Thesis Statement

Topic + Opinion = Thesis

Statement

Thesis Statement You must include a thesis statement in the

introduction of your essay. It is the focus of your essay. It tells the

reader what to expect from the rest of the essay.

is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation. In other words, it tells the reader what you are going to “prove”.

Thesis StatementGood Thesis Statement:

Not So Good Thesis Statement:The capture of

Vimy Ridge by Canadian forces in World War I was the most

significant defining moment

in Canadian history.

I think that maybe Vimy

Ridge was kind of important in

Canadian History.

What makes the “good” thesis statement better than the “not so good” thesis statement?

Examples:

Some “not so good” thesis statements:

My essay is about Vimy Ridge and why it was important.

Some people think Pierre Trudeau was an excellent Prime Minister and some people think he was a terrible Prime Minister. There are good reasons for both sides.Why are these thesis statements “not so good”?

Examples:

Good Thesis Statement:

Pierre Elliott Trudeau is clearly one of the most controversial and memorable Canadian Prime Ministers but, love him or hate him, one cannot deny that his influence on Canadian politics changed the course of our history.

Why is this thesis statement a “good” thesis statement?

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

O Does it clearly explain the focus of the essay?

O Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.

O Is my thesis statement specific enough?