What is a Thesis Statement?
If you have ever worked in an office with computers, your computer was probably connected to a network. In a network, there is one main computer to which all the other computers send and receive information. If that base computer shuts down, all the other computers shut down—everything centers on that one computer. In the same way, every word, sentence, and paragraph in an essay must relate to or center on the thesis statement. A thesis statement informs readers in a concise manner regarding your intention in writing the paper.
No matter what type of paper you write—expository, argumentation, or research—the center of your paper is always your thesis statement. From now through the rest of your educational courses, instructors will want you to have a well-developed thesis in your essays. For this reason, it is important that you learn to write effective thesis statements.
While writing your paper, you will have a tentative, or working, thesis, which will most likely change as you find support and write your paper. You may write and rewrite a thesis several times while developing an essay.
The concept of the thesis statement can be difficult for beginning writers to understand. The following are some characteristics of an effective thesis statement:
• A thesis is only one sentence. One of the most common mistakes students make is to write a number of sentences and call it a thesis. A thesis statement, however, is singular and should be only one sentence consisting of 25 words or fewer.
• A thesis makes an assertion (your opinion) related to the topic of the essay. It is what you want to prove in your essay.
• Everything in your paper must support, be related to, or point back to your thesis statement.
• Although a thesis is an opinion, that opinion must be one a reasonable person could agree with or argue against.
• A thesis answers the questions “how?” or “why?”
• A thesis passes the “So what?” test—what does this topic have to do with anything? Why should I care? Why should others care?
Thesis Statement Fallacies
There are a number of errors that can be made while writing a thesis statement. A thesis statement is not:
• A fact or observation
Incorrect: The United States has many homeless people. Correct: Because the homeless population is still widespread in the United States, Congress, organizations, and individuals need to do more to improve the problem.
• A generalization
Incorrect: Men take all the good jobs and get paid more. Correct: Recent research shows men are still earning a significant amount more than women in the same positions; therefore, employers and the government need to do more to narrow this gap.
• An exaggeration
Incorrect: Fad diets are extremely unhealthful.
• A question
Incorrect: Is it right for the media to portray women the way they do?
Correct: The media and Hollywood portray women as very beautiful and thin; doing so has a negative effect on young girls’ self-esteem.
• Too broad
Incorrect: All animals are unique.
Correct: The hippopotamus is one of the most unusual and interesting animals within the animal kingdom.
• Too narrow
Incorrect: The song “Cop Killa” is offensive.
Correct: Music with vulgar language or inappropriate messages can negatively influence young children and teenagers.
• An announcement
Incorrect: This essay talks about how legalizing marijuana is incorrect.
Correct: Marijuana should not be legalized because it will lead to greater social ills.
• Vague or general
Incorrect: Jane Austen was a good author.
Correct: Jane Austen was one of the greatest authors of all time
• Written in first person
Incorrect: I believe second-hand smoke is bad for people. Correct: People of all ages should avoid second-hand smoke because it poses one of the deadliest health risks today.
Examples of Good Thesis Statements
The following are well-written thesis statements, each with an opposing thesis statement:
• Eating in a Healthy Manner
Eating a well-balanced diet can help you lose weight, live longer, and feel better.
Although eating a well-balanced diet is generally beneficial for your health, eating unhealthful foods occasionally will not hurt you and can actually be good for you.
• Exercising
Schools need to emphasize exercise to a greater extent so children understand the importance of lifetime fitness.
Exercising is important; however, the media are emphasizing strenuous exercise too much.
• Smoking
Second-hand smoke causes health problems and should be banned in all public places.
The recent laws banning smoking in public places discriminate against those who choose to smoke.
• Earning a College Education
It is critical that everyone receive some formal post-secondary training for the American economy to continue to grow.
High schools need to take more responsibility to prepare students for college.
Although the above theses are already well written, the writers may continue to revise the statements once further research is undertaken.
Wrap-Up
Analytical thinking and hard work are involved when writing a thesis statement, so beginning writers can easily become frustrated trying to incorporate all the characteristics of an effective thesis. For this reason, you will rewrite your thesis statement a number of times; however, in the end, you will have a specific and focused thesis that is easier to develop and support.
