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!
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Types of Thesis Statements
A strong thesis statement is a fundamental part of a well-structured argumentative essay or academic paper. It holds various important purposes.
Some of the purposes of a thesis statement include making the paper’s focus clear, guiding the writer, organizing the essay’s structure, enhancing clarity and understanding, and engaging the readers.
It also helps the writer engage in critical thinking, enhances the strength of the essay’s argument, and improves consistency. A thesis statement is usually part of the evaluative criterion.
The thing that differentiates a thesis statement from another is its particular characteristics and purpose. Different papers or essays require different types of thesis statements.
This article will discuss the different types of thesis statements in terms of their definition and explanation, provide examples for those statements, and demonstrate when to use them.
1. the expository thesis statement.
This is a type of thesis statement used in research papers or expository essays. It is a clear and concise statement of the central argument or point of the essay.
The expository thesis statement is meant to explain, inform, or describe the topic that is being discussed.
It is neutral because its aim is not to persuade readers to adopt a particular perspective. It straightforwardly presents objective information and facts.
One example of an expository thesis statement includes: “The principles of Newton’s laws of motion lay the foundation for understanding the fundamental behavior of objects in the physical world.”
Another example is: “The process of photosynthesis, in which plants convert sunlight into energy, is a crucial part of the ecosystem’s energy cycle.”
Expository thesis statements can be used in situations where the aim is to explain a concept, provide information, describe a process, or present objective facts without trying to persuade the audience.
As such, expository thesis statements can be used in informative essays, expository research papers, how-to guides, and descriptive essays.
This is a thesis statement used in persuasive or argumentative essays . It presents assertive, clear, and debatable claims that the author or writer wishes to support using logical reasoning and evidence within the essay.
The argumentative thesis statement takes a stance on a particular viewpoint to persuade the reader to concur with that point of view.
An example of the argumentative thesis statement includes: “The government should implement stricter gun control laws to reduce the incidence of gun violence in the United States.”
Another good example is: “Social media has a detrimental impact on mental health, as it promotes unrealistic standards and encourages constant comparison with others.”
As aforementioned, argumentative thesis statements are meant to convince, persuade, or argue for a specific viewpoint or position on a debatable or controversial issue.
Therefore, argumentative thesis statements can be used in persuasive essays, discussions and debates, controversial topics, and opinion editorials.
These are thesis statements used in research papers or analytical essays. They focus on breaking down and examining complex issues or topics into their basic parts and evaluating how they relate to each other.
The main purpose of an analytical thesis statement is to give insight, understanding, and interpretation instead of informing or persuading the audience.
One example of an analytical thesis statement is: “The economic crisis of 2008 can be attributed to a combination of factors, including risky financial practices, regulatory failures, and the burst of the housing bubble.”
The second example is: “In Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet,’ the character of Hamlet undergoes a profound transformation from a hesitant and indecisive prince to a vengeful and resolute avenger.”
The analytical thesis statement is used when the objective is to interpret, evaluate, or dissect a text, subject, or idea in a critical and detailed manner.
Such statements can be used in literary analysis essays, critical essays, research papers, comparative essays, and interdisciplinary studies.
This is a thesis statement used in research papers or essays that are meant to compare and contrast two or more ideas, subjects, texts, or phenomena.
A comparative thesis statement highlights the similarities and differences among the things or subjects that are being compared.
They give a debatable, focused, and clear claim meant to be the foundation for comparative analysis.
The first example of such a comparative thesis statement is: “A comparison of Eastern and Western philosophies reveals fundamental differences in their views on the self, the nature of reality, and the path to enlightenment.”
The second example is : “When assessing the impact of two different economic policies, a comparison of austerity measures and stimulus spending reveals varying effects on economic growth and unemployment rates.”
Such statements are used in comparative essays, literacy and textual analysis, cultural and historical studies, argumentative essays, and academic research.
The narrative thesis statement is used in storytelling contexts or narrative essays. It provides the main theme, point, or message the writer or narrator wants to convey.
It is focused on the purpose of the narrative in that it encapsulates the main lesson, idea, or experience the writer or narrator wishes to convey.
An example of the narrative thesis statement is: “The story of my grandmother’s life in war-torn Vietnam reflects the strength and determination that can emerge from adversity.”
Another example includes: “In the narrative of my childhood summers spent at the family cabin, I discovered the importance of cherishing simple moments with loved ones.”
Such thesis statements can be used in narrative essays, memoirs, personal reflections, oral storytelling, and creative writing.
This is a thesis statement used in speeches, argumentative essays, and persuasive essays. Its main purpose is to give a clear and debatable claim which the writer intends to support, argue, and persuade the audience to accept.
Persuasive thesis statements take a clear position concerning a controversial topic or issue and aim to convince the readers of the validity of that stance.
An example of such a thesis statement is: “The death penalty should be abolished because it is inherently inhumane, prone to error, and does not act as a deterrent to crime.”
Another example is: “Public schools should implement comprehensive sex education programs to reduce teen pregnancy rates and promote responsible sexual behavior.”
Persuasive thesis statements can be used in argumentative essays, persuasive essays, speeches and debates, op-eds and editorials, and policy proposals.
The descriptive thesis statement aims to paint a clear or vivid picture of an object, subject, experience, or place.
It focuses on clearly describing the topic or conveying a specific feeling or impression about the topic. It helps the reader know what to expect when it comes to imagery, emotions, or sensory details in the essay.
An example of a descriptive thesis statement is: “ The bustling, vibrant market in Marrakech, with its vibrant colors, exotic spices, and the hum of haggling, immerses visitors in the rich tapestry of Moroccan culture.”
Another example includes: “The abandoned, dilapidated house at the end of the street, with broken windows and overgrown ivy, exudes an eerie and haunted aura.”
Such statements can be used in travel writing, descriptive essays, creative writing, art and film analysis, and immersive storytelling.
This is a thesis statement primarily used in reports, essays, or papers meant to address a particular problem or issue and propose the course of action or solution to resolve the issue.
The problem-solution thesis statement’s purpose is to recognize a significant issue and present an actionable and clear plan or solution to address it.
An example of such a thesis statement is: “The rising levels of air pollution in major cities can be mitigated by implementing stricter emission standards for vehicles and promoting the use of public transportation.”
Another example includes: “To combat the obesity epidemic among children, schools should incorporate healthier meal options, increase physical education requirements, and promote nutritional education.”
The thesis statement can be used in policy proposals, business reports, problem-solving essays, community action plans, and scientific research.
Finally, the cause-and-effect thesis statement is meant to explore and explain the connections between phenomena, actions, or events by recognizing the causes and their effects.
Such thesis statements establish particular causal relationships by explaining how one action or event leads to another, and the reasons their connections are important.
One example of a cause-and-effect thesis statement is: “The excessive use of social media among teenagers can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and anxiety, as it hinders face-to-face social interactions and promotes social comparison.”
Another example includes: “The decline of bee populations, caused by pesticide use and habitat destruction, has a cascading effect on food production and biodiversity, endangering global ecosystems.”
The thesis statement can be used in scientific research, cause and effect essays, historical analysis, environmental studies, and social and economic studies.
A strong thesis statement is a very important part of a well-structured argumentative essay or academic paper.
What differentiates a thesis statement from another is its particular characteristics and purpose. Different papers or essays require different types of thesis statements.
Therefore, it is essential to first identify the type of paper or essay before deciding on the thesis statement to use.
Josh Jasen or JJ as we fondly call him, is a senior academic editor at Grade Bees in charge of the writing department. When not managing complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In his spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
These examples are more specific and show that you'll explore your topic in depth. Types of thesis statements. Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you're writing: In an argumentative essay, your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to ...
Different types of thesis statements. A good thesis statement is clear, specific, and arguable. Therefore, it is necessary for you to choose the right type of thesis statement for your academic papers. ... Thesis examples. To further elucidate the concept of a thesis, here are illustrative examples from various fields: Example 1 (History): ...
A thesis statement is a sentence in a paper or essay (in the opening paragraph) that introduces the main topic to the reader. As one of the first things your reader sees, your thesis statement is one of the most important sentences in your entire paper—but also one of the hardest to write! In this article, we explain how to write a thesis ...
If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader. 2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
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.
In these examples, the topic is at the beginning of the sentence (public school vouchers) and the writer's statement or opinion about the topic is at the end. ... Types of Thesis Statements There are many types of effective thesis statements. Ex. (advocate a course of action) The University should require incoming freshmen to take a physical ...
In the following, we will discuss different types of statements, show you a simple 4-step process for writing an effective thesis statement, and finish off with some not-so-good and good thesis statement examples. Table of Contents: Types of Thesis Statements; How to Write a Thesis Statement Step by Step ; Not-So-Good and Good Thesis Statements
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 ...
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.
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 ... 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") ...
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 ...
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 ...
Thesis. Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is arguable, which means a thoughtful reader could disagree with it and therefore ...
A thesis statement can be defined as a sentence that describes the main idea of the research or thesis to inform the reader of the argument the research will pursue and the reason the author adopts a specific stance on the subject. Essentially, it expresses the author's judgment or opinion based on a review of the literature or personal ...
How to write a thesis statement. When writing a thesis, the following guidelines apply: Step 1: Determine the type of paper (explanatory, argumentative, or analytical). Step 2: Identify the topic, position/claim, and supports of the essay. Step 3: Determine if the supports should be included within the thesis.
Literary Analysis Thesis Statement Examples. In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Harper Lee uses symbolism, such as the mockingbird, to highlight the themes of innocence and moral growth. The use of unreliable narrators in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" enhances the story's exploration of guilt and madness.
What are the most common kinds of thesis statements? 1. Argument: State a point of view and support it with evidence. Parts: Topic + position + reasons Example: Volunteer tourism in southeast Asia (topic) should be more strictly regulated (position) to prevent economic, social, and cultural exploitation (reasons).
A strong thesis statement is the backbone of a well-organized paper. Learn how to write an explanatory, argumentative, or analytical thesis statement.
Thesis is a scholarly document that presents a student's original research and findings on a particular topic or question. It is usually written as a requirement for a graduate degree program and is intended to demonstrate the student's mastery of the subject matter and their ability to conduct independent research.
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.
Different Types of Thesis Statements. 1. The Expository Thesis Statement. This is a type of thesis statement used in research papers or expository essays. It is a clear and concise statement of the central argument or point of the essay. The expository thesis statement is meant to explain, inform, or describe the topic that is being discussed.
Example of a debatable thesis statement: At least 25 percent of the federal budget should be spent on limiting pollution. ... 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. ...