective writing.

This guide explores the definition, types, and examples of thesis statements, along with practical tips for crafting one.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a declarative sentence that summarizes the central idea or argument of your paper. It appears near the end of the introduction and acts as a roadmap for readers, explaining what to expect from the rest of the document.

For example:

“The rise of renewable energy sources is crucial for combating climate change, as they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainable economic growth.”

Key Characteristics of a Strong Thesis Statement

• Specific: Clearly defines the focus without being too broad or vague.
• Arguable: Presents a claim that can be supported or challenged through evidence.
• Concise: Avoids unnecessary words while fully conveying the main idea.
• Relevant: Directly addresses the research question or essay topic.
• Focused: Guides the content of the paper without straying into unrelated areas.

Types of Thesis Statements

1. analytical thesis statement.

Breaks down an issue or idea into its components, evaluating each part to provide an in-depth analysis.

• Example: “The increasing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare enhances diagnostic accuracy but raises ethical concerns regarding patient privacy.”

2. Expository Thesis Statement

Explains a topic or idea without presenting an argument or opinion.

• Example: “Renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, have become more accessible in the past decade due to advancements in technology and government incentives.”

3. Argumentative Thesis Statement

Presents a claim that others can debate, aiming to persuade the reader of its validity.

• Example: “Social media platforms should implement stricter content moderation policies to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect public health.”

4. Narrative Thesis Statement

Sets the stage for a personal story or experience being shared in the paper.

• Example: “My first volunteering experience at a local animal shelter taught me the value of empathy, hard work, and community engagement.”

Steps to Write a Thesis Statement

1. understand the purpose of your paper.

• Determine whether your paper is argumentative, analytical, expository, or narrative.
• Align your thesis statement with the objective of your writing.

2. Research and Refine Your Topic

• Narrow down broad topics into specific, manageable ideas.
• Identify key points or arguments you want to address.

3. Formulate a Research Question

• Develop a question your paper will answer.
• Example Research Question: “How does social media affect mental health among teenagers?”

4. Create a Preliminary Thesis Statement

• Draft an initial statement summarizing your main argument or point.
• Example Preliminary Thesis: “Social media negatively impacts teenage mental health by fostering feelings of inadequacy and promoting cyberbullying.”

5. Refine for Clarity and Specificity

• Revise the thesis to ensure it is clear, concise, and focused.
• Refined Thesis: “Excessive social media use among teenagers leads to increased rates of anxiety and depression by exacerbating peer comparisons and enabling cyberbullying.”

6. Test Your Thesis Statement

• Is it specific and arguable?
• Does it address the central question or topic?
• Can it be supported with evidence?

Examples of Thesis Statements

For an argumentative essay.

• Topic: Climate Change
• Thesis: “Global efforts to combat climate change should prioritize renewable energy investments and reforestation projects to mitigate environmental damage and ensure a sustainable future.”

For an Analytical Paper

• Topic: Effects of Remote Work
• Thesis: “Remote work improves employee productivity by reducing commute times and offering flexible schedules, but it also poses challenges in maintaining work-life balance and team collaboration.”

For an Expository Paper

• Topic: Importance of Education
• Thesis: “Education is vital for personal growth, career success, and societal progress, as it empowers individuals with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and opportunities for upward mobility.”

For a Narrative Essay

• Topic: Life Lessons from Travel
• Thesis: “Traveling to new countries has taught me invaluable lessons about cultural diversity, adaptability, and the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone.”

Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Thesis Statement

• ✅ “Implementing renewable energy policies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
• ✅ “Standardized testing should be replaced by project-based assessments to better evaluate student abilities.”
• Revise as Necessary: Refine your thesis as your paper evolves.
• Align with the Paper’s Content: Ensure the thesis reflects the scope and focus of the writing.
• ❌ “Pollution is bad for the environment.”
• ✅ “Industrial pollution significantly contributes to climate change and requires stricter regulations to control emissions.”
• ❌ “The Earth revolves around the Sun.”
• ✅ “The heliocentric model revolutionized astronomy by shifting the scientific perspective on Earth’s position in the universe.”
• ❌ “There are some pros and cons to social media.”
• ✅ “While social media fosters connectivity, it also leads to increased anxiety and depression among teenagers.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Making It Too Complex: A thesis statement should be straightforward and easy to understand.
• Using First-Person (Unless Narrative): Avoid phrases like “I believe” or “I think,” except in narrative essays.
• Failing to Address the Scope: Ensure the thesis matches the content and length of the paper.
• Not Revisiting the Thesis: Update your thesis if your research or arguments evolve during the writing process.

Checklist for a Strong Thesis Statement

• Does it clearly state the main argument or purpose?
• Is it specific and focused?
• Does it align with the type of paper (argumentative, analytical, etc.)?
• Is it concise and free from unnecessary words?

A well-crafted thesis statement is the cornerstone of effective academic writing. By understanding its purpose, types, and structure, you can create a thesis that provides clarity and direction for your paper. Whether writing an argumentative essay, an analytical research paper, or a narrative, the steps and examples outlined in this guide will help you confidently develop a compelling thesis statement.

• Purdue OWL. (2023). Developing a Strong Thesis Statement . Retrieved from https://owl.purdue.edu
• Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches . Sage Publications.
• Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2021). A Writer’s Reference . Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
• Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2021). They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing . W.W. Norton & Company.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

• Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
• Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

• Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

• Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

• Do I answer the question? Yes!
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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About Thesis Statement

Academic writing is all about logic and clarity. Your teachers won't read between the lines, trying to understand what you mean. Rather, you should clearly articulate your main points right from the start, in a thesis statement, the last sentence (or two) in your introduction part.

Thesis statement definition

Generally, a thesis statement is defined as a short statement summarizing the main claims and supported by examples and arguments in the text.

Extending this definition, a thesis statement is:

• logical center.

The next question to answer is what a good thesis statement is.

• It passes the 'so what' test . In other words, nobody will read it and exclaim 'so what?' 'Why should I care?'
• It clearly explains your stance . The idea of making it generic and uncertain to avoid mistakes can be rather attractive. However, it's better to avoid sitting on two chairs. Dare to write what you really think.
• It prepares readers for what will follow . Your thesis statement should connect your entire paper into a whole. Make sure that all the following stuff supports your main idea. Feel free to delete all the irrelevant facts that occasionally cross your mind and get into your paper.

Summarize Your Main Points

If you occasionally change your conclusion, be sure to get back to your thesis statement and change it as well. Revisit this part whenever it is necessary.

E.g. The role of self-motivation, which affects time management and personal productivity, in academic success should not be underestimated.

Present a Plan of Your Paper

E.g. Raising bilingual kids is associated with a number of difficulties, including the additional pressure on parents, expenses on literature and training, the necessity to search for appropriate academic institutions, but the outcomes are worth all the efforts.

Logically Structure Your Paper

Use 4 classical thesis statement formulas.

The easiest way to write a strong thesis statement is to use a thesis statement generator .

However, if you don't trust any software, here're the classical formulas explained and illustrated with really good examples of thesis statements:

• Position . This formula is applicable to argumentative writing. Though any thesis statement is based on the author's opinion, clearly expressing your position is especially important for argumentative writing.

E.g. The nature of smoking addition is more psychological than physical though the combination of the two factors can make dropping a harmful habit especially hard.

• Recommendation . Depending on your topic, your position can take a form of a recommendation. The cue words to use in this formula are should (be banned, prohibited, outlawed, encouraged, sponsored, developed), may, might etc.

E.g. Raising dangerous breeds of dogs without special permission and training should be banned.

• Description . Depending on the type and topic of your paper, taking a stance may seem inappropriate. Then descriptive formula is a better choice.

E.g. Optimists always focus on the positive side of life, wear a smile most of the time and look younger and more attractive, than pessimists.

• Relationship . Establishing a relationship between certain aspects is one of the most widely used academic writing patterns. The cue words that can come in handy are affect, effect, direct or indirect relationship, influence.

E.g. Despite the numerous factors influencing individual's learning outcomes, there is a direct relationship between the amount of time spent on studying and the student's score on tests.

Avoid 4 Typical Mistakes

If you really want to make your thesis statement shine, use the following checklist to avoid the most common mistakes. Read your thesis statement and ask yourself if it is not:

• Too obvious.
• Too straightforward.

How To Write A Thesis Statement

If you're about to sit down and write a quality paper, you will probably need to research how to write a thesis statement. Many people have trouble with this technique. The truth is, without it, your essay or paper may lack the extra kick that it needs to stand out from the crowd. Additionally, your essay may be difficult to read and understand.

When learning how to create your thesis, you will need to first understand the function of a thesis statement. This statement is used to introduce the topic or theory that your paper will be discussing. A thesis statement may include a thoughtful questions or may simply state your point. We often learn how to create these during our early education years, but it can be easy to forget how to go about it.

In order to get started, you will need to first think about the topic that you’re writing about. In some cases, you may have free range to choose your topic, while sometimes you may have to write on a specific matter. You will need to first understand your topic so that you can create a proper thesis and write a great essay.

You will then need to think about your essay requirements. If your essay is to be several pages long, you will usually want to create a paragraph dedicated to your statement and other important information. If you are writing a very short paper, you may only have a sentence dedicated to this portion of your essay. It all depends on the requirements of your paper. Make sure that you properly understand these length requirements.

You will also need to think about the type of paper that you’re writing. For some papers, you may find that you’re trying to persuade others into believing a certain way about an issue. You may also find that you’re just writing a simple explanatory essay on a certain topic. You may also need to present a thoroughly researched paper about different aspects of a topic. You will then have a better understanding of the thesis statement that you need to create.

To get started, you will want to begin introducing your topic. You will want to use good wording and make sure that your sentences interest the reader enough to want to read more. This will all be in the first paragraph of your paper. At the end of this paragraph, you will include your thesis.

Create a very specific sentence that explains what you'll be talking about. Are you writing about your daily activities and how you go about those activities? If so, the following sentence may be a good thesis statement: I spend my days cleaning, cooking, and watching my children. This would tell your readers what exactly you do, and what your paper will talk about. Generally, you will then explain each thing that you do in its own paragraph.

Take care when creating your essay or paper. You want to make sure that you have a clear and understandable thesis so that others know what you’re going to discuss!

Thesis statement FAQS:

What is a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is one or two sentences that express clearly and concisely the main ideas of your paper. It should argue a position and answer questions posed by your paper. It provides structure for the paper, as though it were a roadmap to help the reader navigate through the material. It also acts as mortar: holding together the various bricks of a paper, summarizing the main point of the paper "in a nutshell," and pointing toward the paper's development.

What are the rules for writing a thesis statement?

• Make sure your thesis reflects the full range of your argument.
• Avoid using a thesis that is too broad to be defended in your paper or too narrow to be a full response to the assignment.
• Choose a thesis that can be supported by several solid arguments. Ask yourself How? and Why? questions to deepen your thesis.
• Make sure your thesis statement is easily identifiable.
• Do not just reword the professor’s question; claim your own position.

Are there different types of thesis statements?

There are three types of thesis statements that should be used based upon what kind of paper you are writing.

• Analytical : breaks down an issue or an idea into its parts, evaluates these, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• Expository : explains something to the audience.
• Argumentative : makes a claim about a topic and justifies it with specific evidence.

What are some examples of these types of thesis statements?

Analytical : An analysis of the college admission process reveals two principal problems facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds..

Expository : The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers..

Argumentative : High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

What 3 things should a thesis statement have?

A thesis statement should have three key elements:

• A clear and specific topic : The thesis statement should clearly indicate what the paper is about and provide a specific focus for the reader.
• A main point or argument : The thesis statement should make a claim or argument that the paper will support or argue against. It should be a concise and debatable statement that presents the writer's perspective on the topic.
• Supporting evidence : The thesis statement should provide a roadmap for the rest of the paper and indicate what evidence or arguments will be used to support the main point. This helps to ensure that the paper is coherent and well-supported.

Where can I get a thesis statement?

You can get a thesis statement by brainstorming ideas and then formulating them into a sentence that states the main idea of your paper. You may also want to consult with your professor or classmates for help in developing a strong thesis statement.

What is a strong thesis statement?

A strong thesis statement is a clear and concise statement that conveys the main point of an essay, research paper, or other written work. It should be specific enough to be supported with evidence, but broad enough to allow for further exploration. In essence, it serves as the foundation of your argument and should provide readers with an idea of what to expect from the rest of your paper.

What is a simple thesis statement?

A simple thesis statement should be specific, focused, and provide enough information to guide readers through your argument.

A simple thesis statement could be: "Technology has had a positive impact on our lives."

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What is a thesis statement? [with example]

What is a thesis statement?

Purpose of a thesis statement, how to write the best thesis statement, thesis statement example, frequently asked questions about thesis statements, related articles.

A thesis statement is a concise description of the goal of your work. This element is one of the most essential components of academic writing , as it tells your readers what they can expect in your paper.

A thesis statement is the main argument of your paper or thesis.

If you find yourself in the process of writing a a paper, but you don't know how to create a thesis statement , you've come to the right place. In the next paragraphs, you will learn about the most important elements of a thesis statement and how to come up with one.

A thesis statement highlights the main topic, shows how it will evolve, and conveys clearly the aim of your work. It does not only share the topic but it conveys the conclusion you came up with.

A good thesis statement provides directions for the development of the topic throughout the paper. In sum, this element of academic writing is crucial to sound research .

You can create a great thesis statement by following the format we outlined in our guide How to write a thesis statement .

In general, you should adhere to the following tips to write the best thesis statement:

• Focus the main idea of your thesis into one or two sentences.
• Write the answer to the main question of your topic.
• Clearly state your position in relation to the topic.
• Do not state the obvious. Give a disputable stance that requires evidence.

Tip: To check if your thesis is clear, explain it to a peer or colleague. If they are confused, then you likely need to re-write it.

Here's an example of a thesis statement:

In what follows, I will explore Fiorina’s position in more depth, focusing especially on her claim that technology is "a great tool for democratization." Ultimately, I argue that the primary problem with Fiorina’s stance lies in her laissez-faire understanding of technology. By granting technology a kind of independent existence apart from human motivation and intent—by positing that "technology permits anybody to play," as if it possesses an autonomy all its own—Fiorina unwittingly opens the way for the very kind of discriminatory and undemocratic mechanisms that her position seemingly rejects.

Tip: Once you finish your paper, return to your thesis statement to make sure that it reflects what you actually wrote.

A thesis statement is part of the introduction of your paper. It is usually found in the first or second paragraph to let the reader know your research purpose from the beginning.

In general, a thesis statement should have one or two sentences. It really depends on your academic and expertise level. Take a look at our guide about the length of thesis statements, for more insight on this topic.

Here is a list of Thesis Statement Examples that will help you understand better how to write them.

Yes. Every good essay should include a thesis statement as part of its introduction. Of course, if you are a high school student you are not expected to have an extremely elaborate statement. A couple of clear sentences indicating the aim of your essay will be more than enough.

Here is a great YouTube tutorial showing How To Write An Essay: Thesis Statements .

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Write a Thesis

I. What is a Thesis?

The thesis (pronounced thee -seez), also known as a thesis statement, is the sentence that introduces the main argument or point of view of a composition (formal essay, nonfiction piece, or narrative). It is the main claim that the author is making about that topic and serves to summarize and introduce that writing that will be discussed throughout the entire piece. For this reason, the thesis is typically found within the first introduction paragraph.

II. Examples of Theses

Here are a few examples of theses which may be found in the introductions of a variety of essays :

In “The Mending Wall,” Robert Frost uses imagery, metaphor, and dialogue to argue against the use of fences between neighbors.

In this example, the thesis introduces the main subject (Frost’s poem “The Mending Wall”), aspects of the subject which will be examined (imagery, metaphor, and dialogue) and the writer’s argument (fences should not be used).

While Facebook connects some, overall, the social networking site is negative in that it isolates users, causes jealousy, and becomes an addiction.

This thesis introduces an argumentative essay which argues against the use of Facebook due to three of its negative effects.

During the college application process, I discovered my willingness to work hard to achieve my dreams and just what those dreams were.

In this more personal example, the thesis statement introduces a narrative essay which will focus on personal development in realizing one’s goals and how to achieve them.

III. The Importance of Using a Thesis

Theses are absolutely necessary components in essays because they introduce what an essay will be about. Without a thesis, the essay lacks clear organization and direction. Theses allow writers to organize their ideas by clearly stating them, and they allow readers to be aware from the beginning of a composition’s subject, argument, and course. Thesis statements must precisely express an argument within the introductory paragraph of the piece in order to guide the reader from the very beginning.

IV. Examples of Theses in Literature

For examples of theses in literature, consider these thesis statements from essays about topics in literature:

In William Shakespeare’s “ Sonnet 46,” both physicality and emotion together form powerful romantic love.

This thesis statement clearly states the work and its author as well as the main argument: physicality and emotion create romantic love.

In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne symbolically shows Hester Prynne’s developing identity through the use of the letter A: she moves from adulteress to able community member to angel.

In this example, the work and author are introduced as well as the main argument and supporting points: Prynne’s identity is shown through the letter A in three ways: adulteress, able community member, and angel.

John Keats’ poem “To Autumn” utilizes rhythm, rhyme, and imagery to examine autumn’s simultaneous birth and decay.

This thesis statement introduces the poem and its author along with an argument about the nature of autumn. This argument will be supported by an examination of rhythm, rhyme, and imagery.

V. Examples of Theses in Pop Culture

Sometimes, pop culture attempts to make arguments similar to those of research papers and essays. Here are a few examples of theses in pop culture:

America’s food industry is making a killing and it’s making us sick, but you have the power to turn the tables.

The documentary Food Inc. examines this thesis with evidence throughout the film including video evidence, interviews with experts, and scientific research.

Orca whales should not be kept in captivity, as it is psychologically traumatizing and has caused them to kill their own trainers.

Blackfish uses footage, interviews, and history to argue for the thesis that orca whales should not be held in captivity.

VI. Related Terms

Just as a thesis is introduced in the beginning of a composition, the hypothesis is considered a starting point as well. Whereas a thesis introduces the main point of an essay, the hypothesis introduces a proposed explanation which is being investigated through scientific or mathematical research. Thesis statements present arguments based on evidence which is presented throughout the paper, whereas hypotheses are being tested by scientists and mathematicians who may disprove or prove them through experimentation. Here is an example of a hypothesis versus a thesis:

Hypothesis:

Students skip school more often as summer vacation approaches.

This hypothesis could be tested by examining attendance records and interviewing students. It may or may not be true.

Students skip school due to sickness, boredom with classes, and the urge to rebel.

This thesis presents an argument which will be examined and supported in the paper with detailed evidence and research.

Introduction

A paper’s introduction is its first paragraph which is used to introduce the paper’s main aim and points used to support that aim throughout the paper. The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction which states all of this information in one concise statement. Typically, introduction paragraphs require a thesis statement which ties together the entire introduction and introduces the rest of the paper.

VII. Conclusion

Theses are necessary components of well-organized and convincing essays, nonfiction pieces, narratives , and documentaries. They allow writers to organize and support arguments to be developed throughout a composition, and they allow readers to understand from the beginning what the aim of the composition is.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website