Thesis statements: questions and answers
What is a thesis?
A thesis is an argumentative statement that appears somewhere near the beginning of your
paper and that you go on to defend throughout the entire essay. A thesis should be complex
enough that it will seem striking—i.e. not painfully obvious—to your reader, but it must be
short enough that it can be stated in one, two, or maybe three carefully structured sentences.
How do I know if my assignment requires a thesis statement?
Generally, if the assignment sheet asks you to write an argumentative essay, then a thesis
statement is required. If the assignment sheet calls for some other form of writing—say, a
critical reflection, a magazine-style review, a report, a memo, etc.—then a thesis statement
may not be necessary. In cases where you feel unsure about the demands of an assignment,
there is one failsafe way to dispel any ambiguity: ask your professor or your TA for
clarification.
What is the difference between a road map and a thesis?
A thesis is an argument, whereas a road map is a brief explanation of your essay structure.
The thesis tells the reader what you are going to argue, and the road map tells the reader
what steps you are going to take in order to advance your argument. See the examples below.
Thesis: Communications technologies were essential to the success of the American
Civil Rights Movement, since they enlisted the sympathies of people who were not
directly affiliated with the movement itself.
Road Map: This essay will look at three distinct mediums—print, radio, and
television, respectively—to show how these technologies influenced audiences who
otherwise may not have been aware of, or sympathetic to, the demands of the 1960s
Civil Rights activists.
Where should I put my thesis in my paper?
In high school, most of us were taught that the thesis belongs at the end of the opening
paragraph of an essay; in university, the rules are not so rigid. The only generally accepted
rule is that the thesis should appear somewhere in the introductory paragraph—or
introductory paragraphs—of your paper; the specific location, however, is up to you. Put it
where it fits most easily within the logical flow of your writing.
If I do not place my thesis statement at the bottom of my first paragraph, how will
my reader find it?
Your writing should make it clear as to where the thesis is. If your thesis appears as the
central analytical statement in your opening section, then your reader will have no problem
locating it. If it is unclear which sentence—or sentences—constitute(s) your thesis, this may
be a sign that your introductory section is too long. There is no strict prohibition against
long introductions, but it may be a good idea to master the short introduction during your
first undergraduate assignments—particularly since these assignments usually have strict
page limits. By thinning out your introductory section, you will dispel ambiguity as to where
your thesis lies.
How long should my thesis be? How do I know if my thesis is too long or too short?
A thesis should probably be between one and three sentences long. For an extremely long
project—like a master’s dissertation—a thesis may take up a paragraph or two. Generally, a
longer paper will have a more complex thesis, and a shorter paper will have a shorter thesis.
As you start writing your paper you will find out if your thesis is too complex or if it is not
complex enough. You may have to adjust your thesis several times until it fits the size and
scope of your paper.
What do I do if, once I have written my paper, I find that my argument has changed?
This happens all the time, and it’s a good thing: it shows that your ideas are evolving. Don’t
be afraid to delete your original thesis and write a new one—or a slightly altered one—to
reflect the new direction your argument is taking.
What do I do if I just cannot come up with a thesis?
It can take a while to come up with a complex and original argument about a given topic, so
give yourself the time you need. (It always helps to start on your assignments early.) If you
just cannot think of an argument, this may be a sign that you do not know enough about
your subject and need to hit the books for a while longer. Sometimes, all you need is to
spend some focused time reading and thinking in order to solidify your ideas.
What do I do if there is something I really want to say in my essay, but it just doesn’t
fit within the scope of my argument?
Everything in your essay must be in the service of your main argument. If there is a point
you want to make that is irrelevant to your thesis, you will either need to change your thesis
to accommodate this point or you will need to exclude this point from your paper. The fact
that a given idea is smart or interesting does not mean that it is suitable for your project.
Remember, an essay is not about showing off how much you know; it is about articulating
and defending an argument.