A thesis statement is a complete

sentence that contains one main

idea. This idea controls the

content of the entire essay and

takes a position that could be

challenged or opposed by

someone else.

Announce the topic to the reader. Express a writer’s opinion or attitude on

a particular topic that will be proved throughout the paper.

Provide the reader with a blueprint for what is to come in the paper.

Answer a thesis question, created during topic selection and preliminary research.

When you narrow down possible topics, ask yourself questions to which you hope to find answers in your research.

Topic: World War II

Question: What were the initial causes of the war?

Question: How did women’s roles change in the working world after WWII?

Topic: Juvenile Delinquency

Question: What can we do to reduce juvenile delinquency in the U.S.?Question: Does education play a role in reducing juvenile delinquents' return to crime?

1. Select a topic. Television violence and children

What are the effects of television violence on children?Violence on television increases aggressive behavior in preschool children.

2. Ask an interesting question:

3. Revise the question into a thesis:

Remember this argument is your “preliminary” or “working” thesis. As you read you may discover evidence that may affect your stance. It is okay to revise your thesis!

oMake sure it is a thorough answer to your thesis question and reflects the full scope of your argument.

oAvoid using a thesis that is too broad or too narrow.

oArgue as conceptually rich a position as you can support. Ask yourself How? and Why? questions to deepen your thesis and make sure you’re on the right track.

oMake sure your reader can easily identify your thesis sentence.

Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico.

This would not be considered a good thesis statement, because it is only expressing a fact. It doesn’t reflect the writer’s opinion or attitude on Cancun. This thesis statement doesn’t give the writer very much to explain or prove in his/her essay.Cancun is one of

the best vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate and proximity to some well-known archeological sites.

This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about Cancun. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why going to Cancun is a good choice for visitors.

Three prongs are the training wheels of essay writing.

Writers are forced into a formula that may be easy to follow for simpler topics but doesn’t allow for more complicated ideas.

Some topics require more than three subtopics, or sometimes less, for support.

NOTE: Sometimes, three prongs just fit nicely into your thesis. What’s important is to focus on your question and answers to that question, and choose a format that fits your ideas. Don’t force yourself into a formula!

Thesis with no subtopics:

The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.

Thesis with subtopics:

The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.Thesis with no subtopics:

Adult illiteracy in the U.S. has many causes, but it can be eliminated.

Thesis with subtopics:

The three causes of adult illiteracy in the U.S. are poverty, poor education, and cultural values.

Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. Birth order has a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character. Birth order can strongly affect one’s relationship and how one views responsibility as an adult.

Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. Birth order has a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character. Birth order can strongly affect one’s relationship with others and how one views responsibility as an adult.

The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

Subtopics in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized

In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse.

Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.

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