Introduction - What is a Thesis?
Every written work should have a thesis statement, or the main claim or argument the writer is trying to explain (stance) or prove (claim). This is a 1-3 sentence statement that comes at the end of an intro paragraph.
Your rubric and syllabus can give you hints about what kind of thesis fits best in a writing assignment. For example, if the rubric asks you to analyze an article, you will want to write a critical or literary analysis thesis/paper. If it asks you to form an argument about a current issue, then prove it with evidence, a persuasive or argumentative thesis is right for you.
The research process involves creating a working thesis, this means you may revise your thesis many times during the writing and research process. For more help with research, visit the Shapiro Library.
The guides below can help you get started with different, specific types of thesis statements:
The Persuasive Thesis: How to Write an Argument (This video also explains the difference between an informative and persuasive thesis).
Building a Critical Analysis Thesis
Building a History Thesis Statement
Building a Compare & Contrast Thesis
To determine how/where to revise your thesis--once you have one-- use the checklist below. You can check it off right on this page or download the pdf version.
Reread your thesis and then answer “yes” or “no” to the following series of questions to help yourself revise it for focus, debatability, scope, and clarity.
Open the companion video here before you begin.
*Note: The remainder of this guide assumes you have a topic and a thesis, as well as a paper draft or outline.
Does your thesis answer the prompt or research question?
Does your thesis preview the topics or ideas that you aregoing to discuss in more detail in your body paragraphs (keypoints)?
If someone only read this thesis statement, could they get agood idea of what your entire essay was going to be about?
Focused
- If you answered “no” to any of the questions in above, your thesis may need to be revised for focus. A thesis needs to be focused and direct, clearly addressing the prompt and stating the key points that you plan to discuss in the body paragraphs of your essay.
- Check out some of our resources on how to write a focused thesis statement here: ______.
Could someone make an opposing argument against your thesis? (The thesis should not be an objective fact)
Arguable
- If you answered “no” to any of the questions above, your thesis may need to be revised so that it is arguable. A thesis should take a side of an argument. It should not just be a fact or an idea that no one would agree with. Check to see if your thesis could be rewritten so that
- someone could argue with your points or come up with a totally different opinion than yours. Check out some of our resources on how to write an arguable thesis statement here: ______.
Based on the research you’ve done and facts you’ve gathered, do you have enough information to support your thesis?
Check the rubric for the page requirement. Will you be able to effectively answer this thesis within the required amount?
In-Scope
- If you answered “no” to any of the questions above, you may need to adjust the scope of your thesis. Think about how long your paper is required to be. Make sure that all of the ideas from your thesis can be addressed within that page limit. You don’t want a thesis that leads to a paper that is too long or too short.
Does your thesis use specific, precise language instead of general or overused words?
If you read the thesis aloud, does it sound wordy or too long?
Is your thesis free of qualifiers that may weaken your argument? (Examples of qualifiers include: very, really,maybe, perhaps, kind of, might, I think, etc.)
Clear
- If you answered “no” to any of the questions above, you may need to revise the wording and sentence structure of your thesis so that it is easier to read. Read it aloud to check for spelling or grammar issues. Try to delete extra words and choose specific words that really capture exactly what you want to say.
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