Crafting a thesis statement is challenging work. On the surface, a thesis statement is just a sentence that gives a point of view or argument. However, it is also a statement that needs to be broad and rich enough to capture the central idea of pages of work.
For this reason, it is important to approach the task of thesis statement writing with a tremendous amount of thoughtfulness and flexibility. You may be researching for days before having enough background knowledge to craft a definitive statement about a topic, and may change that statement multiple times before you finish writing.
This article is all about exploring different types and examples of thesis statements. We will consider what to look for in a strong thesis statement, and what thesis statements might look like in different contexts.
Are you faced with the task of writing an essay? Find out what a thesis is and why it matters to your assignment.
Examples of Thesis Statements
So what exactly might a thesis statement look like? Here are some models you might follow to guide you in your writing.
Example Thesis Statements for a Persuasive Writing Assignment
Let’s say that you have the task of writing a thesis statement on the topic of homework for students. Some examples of theses might be:
1. Homework should not be assigned to students because learning should be limited to the school day.
2. Students should get homework regularly so they can practice the skills they learn in school and spend more time receiving instruction from teachers.
Though seemingly simple, both theses here are clear, succinct, and are broad enough to support multiple areas of evidence. For example, the student who is writing about thesis 1 can discuss the importance of having time for family, extracurricular interests, or evenings to socialize and process the day’s events.
In thesis 2, the writer can spend time discussing the importance of extended practice, of receiving direct instruction from expert instructors, or why students need to apply their learning independently at home.
It is near impossible to do so without the investing significant time in prewriting and planning. Find out how to write a winning thesis statement.
Example Thesis Statements for a Research Writing Assignment
Students in secondary or postsecondary school are often tasked with writing a research essay. In this context, the student must support an position based on their survey of recent research from academics or other researchers.
An example of a history thesis might be:
Japanese-Canadians have endured major instances of discrimination and exclusion in Canada, and it is critical that those historical narratives be shared with future generations.
This thesis contains a broad reference to history, and takes the writer’s interpretation a step further by suggesting next steps. The writer might explore several major historical events endured by Japanese-Canadians, and include a section on why it is important to continue studying this part of the past.
Example Thesis Statements for a Literary Essay
Those that take literature courses frequently get an assignment that involves writing an essay about a book or author. In this case, the thesis may involve the essay writer’s interpretation of a text and the work of other scholars.
One example of a thesis for a literary essay might be:
In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is a dynamic and complex character whose actions and motivations problematize the reader’s assumptions about racial stereotypes.
The writer of this thesis will have a lot to explore through their supporting arguments. They might take excerpts of the text Othello, and unpack their interpretations of the excerpts.
They could also take historical research about popular culture and race during the Elizabethan era and beyond, showing how Shakespeare’s play might compel the audience to react to the portrayal of Iago in different ways.
How do you write a thesis statement? Learn all the steps to generate a strong thesis for your essay.
What to Look for in a Thesis Statement?
A strong thesis statement will have a number of common elements, no matter what the topic is. Let’s explore some characteristics of strong thesis statements.
Clarity and Succinctness
Good thesis writing is clear and as plainly written as possible. You do not want to have verbose language: avoid being too wordy by taking out anything that does not contribute to the meaning of your thesis.
A thesis shouldn’t be that long, so if you find yourself labouring over how to capture a big idea in a few words, you are probably on the right track. A good way to start is to just write without any inhibitions. It is always easier to edit and remove words you don’t want than it is to come up with something new.
Thesis writing is a task that few students look forward to. It can involve painstaking research, days poring over a single sentence. Get some tips to write your thesis quickly!
Breadth
A thesis statement is Intended to form the core argument of a longer text, so your thesis should be broad enough to connect to the full scope of your research and writing.
Yes, writing a sentence or a few sentences to cover that much ground can feel incredibly daunting. But you do not want to have a thesis that is so narrow in scope that your subsequent paragraphs seem disconnected to the introduction.
So how do you know if your thesis will be broad enough to support your entire paper? This is where good planning and research before writing comes into play. Do not waste your time coming up with a thesis if you feel unprepared or have a knowledge gap.
Instead, take the time to review relevant articles or texts you have been assigned to read in class, or do your own independent literature review of resources out there.
Positioning
A good thesis statement will have a clear position on the topic you are writing about. In some cases, it can almost sound like a highly informed opinion, or an interpretation of the readings you have done to research the topic.
Having a strong position in your thesis statement signals to the reader exactly what you are trying to say. Always keep in mind that you are writing for an audience. If a thesis does not have a clear position or purpose in it, it can be very uninteresting for the reader.
With a clear sense of positioning, your paper will stand out as its message will be easy for any reader to summarize or repeat. If you your purpose is weak and unclear, and your reader does not know what you are trying to communicate, do not be surprised if you get a less than ideal grade.
Writing a thesis statement can seem like an impossible task, especially for those of us who dread essay writing. Learn more about the steps to crafting a perfect thesis statement.
Where Can I Get Help I Writing my Thesis and Essay?
Thesis and essay writing is a task that has driven many students into a state of stress. You may find yourself with anxiety, especially if the deadline is looming or has already passed. Writer’s block is also a common issue that many writers face, where it feels like you have hit a wall and cannot move ahead.
For this reason, make sure you get help when you need it. One great solution for thesis and essay writing difficulty is to hire a writing tutor.
Keep in mind that a writing tutor is not there to do the work for you. It is important that you craft and write authentically, since writing is a critical skillset for the future. A tutor should not only help you to move forward in your writing, but enable you to develop writing skills that will pay off in spades far into the future.
Get a Writing Tutor on Superprof
Finding the right tutor can be easy and even enjoyable with the Superprof site. Superprof is a site that connects tutors and students across a range of topics, from learning how to write to mastering mathematics.
You can find a tutor that can help you virtually or in-person. A writing tutor can help you to formulate and develop a strong thesis statement, and develop supporting arguments and paragraphs for the essay itself.
They can give you feedback and editing suggestions prior to submission, which is excellent if you want to ensure that you are handing in your best writing.
Browse through Superprof’s selection of skilled writing tutors and get that thesis statement written out in no time. Find a tutor on the Superprof site today!
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