helpful professor logo

25 Thesis Statement Examples

25 Thesis Statement Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

thesis statement examples and definition, explained below

A thesis statement is needed in an essay or dissertation . There are multiple types of thesis statements – but generally we can divide them into expository and argumentative. An expository statement is a statement of fact (common in expository essays and process essays) while an argumentative statement is a statement of opinion (common in argumentative essays and dissertations). Below are examples of each.

Strong Thesis Statement Examples

school uniforms and dress codes, explained below

1. School Uniforms

“Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay or Debate

Read More: School Uniforms Pros and Cons

nature vs nurture examples and definition

2. Nature vs Nurture

“This essay will explore how both genetic inheritance and environmental factors equally contribute to shaping human behavior and personality.”

Best For: Compare and Contrast Essay

Read More: Nature vs Nurture Debate

American Dream Examples Definition

3. American Dream

“The American Dream, a symbol of opportunity and success, is increasingly elusive in today’s socio-economic landscape, revealing deeper inequalities in society.”

Best For: Persuasive Essay

Read More: What is the American Dream?

social media pros and cons

4. Social Media

“Social media has revolutionized communication and societal interactions, but it also presents significant challenges related to privacy, mental health, and misinformation.”

Best For: Expository Essay

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Social Media

types of globalization, explained below

5. Globalization

“Globalization has created a world more interconnected than ever before, yet it also amplifies economic disparities and cultural homogenization.”

Read More: Globalization Pros and Cons

urbanization example and definition

6. Urbanization

“Urbanization drives economic growth and social development, but it also poses unique challenges in sustainability and quality of life.”

Read More: Learn about Urbanization

immigration pros and cons, explained below

7. Immigration

“Immigration enriches receiving countries culturally and economically, outweighing any perceived social or economic burdens.”

Read More: Immigration Pros and Cons

cultural identity examples and definition, explained below

8. Cultural Identity

“In a globalized world, maintaining distinct cultural identities is crucial for preserving cultural diversity and fostering global understanding, despite the challenges of assimilation and homogenization.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay

Read More: Learn about Cultural Identity

technology examples and definition explained below

9. Technology

“Medical technologies in care institutions in Toronto has increased subjcetive outcomes for patients with chronic pain.”

Best For: Research Paper

capitalism examples and definition

10. Capitalism vs Socialism

“The debate between capitalism and socialism centers on balancing economic freedom and inequality, each presenting distinct approaches to resource distribution and social welfare.”

cultural heritage examples and definition

11. Cultural Heritage

“The preservation of cultural heritage is essential, not only for cultural identity but also for educating future generations, outweighing the arguments for modernization and commercialization.”

pseudoscience examples and definition, explained below

12. Pseudoscience

“Pseudoscience, characterized by a lack of empirical support, continues to influence public perception and decision-making, often at the expense of scientific credibility.”

Read More: Examples of Pseudoscience

free will examples and definition, explained below

13. Free Will

“The concept of free will is largely an illusion, with human behavior and decisions predominantly determined by biological and environmental factors.”

Read More: Do we have Free Will?

gender roles examples and definition, explained below

14. Gender Roles

“Traditional gender roles are outdated and harmful, restricting individual freedoms and perpetuating gender inequalities in modern society.”

Read More: What are Traditional Gender Roles?

work-life balance examples and definition, explained below

15. Work-Life Ballance

“The trend to online and distance work in the 2020s led to improved subjective feelings of work-life balance but simultaneously increased self-reported loneliness.”

Read More: Work-Life Balance Examples

universal healthcare pros and cons

16. Universal Healthcare

“Universal healthcare is a fundamental human right and the most effective system for ensuring health equity and societal well-being, outweighing concerns about government involvement and costs.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Universal Healthcare

raising minimum wage pros and cons

17. Minimum Wage

“The implementation of a fair minimum wage is vital for reducing economic inequality, yet it is often contentious due to its potential impact on businesses and employment rates.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage

homework pros and cons

18. Homework

“The homework provided throughout this semester has enabled me to achieve greater self-reflection, identify gaps in my knowledge, and reinforce those gaps through spaced repetition.”

Best For: Reflective Essay

Read More: Reasons Homework Should be Banned

charter schools vs public schools, explained below

19. Charter Schools

“Charter schools offer alternatives to traditional public education, promising innovation and choice but also raising questions about accountability and educational equity.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Charter Schools

internet pros and cons

20. Effects of the Internet

“The Internet has drastically reshaped human communication, access to information, and societal dynamics, generally with a net positive effect on society.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of the Internet

affirmative action example and definition, explained below

21. Affirmative Action

“Affirmative action is essential for rectifying historical injustices and achieving true meritocracy in education and employment, contrary to claims of reverse discrimination.”

Best For: Essay

Read More: Affirmative Action Pros and Cons

soft skills examples and definition, explained below

22. Soft Skills

“Soft skills, such as communication and empathy, are increasingly recognized as essential for success in the modern workforce, and therefore should be a strong focus at school and university level.”

Read More: Soft Skills Examples

moral panic definition examples

23. Moral Panic

“Moral panic, often fueled by media and cultural anxieties, can lead to exaggerated societal responses that sometimes overlook rational analysis and evidence.”

Read More: Moral Panic Examples

freedom of the press example and definition, explained below

24. Freedom of the Press

“Freedom of the press is critical for democracy and informed citizenship, yet it faces challenges from censorship, media bias, and the proliferation of misinformation.”

Read More: Freedom of the Press Examples

mass media examples definition

25. Mass Media

“Mass media shapes public opinion and cultural norms, but its concentration of ownership and commercial interests raise concerns about bias and the quality of information.”

Best For: Critical Analysis

Read More: Mass Media Examples

Checklist: How to use your Thesis Statement

✅ Position: If your statement is for an argumentative or persuasive essay, or a dissertation, ensure it takes a clear stance on the topic. ✅ Specificity: It addresses a specific aspect of the topic, providing focus for the essay. ✅ Conciseness: Typically, a thesis statement is one to two sentences long. It should be concise, clear, and easily identifiable. ✅ Direction: The thesis statement guides the direction of the essay, providing a roadmap for the argument, narrative, or explanation. ✅ Evidence-based: While the thesis statement itself doesn’t include evidence, it sets up an argument that can be supported with evidence in the body of the essay. ✅ Placement: Generally, the thesis statement is placed at the end of the introduction of an essay.

Try These AI Prompts – Thesis Statement Generator!

One way to brainstorm thesis statements is to get AI to brainstorm some for you! Try this AI prompt:

💡 AI PROMPT FOR EXPOSITORY THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTUCTIONS]. I want you to create an expository thesis statement that doesn’t argue a position, but demonstrates depth of knowledge about the topic.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR ARGUMENTATIVE THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTRUCTIONS]. I want you to create an argumentative thesis statement that clearly takes a position on this issue.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR COMPARE AND CONTRAST THESIS STATEMENT I am writing a compare and contrast essay that compares [Concept 1] and [Concept2]. Give me 5 potential single-sentence thesis statements that remain objective.

Chris

  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Green Flags in a Relationship
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Signs you're Burnt Out, Not Lazy
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Toxic Things Parents Say to their Children

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Translators
  • Graphic Designers

Solve

Please enter the email address you used for your account. Your sign in information will be sent to your email address after it has been verified.

25 Thesis Statement Examples That Will Make Writing a Breeze

JBirdwellBranson

Understanding what makes a good thesis statement is one of the major keys to writing a great research paper or argumentative essay. The thesis statement is where you make a claim that will guide you through your entire paper. If you find yourself struggling to make sense of your paper or your topic, then it's likely due to a weak thesis statement.

Let's take a minute to first understand what makes a solid thesis statement, and what key components you need to write one of your own.

Perfecting Your Thesis Statement

A thesis statement always goes at the beginning of the paper. It will typically be in the first couple of paragraphs of the paper so that it can introduce the body paragraphs, which are the supporting evidence for your thesis statement.

Your thesis statement should clearly identify an argument. You need to have a statement that is not only easy to understand, but one that is debatable. What that means is that you can't just put any statement of fact and have it be your thesis. For example, everyone knows that puppies are cute . An ineffective thesis statement would be, "Puppies are adorable and everyone knows it." This isn't really something that's a debatable topic.

Something that would be more debatable would be, "A puppy's cuteness is derived from its floppy ears, small body, and playfulness." These are three things that can be debated on. Some people might think that the cutest thing about puppies is the fact that they follow you around or that they're really soft and fuzzy.

All cuteness aside, you want to make sure that your thesis statement is not only debatable, but that it also actually thoroughly answers the research question that was posed. You always want to make sure that your evidence is supporting a claim that you made (and not the other way around). This is why it's crucial to read and research about a topic first and come to a conclusion later. If you try to get your research to fit your thesis statement, then it may not work out as neatly as you think. As you learn more, you discover more (and the outcome may not be what you originally thought).

Additionally, your thesis statement shouldn't be too big or too grand. It'll be hard to cover everything in a thesis statement like, "The federal government should act now on climate change." The topic is just too large to actually say something new and meaningful. Instead, a more effective thesis statement might be, "Local governments can combat climate change by providing citizens with larger recycling bins and offering local classes about composting and conservation." This is easier to work with because it's a smaller idea, but you can also discuss the overall topic that you might be interested in, which is climate change.

So, now that we know what makes a good, solid thesis statement, you can start to write your own. If you find that you're getting stuck or you are the type of person who needs to look at examples before you start something, then check out our list of thesis statement examples below.

Thesis statement examples

A quick note that these thesis statements have not been fully researched. These are merely examples to show you what a thesis statement might look like and how you can implement your own ideas into one that you think of independently. As such, you should not use these thesis statements for your own research paper purposes. They are meant to be used as examples only.

  • Vaccinations Because many children are unable to vaccinate due to illness, we must require that all healthy and able children be vaccinated in order to have herd immunity.
  • Educational Resources for Low-Income Students Schools should provide educational resources for low-income students during the summers so that they don't forget what they've learned throughout the school year.
  • School Uniforms School uniforms may be an upfront cost for families, but they eradicate the visual differences in income between students and provide a more egalitarian atmosphere at school.
  • Populism The rise in populism on the 2016 political stage was in reaction to increasing globalization, the decline of manufacturing jobs, and the Syrian refugee crisis.
  • Public Libraries Libraries are essential resources for communities and should be funded more heavily by local municipalities.
  • Cyber Bullying With more and more teens using smartphones and social media, cyber bullying is on the rise. Cyber bullying puts a lot of stress on many teens, and can cause depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Parents should limit the usage of smart phones, monitor their children's online activity, and report any cyber bullying to school officials in order to combat this problem.
  • Medical Marijuana for Veterans Studies have shown that the use of medicinal marijuana has been helpful to veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Medicinal marijuana prescriptions should be legal in all states and provided to these veterans. Additional medical or therapy services should also be researched and implemented in order to help them re-integrate back into civilian life.
  • Work-Life Balance Corporations should provide more work from home opportunities and six-hour workdays so that office workers have a better work-life balance and are more likely to be productive when they are in the office.
  • Teaching Youths about Consensual Sex Although sex education that includes a discussion of consensual sex would likely lead to less sexual assault, parents need to teach their children the meaning of consent from a young age with age appropriate lessons.
  • Whether or Not to Attend University A degree from a university provides invaluable lessons on life and a future career, but not every high school student should be encouraged to attend a university directly after graduation. Some students may benefit from a trade school or a "gap year" where they can think more intensely about what it is they want to do for a career and how they can accomplish this.
  • Studying Abroad Studying abroad is one of the most culturally valuable experiences you can have in college. It is the only way to get completely immersed in another language and learn how other cultures and countries are different from your own.
  • Women's Body Image Magazines have done a lot in the last five years to include a more diverse group of models, but there is still a long way to go to promote a healthy woman's body image collectively as a culture.
  • Cigarette Tax Heavily taxing and increasing the price of cigarettes is essentially a tax on the poorest Americans, and it doesn't deter them from purchasing. Instead, the state and federal governments should target those economically disenfranchised with early education about the dangers of smoking.
  • Veganism A vegan diet, while a healthy and ethical way to consume food, indicates a position of privilege. It also limits you to other cultural food experiences if you travel around the world.
  • University Athletes Should be Compensated University athletes should be compensated for their service to the university, as it is difficult for these students to procure and hold a job with busy academic and athletic schedules. Many student athletes on scholarship also come from low-income neighborhoods and it is a struggle to make ends meet when they are participating in athletics.
  • Women in the Workforce Sheryl Sandberg makes a lot of interesting points in her best-selling book, Lean In , but she only addressed the very privileged working woman and failed to speak to those in lower-skilled, lower-wage jobs.
  • Assisted Suicide Assisted suicide should be legal and doctors should have the ability to make sure their patients have the end-of-life care that they want to receive.
  • Celebrity and Political Activism Although Taylor Swift's lyrics are indicative of a feminist perspective, she should be more politically active and vocal to use her position of power for the betterment of society.
  • The Civil War The insistence from many Southerners that the South seceded from the Union for states' rights versus the fact that they seceded for the purposes of continuing slavery is a harmful myth that still affects race relations today.
  • Blue Collar Workers Coal miners and other blue-collar workers whose jobs are slowly disappearing from the workforce should be re-trained in jobs in the technology sector or in renewable energy. A program to re-train these workers would not only improve local economies where jobs have been displaced, but would also lead to lower unemployment nationally.
  • Diversity in the Workforce Having a diverse group of people in an office setting leads to richer ideas, more cooperation, and more empathy between people with different skin colors or backgrounds.
  • Re-Imagining the Nuclear Family The nuclear family was traditionally defined as one mother, one father, and 2.5 children. This outdated depiction of family life doesn't quite fit with modern society. The definition of normal family life shouldn't be limited to two-parent households.
  • Digital Literacy Skills With more information readily available than ever before, it's crucial that students are prepared to examine the material they're reading and determine whether or not it's a good source or if it has misleading information. Teaching students digital literacy and helping them to understand the difference between opinion or propaganda from legitimate, real information is integral.
  • Beauty Pageants Beauty pageants are presented with the angle that they empower women. However, putting women in a swimsuit on a stage while simultaneously judging them on how well they answer an impossible question in a short period of time is cruel and purely for the amusement of men. Therefore, we should stop televising beauty pageants.
  • Supporting More Women to Run for a Political Position In order to get more women into political positions, more women must run for office. There must be a grassroots effort to educate women on how to run for office, who among them should run, and support for a future candidate for getting started on a political career.

Still stuck? Need some help with your thesis statement?

If you are still uncertain about how to write a thesis statement or what a good thesis statement is, be sure to consult with your teacher or professor to make sure you're on the right track. It's always a good idea to check in and make sure that your thesis statement is making a solid argument and that it can be supported by your research.

After you're done writing, it's important to have someone take a second look at your paper so that you can ensure there are no mistakes or errors. It's difficult to spot your own mistakes, which is why it's always recommended to have someone help you with the revision process, whether that's a teacher, the writing center at school, or a professional editor such as one from ServiceScape .

Reference management. Clean and simple.

How to write a thesis statement + examples

Thesis statement

What is a thesis statement?

Is a thesis statement a question, how do you write a good thesis statement, how do i know if my thesis statement is good, examples of thesis statements, helpful resources on how to write a thesis statement, frequently asked questions about writing a thesis statement, related articles.

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

The thesis statement is one of the most important elements of any piece of academic writing . It is a brief statement of your paper’s main argument. Essentially, you are stating what you will be writing about.

You can see your thesis statement as an answer to a question. While it also contains the question, it should really give an answer to the question with new information and not just restate or reiterate it.

Your thesis statement is part of your introduction. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our introduction guide .

A thesis statement is not a question. A statement must be arguable and provable through evidence and analysis. While your thesis might stem from a research question, it should be in the form of a statement.

Tip: A thesis statement is typically 1-2 sentences. For a longer project like a thesis, the statement may be several sentences or a paragraph.

A good thesis statement needs to do the following:

  • Condense the main idea of your thesis into one or two sentences.
  • Answer your project’s main research question.
  • Clearly state your position in relation to the topic .
  • Make an argument that requires support or evidence.

Once you have written down a thesis statement, check if it fulfills the following criteria:

  • Your statement needs to be provable by evidence. As an argument, a thesis statement needs to be debatable.
  • Your statement needs to be precise. Do not give away too much information in the thesis statement and do not load it with unnecessary information.
  • Your statement cannot say that one solution is simply right or simply wrong as a matter of fact. You should draw upon verified facts to persuade the reader of your solution, but you cannot just declare something as right or wrong.

As previously mentioned, your thesis statement should answer a question.

If the question is:

What do you think the City of New York should do to reduce traffic congestion?

A good thesis statement restates the question and answers it:

In this paper, I will argue that the City of New York should focus on providing exclusive lanes for public transport and adaptive traffic signals to reduce traffic congestion by the year 2035.

Here is another example. If the question is:

How can we end poverty?

A good thesis statement should give more than one solution to the problem in question:

In this paper, I will argue that introducing universal basic income can help reduce poverty and positively impact the way we work.

  • The Writing Center of the University of North Carolina has a list of questions to ask to see if your thesis is strong .

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. But the length really depends on the overall length of your project. 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.

Every good essay should include a thesis statement as part of its introduction, no matter the academic level. Of course, if you are a high school student you are not expected to have the same type of thesis as a PhD student.

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

examples of a thesis staement

The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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

Make a Gift

How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement

The important sentence expresses your central assertion or argument

arabianEye / Getty Images

  • Writing Research Papers
  • Writing Essays
  • English Grammar
  • M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
  • B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A thesis statement provides the foundation for your entire research paper or essay. This statement is the central assertion that you want to express in your essay. A successful thesis statement is one that is made up of one or two sentences clearly laying out your central idea and expressing an informed, reasoned answer to your research question.

Usually, the thesis statement will appear at the end of the first paragraph of your paper. There are a few different types, and the content of your thesis statement will depend upon the type of paper you’re writing.

Key Takeaways: Writing a Thesis Statement

  • A thesis statement gives your reader a preview of your paper's content by laying out your central idea and expressing an informed, reasoned answer to your research question.
  • Thesis statements will vary depending on the type of paper you are writing, such as an expository essay, argument paper, or analytical essay.
  • Before creating a thesis statement, determine whether you are defending a stance, giving an overview of an event, object, or process, or analyzing your subject

Expository Essay Thesis Statement Examples

An expository essay "exposes" the reader to a new topic; it informs the reader with details, descriptions, or explanations of a subject. If you are writing an expository essay , your thesis statement should explain to the reader what she will learn in your essay. For example:

  • The United States spends more money on its military budget than all the industrialized nations combined.
  • Gun-related homicides and suicides are increasing after years of decline.
  • Hate crimes have increased three years in a row, according to the FBI.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases the risk of stroke and arterial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).

These statements provide a statement of fact about the topic (not just opinion) but leave the door open for you to elaborate with plenty of details. In an expository essay, you don't need to develop an argument or prove anything; you only need to understand your topic and present it in a logical manner. A good thesis statement in an expository essay always leaves the reader wanting more details.

Types of Thesis Statements

Before creating a thesis statement, it's important to ask a few basic questions, which will help you determine the kind of essay or paper you plan to create:

  • Are you defending a stance in a controversial essay ?
  • Are you simply giving an overview or describing an event, object, or process?
  • Are you conducting an analysis of an event, object, or process?

In every thesis statement , you will give the reader a preview of your paper's content, but the message will differ a little depending on the essay type .

Argument Thesis Statement Examples

If you have been instructed to take a stance on one side of a controversial issue, you will need to write an argument essay . Your thesis statement should express the stance you are taking and may give the reader a preview or a hint of your evidence. The thesis of an argument essay could look something like the following:

  • Self-driving cars are too dangerous and should be banned from the roadways.
  • The exploration of outer space is a waste of money; instead, funds should go toward solving issues on Earth, such as poverty, hunger, global warming, and traffic congestion.
  • The U.S. must crack down on illegal immigration.
  • Street cameras and street-view maps have led to a total loss of privacy in the United States and elsewhere.

These thesis statements are effective because they offer opinions that can be supported by evidence. If you are writing an argument essay, you can craft your own thesis around the structure of the statements above.

Analytical Essay Thesis Statement Examples

In an analytical essay assignment, you will be expected to break down a topic, process, or object in order to observe and analyze your subject piece by piece. Examples of a thesis statement for an analytical essay include:

  • The criminal justice reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate in late 2018 (" The First Step Act ") aims to reduce prison sentences that disproportionately fall on nonwhite criminal defendants.
  • The rise in populism and nationalism in the U.S. and European democracies has coincided with the decline of moderate and centrist parties that have dominated since WWII.
  • Later-start school days increase student success for a variety of reasons.

Because the role of the thesis statement is to state the central message of your entire paper, it is important to revisit (and maybe rewrite) your thesis statement after the paper is written. In fact, it is quite normal for your message to change as you construct your paper.

  • The Introductory Paragraph: Start Your Paper Off Right
  • Revising a Paper
  • Your Personal Essay Thesis Sentence
  • How to Develop a Research Paper Timeline
  • Ethos, Logos, Pathos for Persuasion
  • How to Narrow the Research Topic for Your Paper
  • World War II Research Essay Topics
  • What Is a Senior Thesis?
  • How to Use Verbs Effectively in Your Research Paper
  • When to Cite a Source in a Paper
  • Writing an Annotated Bibliography for a Paper
  • Finding Trustworthy Sources
  • How to Write a 10-Page Research Paper
  • 5 Steps to Writing a Position Paper
  • What Is an Autobiography?
  • Finding Statistics and Data for Research Papers

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Duke University

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

examples of a thesis staement

How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

examples of a thesis staement

What’s Covered:

What is the purpose of a thesis statement, writing a good thesis statement: 4 steps, common pitfalls to avoid, where to get your essay edited for free.

When you set out to write an essay, there has to be some kind of point to it, right? Otherwise, your essay would just be a big jumble of word salad that makes absolutely no sense. An essay needs a central point that ties into everything else. That main point is called a thesis statement, and it’s the core of any essay or research paper.

You may hear about Master degree candidates writing a thesis, and that is an entire paper–not to be confused with the thesis statement, which is typically one sentence that contains your paper’s focus. 

Read on to learn more about thesis statements and how to write them. We’ve also included some solid examples for you to reference.

Typically the last sentence of your introductory paragraph, the thesis statement serves as the roadmap for your essay. When your reader gets to the thesis statement, they should have a clear outline of your main point, as well as the information you’ll be presenting in order to either prove or support your point. 

The thesis statement should not be confused for a topic sentence , which is the first sentence of every paragraph in your essay. If you need help writing topic sentences, numerous resources are available. Topic sentences should go along with your thesis statement, though.

Since the thesis statement is the most important sentence of your entire essay or paper, it’s imperative that you get this part right. Otherwise, your paper will not have a good flow and will seem disjointed. That’s why it’s vital not to rush through developing one. It’s a methodical process with steps that you need to follow in order to create the best thesis statement possible.

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

When you’re assigned an essay, there are several different types you may get. Argumentative essays are designed to get the reader to agree with you on a topic. Informative or expository essays present information to the reader. Analytical essays offer up a point and then expand on it by analyzing relevant information. Thesis statements can look and sound different based on the type of paper you’re writing. For example:

  • Argumentative: The United States needs a viable third political party to decrease bipartisanship, increase options, and help reduce corruption in government.
  • Informative: The Libertarian party has thrown off elections before by gaining enough support in states to get on the ballot and by taking away crucial votes from candidates.
  • Analytical: An analysis of past presidential elections shows that while third party votes may have been the minority, they did affect the outcome of the elections in 2020, 2016, and beyond.

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Once you know what type of paper you’re writing, you then need to figure out the point you want to make with your thesis statement, and subsequently, your paper. In other words, you need to decide to answer a question about something, such as:

  • What impact did reality TV have on American society?
  • How has the musical Hamilton affected perception of American history?
  • Why do I want to major in [chosen major here]?

If you have an argumentative essay, then you will be writing about an opinion. To make it easier, you may want to choose an opinion that you feel passionate about so that you’re writing about something that interests you. For example, if you have an interest in preserving the environment, you may want to choose a topic that relates to that. 

If you’re writing your college essay and they ask why you want to attend that school, you may want to have a main point and back it up with information, something along the lines of:

“Attending Harvard University would benefit me both academically and professionally, as it would give me a strong knowledge base upon which to build my career, develop my network, and hopefully give me an advantage in my chosen field.”

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Once you have the point you want to make, you need to figure out how you plan to back it up throughout the rest of your essay. Without this information, it will be hard to either prove or argue the main point of your thesis statement. If you decide to write about the Hamilton example, you may decide to address any falsehoods that the writer put into the musical, such as:

“The musical Hamilton, while accurate in many ways, leaves out key parts of American history, presents a nationalist view of founding fathers, and downplays the racism of the times.”

Once you’ve written your initial working thesis statement, you’ll then need to get information to back that up. For example, the musical completely leaves out Benjamin Franklin, portrays the founding fathers in a nationalist way that is too complimentary, and shows Hamilton as a staunch abolitionist despite the fact that his family likely did own slaves. 

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and that you feel like you can truly write a paper on the topic. Once you’ve done that, you can then begin writing your paper.

When writing a thesis statement, there are some common pitfalls you should avoid so that your paper can be as solid as possible. Make sure you always edit the thesis statement before you do anything else. You also want to ensure that the thesis statement is clear and concise. Don’t make your reader hunt for your point. Finally, put your thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph and have your introduction flow toward that statement. Your reader will expect to find your statement in its traditional spot.

If you’re having trouble getting started, or need some guidance on your essay, there are tools available that can help you. CollegeVine offers a free peer essay review tool where one of your peers can read through your essay and provide you with valuable feedback. Getting essay feedback from a peer can help you wow your instructor or college admissions officer with an impactful essay that effectively illustrates your point.

examples of a thesis staement

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

examples of a thesis staement

Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Parts of a Paper / How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis can be found in many places—a debate speech, a lawyer’s closing argument, even an advertisement. But the most common place for a thesis statement (and probably why you’re reading this article) is in an essay.

Whether you’re writing an argumentative paper, an informative essay, or a compare/contrast statement, you need a thesis. Without a thesis, your argument falls flat and your information is unfocused. Since a thesis is so important, it’s probably a good idea to look at some tips on how to put together a strong one.

Guide Overview

What is a “thesis statement” anyway.

  • 2 categories of thesis statements: informative and persuasive
  • 2 styles of thesis statements
  • Formula for a strong argumentative thesis
  • The qualities of a solid thesis statement (video)

You may have heard of something called a “thesis.” It’s what seniors commonly refer to as their final paper before graduation. That’s not what we’re talking about here. That type of thesis is a long, well-written paper that takes years to piece together.

Instead, we’re talking about a single sentence that ties together the main idea of any argument . In the context of student essays, it’s a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your position on it. This sentence can tell a reader whether your essay is something they want to read.

2 Categories of Thesis Statements: Informative and Persuasive

Just as there are different types of essays, there are different types of thesis statements. The thesis should match the essay.

For example, with an informative essay, you should compose an informative thesis (rather than argumentative). You want to declare your intentions in this essay and guide the reader to the conclusion that you reach.

To make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you must procure the ingredients, find a knife, and spread the condiments.

This thesis showed the reader the topic (a type of sandwich) and the direction the essay will take (describing how the sandwich is made).

Most other types of essays, whether compare/contrast, argumentative, or narrative, have thesis statements that take a position and argue it. In other words, unless your purpose is simply to inform, your thesis is considered persuasive. A persuasive thesis usually contains an opinion and the reason why your opinion is true.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good.

In this persuasive thesis statement, you see that I state my opinion (the best type of sandwich), which means I have chosen a stance. Next, I explain that my opinion is correct with several key reasons. This persuasive type of thesis can be used in any essay that contains the writer’s opinion, including, as I mentioned above, compare/contrast essays, narrative essays, and so on.

2 Styles of Thesis Statements

Just as there are two different types of thesis statements (informative and persuasive), there are two basic styles you can use.

The first style uses a list of two or more points . This style of thesis is perfect for a brief essay that contains only two or three body paragraphs. This basic five-paragraph essay is typical of middle and high school assignments.

C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series is one of the richest works of the 20th century because it offers an escape from reality, teaches readers to have faith even when they don’t understand, and contains a host of vibrant characters.

In the above persuasive thesis, you can see my opinion about Narnia followed by three clear reasons. This thesis is perfect for setting up a tidy five-paragraph essay.

In college, five paragraph essays become few and far between as essay length gets longer. Can you imagine having only five paragraphs in a six-page paper? For a longer essay, you need a thesis statement that is more versatile. Instead of listing two or three distinct points, a thesis can list one overarching point that all body paragraphs tie into.

Good vs. evil is the main theme of Lewis’s Narnia series, as is made clear through the struggles the main characters face in each book.

In this thesis, I have made a claim about the theme in Narnia followed by my reasoning. The broader scope of this thesis allows me to write about each of the series’ seven novels. I am no longer limited in how many body paragraphs I can logically use.

Formula for a Strong Argumentative Thesis

One thing I find that is helpful for students is having a clear template. While students rarely end up with a thesis that follows this exact wording, the following template creates a good starting point:

___________ is true because of ___________, ___________, and ___________.

Conversely, the formula for a thesis with only one point might follow this template:

___________________ is true because of _____________________.

Students usually end up using different terminology than simply “because,” but having a template is always helpful to get the creative juices flowing.

The Qualities of a Solid Thesis Statement

When composing a thesis, you must consider not only the format, but other qualities like length, position in the essay, and how strong the argument is.

Length: A thesis statement can be short or long, depending on how many points it mentions. Typically, however, it is only one concise sentence. It does contain at least two clauses, usually an independent clause (the opinion) and a dependent clause (the reasons). You probably should aim for a single sentence that is at least two lines, or about 30 to 40 words long.

Position: A thesis statement always belongs at the beginning of an essay. This is because it is a sentence that tells the reader what the writer is going to discuss. Teachers will have different preferences for the precise location of the thesis, but a good rule of thumb is in the introduction paragraph, within the last two or three sentences.

Strength: Finally, for a persuasive thesis to be strong, it needs to be arguable. This means that the statement is not obvious, and it is not something that everyone agrees is true.

Example of weak thesis:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are easy to make because it just takes three ingredients.

Most people would agree that PB&J is one of the easiest sandwiches in the American lunch repertoire.

Example of a stronger thesis:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are fun to eat because they always slide around.

This is more arguable because there are plenty of folks who might think a PB&J is messy or slimy rather than fun.

Composing a thesis statement does take a bit more thought than many other parts of an essay. However, because a thesis statement can contain an entire argument in just a few words, it is worth taking the extra time to compose this sentence. It can direct your research and your argument so that your essay is tight, focused, and makes readers think.

EasyBib Writing Resources

Writing a paper.

  • Academic Essay
  • Argumentative Essay
  • College Admissions Essay
  • Expository Essay
  • Persuasive Essay
  • Research Paper
  • Thesis Statement
  • Writing a Conclusion
  • Writing an Introduction
  • Writing an Outline
  • Writing a Summary

EasyBib Plus Features

  • Citation Generator
  • Essay Checker
  • Expert Check Proofreader
  • Grammar Checker
  • Paraphrasing Tools

Plagiarism Checker

  • Spell Checker

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Grammar and Plagiarism Checkers

Grammar Basics

Plagiarism Basics

Writing Basics

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • Dissertation
  • What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

Published on September 14, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on April 16, 2024.

A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master’s program or a capstone to a bachelor’s degree.

Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation , it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete. It relies on your ability to conduct research from start to finish: choosing a relevant topic , crafting a proposal , designing your research , collecting data , developing a robust analysis, drawing strong conclusions , and writing concisely .

Thesis template

You can also download our full thesis template in the format of your choice below. Our template includes a ready-made table of contents , as well as guidance for what each chapter should include. It’s easy to make it your own, and can help you get started.

Download Word template Download Google Docs template

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

upload-your-document-ai-proofreader

Table of contents

Thesis vs. thesis statement, how to structure a thesis, acknowledgements or preface, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review, methodology, reference list, proofreading and editing, defending your thesis, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about theses.

You may have heard the word thesis as a standalone term or as a component of academic writing called a thesis statement . Keep in mind that these are two very different things.

  • A thesis statement is a very common component of an essay, particularly in the humanities. It usually comprises 1 or 2 sentences in the introduction of your essay , and should clearly and concisely summarize the central points of your academic essay .
  • A thesis is a long-form piece of academic writing, often taking more than a full semester to complete. It is generally a degree requirement for Master’s programs, and is also sometimes required to complete a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts colleges.
  • In the US, a dissertation is generally written as a final step toward obtaining a PhD.
  • In other countries (particularly the UK), a dissertation is generally written at the bachelor’s or master’s level.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

The final structure of your thesis depends on a variety of components, such as:

  • Your discipline
  • Your theoretical approach

Humanities theses are often structured more like a longer-form essay . Just like in an essay, you build an argument to support a central thesis.

In both hard and social sciences, theses typically include an introduction , literature review , methodology section ,  results section , discussion section , and conclusion section . These are each presented in their own dedicated section or chapter. In some cases, you might want to add an appendix .

Thesis examples

We’ve compiled a short list of thesis examples to help you get started.

  • Example thesis #1:   “Abolition, Africans, and Abstraction: the Influence of the ‘Noble Savage’ on British and French Antislavery Thought, 1787-1807” by Suchait Kahlon.
  • Example thesis #2: “’A Starving Man Helping Another Starving Man’: UNRRA, India, and the Genesis of Global Relief, 1943-1947″ by Julian Saint Reiman.

The very first page of your thesis contains all necessary identifying information, including:

  • Your full title
  • Your full name
  • Your department
  • Your institution and degree program
  • Your submission date.

Sometimes the title page also includes your student ID, the name of your supervisor, or the university’s logo. Check out your university’s guidelines if you’re not sure.

Read more about title pages

The acknowledgements section is usually optional. Its main point is to allow you to thank everyone who helped you in your thesis journey, such as supervisors, friends, or family. You can also choose to write a preface , but it’s typically one or the other, not both.

Read more about acknowledgements Read more about prefaces

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

  • Academic style
  • Vague sentences
  • Style consistency

See an example

examples of a thesis staement

An abstract is a short summary of your thesis. Usually a maximum of 300 words long, it’s should include brief descriptions of your research objectives , methods, results, and conclusions. Though it may seem short, it introduces your work to your audience, serving as a first impression of your thesis.

Read more about abstracts

A table of contents lists all of your sections, plus their corresponding page numbers and subheadings if you have them. This helps your reader seamlessly navigate your document.

Your table of contents should include all the major parts of your thesis. In particular, don’t forget the the appendices. If you used heading styles, it’s easy to generate an automatic table Microsoft Word.

Read more about tables of contents

While not mandatory, if you used a lot of tables and/or figures, it’s nice to include a list of them to help guide your reader. It’s also easy to generate one of these in Word: just use the “Insert Caption” feature.

Read more about lists of figures and tables

If you have used a lot of industry- or field-specific abbreviations in your thesis, you should include them in an alphabetized list of abbreviations . This way, your readers can easily look up any meanings they aren’t familiar with.

Read more about lists of abbreviations

Relatedly, if you find yourself using a lot of very specialized or field-specific terms that may not be familiar to your reader, consider including a glossary . Alphabetize the terms you want to include with a brief definition.

Read more about glossaries

An introduction sets up the topic, purpose, and relevance of your thesis, as well as expectations for your reader. This should:

  • Ground your research topic , sharing any background information your reader may need
  • Define the scope of your work
  • Introduce any existing research on your topic, situating your work within a broader problem or debate
  • State your research question(s)
  • Outline (briefly) how the remainder of your work will proceed

In other words, your introduction should clearly and concisely show your reader the “what, why, and how” of your research.

Read more about introductions

A literature review helps you gain a robust understanding of any extant academic work on your topic, encompassing:

  • Selecting relevant sources
  • Determining the credibility of your sources
  • Critically evaluating each of your sources
  • Drawing connections between sources, including any themes, patterns, conflicts, or gaps

A literature review is not merely a summary of existing work. Rather, your literature review should ultimately lead to a clear justification for your own research, perhaps via:

  • Addressing a gap in the literature
  • Building on existing knowledge to draw new conclusions
  • Exploring a new theoretical or methodological approach
  • Introducing a new solution to an unresolved problem
  • Definitively advocating for one side of a theoretical debate

Read more about literature reviews

Theoretical framework

Your literature review can often form the basis for your theoretical framework, but these are not the same thing. A theoretical framework defines and analyzes the concepts and theories that your research hinges on.

Read more about theoretical frameworks

Your methodology chapter shows your reader how you conducted your research. It should be written clearly and methodically, easily allowing your reader to critically assess the credibility of your argument. Furthermore, your methods section should convince your reader that your method was the best way to answer your research question.

A methodology section should generally include:

  • Your overall approach ( quantitative vs. qualitative )
  • Your research methods (e.g., a longitudinal study )
  • Your data collection methods (e.g., interviews or a controlled experiment
  • Any tools or materials you used (e.g., computer software)
  • The data analysis methods you chose (e.g., statistical analysis , discourse analysis )
  • A strong, but not defensive justification of your methods

Read more about methodology sections

Your results section should highlight what your methodology discovered. These two sections work in tandem, but shouldn’t repeat each other. While your results section can include hypotheses or themes, don’t include any speculation or new arguments here.

Your results section should:

  • State each (relevant) result with any (relevant) descriptive statistics (e.g., mean , standard deviation ) and inferential statistics (e.g., test statistics , p values )
  • Explain how each result relates to the research question
  • Determine whether the hypothesis was supported

Additional data (like raw numbers or interview transcripts ) can be included as an appendix . You can include tables and figures, but only if they help the reader better understand your results.

Read more about results sections

Your discussion section is where you can interpret your results in detail. Did they meet your expectations? How well do they fit within the framework that you built? You can refer back to any relevant source material to situate your results within your field, but leave most of that analysis in your literature review.

For any unexpected results, offer explanations or alternative interpretations of your data.

Read more about discussion sections

Your thesis conclusion should concisely answer your main research question. It should leave your reader with an ultra-clear understanding of your central argument, and emphasize what your research specifically has contributed to your field.

Why does your research matter? What recommendations for future research do you have? Lastly, wrap up your work with any concluding remarks.

Read more about conclusions

In order to avoid plagiarism , don’t forget to include a full reference list at the end of your thesis, citing the sources that you used. Choose one citation style and follow it consistently throughout your thesis, taking note of the formatting requirements of each style.

Which style you choose is often set by your department or your field, but common styles include MLA , Chicago , and APA.

Create APA citations Create MLA citations

In order to stay clear and concise, your thesis should include the most essential information needed to answer your research question. However, chances are you have many contributing documents, like interview transcripts or survey questions . These can be added as appendices , to save space in the main body.

Read more about appendices

Once you’re done writing, the next part of your editing process begins. Leave plenty of time for proofreading and editing prior to submission. Nothing looks worse than grammar mistakes or sloppy spelling errors!

Consider using a professional thesis editing service or grammar checker to make sure your final project is perfect.

Once you’ve submitted your final product, it’s common practice to have a thesis defense, an oral component of your finished work. This is scheduled by your advisor or committee, and usually entails a presentation and Q&A session.

After your defense , your committee will meet to determine if you deserve any departmental honors or accolades. However, keep in mind that defenses are usually just a formality. If there are any serious issues with your work, these should be resolved with your advisor way before a defense.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

  • Survivorship bias
  • Self-serving bias
  • Availability heuristic
  • Halo effect
  • Hindsight bias
  • Deep learning
  • Generative AI
  • Machine learning
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

  • Grammar Checker
  • Paraphrasing Tool
  • Text Summarizer
  • AI Detector
  • Plagiarism Checker
  • Citation Generator

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5–7% of your overall word count.

If you only used a few abbreviations in your thesis or dissertation , you don’t necessarily need to include a list of abbreviations .

If your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they won’t be known to your audience, it’s never a bad idea to add one. They can also improve readability, minimizing confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader.

When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

  • Your anticipated title
  • Your abstract
  • Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

A thesis is typically written by students finishing up a bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Some educational institutions, particularly in the liberal arts, have mandatory theses, but they are often not mandatory to graduate from bachelor’s degrees. It is more common for a thesis to be a graduation requirement from a Master’s degree.

Even if not mandatory, you may want to consider writing a thesis if you:

  • Plan to attend graduate school soon
  • Have a particular topic you’d like to study more in-depth
  • Are considering a career in research
  • Would like a capstone experience to tie up your academic experience

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2024, April 16). What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/thesis/

Is this article helpful?

Tegan George

Tegan George

Other students also liked, dissertation & thesis outline | example & free templates, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples, 10 research question examples to guide your research project, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Developing Strong Thesis Statements

OWL logo

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The thesis statement or main claim must be debatable

An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. In other words, the thesis must be something that people could reasonably have differing opinions on. If your thesis is something that is generally agreed upon or accepted as fact then there is no reason to try to persuade people.

Example of a non-debatable thesis statement:

This thesis statement is not debatable. First, the word pollution implies that something is bad or negative in some way. Furthermore, all studies agree that pollution is a problem; they simply disagree on the impact it will have or the scope of the problem. No one could reasonably argue that pollution is unambiguously good.

Example of a debatable thesis statement:

This is an example of a debatable thesis because reasonable people could disagree with it. Some people might think that this is how we should spend the nation's money. Others might feel that we should be spending more money on education. Still others could argue that corporations, not the government, should be paying to limit pollution.

Another example of a debatable thesis statement:

In this example there is also room for disagreement between rational individuals. Some citizens might think focusing on recycling programs rather than private automobiles is the most effective strategy.

The thesis needs to be narrow

Although the scope of your paper might seem overwhelming at the start, generally the narrower the thesis the more effective your argument will be. Your thesis or claim must be supported by evidence. The broader your claim is, the more evidence you will need to convince readers that your position is right.

Example of a thesis that is too broad:

There are several reasons this statement is too broad to argue. First, what is included in the category "drugs"? Is the author talking about illegal drug use, recreational drug use (which might include alcohol and cigarettes), or all uses of medication in general? Second, in what ways are drugs detrimental? Is drug use causing deaths (and is the author equating deaths from overdoses and deaths from drug related violence)? Is drug use changing the moral climate or causing the economy to decline? Finally, what does the author mean by "society"? Is the author referring only to America or to the global population? Does the author make any distinction between the effects on children and adults? There are just too many questions that the claim leaves open. The author could not cover all of the topics listed above, yet the generality of the claim leaves all of these possibilities open to debate.

Example of a narrow or focused thesis:

In this example the topic of drugs has been narrowed down to illegal drugs and the detriment has been narrowed down to gang violence. This is a much more manageable topic.

We could narrow each debatable thesis from the previous examples in the following way:

Narrowed debatable thesis 1:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just the amount of money used but also how the money could actually help to control pollution.

Narrowed debatable thesis 2:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just what the focus of a national anti-pollution campaign should be but also why this is the appropriate focus.

Qualifiers such as " typically ," " generally ," " usually ," or " on average " also help to limit the scope of your claim by allowing for the almost inevitable exception to the rule.

Types of claims

Claims typically fall into one of four categories. Thinking about how you want to approach your topic, or, in other words, what type of claim you want to make, is one way to focus your thesis on one particular aspect of your broader topic.

Claims of fact or definition: These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. Example:

Claims of cause and effect: These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur. Example:

Claims about value: These are claims made of what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something. Example:

Claims about solutions or policies: These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Example:

Which type of claim is right for your argument? Which type of thesis or claim you use for your argument will depend on your position and knowledge of the topic, your audience, and the context of your paper. You might want to think about where you imagine your audience to be on this topic and pinpoint where you think the biggest difference in viewpoints might be. Even if you start with one type of claim you probably will be using several within the paper. Regardless of the type of claim you choose to utilize it is key to identify the controversy or debate you are addressing and to define your position early on in the paper.

Examples

Thesis Statement

examples of a thesis staement

Embark on a comprehensive guide to understanding the cornerstone of any compelling essay or research paper: the thesis statement. Learn its definition, discover real-world examples, and unlock the secrets to crafting a strong thesis that captures your argument succinctly. Ideal for students, educators, and aspiring writers, this article serves as a one-stop resource for mastering the art of thesis statement creation. Boost your academic writing skills and make your arguments more persuasive with our expert tips.

What is Thesis Statement? Definition

A thesis statement is a sentence that captures the main point or claim of an essay or research paper. It serves as a roadmap, guiding the reader through the arguments that are presented in the work.

Download 120+ Thesis Statement Examples

Clear and concise, a thesis statement sets the tone and direction for the entire piece of writing.

What is Thesis Statement

What is the Best Example of a Thesis Statement?

A strong thesis statement is concise, specific, and sets the stage for the arguments to follow. One such example that is often cited for its effectiveness is:

Example: “Stricter plastic regulations are crucial to combat environmental damage.”

This thesis statement is considered strong for the following reasons:

  • Concise : It gets straight to the point, making it easy for the reader to understand the essay’s focus.
  • Specific : It clearly identifies the need for stricter regulations on plastic, providing a specific course of action.
  • Arguable : The statement is not a mere fact but an arguable position that invites discussion and analysis.
  • Roadmap : Though brief, it gives readers a quick idea of what the essay will argue, serving as a roadmap for the discussion that will follow.
  • Relevance : The topic is timely and relevant, adding weight to the thesis statement.

This example serves as an excellent starting point for an argumentative essay, offering a clear and focused direction for both the writer and the reader.

100 Simple Thesis Statement Examples

Navigating the complexities of academic writing can be challenging, but a well-crafted thesis statement can make all the difference. Whether you’re a student, educator, or anyone interested in improving their writing skills, these 100 simple thesis statement examples will provide you with the inspiration and guidance you need. From argumentative essays to analytical papers, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!

Argumentative Thesis Statements

  • School uniforms should be mandatory to promote equality and reduce bullying in educational institutions.
  • Social media platforms must regulate fake news to prevent the spread of misinformation.
  • Animal testing is unethical and should be banned in cosmetic research.
  • The death penalty is an outdated form of punishment that has no place in a civilized society.
  • Climate change is a global crisis that requires immediate action from governments worldwide.

Analytical Thesis Statements

  • Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” explores the complexities of human emotion through its multi-dimensional characters.
  • The Great Gatsby portrays the American Dream as unattainable , offering a critical look at 1920s America.
  • The symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” serves to highlight the inherent evil in human nature.
  • The marketing strategies of Apple Inc. focus on emotional appeal , setting it apart from competitors.
  • The rise of cryptocurrency challenges traditional financial systems , signaling a shift in how we understand money.

Expository Thesis Statements

  • The benefits of exercise extend beyond physical health , including mental well-being and increased productivity.
  • Remote work is becoming the new norm , offering both challenges and opportunities for businesses.
  • Meditation has proven health benefits , such as reducing stress and improving focus.
  • The history of the Internet traces back to military projects , but its rapid expansion has been consumer-driven.
  • Renewable energy sources are essential for a sustainable future , as they reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

Compare and Contrast Thesis Statements

  • While both Apple and Samsung offer high-quality smartphones , Apple’s focus on user experience sets it apart.
  • Public and private schools provide different benefits and challenges , making the choice dependent on individual needs.
  • Traditional and online education have distinct advantages , but online learning offers more flexibility.
  • Cats and dogs make excellent pets , but cats require less maintenance and attention.
  • Democracy and monarchy are contrasting forms of government , each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Persuasive Thesis Statements

  • Recycling should be made compulsory to minimize environmental impact.
  • Vaccination should be mandatory for public health and safety.
  • Higher education should be free for all citizens to promote economic growth and social mobility.
  • Gun control laws need to be stricter to reduce the incidence of mass shootings.
  • Organic farming should be subsidized to promote sustainable agriculture.

Cause and Effect Thesis Statements

  • The rise in fast-food consumption has led to an increase in obesity rates among young adults.
  • The advent of social media has significantly impacted mental health , leading to increased anxiety and depression.
  • Global warming is causing extreme weather conditions , including more frequent and severe hurricanes.
  • The decline in print journalism can be attributed to the digital revolution , which has shifted the focus to online news.
  • The increase in remote work has led to a surge in demand for home office equipment , affecting the retail market.

Informative Thesis Statements

  • The life cycle of a butterfly consists of four stages : egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
  • The process of photosynthesis is essential for plant growth , converting sunlight into energy.
  • The history of jazz music traces its roots to African and European musical traditions , blending them into a unique American art form.
  • The benefits of yoga include improved flexibility, strength, and mental clarity .
  • The invention of the printing press revolutionized information distribution , paving the way for the spread of knowledge.

Problem-Solution Thesis Statements

  • To combat climate change, governments should invest in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
  • The opioid crisis can be mitigated through stricter regulations on prescription medications and better educational programs.
  • To reduce traffic congestion, cities should invest in public transportation systems like buses and subways.
  • The issue of plastic waste can be addressed by implementing recycling programs and banning single-use plastics.
  • To improve mental health services, there should be increased funding for research and public awareness campaigns .

Evaluation Thesis Statements

  • The film “Inception” successfully combines complex storytelling with groundbreaking visual effects , making it a modern cinematic masterpiece.
  • Despite its popularity, fast food is harmful to health and well-being , offering little nutritional value.
  • The educational system needs a comprehensive overhaul to meet the needs of the 21st century , including a focus on STEM and vocational training.
  • The novel “1984” by George Orwell offers a chilling glimpse into the dangers of totalitarianism , making it a must-read for all generations.
  • The iPhone revolutionized the smartphone industry , setting new standards for design and functionality.

Definition Thesis Statements

  • Success is a subjective term , defined differently by each individual based on their goals and values.
  • Beauty is a complex concept , influenced by cultural, psychological, and personal factors.
  • Intelligence is not solely based on IQ , but also includes emotional and social intelligence.
  • Happiness is a state of well-being , influenced by external and internal factors.
  • Leadership involves not just authority but also responsibility , including the ability to inspire and guide others.

Process Thesis Statements

  • The process of brewing coffee involves several key steps , from bean selection to brewing technique, that influence the final flavor.
  • Creating a budget involves tracking income and expenses , setting financial goals, and making adjustments as needed.
  • The process of writing a novel involves planning, drafting, and revising , each stage requiring different skills and focus.
  • Learning a new language involves mastering vocabulary, grammar, and cultural nuances , requiring consistent practice and immersion.
  • Building a successful startup involves market research, product development, and effective marketing strategies .

Descriptive Thesis Statements

  • The Grand Canyon offers breathtaking vistas , showcasing the raw beauty and power of nature.
  • The Mona Lisa captivates audiences with its enigmatic expression , intricate details, and revolutionary techniques.
  • New York City is a melting pot of cultures , offering a diverse range of experiences from food to entertainment.
  • The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon , characterized by vibrant colors and patterns in the night sky.
  • The Amazon Rainforest is a complex ecosystem , home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Controversial Thesis Statements

  • Genetically modified foods pose potential health risks and should be clearly labeled.
  • Euthanasia should be legalized under specific conditions , to preserve the dignity and choice of terminally ill patients.
  • Surveillance technology poses a threat to individual privacy , requiring stricter regulations.
  • The legalization of marijuana has both pros and cons , affecting health, economy, and social issues.
  • The gender pay gap is a systemic issue , requiring legislative action for equal pay.

Narrative Thesis Statements

  • My journey to becoming a doctor was fueled by personal experiences , shaping my view of healthcare.
  • The most impactful moment of my life was moving to a new country , which taught me resilience and adaptability.
  • My passion for photography started as a hobby but evolved into a career , shaping my artistic vision.
  • The experience of hiking the Appalachian Trail was transformative , offering lessons in perseverance and self-discovery.
  • My year of traveling solo taught me the importance of independence and adaptability , enriching my perspective on life.

Research Thesis Statements

  • The impact of climate change on coral reefs requires immediate attention , as indicated by recent scientific studies.
  • The effects of video games on cognitive development are largely positive , contrary to popular belief.
  • The influence of social media on body image is significant , particularly among young adults.
  • The benefits of intermittent fasting are supported by scientific evidence , including improved metabolic health and longevity.
  • The role of artificial intelligence in healthcare is expanding , offering promising solutions for diagnosis and treatment.

Opinion Thesis Statements

  • In my opinion, remote learning is less effective than traditional classroom education , due to lack of social interaction and hands-on experience.
  • I believe that mental health should be given equal importance as physical health in public healthcare systems.
  • I think that electric cars are the future of transportation , offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
  • I feel that organic food is worth the higher price , due to its health benefits and environmental impact.
  • In my view, freelancing offers more freedom and flexibility than a 9-to-5 job , although it comes with its own set of challenges.

Proposal Thesis Statements

  • I propose that schools implement mindfulness programs to improve student well-being and academic performance.
  • I suggest that companies adopt a four-day workweek to increase productivity and employee satisfaction.
  • I recommend that local governments invest in green infrastructure to combat the effects of climate change.
  • I advocate for stricter gun control laws to reduce violence and improve public safety.
  • I propose that healthcare be made universally accessible , to ensure that all citizens receive the care they need.

Reflective Thesis Statements

  • Reflecting on my college experience, I realize the importance of time management in achieving academic success.
  • Looking back on my career, I see the value of continuous learning in staying relevant in the job market.
  • Upon reflection, my travels have broadened my understanding of cultural diversity , enriching my worldview.
  • Reflecting on my relationships, I understand the importance of open communication in maintaining healthy connections.
  • Looking back at my childhood, I appreciate the role of family support in shaping my values and aspirations.

Hypothetical Thesis Statements

  • If renewable energy were universally adopted, it could significantly reduce carbon emissions , mitigating the effects of climate change.
  • If education were made more accessible, it would lead to greater social mobility and a more equitable society.
  • If healthcare were universally accessible, it would improve public health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
  • If public transportation were more efficient, it could reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
  • If mental health services were more widely available, it would reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and improve public well-being.

Future-Oriented Thesis Statements

  • As technology continues to advance, ethical considerations will become increasingly important in fields like AI and biotechnology.
  • As the global population grows, sustainable agriculture will become crucial in meeting the world’s food needs.
  • As remote work becomes more prevalent, companies will need to adapt their management strategies to maintain productivity and employee engagement.
  • As climate change intensifies, global cooperation will be essential in implementing effective mitigation strategies.
  • As mental health awareness increases, the demand for qualified mental health professionals will rise , necessitating improvements in training and education.

How to Write a Thesis Statement?

Start by understanding what a thesis statement is: it’s a sentence that encapsulates your paper’s primary argument or point. The 3 parts of a thesis statement generally include the subject, the precise opinion, and the blueprint of reasons.

First, identify the subject or topic of your paper. This is the broad area that your research or essay will cover.

Next, you need to formulate a precise opinion on your chosen subject. This assertion gives your paper a unique angle and a clear direction.

Finally, the blueprint of reasons outlines the main points or arguments you will use to support your opinion. These will form the body of your essay or research paper.

Now that we’ve outlined the 3 parts, let’s talk about how to start.

  • Brainstorm: Begin by brainstorming ideas related to your topic. This is a crucial step that helps in defining your precise opinion and blueprint of reasons.
  • Narrow down: Based on your brainstorming, narrow down your focus to a specific aspect of your topic.
  • Write a working thesis statement: Craft a working thesis statement based on your narrowed-down focus. This statement doesn’t need to be perfect yet, but it should serve as a guide for your research or writing process.
  • Refine: As your research progresses, refine your thesis statement. Make sure it clearly communicates your argument and the main points that support it.
  • Review and Revise: Once your essay or research paper is complete, revisit your thesis statement. Ensure it still aligns with the arguments you presented in your paper.

how to write a thesis statement

By following these steps, you can construct a good thesis statement that will steer your paper towards a compelling argument.

Tips for Creating Effective Thesis Statements

Here are ten straightforward tips to make your thesis statement effective and engaging.

  • Focus on Detail: Your thesis statement should clearly outline your main argument. Avoid vagueness and stay precise.
  • Create a Spark: Make your thesis statement thought-provoking. It should incite a reader to think about the subject in depth.
  • Keep it Brief: Short, crisp sentences often make the strongest statements. Aim to keep your thesis within one or two lines.
  • Locate it Right: Position your thesis statement at the end of your introduction. It provides a smooth transition into the main body.
  • Use Solid Evidence: Make sure each part of your thesis can be supported with concrete evidence from your research.
  • Mirror Your Structure: Your thesis should give a glimpse into how your essay or paper is organized.
  • Ensure Consistency: The entire content of your paper should align with the thesis statement, reinforcing your main argument.
  • Avoid Being Predictable : Stay away from cliches or commonly used structures. Let your unique voice shine through your thesis.
  • Revise if Required: As you delve deeper into your topic, you may need to tweak your thesis statement to better fit your findings.
  • Welcome Feedback: Constructive critique can help refine your thesis statement, making it more compelling and clear.

Thesis Statement Format

A well-structured thesis statement generally follows this format:

  • Subject : This is the primary topic or subject of your research or essay.
  • Claim/Position : This is your stance or claim about the subject. It’s the argument you will be supporting throughout your paper.
  • Supporting Points : These are the main points or ideas that you will use to back up your claim.

Here’s an example in a simple format:

[Subject] + [Claim/Position] + [Supporting Points]

This could look like:

“Exposure to sunlight (subject) has significant health benefits (claim/position) including boosting vitamin D levels, improving mood, and regulating sleep (supporting points) .”

Remember, your thesis statement should be concise, clear, and should directly answer the question or task set in the assignment.

Blank Thesis Statement

Here’s a blank outline for a thesis statement that you can use as a starting point:

“[Your Subject] is significant because it [Your Claim/Position], due to [Your Supporting Points].”

Simply fill in the blanks with your specific details. Remember, the subject is what you’re discussing, the claim/position is your argument about the subject, and the supporting points are the reasons or evidence that back up your claim.

Examples of Good Thesis Statements

1. “Mindfulness meditation can significantly reduce stress levels due to its effects on the nervous system, promoting relaxation and emotional balance.”

2. “The implementation of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is crucial to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”

3. “Understanding cultural differences enhances international business communication by fostering mutual respect, minimizing misunderstandings, and building stronger relationships.”

4. “Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise routine is critical for optimal health, contributing to weight control, enhanced mood, and increased energy levels.”

5. “Education reform should focus on skills-based learning, given its potential to better prepare students for the job market, encourage critical thinking, and foster lifelong learning.”

6. “Social media plays a significant role in modern politics, shaping public opinion, promoting political engagement, and serving as a platform for activism.”

7. “Technological advancements in agriculture, including precision farming and biotechnology, can address global food security by boosting crop yields and adapting to changing climates.”

8. “Early intervention in children with developmental disorders aids in better academic performance, improved social skills, and higher quality of life in the long term.”

9. “Artificial intelligence in healthcare can enhance patient care by improving diagnosis accuracy, personalizing treatment plans, and streamlining administrative tasks.”

10. “Promoting diversity in the workplace leads to increased creativity, broader perspectives, and improved problem-solving due to the variety of experiences and backgrounds.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Research Paper

1. “The proliferation of electric vehicles can significantly curb greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the global fight against climate change.”

2. “Exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances could revolutionize mental health treatment, offering new avenues for conditions resistant to traditional therapy.”

3. “The rise of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated its viability for providing accessible and cost-effective healthcare solutions, particularly in remote areas.”

4. “Blockchain technology has transformative potential beyond cryptocurrency, with applications in supply chain transparency, digital identity verification, and secure data sharing.”

5. “Understanding the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems is critical for developing effective environmental policies and fostering sustainable consumption habits.”

6. “The integration of AI in education can personalize learning experiences, improve student engagement, and aid teachers in instructional design and assessment.”

7. “Investigating the relationship between gut microbiota and mental health may offer insights into novel treatments for depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.”

8. “The ethical implications of gene editing technologies like CRISPR must be addressed to balance the potential health benefits with societal and moral considerations.”

9. “Examining the role of social media in modern conflicts can help develop strategies for information management, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding efforts.”

10. “Research into sustainable farming practices can contribute to food security, environmental conservation, and the socio-economic wellbeing of farming communities.”

High School Thesis Statement Examples

1. “School uniforms should not be mandatory as they limit students’ self-expression, creativity, and individuality.”

2. “Integrating financial literacy classes in high school curriculums can better prepare students for adulthood by teaching essential skills like budgeting, investing, and debt management.”

3. “Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ portrays the consequences of family feuds and impulsive decisions, demonstrating the importance of communication and reconciliation.”

4. “The use of technology in classrooms enhances the learning experience by providing interactive content, facilitating collaboration, and catering to different learning styles.”

5. “Recycling programs in high schools can foster environmental responsibility, reduce waste, and serve as a practical example of sustainability principles.”

6. “In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Harper Lee uses the character of Atticus Finch to explore themes of morality, justice, and racial inequality.”

7. “School cafeterias should offer healthier food options to combat the rising rates of childhood obesity and promote better eating habits.”

8. “Participation in extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, and arts programs can enhance a high school student’s academic performance, social skills, and self-esteem.”

9. “J.D. Salinger’s ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ uses the journey of its protagonist, Holden Caulfield, to depict the struggles of adolescence and the quest for identity.”

10. “High schools should start later in the day to accommodate teenagers’ biological sleep patterns, improving students’ attention, mood, and academic performance.”

Middle School Thesis Statement Examples

1. “Keeping pets at a young age can teach children responsibility, empathy, and the importance of companionship.”

2. “In ‘Harry Potter’, J.K. Rowling explores themes of friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and evil through a magical, captivating narrative.”

3. “Recycling at school and at home helps protect the environment by reducing waste, conserving resources, and reducing pollution.”

4. “Playing a musical instrument can enhance a middle school student’s cognitive abilities, boost self-confidence, and foster discipline.”

5. “Reading is more than a school subject; it’s a gateway to learning, understanding different perspectives, and developing critical thinking skills.”

6. “Bullying in middle school should be addressed promptly and effectively to protect students’ wellbeing and create a supportive learning environment.”

7. “Outdoor education can supplement traditional classroom learning by promoting physical activity, fostering teamwork, and connecting students with nature.”

8. “In ‘The Hobbit’, J.R.R. Tolkien uses Bilbo Baggins’ journey to explore personal growth, bravery, and the importance of home.”

9. “School homework should be thoughtfully assigned, balancing the need for academic reinforcement with students’ time for extracurricular activities and relaxation.”

10. “Involving students in community service projects can foster civic responsibility, increase social awareness, and promote personal development.”

College Thesis Statement Examples

1. “Effective corporate social responsibility initiatives can enhance a company’s reputation, foster customer loyalty, and contribute to sustainable business practices.”

2. “The portrayal of mental health in modern cinema influences societal perceptions, highlighting the need for accurate and sensitive representation.”

3. “The evolution of women’s roles in Shakespeare’s plays reflects the changing societal attitudes towards gender during his time.”

4. “The rise of gig economy demonstrates a shift in employment patterns, with implications for workers’ rights, economic stability, and labor laws.”

5. “Feminism in Jane Austen’s novels subtly challenges the societal norms of her time, advocating for women’s independence and intellect.”

6. “Understanding the causes and effects of food deserts can inform public policy on nutrition, health, and urban planning.”

7. “Mandatory voting can increase political engagement, ensure representativeness, and uphold the democratic principle of political equality.”

8. “Exploring the cultural significance of hip-hop music reveals its influence on social issues, race relations, and youth culture.”

9. “Investigating the impact of climate change on global migration patterns can help formulate humanitarian and environmental policies.”

10. “The ethical considerations of artificial intelligence in healthcare encompass issues of patient privacy, algorithmic bias, and the doctor-patient relationship.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Essays

1. “The popularity of reality television reveals a societal fascination with real-life drama, celebrity culture, and the human experience under unique circumstances.”

2. “Traveling abroad can broaden one’s perspective by exposing individuals to new cultures, languages, and ways of life.”

3. “Mindful parenting promotes a healthy parent-child relationship, fostering emotional understanding, patience, and effective communication.”

4. “Sustainable fashion, though often seen as a trend, is a necessary response to the environmental and social implications of fast fashion.”

5. “Social networking platforms have revolutionized communication, but also present issues related to privacy, misinformation, and mental health.”

6. “The depiction of superheroes in comic books mirrors societal values and concerns of different eras, offering insight into cultural trends and ideologies.”

7. “Bilingual education benefits students by enhancing cognitive flexibility, promoting cultural awareness, and offering competitive advantages in the global job market.”

8. “Adopting a plant-based diet can contribute to personal health and environmental sustainability, addressing issues like animal welfare, climate change, and resource consumption.”

9. “Street art, often dismissed as vandalism, is a form of public expression that reflects societal issues, promotes dialogue, and beautifies urban spaces.”

10. “The rise of eSports challenges traditional perceptions of sports, demonstrating the importance of strategic thinking, teamwork, and digital proficiency in the modern age.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Personal Essays

1. “My volunteering experiences at the local food bank have underscored the importance of community service in alleviating poverty and promoting social unity.”

2. “Growing up in a bilingual household has enriched my cultural understanding and equipped me with effective communication skills in a multicultural world.”

3. “Overcoming adversity in my childhood has fostered resilience, empathy, and a determination to advocate for underprivileged children.”

4. “My journey in amateur photography has helped me appreciate the beauty in everyday life and taught me the power of visual storytelling.”

5. “Training for a marathon transformed not only my physical health but also taught me the values of discipline, perseverance, and goal-setting.”

6. “Navigating college as a first-generation student has been challenging yet rewarding, fostering independence, adaptability, and a strong work ethic.”

7. “The year I spent traveling solo after high school broadened my perspective, helped me understand different cultures, and instilled a sense of self-reliance.”

8. “Adopting a rescue dog changed my life, teaching me about responsibility, companionship, and the joy of giving a pet a second chance.”

9. “My passion for sustainable living, nurtured through family practices and education, has inspired me to advocate for environmental causes and green initiatives.”

10. “My experience in the school band has not only enhanced my musical skills but also instilled a deep appreciation for collaboration and shared success.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Argumentative Essay

1. “Animal testing for cosmetics should be banned due to its inhumane nature, unreliability, and the availability of alternative testing methods.”

2. “Schools should implement stricter anti-bullying policies to protect students, promote a healthy learning environment, and prevent long-term psychological effects.”

3. “Internet censorship infringes upon freedom of speech, stifles creativity and innovation, and can be used as a tool for political control.”

4. “Capital punishment should be abolished because it does not effectively deter crime, is cost-inefficient, and violates basic human rights.”

5. “Mandatory vaccination is necessary to maintain herd immunity, protect vulnerable populations, and prevent the resurgence of deadly diseases.”

6. “The government should impose stricter regulations on fast food industries to combat the obesity epidemic, improve public health, and reduce healthcare costs.”

7. “Violent video games should not be blamed for real-world violence, as there is no concrete evidence linking the two, and they can offer cognitive benefits.”

8. “Plastic bag bans are essential to reduce environmental pollution, conserve resources, and promote sustainable consumer habits.”

9. “Public funding for arts education is crucial for fostering creativity, enhancing cultural understanding, and improving academic performance in other subjects.”

10. “Telecommuting should be encouraged to reduce carbon emissions, improve work-life balance, and decrease overhead costs for businesses.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Narrative Essay

1. “My first solo trip to Europe was a whirlwind of self-discovery, independence, and an appreciation for diverse cultures.”

2. “Landing my first job taught me the values of hard work, resilience, and the joy of earning my own money.”

3. “Moving to a big city from a small town marked a significant turning point in my life, filled with challenges, adaptation, and personal growth.”

4. “The experience of surviving a hurricane emphasized the power of community, the importance of preparation, and the unpredictable force of nature.”

5. “Adopting a healthier lifestyle transformed my life, leading to a profound personal journey toward wellness, self-care, and positive change.”

6. “Learning to play the guitar during the pandemic not only developed a new skill but also provided an emotional outlet in difficult times.”

7. “My first failure in a baking contest taught me that success is a journey of continuous learning, experimentation, and embracing mistakes.”

8. “Living with a roommate for the first time was a rollercoaster ride of shared responsibilities, conflict resolution, and cherished camaraderie.”

9. “Coaching a kids’ soccer team was a rewarding experience, imparting lessons about teamwork, discipline, and the pure joy of sport.”

10. “My encounter with a humpback whale while diving in Hawaii deepened my respect for marine life and ignited a commitment to ocean conservation.”

Short Thesis Statement Examples

1. “Public libraries are indispensable resources for communities, providing access to knowledge, digital services, and learning opportunities.”

2. “Climate change is a global issue demanding immediate and collective action for mitigation and adaptation.”

3. “School uniforms restrict students’ freedom of expression and individuality.”

4. “The portrayal of women in media influences societal gender norms and expectations.”

5. “Fast food consumption contributes to obesity and other health issues.”

6. “Bilingual education fosters cognitive development and cultural appreciation.”

7. “Artificial intelligence will revolutionize the future of work.”

8. “Animal testing is unethical and often unnecessary due to technological alternatives.”

9. “Social media impacts mental health, affecting self-esteem and fostering comparison.”

10. “Music education enhances cognitive abilities, creativity, and emotional intelligence.”

Thesis Statement Examples for Short Story

1. “Through the use of vivid imagery and symbolism, the short story ‘The Necklace’ explores the consequences of pride and the pursuit of material wealth.”

2. “In the short story ‘Hills Like White Elephants,’ Ernest Hemingway skillfully portrays the complexities of communication, addressing themes of choices, power dynamics, and the implications of decision-making.”

3. “Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story of an Hour’ delves into the theme of female liberation in a patriarchal society, exemplifying the profound impact of personal freedom and societal constraints.”

4. “Through the exploration of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of human nature, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘Young Goodman Brown’ unveils the dark undercurrents of Puritan society.”

5. “Alice Walker’s ‘Everyday Use’ delves into the significance of heritage and the tension between embracing cultural roots and seeking individual identity.”

6. “Anton Chekhov’s ‘The Lady with the Dog’ skillfully depicts the transformative power of love and its ability to challenge societal norms.”

7. “In ‘The Cask of Amontillado,’ Edgar Allan Poe creates a chilling atmosphere of revenge and deceit, exploring themes of betrayal, obsession, and the dark side of human nature.”

8. “Through the theme of societal conformity and individuality, Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Lottery’ raises profound questions about tradition, morality, and the dangers of blindly following rituals.”

9. “In ‘The Gift of the Magi,’ O. Henry presents a heartwarming tale of selflessness and sacrifice, emphasizing the true value of love and the spirit of giving.”

10. “Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Garden Party’ delves into class distinctions, shedding light on the tension between privilege and empathy in a vividly portrayed social event.”

Informative Thesis Statement Examples

1. “The advancements in renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, offer a promising solution to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”

2. “The impact of social media on society is multifaceted, influencing communication patterns, shaping public opinion, and presenting both opportunities and challenges for individuals and businesses.”

3. “Understanding the principles and benefits of mindfulness meditation can help individuals reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and enhance overall quality of life.”

4. “Exploring the history and cultural significance of traditional festivals provides valuable insights into the customs, beliefs, and values of different communities around the world.”

5. “The study of genetics and genomics has revolutionized healthcare, leading to advancements in personalized medicine, disease prevention, and targeted therapies.”

6. “Investigating the effects of climate change on biodiversity reveals the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the risk of species extinction, and the urgency of conservation efforts.”

7. “Exploring the impact of technology on education reveals its transformative potential in enhancing learning experiences, promoting digital literacy, and preparing students for the future workforce.”

8. “Understanding the causes and consequences of income inequality sheds light on socioeconomic disparities, social mobility, and the implications for individuals and society as a whole.”

9. “Exploring the historical context and significance of landmark court cases provides insight into the evolution of civil rights, constitutional interpretations, and social progress.”

10. “Studying the psychological and physiological effects of exercise highlights its positive impact on mental health, physical well-being, and overall life satisfaction.”

Examples of 3 Point Thesis Statements

1. “The legalization of marijuana should be implemented nationwide due to its potential benefits in pain management, tax revenue generation, and reducing the burden on the criminal justice system.”

2. “Effective time management skills can improve academic performance by enhancing productivity, reducing stress levels, and fostering a healthy work-life balance.”

3. “Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on mental health, interpersonal relationships, and overall well-being, necessitating the need for awareness, self-regulation, and support systems.”

4. “The three main causes of climate change are industrial emissions, deforestation, and excessive fossil fuel consumption, requiring global cooperation, policy interventions, and sustainable practices for mitigation.”

5. “Gun control measures should be implemented to enhance public safety by implementing universal background checks, restricting access to high-capacity magazines, and promoting responsible firearm ownership.”

6. “The three key components of a healthy lifestyle include regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep, contributing to overall physical and mental well-being.”

7. “Online education offers advantages of flexibility, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, making it an increasingly popular alternative to traditional classroom-based learning.”

8. “The three major effects of air pollution on human health are respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and increased risk of lung cancer, necessitating the need for stringent environmental regulations and pollution reduction strategies.”

9. “The three main benefits of cultural diversity in the workplace are increased innovation, improved problem-solving abilities, and enhanced adaptability in global markets.”

10. “The three major consequences of deforestation are loss of biodiversity, climate change acceleration, and disruption of local ecosystems, emphasizing the urgency of conservation efforts and sustainable forest management.”

What are Good Thesis Statement Sentence Starters?

“The evidence suggests that…”

“Research indicates that…”

“It is clear that…”

“The data supports the notion that…”

“A closer examination reveals that…”

“Through analysis, it becomes apparent that…”

“It is widely acknowledged that…”

“Based on the available information, it can be argued that…”

“Scholars have long debated…”

“An important aspect to consider is…”

Can a Thesis Statement Be a Question?

Yes, a thesis statement can be a question. It serves as a thought-provoking inquiry that guides the direction of the essay and prompts exploration and analysis of the topic.

How Long should a Thesis Statement Be?

A thesis statement is generally recommended to be around 40 to 60 characters or 10 to 15 words. However, the most important aspect is that it effectively conveys the main argument or point of the essay in a clear and concise manner. The length may vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the specific requirements of the assignment.

Twitter

AI Generator

Text prompt

  • Instructive
  • Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

  • +44 (0) 207 391 9032

Recent Posts

  • What Is an Internship? Everything You Should Know
  • How Long Should a Thesis Statement Be?
  • How to Write a Character Analysis Essay
  • Best Colours for Your PowerPoint Presentation: How to Choose
  • How to Write a Nursing Essay
  • Top 5 Essential Skills You Should Build As An International Student
  • How Professional Editing Services Can Take Your Writing to the Next Level
  • How to Write an Effective Essay Outline
  • How to Write a Law Essay: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples
  • What Are the Limitations of ChatGPT?
  • Academic News
  • Custom Essays
  • Dissertation Writing
  • Essay Marking
  • Essay Writing
  • Essay Writing Companies
  • Model Essays
  • Model Exam Answers
  • Oxbridge Essays Updates
  • PhD Writing
  • Significant Academics
  • Student News
  • Study Skills
  • University Applications
  • University Essays
  • University Life
  • Writing Tips

examples of a thesis staement

How to write a thesis statement (with examples)

Since 2006, oxbridge essays has been the uk’s leading paid essay-writing and dissertation service.

We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.

What exactly is a thesis statement?

What if I told you that one sentence in your essay or thesis could be the difference between a First and a Fail?

It may sound absurd – perhaps even unfair – but it’s true. I refer, of course, to the thesis statement. A thesis statement is your entire essay if it were condensed into a single sentence. If your essay title is a question, then your thesis statement is the one-sentence answer.

It tends to arrive near the end of the first paragraph of a thesis.

Let’s take a look at an example from a Master of Education degree thesis:

Thesis title What constitutes ‘good writing’ for GCSE students of English?

Thesis statement The examination rubric by which GCSE English writing performance is assessed, influenced by a long history of variable ‘tastes’, may now be said to describe ‘good writing’ as that which is grammatically accurate, sophisticated, and suited to purpose, genre and audience.

(The thesis statement would be located in paragraph 1, after a brief overview of the subject).

Why is a thesis statement important?

As I mentioned, the way your thesis statement is written can be the difference between a First and a Fail. But how?

To answer that, let’s think about what ‘thesis’ means. From the Greek thésis, meaning ‘proposition’, your thesis is your main argument.

It is the position you have to support and defend for the remainder of your essay. Without something clear to defend, the fortress you build will crumble and the army you deploy will run about like headless chickens.

In essence: without a clear thesis statement, you don’t have an essay.

“Establishing a clear thesis at the start of your essay is crucial for both you and your examiner. For your examiner, it’s evidence that you have answered the question. For you, it can function as an essay plan.”

For both of you, it’s a litmus test for the quality of the argument: if you can’t fit your essay’s arguments into a sentence, they are too diffuse; and if you can’t stick to your thesis statement’s focus throughout your essay, you are not focused.

A precisely focused and well-grounded essay is more worthy of a First Class grade than one with a scattergun approach.

examples of a thesis staement

What should a thesis statement include?

What your thesis statement includes is determined by three things:

1. The subject and topic of the essay. 2. The purpose of the essay. 3. The length of the essay.

Let’s examine each of those in more detail to see how they can help us refine our thesis statement.

The subject and topic of the essay

Look at this real-life title from an undergraduate Sports Science essay:

What are the key differences between training recommendations for maximising muscular strength and maximising muscular hypertrophy?

The first task is, of course, to determine the subject of the essay.

In this example, that would be ‘training recommendations for maximising muscular strength and training recommendations for maximising muscular hypertrophy’.

Knowing that means that I know I will need to deploy my knowledge about those two similar but distinct areas. It also means that I should be using the specialist terminology relevant to the field, such as load, isotonic and volume.

Next, I need to determine the topic.

Here it would be ‘the key differences’ between training recommendations for those two goals. That phrase ‘key differences’ is likely to be at the heart of my thesis statement, to show that I’m on track.

With that in mind, my thesis statement might look like this:

Whilst both training outcomes require resistance training centred upon isotonic contractions, it is likely that the absolute load requirements may need to be higher for strength purposes, whilst the total training volume may need to be higher for hypertrophy purposes.

It is by no means a complete essay, but it states clearly what the ‘short answer’ to the question is, whilst paving the way for the ‘long answer’ to follow.

But what if the essay isn’t just looking for the facts organised into a specific order? What if the essay is asking for analysis? Or an argument?

The purpose of the essay

Different essay purposes require different thesis statements. Fortunately, there are only three main essay purposes, and they’re pretty easy to recognise:

1. The expository essay: This is an essay type that asks for the key facts on a subject to be laid out, with explanations. The Sports Science question above is an example of this. It asks for the WHAT and HOW of something.

2. The analytical essay: This essay type asks you not only to lay out the facts, but also to analyse and deconstruct them to better understand them. It is typical in subjects such as English Literature and Fine Art. It asks for the WHY of something.

3. The argumentative essay: This type of essay asks you to use the facts available, to analyse them for value, and then to provide a point of view about the subject. It moves more quickly through the WHAT, HOW and WHY of a topic through to: WHY DOES IT MATTER?

All of the above essay types need a thesis statement that includes a proposition (a statement which answers the question or addresses the title).

Beyond that, these three essay types all require different additions.

For the expository essay , you need to add an overview of the details of the conclusion. Let’s look at an example:

Expository essay title: What are the key differences between training recommendations for maximising muscular strength and maximising muscular hypertrophy? (BSc in Sports Science)

Expository thesis statement: Whilst both training outcomes require resistance training centred upon isotonic contractions, it is likely that the absolute load requirements may need to be higher for strength purposes, whilst the total training volume may need to be higher for hypertrophy purposes. (The basic conclusion is that both approaches need isotonic resistance training; the details are teased out in bold.)

For the analytical essay , you need to add an overview of the analysis performed. Here’s an example:

Analytical essay title: Why did England and Wales vote to leave the European Union? (BA in Politics)

Analytical thesis statement: A close consideration of the voter demographics, the populist nature of political messages leading up to the referendum, and the history of Britain’s status in the EU, will demonstrate that Brexit was primarily motivated by the machinations of the Right.

(The basic conclusion is that Brexit was influenced by politicians; the analytical approach is in bold.)

For the argumentative essay , you need to add an overview of your reasoning. Another example:

Argumentative essay title: To what extent do you consider the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays to be in question? (BA in English Literature)

Argumentative thesis statement: Shakespeare’s authorship of his plays is beyond question, given both the entirely unconvincing nature of any counter-theories and the relatively unstable conception of the playwright’s identity as it stands. (The basic conclusion is that Shakespeare did write his plays; the reasoning is in bold.)

As you can see from these examples, the purpose of the essay gives a very clear demand for something beyond a simple answer.

But, there’s more!

The length of the essay

The prescribed length of the essay also defines what you need to do with your thesis statement.

Your thesis statement is a microcosm : a miniature, compressed version of your whole essay.

So, it makes sense that the length of the actual essay is going to impact upon the content of the thesis statement.

If, for example, your essay is expected to be 800 words long and on the subject of Eve in the Bible, then it would be overly ambitious for your thesis statement to say: ‘through comprehensive study of the Bible and extant criticism’. For an 800 essay, more precision will be necessary. It would be better for your thesis statement to say: ‘with due awareness of the complexity of the issue, focusing on feminist readings of Genesis .’

“Matching the scope given in your thesis statement to the depth you provide in your essay is a very effective way to ensure precision.”

Contrastingly, if your essay is expected to be 80,000 words long (a PhD thesis, for example), on the subject of stop-motion animation, it would be rather unambitious to suggest that the essay will ‘provide a visual analysis of Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers’, only. For a PhD, we would expect more content to be covered, and multiple approaches to analysis to be considered.

Indeed, matching the scope given in your thesis statement to the depth you provide in your essay is a very effective way to ensure precision.

examples of a thesis staement

So, to summarise, how do I write a thesis statement?

It’s a simple, three-part process:

1. Identify the question in the title (or make a question from the statement). 2. Answer that question in as few words as possible. 3. Complete the sentence by providing an overview of the foundation behind your answer.

Easy, right? It can be!

That said, there are plenty of traps that essayists can fall into with this part of the essay. Let’s look at some of these pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Pitalls to Avoid

Pitfall #1: amateurish style.

This is common throughout academic essays written by beginners. It’s not just the thesis statement that falls foul of sounding amateurish. There are plenty of ways this happens, which are beyond the scope of this argument, but the following example is a prime example: In this essay, I will explore the various pieces of evidence before concluding.

This is amateurish for a few reasons. Firstly, it doesn’t actually say anything. You could otherwise word it, ‘I will write an essay which answers the question’ – a rather wasted sentence. The next, and more forgivable issue is the use of the first-person. We want to get a sense that an individual wrote this essay, but we never want to hear them mentioned! Make sense? No? Sorry.

This should instead read more like:

This essay considers evidence from X in light of Y which ultimately reveals Z at the heart of the issue.

(It focuses on the specifics, X, Y, and Z, and is devoid of any mention of its author.)

Pitfall #2: empty phrasing

This is similar to amateurish style. However, empty phrasing is not just amateur-sounding; it’s manipulative-sounding.

Using phrases such as “in order to” instead of, simply, “to” – or “due to the fact that” instead of just “as” – look like attempts to fill up the word count with waffle rather than content. The same goes for phrases that can be substituted for one word: ‘it is evident that’ can (and should) become ‘evidently’.

Watch this thesis statement from a GCSE essay on Music go from hideous to tolerable:

Beethoven was unable to hear his work, due to the fact that he was deaf, so it is evident that he musically conceptualised the notes in order to compose. (Wordy!)

Beethoven was unable to hear his work, as he was deaf, so it is evident that he musically conceptualised the notes to compose. (Slightly less wordy.)

Beethoven’s deafness made him unable to hear his work, so evidently he musically conceptualised the notes to compose. (About as concise as such a complex sentence will get…)

Do not mistake wordiness for sophistication. Your ideas should be sophisticated; your writing should be clear.

Pitfall #3: non-standard grammar

For an examiner, the English language is not just a vehicle for your ideas. It should be, but the academic process always involves the assessment of your expression.

So, to satisfy our examiners’ prescriptive tastes, we need to adhere to the basic tenets of Standard English.

Take a look at the following thesis statement example from an A Level Sociology essay: Considering the status of BAME in Internet culture, the demonstrably racist treatment at the hands of the police, and the energy behind the BLM protests, concluding that there is hope for the future.

This sentence has no finite main verb, so it is technically not a sentence. To become a grammatical sentence, we would need to make ‘concluding’ finite: ‘it can be concluded’, or ‘we conclude’.

The writer got lost in this example because the sentence was so long!

Long sentences can also lead to a failure to make subject and verb agree, like in the next thesis statement example from a school Geography essay:

The most populous municipalities of Spain, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Zaragoza, does not rank in the top ten most dense populations of the country, with the exception of Barcelona.

Because the subject ‘municipalities’ is separated from the verb ‘does’ by eight words, it is easy to forget that they do not agree. It should, of course, be ‘do, not ‘does’.

Final words

The thesis statement, as I said at the start, can be the difference between a First and a Fail. So, take your time with it.

Write it carefully.

Then redraft and refine it several times, until it’s as good as you can make it.

The payoff is a slick, coherent thesis statement that paves the way to a great essay that really impresses your examiner.

examples of a thesis staement

Top 10 tips for writing a dissertation methodology

examples of a thesis staement

Advice for successfully writing a dissertation

examples of a thesis staement

How to Structure Your Dissertation in 2024

Writing services.

  • Essay Plans
  • Critical Reviews
  • Literature Reviews
  • Presentations
  • Dissertation Title Creation
  • Dissertation Proposals
  • Dissertation Chapters
  • PhD Proposals
  • Journal Publication
  • CV Writing Service
  • Business Proofreading Services

Editing Services

  • Proofreading Service
  • Editing Service
  • Academic Editing Service

Additional Services

  • Marking Services
  • Consultation Calls
  • Personal Statements
  • Tutoring Services

Our Company

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Become a Writer

Terms & Policies

  • Fair Use Policy
  • Policy for Students in England
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • [email protected]
  • Contact Form

Payment Methods

Cryptocurrency payments.

How To Write An Essay

Thesis Statement Examples

Barbara P

Arguable and Strong Thesis Statement Examples for Your Essay

Published on: Nov 26, 2020

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

thesis statement examples

People also read

How To Write An Essay - "The Secret To Craft an A+ Essay"

Learn How to Title an Essay Like a Professional Writer

How to Write an Essay Outline Like a Pro

Essay Format - An Easy Guide & Examples

What is a Thesis Statement, and How is it Written? - Know Here

200+ Creative Hook Examples: Ready, Set, Hook

A Guide to Writing a 1000 Word Essay for School or College

All You Need to Know About a 500-word Essay

Different Types of Essay: Definition With Best Examples

Writing an Essay Introduction - Step by Step Guide

Transition Words for Essays - An Ultimate List

Jumpstart Your Writing with These Proven Strategies on How to Start an Essay

Learn How to Write a Topic Sentence that Stands Out

A Guide to Crafting an Impactful Conclusion for Your Essay

Amazing Essay Topics & Ideas for Your Next Project (2024)

Explore the Different Types of Sentences with Examples

Share this article

In almost every form of writing, a thesis statement is essential, whether writing a paper or an essay. Without a thesis statement, there is no point in drafting anything.

Because of its importance, instructors expect students to write the best thesis statement to make their academic writings extraordinary.

Students often feel scared while coming up with a thesis statement as they do not know the basics.

The thesis statement examples should be looked at first and carefully to help you draft yours perfectly and effortlessly.

This blog will provide you with several examples of thesis statements to make you understand them better. 

On This Page On This Page -->

Thesis Statement - Brief Overview

A thesis statement is a sentence or a statement that presents and communicates the main idea of an essay or paper. It is important for every essay type as this is the stance that a writer takes and then supports this by providing evidence in the entire writing.

The thesis statement example is a sample that you can use for your help and inspire you to create a strong thesis statement. 

Further, a thesis statement is part of the introduction section of every piece of writing. It is the main argument on which the essay is based.  

A thesis statement is presented in the essay introduction to grab readers’ attention and familiarize them with the topic and what they will be reading. 

Elements of a Good Thesis Statement

To make your essay or research paper effective, you should draft a strong thesis statement. A writer can prepare a good and reliable thesis statement if the following elements are added to it:

  • A thesis statement should contain the central idea of your work.
  • A reason that suggests why you support the following idea.
  • A counterargument.
  • Factual or valid information that will back up the writer’s stance.

To give our readers a better understanding of a thesis statement, we have gathered some examples. These are examples given to make you understand the difference between the thesis statement of different essay types .

Thesis Statement Examples For Argumentative Essay

  • The university athletes who provide services should be compensated as they work hard for themselves and their institute’s reputation.
  • Mercy killing or assisted suicide should be legalized in all countries of the world, and doctors should make sure they provide the right end-of-life care to their patients.
  • To get women into politics and power, encourage them to run for office. They should be educated on how to run for office at the grassroots level.

Expository Thesis Statement Examples

  • A typical high school student’s life is distinguished by study time, attending classes, and participating in other peer activities.
  • The US spends more time on its military budget than all the other industrialized countries combined.
  • School uniforms may bring extra cost, but wearing them can eradicate the difference between the students of different groups and classes, making the school’s environment healthy.

Order Essay

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Analytical Thesis Statement Examples

  • The author has successfully developed an argument in favor of gun carry, but focused on emotional appeal with no factual information that has weakened his argument.
  • Although Alex includes several convincing, logical arguments using facts, readers may disagree with the presented analysis because of his sarcastic tone.
  • ‘The Story of an Hour’ presents how an institution, language, and appearance can suppress a woman’s ambitions.

Informative Thesis Statement Examples

  • Digital literacy skills should be taught to students to make them understand the difference between fake news, propaganda, and legitimate news.
  • Sex education in schools should include the discussion on consensual sex to increase the cases of sexual assaults.
  • The rise of populism was observed due to the increase in globalization, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the decline of manufacturing jobs.

Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement Examples

  • In both the United States and Japan, cultural and traditional expectations substantially impact students’ academic performances.
  • Apart from other differences between high school and college, one significant difference is the level of emotional maturity to succeed.
  • Although people believe Pepsi is a substitute for Coke, there is a vast difference in taste and nutritional content.

Thesis Statement Examples For Persuasive Essay

  • Beauty pageants should be stopped from appearing on TV because of their motive of empowering women in contradictory ways as they make models wear obscene clothes and judge them.
  • Medical marijuana helps veterans who have PTSD, so it should be legalized in all states.
  • The artists who support feminism should have a political position and voice to use their power for the betterment of society.

Narrative Thesis Statement Examples

  • Cyberbullying is increasing, causing stress and depression in teenagers. Parents should take extra care and limit the use of smartphones to combat this problem.
  • To adopt other cultures and languages of the world, cultural experience is essential that comes from studying abroad.
  • A vegan diet is a healthy habit, but it can cause problems when traveling and interacting with other cultures.

Thesis Statement Examples For a Reflective Essay

  • A plethora of children do not get vaccinated due to their illness. We should make sure that all able and healthy children get vaccinated to have swarm immunity. 
  • Schools and colleges should provide educational resources in the summers to students with low-income to better understand what they have learned the whole year. 
  • Libraries are an important resource for communities, so they should be funded adequately by the local municipalities.

Speech Thesis Statement Examples 

  • Companies should provide opportunities for their employees to work 5-days a week and also allow them to work from home so that a person can easily balance their work-life resulting in better work performance.  
  • University provides an education that helps a person in his practical life and future career. Still, high school students should not be forced to get admission to university right after graduating. 
  • Initiatives have been taken by different campaigns and magazines to introduce diverse groups’ models, but it will still take time to change people’s perception of a healthy body image. 

College Thesis Statement Examples

  • Imposing a hefty tax on the purchase of cigarettes will not stop poor people from buying them. Instead, the government should ban them from stopping their sale. 
  • It is unfair to just talk about privileged working women like done in the book “Lean In”. Lower-skilled and low-earning women should be discussed as well. 
  • Blue-collar workers and coal miners, whose jobs are diminishing, should be trained in skills and given jobs in the technological and renewable energy sectors. This will not just promote the local economy but will also solve unemployment issues. 

Great Thesis Statement Examples for Research Papers

  • If you want your business and company to grow, make your team a diverse one to get empathy between the workers, better and richer ideas, and more cooperation. 
  • The concept of the nuclear family should be reimagined. The normal family should not be limited and defined as two-parent households. 
  • Reading helps children develop their minds by teaching them how to understand what they are reading, increasing their vocabulary, and exposing them to new worlds.

Literary Analysis Thesis Statement Examples 

  • Eudora Welty creates a fictional character, Phoenix Jackson, in "A Worn Path" whose determination, faith, and cunning illustrate the human spirit's indomitable strength.
  • "The Third and Final Continent" exhibits characteristics that are common in writing by immigrants: tradition, adaptation, and identity.
  • In Willa Cather's short story, "Paul's Case," Paul exhibits signs of suicidal behavior. If a caring adult had been present and had known about the signs of suicide, they may have been able to help him before it was too late.

Cause and Effect Thesis Statement Examples 

  • Many children are becoming obese because they eat too many processed foods. Processed foods are unhealthy and can cause children to have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and heart disease risk. One reason why high school bullying happens is that teenagers play violent video games. Excessive use of social media can change a person's behavior.

Thesis Statement Examples in Essay

  • People who donate a kidney should be financially compensated for their act of self-sacrifice. This is because they have to undergo a lot of surgery and have to make changes to their lifestyle for the rest of their lives.
  • School uniforms provide a more egalitarian atmosphere at school.
  • A vegan diet is a healthy and ethical way to eat food. However, it can limit your cultural food experiences if you travel worldwide.

3-Point Thesis Statement Examples 

  • School uniforms should be required in order to make school safer, promote school spirit, and save parents money.
  • There are many factors that prevent people from achieving the American Dream. These include continuous racial discrimination.
  • Studying abroad is a great way to learn about other cultures. You will learn a new language and how other countries operate. It is an excellent opportunity to grow as a person.

Good Vs Bad Thesis Statement Examples

Here are examples of good and bad thesis statements along with explanations of why they are considered as such:

Bad thesis statement: "Smoking is bad for your health."

This thesis statement is too broad and lacks specificity. It doesn't provide any focus or direction for the essay, making it difficult to develop a clear argument.

Good thesis statement: "Long-term smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory problems."

This thesis statement is specific and provides a clear direction for the essay. It identifies the main health risks, allowing the essay to explore these specific areas.

Bad thesis statement: "Recycling is important for the environment."

This thesis statement is too general and lacks a clear argument. It doesn't specify what aspects of recycling will be discussed, making it difficult to develop a focused essay.

Good thesis statement: "Mandatory recycling programs can significantly reduce landfill waste and preserve natural resources."

This thesis statement is specific and presents a clear argument. It highlights the benefits of mandatory recycling programs by focusing on two specific outcomes. This allows for a more targeted and persuasive essay.

To put it all in a nutshell, creating a strong and debatable thesis statement is essential for a good research paper or an essay. If you still find it hard to develop a perfect thesis statement for your essay, get professional help.

Writers at CollegeEssay.org give professional assistance and guidance to students for their assignments. Be it a college essay or a research paper,  CollegeEssay.org  provides high-quality writing services.

To get your academic assignments written by our essay writing service , place your order today.

You can also try our AI essay writing tools for essay help!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 3 parts of a thesis statement.

The three parts of a thesis statement are: 

  • Limited subject 
  • Precise opinion 
  • Blueprint of reasons 

Is a thesis statement one sentence?

A thesis statement is not always a single sentence. The length of the thesis depends on how deep an essay will be, but it should still be as clear and concise.

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Get Help

Keep reading

thesis statement examples

Legal & Policies

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Refunds & Cancellations
  • Our Writers
  • Success Stories
  • Our Guarantees
  • Affiliate Program
  • Referral Program
  • AI Essay Writer

Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.

examples of a thesis staement

Academic Editing and Proofreading

  • Tips to Self-Edit Your Dissertation
  • Guide to Essay Editing: Methods, Tips, & Examples
  • Journal Article Proofreading: Process, Cost, & Checklist
  • The A–Z of Dissertation Editing: Standard Rates & Involved Steps
  • Research Paper Editing | Guide to a Perfect Research Paper
  • Dissertation Proofreading | Definition & Standard Rates
  • Thesis Proofreading | Definition, Importance & Standard Pricing
  • Research Paper Proofreading | Definition, Significance & Standard Rates
  • Essay Proofreading | Options, Cost & Checklist
  • Top 10 Paper Editing Services of 2024 (Costs & Features)
  • Top 10 Essay Checkers in 2024 (Free & Paid)
  • Top 10 AI Proofreaders to Perfect Your Writing in 2024
  • Top 10 English Correctors to Perfect Your Text in 2024
  • Top 10 Essay Editing Services of 2024
  • 10 Advanced AI Text Editors to Transform Writing in 2024

Academic Research

  • Research Paper Outline: Templates & Examples
  • How to Write a Research Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Write a Lab Report: Examples from Academic Editors
  • Research Methodology Guide: Writing Tips, Types, & Examples
  • The 10 Best Essential Resources for Academic Research
  • 100+ Useful ChatGPT Prompts for Thesis Writing in 2024
  • Best ChatGPT Prompts for Academic Writing (100+ Prompts!)
  • Sampling Methods Guide: Types, Strategies, and Examples
  • Independent vs. Dependent Variables | Meaning & Examples

Academic Writing & Publishing

  • Difference Between Paper Editing and Peer Review
  • What are the different types of peer review?
  • How to deal with rejection from a journal?
  • Editing and Proofreading Academic Papers: A Short Guide
  • How to Carry Out Secondary Research
  • The Results Section of a Dissertation
  • Checklist: Is my Article Ready for Submitting to Journals?
  • Types of Research Articles to Boost Your Research Profile
  • 8 Types of Peer Review Processes You Should Know
  • The Ethics of Academic Research
  • How does LaTeX based proofreading work?
  • How to Improve Your Scientific Writing: A Short Guide
  • Chicago Title, Cover Page & Body | Paper Format Guidelines

How to Write a Thesis Statement: Examples & Tips

  • Chicago Style Citation: Quick Guide & Examples
  • The A-Z Of Publishing Your Article in A Journal
  • What is Journal Article Editing? 3 Reasons You Need It
  • 5 Powerful Personal Statement Examples (Template Included)
  • Complete Guide to MLA Format (9th Edition)
  • How to Cite a Book in APA Style | Format & Examples
  • How to Start a Research Paper | Step-by-step Guide
  • APA Citations Made Easy with Our Concise Guide for 2024
  • A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Formatting Style (7th Edition)
  • Top 10 Online Dissertation Editing Services of 2024
  • Academic Writing in 2024: 5 Key Dos & Don’ts + Examples
  • What Are the Standard Book Sizes for Publishing Your Book?
  • MLA Works Cited Page: Quick Tips & Examples
  • 2024’s Top 10 Thesis Statement Generators (Free Included!)
  • Top 10 Title Page Generators for Students in 2024
  • What Is an Open Access Journal? 10 Myths Busted!
  • Primary vs. Secondary Sources: Definition, Types & Examples
  • How To Write a College Admissions Essay That Stands Out
  • How to Write a Dissertation & Thesis Conclusion (+ Examples)
  • APA Journal Citation: 7 Types, In-Text Rules, & Examples
  • What Is Predatory Publishing and How to Avoid It!
  • What Is Plagiarism? Meaning, Types & Examples
  • How to Write a Strong Dissertation & Thesis Introduction
  • How to Cite a Book in MLA Format (9th Edition)
  • How to Cite a Website in MLA Format | 9th Edition Rules
  • 10 Best AI Conclusion Generators (Features & Pricing)
  • Top 10 Academic Editing Services of 2024 [with Pricing]
  • Additional Resources
  • Plagiarism: How to avoid it in your thesis?
  • Final Submission Checklist | Dissertation & Thesis
  • 7 Useful MS Word Formatting Tips for Dissertation Writing
  • How to Write a MEAL Paragraph: Writing Plan Explained in Detail
  • Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen: When to Use Which
  • The 10 Best Citation Generators in 2024 | Free & Paid Plans!
  • 2024’s Top 10 Self-Help Books for Better Living
  • The 10 Best Free Character and Word Counters of 2024
  • Citation and Referencing
  • Citing References: APA, MLA, and Chicago
  • How to Cite Sources in the MLA Format
  • MLA Citation Examples: Cite Essays, Websites, Movies & More
  • Citations and References: What Are They and Why They Matter
  • APA Headings & Subheadings | Formatting Guidelines & Examples
  • Formatting an APA Reference Page | Template & Examples
  • Research Paper Format: APA, MLA, & Chicago Style
  • How to Create an MLA Title Page | Format, Steps, & Examples
  • How to Create an MLA Header | Format Guidelines & Examples
  • MLA Annotated Bibliography | Guidelines and Examples
  • APA Website Citation (7th Edition) Guide | Format & Examples
  • APA Citation Examples: The Bible, TED Talk, PPT & More
  • APA Header Format: 5 Steps & Running Head Examples
  • APA Title Page Format Simplified | Examples + Free Template
  • How to Write an Abstract in MLA Format: Tips & Examples
  • 10 Best Free Plagiarism Checkers of 2024 [100% Free Tools]
  • 5 Reasons to Cite Your Sources Properly | Avoid Plagiarism!
  • Dissertation Writing Guide
  • Writing a Dissertation Proposal
  • The Acknowledgments Section of a Dissertation
  • The Table of Contents Page of a Dissertation
  • The Introduction Chapter of a Dissertation
  • The Literature Review of a Dissertation
  • The Only Dissertation Toolkit You’ll Ever Need!
  • 5 Thesis Writing Tips for Master Procrastinators
  • How to Write a Dissertation | 5 Tips from Academic Editors
  • The 5 Things to Look for in a Dissertation Editing Service
  • Top 10 Dissertation Editing & Proofreading Services
  • Why is it important to add references to your thesis?
  • Thesis Editing | Definition, Scope & Standard Rates
  • Expert Formatting Tips on MS Word for Dissertations
  • A 7-Step Guide on How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
  • 350 Best Dissertation Topic Ideas for All Streams in 2024
  • A Guide on How to Write an Abstract for a Research Paper
  • Dissertation Defense: What to Expect and How to Prepare
  • Creating a Dissertation Title Page (Examples & Templates)
  • Essay Writing Guide
  • Essential Research Tips for Essay Writing
  • What Is a Mind Map? Free Mind Map Templates & Examples
  • How to Write an Essay Outline: 5 Examples & Free Template
  • How to Write an Essay Header: MLA and APA Essay Headers
  • What Is an Essay? Structure, Parts, and Types
  • How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps (Examples Included)
  • 8 Types of Essays | Quick Summary with Examples
  • Expository Essays | Step-by-Step Manual with Examples
  • Narrative Essay | Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
  • How to Write an Argumentative Essay (Examples Included)
  • Guide to a Perfect Descriptive Essay [Examples & Outline Included]
  • How to Start an Essay: 4 Introduction Paragraph Examples
  • How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay (Examples Included!)
  • How to Write an Impactful Personal Statement (Examples Included)
  • Literary Analysis Essay: 5 Steps to a Perfect Assignment
  • Compare and Contrast Essay | Quick Guide with Examples
  • Top 10 Essay Writing Tools in 2024 | Plan, Write, Get Feedback
  • Top AI Essay Writers in 2024: 10 Must-Haves
  • 100 Best College Essay Topics & How to Pick the Perfect One!
  • College Essay Format: Tips, Examples, and Free Template
  • Structure of an Essay: 5 Tips to Write an Outstanding Essay

Still have questions? Leave a comment

Add Comment

Checklist: Dissertation Proposal

Enter your email id to get the downloadable right in your inbox!

Examples: Edited Papers

Need editing and proofreading services.

calender

  • Tags: Academic Research , Academic Writing , Essay , Research Paper , Writing Tips

While writing academic essays or papers, you have to pay microscopic attention to your train of thought. Whether it’s a college essay or a research paper, a strong thesis statement can either make or break your document. But how to write a thesis statement that best represents your work? 

In this article, we’ll answer this and other questions related to a thesis statement for essays, papers, or longer documents. We will discuss all aspects of a thesis, its importance, and its types. We’ll also provide a few thesis statement examples so you understand how to write a strong thesis.

Before we begin, we should have clarity on one question: What is a thesis statement?

What is a thesis statement?  

A thesis statement sums up the central point of your paper or essay in the span of a few sentences. It is usually placed near the end of your introduction. The rest of your essay builds upon the thesis statement by addressing different aspects of it.

The opening thesis statement serves as an assertion that the rest of your essay can validate and align with. Further, it serves as a roadmap to the entire essay. As such, it should heavily draw upon your unique understanding of the subject.

Since the thesis statement is placed at the end of the introduction, take your time introducing the subject. Structuring an introduction that conveniently leads to your thesis statement is a good practice.

A strong thesis statement:

  • introduces the subject,
  • makes an assertion, and
  • provides reasoning for it.

Take a look.

Let’s go through some guidelines to help you come up with a strong thesis for your essay.

How to write a thesis statement 

Here are some basic guidelines for writing a thesis statement:

  • Present your point of view in two sentences.  
  • Clearly indicate the logical progression of your research.
  • Always take a case-by-case approach. Based on your research, you may also opt for a 3-part thesis statement.
  • Clearly dictate your assertion on the topic. 
  • Create a thesis statement that is debatable, but can be proven with evidence and reasoning. 
  • Place your thesis statement as a conclusion to the Introduction section of your paper.  

We can only give you some tips on how to write a thesis statement, but a strong thesis only comes out of strong research and reading. So, make sure to read your sources carefully before you begin to write your essay.

Follow these tips to write a strong thesis statement:

#1 Formulate your research question. 

Filtering your line of research is the first step while writing a strong thesis. Conduct targeted research in your area of interest to formulate your research question. Be as specific as possible here, since it adds to the credibility of your research. Your research question should display the amount of research you’ve undertaken. 

As a continuation of the climate change thesis statement example we’ve cited above, a pertinent research question would be along these lines: “ How does climate change affect different countries in the world? “

#2 Create a tentative thesis statement.

Answer your research question and shape it into a broad statement that sums up your topic. This should give you the first draft of the thesis statement outline wherein multiple changes will definitely be in order. 

A lot of effort goes into drafting your tentative thesis statement. You need to locate a general your area of interest and then conduct precise research activities. Revisit your tentative thesis statement and revise it as you invest more time, research, and resources in the project.

If your assignment requires you to argue a certain take on the subject, you’ll have to sharpen your tentative thesis with the help of evidence. Here’s such a thesis statement example for an argumentative essay: “The proletarian movie, The Grapes of Wrath , perfectly captures the psyche of the American labor class during the Great Depression.”

#3 Supplement reasoning with evidence.

Your tentative thesis serves as a dependable guide to entering the next critical phase of thesis writing. This phase demands the most attention since it requires you to critically engage with already-established literature. You must gather enough relevant information as evidence so you can support your ideas and arguments. 

The more exhaustive the research process is, the more prepared you will be. This is of substantial importance since your academic expertise will come in handy during the viva in which you will be required to firmly defend your arguments. 

So, pursue your research extensively and work hard to make your thesis foolproof. After all, academic work is worth nothing without sound evidence! 

#4 Anticipate counterarguments.

Counterarguments serve a significant purpose: They help you prepare stronger arguments. Anticipating counterarguments is a window into the broader scope of your research and how it fits into the larger discourse.

Counterarguments from your peers, cohort, supervisor, and others provide a learning curve for you as a scholar. You can always filter what aligns with your interest, but having a non-expert colleague can help you better prepare for your presentations and defense. 

Types of thesis statements

Every essay or paper is built upon two essential elements: a topic and an angle. The topic is the subject matter you’re writing about and the angle is your primary idea or opinion on the subject. Based on these, your essay falls under one of three types: expository essay, descriptive essay, or argumentative essay.

Your thesis statement varies depending on the type of essay you’re writing. There are three main types of thesis statements, so let’s go through them one by one. 

#1 Expository thesis

Also known as the explanatory thesis, this type of thesis statement requires you to explain a given opinion, idea, or concept. As the name indicates, this type of thesis applies to expository essays in which you are not required to provide your unique opinion on the matter.  

Thesis structure for expository essays

  • Introduce the topic.
  • Explain the categories that best represent the topic.
  • Determine the order of the categories to present the topic as it is.

Thesis statement example for expository essays

This essay looks closely at Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the reasons why it increases the incidence frequencies of fibrillation and cardiac stroke.

#2 Analytical thesis

The analytical thesis statement requires you to break down a larger idea into its basic components. You can further analyze the individual components to present the final assessment to your readers.

This thesis statement requires you to present various topics in the order in which your essay discusses them. So, it can apply to both persuasive and descriptive essays.

Analytical thesis structure

  • Introduce the core element(s) you are analyzing. 
  • Deconstruct the topic into its constituent categories.
  • Determine the order of the categories to best represent your findings.

Example of an analytical thesis 

John Steinback’s classic, The Grapes of Wrath , captures the Westward migration of the labor class to the promised land of California during the Great Depression. This paper attempts to revisit the proletarian novel through the political lens of new working conditions, poverty, and social change.

#3 Argumentative thesis

In this type of thesis statement, you make a claim and provide evidence to back it up. These are some common types of claims that you can make in an argumentative thesis statement:

  • Comprehension
  • Cause-and-effect solutions

Naturally, this type of thesis works best for an argumentative essay, where you take a position on your topic and then reason it with substantial evidence.

Thesis structure for argumentative essays

  • Make your claim.
  • Present your reasons or pieces of evidence to support the claim.
  • Determine the order of the categories to best represent your claim.

Thesis statement example for an argumentative essay

The execution of proper legislation that will regulate gun ownership can substantially reduce gun violence in America. Such laws can re-establish the core democratic ideal that freedom is subject to accountability in the purview of public interest. This can significantly reduce the fatality rate as a result of open mass shootings, suicides, and domestic abuse.

Examples of a strong thesis statement

As academic editors , the most common type of queries we come across are in essays about global warming and climate change. So, we’ll demonstrate how you can write a strong thesis statement on these topics.

In the table below, you’ll find some examples of strong thesis statements compared to weak ones. Compare the two to understand how to write a thesis statement that perfectly sums up your take on the subject.

To sum up: place the thesis statement toward the end of your introduction, state your angle on the topic, and provide your reasoning with evidence. Since you only get 20–50 words to work with, make sure to use them wisely!

Keep reading with more resources from your loyal editors and proofreaders:

  • What is Predatory Publishing?
  • How to Deal with Rejection from a Journal
  • What is Proposal Editing and Why Is It Important?
  • How to Write a Lab Report
  • How to Write an Impactful Personal Statement

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a thesis statement , where is the thesis statement located , can a thesis statement be two sentences, how to make a good thesis statement , can a thesis statement be a question.

Found this article helpful?

Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Your vs. You’re: When to Use Your and You’re

Your organization needs a technical editor: here’s why, your guide to the best ebook readers in 2024, writing for the web: 7 expert tips for web content writing.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get carefully curated resources about writing, editing, and publishing in the comfort of your inbox.

How to Copyright Your Book?

If you’ve thought about copyrighting your book, you’re on the right path.

© 2024 All rights reserved

  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
  • Self Publishing Guide
  • Pre-Publishing Steps
  • Fiction Writing Tips
  • Traditional Publishing
  • Academic Writing and Publishing
  • Partner with us
  • Annual report
  • Website content
  • Marketing material
  • Job Applicant
  • Cover letter
  • Resource Center
  • Case studies

7ESL

Mastering the Thesis Statement: Examples and Tips for Academic Success

What is the thesis statement? When it comes to writing an essay , there are many things that we must take into consideration in order to create a well-written and respected piece of work. One such thing is the thesis statement. Every good essay should have one and it needs to be well-written and well-thought-out. In this article, we are going to be looking at exactly what a thesis statement is and what it is used for as well as looking at some examples of the thesis statement as a way to gain a greater understanding of what its function is.

A thesis statement plays a crucial role in any well-crafted essay, as it helps both the writer and the reader establish the central point of the paper. Typically found near the end of the introduction, this sentence succinctly conveys the main idea the writer intends to communicate throughout the essay. Crafting a strong thesis statement increases the likelihood that the resulting essay will be cohesive, persuasive, and engaging for the audience.

Creating an effective thesis statement can, at times, be a challenging process. One useful method is to begin by exploring examples that illustrate the various ways in which thesis statements can be constructed, depending on the type of essay or paper being written. Studying these examples can help budding writers grasp the principles behind crafting compelling thesis statements, and serve as inspiration for their own work.

What Is A Thesis Statement?

Definition and purpose.

In the most simple terms, a thesis statement is a short statement that provides insight into what the essay is going to be about. They are used to enlighten the audience on a variety of things, including:

  • The main argument or point to be discussed.
  • The purpose of the essay.
  • The point of view of the author on a specific topic.

A thesis statement is a sentence that encapsulates the central point or main idea of a paper or essay. It is typically found near the end of the introduction and serves as a guide to the reader, outlining the writer’s stance on the topic. The thesis statement not only answers the question asked but also acts as a roadmap for the paper, indicating what the reader can expect throughout the rest of the paper.

The purpose of a thesis statement is two-fold:

  • To convey a clear and concise argument or position on the topic.
  • To inspire further discussion and responses from the audience.

It’s crucial for a thesis statement to be focused, specific, and arguable. A strong thesis is easy to understand and provides a solid foundation for supporting evidence within the paper.

Types of Thesis Statements

Argumentative thesis statement.

An argumentative thesis statement is a claim that takes a strong position on an issue. This type of thesis statement aims to persuade the reader to accept the writer’s viewpoint by presenting logical reasoning and supporting evidence. It is essential to have a clear and concise argumentative thesis statement to guide the rest of the essay.

For example: “ Public transportation should be free in metropolitan areas to reduce carbon emissions and economic inequalities.”

Expository Essay Thesis Statement

An expository essay thesis statement highlights a specific issue or fact that the writer will explain or analyze throughout the essay. This type of thesis should be informative and objective, without taking a strong stance on the issue.

For example: “ High-level competitive athletes face numerous physical, mental, and emotional challenges throughout their careers. ”

Persuasive Thesis Statement

A persuasive thesis statement is similar to an argumentative thesis statement, but it aims to convince the reader to take action or adopt the writer’s viewpoint through emotional appeal and relatable examples. The persuasive thesis statement should be thought-provoking and debatable.

For example: “ Animal shelters should require background checks and home visits to ensure responsible pet adoption and prevent animal abuse. ”

Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement

A compare-and-contrast thesis statement sets the stage for an essay comparing or contrasting two or more subjects. This type of thesis statement may highlight similarities, differences, or a mix of both. It is crucial to establish a basis for comparison to provide a clear focus for the essay.

For example: “ While both public and private universities offer a variety of educational opportunities, the differences in cost, class size, and campus environment directly impact a student’s experience .”

By understanding and applying these types of thesis statements, writers can effectively tailor their essays’ tone and focus to suit their specific purpose and audience.

How Is A Thesis Statement Used?

As we mentioned a thesis statement is used to point out the main argument of the essay. There are certain rules that should be followed by the thesis statement. Let’s take a look at these in a little more detail.

  • A thesis statement should appear in the introduction of the essay to layout the main topic and the author’s stance on it. It should also appear in the conclusion of the essay, where the author can refer back to it.
  • A thesis statement should be a short statement of only one or two sentences that delivers clear and concise information.
  • The thesis statement will directly answer the main question posed by the essay, for example, if the essay question were ‘What is the biggest tourist attraction in France?’ The thesis statement might directly reply to this with ‘With over 6 million visitors each year, the Eiffel Tower is clearly the biggest tourist attraction in France.’ If the essay topic doesn’t contain a question, you can fashion one yourself.
  • Many people use the ‘so what?’ technique when writing a thesis statement. If a reader is likely to think ‘so what?’ when starting your essay, you can use the thesis statement to form a relationship and a connection to the issue that will engage the reader and make them care about what is going to be talked about.
  • Similarly to the above point, a thesis statement should answer why or how questions that the reader may have. Look again at the example of the Eiffel Tower, the statement clearly shows the reader why the tower is the biggest tourist attraction in France using real statistics that cannot be ignored. But in the same breath, gives the reader the chance to dispute the information. This is another key point to the thesis statement. A reader should be able to look at the thesis statement and disagree with it, this might encourage them to research the topic themselves.
  • A thesis statement should agree with the body of the essay. If it does not, then it should be amended. Using the example of the French tourist attraction once again, the body of that essay would need to go into further detail about the tourist attractions in France and further prove why the Eiffel Tower is the most popular.

Creating a Strong Thesis Statement

Identifying your topic and scope.

When creating a strong thesis statement, it is essential to first identify your topic and the scope of your paper. You should consider the central idea you want to communicate and its impact on your field of study, whether it’s art, education, or environmental studies. A solid thesis statement should focus on a single aspect of your research, avoiding general terms or abstractions. Keep it clear and specific to ensure it effectively guides both you and the reader through your argument.

Forming a Debatable Claim

An argumentative thesis statement should present a debatable claim, one that reasonable people could disagree with. This means that it should not merely be a statement of fact, but rather an assertion that invites different opinions. For example, a debatable claim on nationalism could be, “Nationalism contributed to the rise of populism in the 21st century.” This claim allows for various arguments, opinions, and contextual interpretations.

Providing Evidence

A strong thesis statement should also set the stage for presenting evidence supporting your claim. In a research paper, this means providing an overview of the key elements and sources you will use to build your argument. For an argumentative essay, be prepared to provide well-researched and detailed evidence to back up your claim, whether it’s regarding renewable energy sources, the history of race and gender, or the role of nationalism in shaping global politics.

Here are some tips to help you write a strong thesis statement:

  • Make sure it’s clear and concise, typically consisting of one or two sentences.
  • Ensure that it’s focused and specific enough to be “proven” within the boundaries of your paper.
  • Position it near the end of your essay’s introduction or within the first paragraph.

By following these guidelines and being mindful of your topic, scope, and evidence, you will be able to craft a powerful thesis statement that engages your audience and sets the stage for a successful research or argumentative paper.

Explore more: How To Write A Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement Examples

Argumentative thesis examples.

An argumentative thesis aims to establish a position and persuade the reader with evidence and reasoning. Examples include:

  • Though populism may fundamentally challenge traditional political structures, its effects on social and economic policies are necessary for a more equitable society.
  • Social media platforms are responsible for the increasing polarization of opinions and must adopt measures to limit the spread of misinformation.

Expository Essay Thesis Examples

An expository essay thesis presents facts, evidence, or an explanation without taking a persuasive stance. Examples include:

  • The process of photosynthesis is fundamental to the survival of plants and the ecosystems they support, providing energy for growth and reproduction.
  • Urbanization has led to numerous social, economic, and environmental consequences, including increased housing demand, traffic congestion, and pollution.

Persuasive Thesis Examples

A persuasive thesis seeks to convince the reader of a particular argument or opinion. Examples include:

  • The benefits of implementing a universal basic income outweigh the potential drawbacks, as it can alleviate poverty and provide residents with more financial security.
  • Investing in renewable energy sources is essential for combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for subsequent generations.

Compare and Contrast Thesis Examples

A compare and contrast thesis highlights the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Examples include:

  • While both traditional and online education offer unique advantages and challenges, the flexibility and accessibility of online learning make it a more suitable option for students juggling work and personal responsibilities.
  • Despite similarities in their genre and themes, the novels “Pride and Prejudice” and “Wuthering Heights” differ significantly in their narrative styles and characterization.

Using these examples, you can create strong thesis statements tailored to your essay’s specific topic and goals. Remember to provide a clear and concise thesis that effectively showcases your argument, opinion, or comparison in a confident, knowledgeable, and neutral tone.

Thesis Statement Examples: Issues to Consider

Impact on society.

When creating a thesis statement, it’s essential to consider the potential impacts on society. The chosen topic may address issues such as education, war, and nationalism. For example, the thesis statement might analyze the effects of changing educational policies on different classes of society. This could include exploring access to education for low-income households or the impact of privatization on public schools. It is crucial to examine how the thesis topic relates to societal issues and incorporates them into the statement.

Related: Social Issues

Race, Gender, and Class

It is important to address issues related to race, gender, and class when developing thesis statements. For instance, research papers might examine inequalities in the workplace or disparities in access to resources. Such studies should think about context and historical background, comparing and contrasting the experiences of different groups. Here are some examples.

  • Gender : An examination of the gender pay gap across various industries
  • Race : A comparison of racial profiling incidents in law enforcement across different communities
  • Class : Exploring the impact of socio-economic status on healthcare access and outcomes

Consider using tables and bullet points to help present data and findings more effectively.

Environmental Concerns

Lastly, incorporating environmental concerns into thesis statements is essential, especially in today’s world, where sustainability and environmental protection are vital. Research papers might address issues such as pollution, waste management, or the effects of climate change on marginalized communities. For example, a thesis statement could focus on exploring the consequences of a specific eco-friendly initiative in a local community, or how environmental policies have evolved over time.

Keep in mind to maintain a confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear tone of voice throughout the section, focusing on accurate information and avoiding exaggerated or false claims.

Examples of Thesis Statements in Different Essay Types

In a narrative essay , the thesis statement revolves around the story being told. It is typically centered on a specific event, person, or experience that had a significant impact on the writer. The thesis statement in a narrative essay serves as a brief preview of what the reader can expect. It should provide some insight into the writer’s personal connection to the topic and help set the stage for the narrative to unfold.

For example:

The moment she won the lottery, Mary’s life changed forever, teaching her the importance of cherishing every moment with her loved ones.

An analytical essay breaks down a topic into its main components and presents an evaluation or interpretation of the topic based on those components. The thesis statement in an analytical essay should clearly state the issue or idea that will be analyzed and its essential elements. This type of statement should provide enough information to guide the reader through the essay and highlight the central points of analysis.

By examining the symbolism, characterization, and theme of “The Great Gatsby,” it becomes evident that Fitzgerald uses these techniques to criticize the American Dream’s materialism and superficiality.

Argumentative

In an argumentative essay , the thesis statement takes a clear, definitive stance on a specific issue or question. This type of thesis statement aims to persuade readers of the writer’s viewpoint and provide logical and supporting evidence to back up the claim. The thesis should be concise, specific, and controversial enough to encourage debate from various perspectives.

Although some people argue that video games can be beneficial, this essay will demonstrate that excessive video gaming is linked to increased violent behavior, addiction, and social isolation, and therefore requires stricter regulation.

Cause and Effect

A cause-and-effect essay explores the relationship between certain events, actions, or conditions and their respective outcomes. The thesis statement in a cause-and-effect essay should establish the connection between the cause and the effect, asserting a causal connection between the two. This type of thesis statement should present a clear, coherent structure to guide the reader through the essay and should establish the relationship between the cause and the effect.

The widespread use of smartphones has led to increased incidents of sleep deprivation among teenagers, resulting in declining academic performance, mood disorders, and health issues.

These are examples of how thesis statements can vary based on the type of essay and showcase the importance of tailoring the thesis statement to fit the specific requirements of each essay style.

More Thesis Statement Examples

Now that we are clear on what a thesis statement is and how it can be used, we are going to take a look at some examples of strong and effective thesis statements. This will give you a better idea on what they should contain and how they function within an essay.

American Education

The American education system has been evolving, and it is essential to have a clear thesis statement when discussing the topic. Here’s an example:

The integration of technology in American schools has significantly enhanced the learning experience of students, resulting in improved academic performance.

In this example, it highlights the positive impact of technology on the education system. It also provides a concise view that can be explored and supported through research and relevant statistics.

Internet and Society

The internet has changed the way society functions in various capacities. Here is a thesis statement example that can be used to discuss the relationship between the internet and society:

The widespread use of the internet has drastically altered societal interactions, affecting the population’s ability to communicate, access information, and maintain personal privacy.

This statement outlines the primary effects of the internet on society and can be further developed through specific examples and analysis. This statement can be supported through studies, data, and real-life cases that demonstrate the impact of the internet on communication, information access, and privacy concerns.

List of Thesis Statement Examples

  • Owing to the fact that many children are not being vaccinated because of illness, it is now imperative that we make it a requirement that healthy children are vaccinated in order to stop the spread of disease.
  • For families on a low income, schools should provide basic equipment such as pens, calculators and laptops.
  • Whilst school uniforms are expensive, they do provide security and a sense of belonging to students and for this reason, are an integral part of the school system.
  • Many public libraries are closing down due to lack of interest but these are important resources within the community and we should fight to keep them open.
  • With the internet becoming ever more popular and accessible to teenagers, cyber bullying is massively on the rise. A large number of cyber bullying cases end in suicide and it is down to parents and schools to tackle this growing problem.
  • Cannabis is not legal in many countries and states and this is for good reason. The drug is known to diminish the brain cells and regardless of how it might relax pain and anxiety, it should not be legalised.
  • Too many people are taking time of work for stress-related reasons and so it is more important than ever for workplaces to provide internal activities to combat this problem.
  • Many parents do not like the idea of their children being taught sex education at an early age but unfortunately in this day and age, it is a necessity if we want to keep children safe.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

When writing a thesis statement, it is essential to avoid common mistakes that may weaken your argument or confuse your reader. In this section, we will discuss two main pitfalls to avoid: Overgeneralizing and Using Weak or Vague Language.

Overgeneralizing

Overgeneralizing refers to making broad, sweeping claims in your thesis statement without providing specific, concrete evidence to support them. To avoid overgeneralization, focus on providing a clear and concise argument, grounded in solid research and evidence. Brainstorm specific examples or points you will address in your paper that support your thesis. For example, if your thesis is about a controversial topic, make sure your argument is based on valid research and takes a clear direction, rather than making generalized statements.

To prevent overgeneralization in your thesis statement:

  • Narrow the focus of your argument.
  • Ensure your claim is specific and backed up by evidence.
  • Be consistent with the goals and direction outlined in your paper.

Using Weak or Vague Language

Using weak or vague language in your thesis statement can result in a lack of clarity and create confusion for your reader. To maintain a strong, clear, and convincing thesis, avoid using weak or unclear terms, such as “interesting” or “might.” Instead, use assertive and definitive language that demonstrates your confidence and knowledge of the subject matter. For instance, if you are writing about a potential solution to a problem, make sure to express your stance in a strong, clear way to entice your reader and promise valuable insights.

To strengthen the language of your thesis statement:

  • Avoid using vague or ambiguous terms.
  • Use clear, specific language that directly communicates your argument.
  • Stay focused on your main points and the direction of your paper.

Keeping these tips in mind and utilizing clear language will contribute to a stronger, more effective thesis statement.

Crafting Engaging Introductions and Conclusions

Writing a hook.

A successful introduction begins with an attention-grabbing hook. A hook is an opening statement that piques the reader’s interest and encourages them to continue reading. There are various types of hooks, such as using a quote, posing a question, or stating an intriguing fact. The hook should be relevant to the topic and set the tone for the rest of the article.

Connecting Thesis Statement to Conclusion

The conclusion of an academic paper should restate the thesis statement and summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. However, it’s important to do this in a way that doesn’t merely repeat the same information, but instead provides a sense of closure and emphasizes the significance of the topic.

One way to achieve this is by connecting the thesis statement to the conclusion through the use of topic sentences and counterarguments. A well-crafted topic sentence should introduce the main idea of a body paragraph, while a counterargument addresses potential objections to the thesis statement. Utilizing these elements effectively throughout the paper creates a sense of cohesion and allows for a smooth transition from the introduction to the conclusion.

By incorporating engaging hooks and thoughtfully connecting the thesis statement to the conclusion, the reader is more likely to be drawn into the article and appreciate the depth of the content presented.

Thesis Statement Infographic

Thesis Statement: Definition, Useful Tips and Examples of Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is made up of one or two sentences and gives the author the chance to tell the reader what the essay is going to be about as well as their stance on the topic. It should be clear and concise and should always tie in with the body paragraphs of the essay .

Whilst there are many points to consider when writing a thesis statement, a well-written one can answer a question and engage the reader in the essay. Sticking with the ‘rules’ of the thesis statement will allow the author to craft a well-written and relevant essay.

FAQs on Thesis Statement

What is a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is a sentence or two in an essay or research paper that presents the main argument or central idea of the paper. It tells the reader what to expect, guides the structure of the paper, and directly answers the question or topic being discussed.

How do I write a thesis statement?

There are four simple steps to write a thesis statement:

  • Start with a question : Identify the topic or question your paper will explore.
  • Write your initial answer : This should be a concise statement that provides a preliminary answer to the question.
  • Develop your answer : Expand on your initial answer by considering its implications, context, and evidence.
  • Refine your thesis statement : Revise and refine your statement to make it clear, specific, and arguable.

Where should the thesis statement be placed?

The placement of the thesis statement varies depending on the type of paper or essay. However, a common place for the thesis statement is at the end of the introduction paragraph, making it easier for the reader to identify the main argument early in the text.

What makes a good thesis statement?

A good thesis statement should be:

  • Clear : It should communicate your main point without confusion.
  • Specific : It should focus on a single topic or argument.
  • Arguable : It should present a claim that people can reasonably disagree on.
  • Relevant : It should relate to the purpose of the paper and contribute to its overall message.

What are the different types of thesis statements?

There are two main types of thesis statements:

  • Analytical : An analytical thesis breaks down an issue or idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents the breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
  • Expository (explanatory) : An expository thesis explains something to the audience.

Remember, as you work on your thesis statement, keep the rest of your paper in mind to ensure that it aligns with the paper’s overall content and objective.

  • How To Write An Essay
  • How to Start an Essay
  • Topic Sentence
  • Essay Outline
  • Latest Posts

' src=

  • Insatiable Meaning: What Does It Mean? - January 27, 2024
  • Bliss Meaning: What Does “Bliss” Mean? - January 12, 2024
  • Judgement vs. Judgment: A Look at Spelling Variations - January 9, 2024

Improve your writing with the help of AI writing assistants!

Grammar Check

  • Thesis Action Plan New
  • Academic Project Planner

Literature Navigator

Thesis dialogue blueprint, writing wizard's template, research proposal compass.

  • Why students love us
  • Rebels Blog
  • Why we are different
  • All Products
  • Coming Soon

Creating an Effective Thesis Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide

Colorful desk with laptop and planning materials

Creating a thesis outline might seem like a big job, but it makes the whole writing process a lot easier. This guide will show you each step to make a good thesis outline. From understanding why you need an outline to avoiding common mistakes, this article will help you stay organized and focused. By following these steps, you can make a strong outline that will guide your research and writing.

Key Takeaways

  • A thesis outline helps you organize your thoughts and makes the writing process smoother.
  • Start with initial research to find key themes and questions for your thesis.
  • Structure your outline logically to ensure a clear flow of ideas.
  • Revise your outline regularly to make sure it stays relevant and focused.
  • Avoid common pitfalls like overloading with information or ignoring feedback.

Understanding the Purpose of a Thesis Outline

Creating a thesis outline is a crucial step in the academic writing process. It serves as a roadmap for your research , helping you organize your thoughts and structure your work logically . This section will delve into the purpose of a thesis outline, its importance in academic writing , and how it guides the research process.

Preliminary Steps Before Creating a Thesis Outline

Student planning thesis with papers and laptop

Before diving into the creation of your thesis outline, it's essential to take some preliminary steps. These steps will lay a solid foundation for your research and ensure that your outline is both comprehensive and effective.

Structuring Your Thesis Outline

Creating a well-organized thesis outline is crucial for a successful thesis. It helps you structure your thoughts and ensures a logical flow of information. Here are the key steps to structuring your thesis outline effectively :

Choosing the Right Format

Selecting the appropriate format for your thesis outline is the first step. Common formats include alphanumeric, decimal, and full-sentence outlines. Choose a format that best suits your research and writing style. This decision will guide the organization of your major sections and sub-sections.

Organizing Major Sections

Divide your thesis into major sections such as the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Each section should have a clear purpose and contribute to your overall thesis argument. Use headings and subheadings to break down each section into manageable parts.

Ensuring Logical Flow

A logical flow is essential for maintaining the reader's interest and understanding. Arrange your sections and sub-sections in a way that naturally progresses from one idea to the next. This will help you build a coherent argument and make your thesis more persuasive.

By following these steps, you can create a structured and effective thesis outline that will serve as a roadmap for your research and writing process.

Developing the Introduction Section

Crafting a compelling opening.

Your introduction should grab the reader's attention right from the start. Use a hook, such as a surprising fact or a thought-provoking question, to draw them in. This section sets the stage for your entire thesis, so make it engaging and relevant.

Presenting the Research Question

Clearly state the research question your thesis aims to answer. This question will guide your entire study and keep you focused. Make sure it is specific and researchable.

Outlining the Scope and Objectives

Provide an overview of the scope of your research. Explain what you will cover and what you will not. This helps set clear boundaries for your study. Additionally, outline the main objectives you aim to achieve with your research. Setting clear objectives will help you stay on track and ensure your research is focused and relevant.

Outlining the Literature Review

Colorful thesis outline with literature review highlighted.

Summarizing Existing Research

When outlining your literature review , start by summarizing the existing research related to your topic. This involves gathering and synthesizing information from various sources, such as books, journal articles, and online databases. A well-summarized literature review provides a comprehensive overview of what has been done in your field and highlights the key findings and methodologies used by other researchers.

Identifying Research Gaps

After summarizing the existing research, the next step is to identify the gaps in the literature. These gaps represent areas where further research is needed and can help you position your study within the broader academic context. Look for questions that have not been answered or areas that have not been explored in depth. Identifying these gaps will not only justify the need for your research but also guide your research questions and objectives.

Establishing Theoretical Frameworks

Finally, establish the theoretical frameworks that will underpin your study. This involves selecting and discussing the theories and models that are relevant to your research topic. The theoretical framework provides a foundation for your study and helps to explain the relationships between different variables. By clearly outlining the theoretical frameworks, you can ensure that your research is grounded in established knowledge and contributes to the ongoing academic discourse.

Detailing the Methodology

Selecting research methods.

Choosing the right research methods is crucial for the success of your thesis. Start by deciding whether your study will be qualitative, quantitative, or a mix of both. Qualitative methods often include interviews and observations, while quantitative methods might involve surveys and experiments. Your choice should align with your research objectives and the type of data you need to collect.

Justifying Methodological Choices

Once you have selected your methods, it's important to justify why these methods are appropriate for your study. Explain how they will help you answer your research questions and achieve your objectives. This step is vital for gaining approval from stakeholders and ensuring the success of your project.

Describing Data Collection and Analysis

Detail the process of data collection and analysis . Describe the tools and techniques you will use, such as surveys, interviews, or software for data analysis. Make sure to explain how you will ensure the reliability and validity of your data. This section should provide a clear roadmap of how you will gather and interpret your data, ensuring that your research is both credible and replicable.

Presenting Research Findings

Organizing data logically.

When presenting your research findings, it's crucial to organize your data in a logical manner. This can be done by structuring your findings around key questions, hypotheses, or the overall structure of your study. Clear organization helps your audience understand your results without confusion. Consider using tables to present quantitative data succinctly.

Highlighting Key Results

Focus on the most significant results of your research. Highlight these key findings to ensure they stand out to your readers. This not only emphasizes the importance of your work but also makes it easier for others to grasp the core contributions of your study. Remember, clarity is essential in effective communication.

Using Visual Aids Effectively

Visual aids such as charts, graphs, and tables can greatly enhance the presentation of your research findings. They provide a visual representation of your data, making complex information more accessible. Ensure that your visual aids are well-labeled and directly related to the findings you are discussing. This will help in stripping the dread from data interpretation for your audience.

Analyzing and Discussing Results

Interpreting findings.

When you interpret your findings, you need to connect your analysis to your research questions and hypotheses. This involves making sense of statistical significance and drawing meaningful conclusions. Interpreting your findings helps you understand the broader implications of your research and how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge.

Comparing with Existing Literature

To provide context for your results, compare them with similar studies mentioned in your literature review. Highlight whether your findings align with or differ from previous research. This comparison can help validate your results and show how your work fits into the larger academic conversation.

Discussing Implications

Discuss the broader implications of your findings. Consider how they impact your field of study and what they mean for future research. This section should also address any limitations of your study and suggest areas for further investigation. By doing so, you demonstrate the significance of your research and its potential to influence future work.

Concluding Your Thesis

Summarizing key points.

In the conclusion, you should summarize the key points of your research. This involves revisiting the main arguments and findings discussed in your thesis. By doing so, you provide a clear and concise overview of your work, ensuring that the reader understands the significance of your research.

Restating the Thesis Statement

Restate your thesis statement in a fresh way , reflecting on how your research has supported or challenged it. This is crucial for reinforcing the main idea of your thesis and demonstrating how your work contributes to the broader field of study. Remember, a well-restated thesis can leave a lasting impression on your readers.

Suggesting Areas for Future Research

Finally, suggest areas for future research. Identify any gaps or limitations in your study and propose how future research can address these issues. This not only highlights the importance of your work but also encourages further exploration and development in your field.

Revising and Refining the Outline

Seeking feedback.

Before finalizing your thesis outline, it's crucial to seek feedback from your advisor or peers. They can provide valuable insights and identify areas that may need improvement. Don't hesitate to ask for their opinions on the structure and content of your outline. This step ensures that your outline is clear and logical.

Making Necessary Adjustments

After receiving feedback, take the time to make necessary adjustments. This may involve reorganizing sections, adding or removing content, or clarifying certain points. A reverse outline can be particularly helpful in this stage. It involves outlining an existing draft to assess its structure and coherence. This technique allows you to see if your ideas flow logically and if any sections need further development.

Ensuring Cohesion and Coherence

Finally, ensure that your outline is cohesive and coherent. Each section should connect logically to the next, and your main points should be clearly articulated. Use a checklist to verify that your outline meets these criteria. This step is essential for creating a well-structured thesis that effectively communicates your research findings.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Overloading with information.

One common mistake is trying to include too much information. This can make your thesis overwhelming and difficult to follow. Focus on the most relevant data and arguments to support your thesis statement. Remember, quality over quantity is key.

Lack of Clear Focus

A thesis that lacks a clear focus can confuse readers and weaken your argument. Make sure your thesis statement is specific and that each section of your outline directly supports it. Staying focused will help you create a more compelling and coherent thesis.

Ignoring Feedback

Feedback from advisors and peers is invaluable. Ignoring it can lead to missed opportunities for improvement. Take the time to consider and incorporate constructive criticism . This will not only enhance the quality of your thesis but also help you grow as a researcher.

Writing a thesis can be tricky, and many students fall into common traps. Don't let stress and confusion hold you back. Our step-by-step Thesis Action Plan is here to guide you through every stage. Ready to make your thesis journey smoother? Visit our website to learn more and get started today!

Creating an effective thesis outline is a vital step in the thesis writing process. It helps you organize your thoughts, stay focused, and ensure that your research is thorough and well-structured. By breaking down your thesis into manageable sections, you can tackle each part with confidence and clarity. Remember, a well-crafted outline not only makes the writing process smoother but also enhances the overall quality of your thesis. Stay dedicated, seek guidance when needed, and take pride in your progress. With a solid outline, you are well on your way to producing a compelling and academically rigorous thesis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do i need a thesis outline.

A thesis outline helps you organize your ideas and ensures your writing is structured and focused. It breaks your project into smaller, manageable parts, making the writing process faster and less stressful.

What should I do before creating a thesis outline?

Before creating a thesis outline, conduct initial research, identify key themes and questions, and set clear objectives for your study.

How should I structure my thesis outline?

Your thesis outline should include the major sections: introduction, literature review, methodology, research findings, discussion, and conclusion. Ensure each section flows logically into the next.

What is the best way to start the introduction section?

Start your introduction with a compelling opening, present your research question, and outline the scope and objectives of your thesis.

How do I organize the literature review?

Organize your literature review by summarizing existing research, identifying research gaps, and establishing theoretical frameworks relevant to your study.

What should I include in the methodology section?

In the methodology section, describe your research methods, justify your methodological choices, and explain how you collected and analyzed your data.

How can I present my research findings effectively?

Present your research findings by organizing data logically, highlighting key results, and using visual aids like charts and graphs to make the information clear and engaging.

What should I do if I get stuck while writing my thesis?

If you get stuck, take a break, seek feedback from peers or advisors, and revisit your outline to ensure your thesis remains focused and coherent.

Meja berwarna-warni dengan laptop dan bahan perencanaan

Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics: A Fun and Informative Guide

Unlocking the Power of Data: A Review of 'Essentials of Modern Business Statistics with Microsoft Excel'

Unlocking the Power of Data: A Review of 'Essentials of Modern Business Statistics with Microsoft Excel'

Discovering Statistics Using SAS: A Comprehensive Review

Discovering Statistics Using SAS: A Comprehensive Review

Confident student with laptop and colorful books

Mastering the First Step: How to Start Your Thesis with Confidence

Thesis Revision Made Simple: Techniques for Perfecting Your Academic Work

Thesis Revision Made Simple: Techniques for Perfecting Your Academic Work

Integrating Calm into Your Study Routine: The Power of Mindfulness in Education

Integrating Calm into Your Study Routine: The Power of Mindfulness in Education

Thesis Action Plan

Thesis Action Plan

Research Proposal Compass

How to Determine the Perfect Research Proposal Length

How do i start writing my thesis: a step-by-step guide.

  • Blog Articles
  • Affiliate Program
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Payment and Shipping Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Return Policy

© 2024 Research Rebels, All rights reserved.

Your cart is currently empty.

IMAGES

  1. PPT

    examples of a thesis staement

  2. PPT

    examples of a thesis staement

  3. 45 Perfect Thesis Statement Templates (+ Examples) ᐅ TemplateLab

    examples of a thesis staement

  4. 45 Perfect Thesis Statement Templates (+ Examples) ᐅ TemplateLab

    examples of a thesis staement

  5. 45 Perfect Thesis Statement Templates (+ Examples) ᐅ TemplateLab

    examples of a thesis staement

  6. PPT

    examples of a thesis staement

COMMENTS

  1. 25 Thesis Statement Examples (2024)

    Strong Thesis Statement Examples. 1. School Uniforms. "Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.". Best For: Argumentative Essay or Debate. Read More: School Uniforms Pros and Cons.

  2. 25 Thesis Statement Examples That Will Make Writing a Breeze

    What that means is that you can't just put any statement of fact and have it be your thesis. For example, everyone knows that puppies are cute. An ineffective thesis statement would be, "Puppies are adorable and everyone knows it." This isn't really something that's a debatable topic. Something that would be more debatable would be, "A puppy's ...

  3. How to Write a Thesis Statement

    Step 2: Write your initial answer. After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.

  4. What is a Thesis Statement: Writing Guide with Examples

    Also, we ' ll provide some thesis statement examples and talk about how to write a thesis statement for different kinds of essays: persuasive, compare-and-contrast, expository, and argumentative essays. The thesis statement is located at the beginning of a paper, in the opening paragraph, making it an essential way to start an essay.

  5. Creating a Thesis Statement, Thesis Statement Tips

    3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper. 4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper. Thesis Statement Examples. Example of an analytical thesis statement:

  6. How to write a thesis statement + Examples

    It is a brief statement of your paper's main argument. Essentially, you are stating what you will be writing about. Organize your papers in one place. Try Paperpile. No credit card needed. Get 30 days free. You can see your thesis statement as an answer to a question. While it also contains the question, it should really give an answer to the ...

  7. Thesis Statements

    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.

  8. How to Write a Thesis Statement With Examples

    A thesis statement provides the foundation for your entire research paper or essay. This statement is the central assertion that you want to express in your essay. A successful thesis statement is one that is made up of one or two sentences clearly laying out your central idea and expressing an informed, reasoned answer to your research question.

  9. How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

    Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing. Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and ...

  10. How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

    2 Categories of Thesis Statements: Informative and Persuasive . Just as there are different types of essays, there are different types of thesis statements. The thesis should match the essay. For example, with an informative essay, you should compose an informative thesis (rather than argumentative). You want to declare your intentions in this ...

  11. What Is a Thesis?

    A thesis statement is a very common component of an essay, particularly in the humanities. It usually comprises 1 or 2 sentences in the introduction of your essay, and should clearly and concisely summarize the central points of your academic essay. A thesis is a long-form piece of academic writing, often taking more than a full semester to ...

  12. Strong Thesis Statements

    Example of a debatable thesis statement: At least 25 percent of the federal budget should be spent on limiting pollution. This is an example of a debatable thesis because reasonable people could disagree with it. Some people might think that this is how we should spend the nation's money. Others might feel that we should be spending more money ...

  13. Thesis Statement Examples

    Master the art of creating a thesis statement! Compare good and poor thesis statement examples to find out just what a strong thesis statement should be.

  14. Thesis Statement

    The 3 parts of a thesis statement generally include the subject, the precise opinion, and the blueprint of reasons. First, identify the subject or topic of your paper. This is the broad area that your research or essay will cover. Next, you need to formulate a precise opinion on your chosen subject.

  15. How to write a thesis statement (with examples)

    What your thesis statement includes is determined by three things: 1. The subject and topic of the essay. 2. The purpose of the essay. 3. The length of the essay. Let's examine each of those in more detail to see how they can help us refine our thesis statement.

  16. 40+ Good Thesis Statement Examples to Write an Essay

    Good thesis statement: "Long-term smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory problems." This thesis statement is specific and provides a clear direction for the essay. It identifies the main health risks, allowing the essay to explore these specific areas.

  17. How to Write a Thesis Statement in 4 Steps

    How to Write a Thesis Statement in 4 Steps. If you produce a solid thesis statement to kick off an argumentative essay or piece of academic writing, you instantly frame the objective for yourself as a writer and for your audience as readers. By learning how to write a thesis statement, you will rapidly advance your pedigree as an academic ...

  18. 15 Thesis Statement Examples to Inspire Your Next Argumentative ...

    Schools should start at a later time of day. Inspired by this sample essay about school start times. Beginning the school day at a later time would stabilize students' sleep patterns, improve students' moods, and increase students' academic success. #15. Schools should distribute birth control to teens.

  19. How to Write a Thesis Statement: Examples & Tips

    Here are some basic guidelines for writing a thesis statement: Present your point of view in two sentences. Clearly indicate the logical progression of your research. Always take a case-by-case approach. Based on your research, you may also opt for a 3-part thesis statement. Clearly dictate your assertion on the topic.

  20. How To Write a Thesis Statement (with Useful Steps and Tips)

    In this example, the thesis statement clearly states the research question, the subject matter, and the intended scope of the analysis. Additionally, it is important to be consistent with the type of paper you are writing. For instance, if you are writing an analytical paper, your thesis statement should break down the issue and present an ...

  21. 15 Thesis Statement Examples for Research Papers to Inspire You

    If these topics and thesis statement examples for research papers don't do it for you, don't worry. There's still hope. The following posts contain a combined total of 167 thesis statements. While most of the thesis statements are for papers other than research papers, you can use the topics and thesis statements for ideas.

  22. Mastering the Thesis Statement: Examples and Tips for Academic ...

    Examples of Thesis Statements in Different Essay Types Narrative. In a narrative essay, the thesis statement revolves around the story being told. It is typically centered on a specific event, person, or experience that had a significant impact on the writer. The thesis statement in a narrative essay serves as a brief preview of what the reader ...

  23. Creating an Effective Thesis Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Restating the Thesis Statement. Restate your thesis statement in a fresh way, reflecting on how your research has supported or challenged it. This is crucial for reinforcing the main idea of your thesis and demonstrating how your work contributes to the broader field of study. Remember, a well-restated thesis can leave a lasting impression on ...