COMPOSING A THESIS STATEMENT
A thesis statement is a clear, concise sentence stating the main idea to be
developed in the essay.
Example: Capital punishment is a remnant of times when men were uncivilized.
This thesis statement clearly states the writer's attitude toward the subject of the
essay he or she is writing.
Points to remember:
1. A thesis statement cannot be a fragment; it must be a sentence.
2. A thesis statement should not be a question. Once you ask a question,
you have to answer it before you will have an idea.
3. A thesis statement should not contain phrases such as "I think." If you
make the statement, you obviously think it.
4. A thesis statement should not be a blanket statement. You must allow
for exceptions. The more specifically you state the main idea, the easier it
will be to develop it into an essay.
5. A thesis statement should not contain elements that are not clearly
restated. Example: Capital punishment is a remnant of times when men
were uncivilized; the warden at Raiford is the governor's brother.
6. A thesis statement should not be expressed in vague language. Choose
each word carefully to make your meaning as specific as possible.
7. A thesis statement should not be too narrow. Unless you express your
attitude, the statement about the subject has no significance for the reader.
8. A thesis statement should not contain obscure or garbled
language. Example: When one thinks about punishment, the subconscious
is on a different level.
The sentence as it stands is meaningless. Not only are the relationships
among "capital punishment," "subconscious," and "different level" muddy, but also
the meaning of words "the subconscious is on a different level" is totally obscure.
What is a thesis statement?
At this very early stage of the game, you might well ask yourself "What is a thesis
statement?" A thesis statement is one clear sentence that states the central idea
in any essay. This definition may seem simple enough, but its parts will bear
inspection.
WHAT A GOOD THESIS IS
A thesis statement is a single, declarative sentence.
Karate is a worthwhile sport.
A thesis statement is precise.
The testing of cosmetics on animals yields health benefits for human beings with
allergy problems.
A thesis statement is argumentative.
Although part-time employment places some burdens on the average student, the
benefits of employment are far greater than its difficulties.
A thesis statement is limited in scope.
Great Danes are wonderful dogs, especially for families.
(We are focusing on one specific aspect of the dogs.)
A thesis statement is an indication of the structure of the essay.
In order for a person to build a successful business, he or she must have a good
business education, capital for investment, and a good work force. (Each of the
requirements will make up a paragraph, obviously.)
A thesis statement is not an announcement.
Announcement
Thesis Statement
In this essay, I will write about Women should not be
women in combat.
allowed to serve in combat.
So, now that we understand quite clearly just what a thesis statement is, let us
consider where we should put one.
Placement of the Thesis Statement
The thesis statement, because of its relative importance to the essay and it
development, appears in the first paragraph of an essay and is usually the last
sentence of that paragraph. As a beginning writer, you should use this thesis
placement. Professional and experienced writers sometimes place their thesis
statements in paragraphs other than their opening paragraph.
Write a Thesis Statement
Your teacher has given an open-ended essay assignment: Take any position on the
book your class just finished, and back up your argument with at least three good
points. Even hearing the assignment makes your skin crawl — once again, the
dreaded thesis statement is rearing its ugly head, grinning nastily at you over the
top of the blank page. Before your hands get too sweaty to type, here are some tips
to making the thesis process as painless as possible.
Grow a Good Thesis Statement
If you haven't written your essay yet, go away, write a rough draft, and then come
back later. Fact is, most of us don't know what we want to say until we start writing.
Pick a specific topic, then decide your purpose: What exactly do you want to say
about it? Picture your best obnoxious friend asking, "Why are you telling me this?"
Welcome to the Working Thesis
You'll want a simple sentence you can write on a sticky note and post on the corner
of the computer monitor while you tap away at the keyboard. Keep your working
thesis straightforward — it's only meant to keep you from straying into the pros
and cons of Mongolian woolly slippers. Here's the magic working thesis equation:
Subject + Attitude = Thesis
Your topic and your opinion on that topic — that's it. The secret of the working
thesis is that you're allowed to change your mind (about either your subject or your
attitude) at any point while writing. Just whip off that first sticky note and slap on
your new, improved, topic-and-opinion combo with fries.
Every "A+" thesis starts with a specific topic. Here are some guidelines to what
"specific" means:


If your instructor has told you what to write about, make sure to do just that.
Sorry, but it's true — if your teacher wants to see something specific, this is
not the time to get creative and imaginative.
If the assignment has been left up to you, write about something you're
deeply passionate and profoundly knowledgeable about. Or write on
something that bores you, and find a small spark of attitude to start your own
fire. Or even discuss something from your everyday life. What's familiar to
you may fascinate others when examined up close and personal. (Think
twice about this one — no one wants to read about the life of your fern, for
example.)
Narrow It Down
You've heard it a hundred times. Setting the margins to 2 inches left and right is
not going to help. Pick one of your subtopics and write with that as the central idea.
For example:

Original: I hate vegetables. (Yawn.)
Subtopic: Brussel sprouts deterred me from a healthy vegan lifestyle. (Ha!)

Original: Why homeless children can't break the poverty cycle. (Writing a
book, are you?)
Subtopic: Why homeless preschoolers need school vouchers. (Oh, an article.)
Focus your thesis in three quick steps:
1. Use specific terms instead of vague categories. (Narrow "music" to
"reggae.")
2. Use adjectives. (Narrow "reggae" to "American reggae.")
3. Limit the discussion to a particular context. (Narrow "American reggae" to
"the American reggae revival in the 1980s.")
Topic versus Thesis
The topic of an essay is just that — a topic for discussion that's up for grabs. It's a
subject without a verb. Your thesis provides the verb. It answers the question,
"So?" To construct a decent thesis statement, state your opinion, make a point, take
a stand, have a slant, and provide perspective, set out to prove something — you
get the idea. Begin boldly with a challenging or provocative assertion; you can
always refine your approach later.
Thesis Don'ts
Be sure to avoid these thesis no-no's:


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Avoid starting your thesis sentence with "In my opinion I believe" and "This
essay will argue that..." or any variation thereof. You can do it — admitting
that you've used such phrases as a crutch is the first step. Hey, if it's a thesis,
it's always your take on things, right?
Just stating a fact. A thesis has to be worth arguing about.
Tackling two topics at once (even if they seem related). Pick one and stick
with it.
The Good Thesis Pledge and Checklist
Your thesis promises the reader at least two things: what you're going to discuss
and the angle you're going to discuss it from. Make sure that you follow through on
your commitment. Take the good thesis pledge today:
On my honor, I promise that:
1. I did not start with "This thesis states" or "In my opinion."
2. I narrowed my topic to fit the scope of the essay.
3. I have an honest opinion, insight, angle, perspective, or argument worth
sharing.
4. I have made one clear point, not four.
5. I will stand by this thesis only until I find a better one after finishing the
essay.
See? No blood, no pain, and your tamed thesis statement sits patiently at the end of
your introduction, ready to guide the reader into your essay.