How to Write a Thesis Statement

Alexander College Writing & Learning Centre

What is a thesis statement?

What is a thesis statement?

A condensation of your argument into a single sentence.

The answer to the main question you are addressing.

Thesis statements should:

Be direct (focused): it should tell the readers exactly what your paper

is about in 1 or 2 sentences.

Thesis statements should:

Be direct (focused): it should tell the readers exactly what your paper is about

in 1 or 2 sentences.Be limited in scope: You should be able to make your case within the limits of

your paper.

Thesis statements should:

Be direct (focused): it should tell the readers exactly what your paper is about

in 1 or 2 sentences.Be limited in scope: You should be able to make your case within the limits of

your paper.Be arguable: express a position that

readers may agree or disagree with.

Thesis statements should:

Be direct (focused): it should tell the readers exactly what your paper is about in 1 or 2

sentences.Be limited in scope: You should be able to make your case within the limits of your paper.

Be arguable – express a position that is readers

may agree or disagree with.

Be supportable – there is evidence that

supports your claims

Thesis statements should not:

Be just an observation – “There is a lot of traffic in Vancouver.”

Thesis statements should not:

Be simply an observation – “There is a lot of traffic in Vancouver.”

Be the title – “Vancouver traffic problems.”

Thesis statements should not:

Be simply an observation – “There is a lot of traffic in Vancouver”

Be the title – “Vancouver traffic problems”

Ask a question – “What do you think about Vancouver’s traffic?”

Let’s look at one example, using the topic:

Vancouver traffic.

Vancouver is beautiful, but there are too many cars, and it’s expensive.

Is this a good thesis statement?

Vancouver is beautiful, but there are too many cars, and it’s expensive.

Direct (focused)? Is this paper arguing Vancouver is beautiful, there are too many cars here, or is it a paper about Vancouver’s cost of living?

Limited? What is this paper arguing?Arguable? Does this thesis indicate an essay that

presents a view the readers may agree or disagree with?

Supportable? Parts of this may be supportable, but not until the thesis is narrowed down.

Let’s use the same topic and see if we can come up with a better thesis statement:

The high volume of traffic in Vancouver has a negative impact on air quality in the region, therefore rapid transit service in the region

should be increased in order to reduce traffic volume and improve air quality.

Is this a good thesis statement?

The high volume of traffic in Vancouver has a negative impact on air quality in the region, therefore rapid transit

service in the region should be increased in order to reduce traffic volume and improve air quality.

Is it Direct? Improving air quality is the main focus of this essay.

Limited? This paper is limited to the air quality in the Greater Vancouver region, as it is affected by traffic volume

Arguable? There is a great deal of debate about how to improve air quality in high traffic regions.

Supportable? This thesis argues that improving rapid transit will contribute to improving air quality & there are studies to support this claim.

Now you have some idea of what a thesis statement should look like ...

How do you write a thesis statement for your paper?

Step ONE:Think of a question you want to answer about

your topic

Be specificDon’t ask a question that is too general or

too broadThis will help you narrow the focus of your

thesis statementIt will also help you to write a paper that is

not too general.

Avoid Broad Questions

Should euthanasia be made legal?“Euthanasia” can be a very broad term, so you

would need to define what you mean by euthanasiaUnder what circumstances it should be legal?Who it would be legal for?Where are you talking about? Canada? China?

U.S.A? The Netherlands? Belgium?What is the best argument for/against this?

Step ONE: Sample Questions

o How does the author use foreshadowing in this novel?

(English)

o What affect does a high value Canadian dollar have on

our economy? (Economics)

o What is the chief weakness of Act Utilitarianism as a

normative moral theory? (Philosophy)

Step TWO:Brainstorm some general points that express

possible ways to answer your question

This is where your research can help you

Use reliable sources of information to help you come

up with the best answer to your question.

Note: use English sources from the College’s data

base and libraries.

Step TWO: Sample Answers

How does the author use foreshadowing in this novel? (English)

Foreshadowing creates suspense It keeps readers interested in the storyIt gives readers clues about what might happen

next

Step TWO: Sample AnswersWhat affect does a high value Canadian dollar

have on our economy? (Economics)

Some claim the higher petro-dollar value makes it difficult for Canadian manufacturers to compete in world markets.

Manufacturers responded to economic downturn by reducing

their dependence on exports

They have used the higher dollar to purchase more foreign inputs

for their businesses

Manufacturers have led the recovering since 2008-09

There have been winners and losers

Step TWO: Sample AnswersWhat is the chief weakness of Act Utilitarianism

as a normative moral theory? (Philosophy)

Utilitarianism identifies happiness as the only intrinsic good

Happiness cannot be objectively valued

This makes morality subjective rather than objective

Step THREE: Take the question and your best answer(s) [up to

3 points] and write a combination sentence that

tells the reader what your paper is about.

Step THREE: Note that how you answer your question will also

depend on what type of paper you are writing. If you are writing a position/argument paper, then

your thesis statement will identify what position

you are taking.

If you are analyzing or explaining research, then

your thesis statement will identify the main

conclusion of your analysis or research.

Sample Thesis Statements:o This is a sample of an English essay

assignment that asks for a Critical Analysis of a novel:

o The author uses foreshadowing as an effective tool to keep readers interested by creating suspense that keeps them guessing until the very end of the story.

Sample Thesis Statements:o This thesis statement is for an Expository

essay – an essay that explains something or presents facts to readers:

o While there have been winners and losers in Canada’s economy, manufacturers have led the economic recovery since 2008 by reducing their dependence on exports and taking advantage of Canada’s higher dollar value to purchase more foreign inputs for their businesses.

Sample Thesis Statements:

This thesis statement is for an Argumentative or Position essay

o Act Utilitarianism chief weakness as a

normative moral theory lies in its reliance on

happiness as the only intrinsic good. Since

happiness cannot be objectively evaluated, this

would make act utilitarianism a subjective moral

theory.

Important Things to Remember

1. Think of your thesis statement as the

“Organizing Idea” for your entire essay.

As you are writing, keep checking that your

essay is including information and arguments

that are supporting your thesis.

This will help you keep your essay focussed.

Important Things to Remember

2. Your thesis statement creates “Reader

Expectations”.

If your thesis says that the author uses

foreshadowing to create suspense, then your

readers are going to expect an essay that

demonstrates how the author does that and

why it’s an effective way of writing.

Important Things to Remember

3. Thesis statements are not “cast in

stone”.

If you change your mind about your

position or you discover there isn’t any

reliable research that supports your thesis,

it is okay to change your thesis statement.