what 3 things go in a thesis statement

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How to write a thesis statement + examples

What is a thesis statement?

Is a thesis statement a question, how do you write a good thesis statement, how do i know if my thesis statement is good, examples of thesis statements, helpful resources on how to write a thesis statement, frequently asked questions about writing a thesis statement, related articles.

A thesis statement is the main argument of your paper or thesis.

The thesis statement is one of the most important elements of any piece of academic writing . It is a brief statement of your paper’s main argument. Essentially, you are stating what you will be writing about.

You can see your thesis statement as an answer to a question. While it also contains the question, it should really give an answer to the question with new information and not just restate or reiterate it.

Your thesis statement is part of your introduction. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our introduction guide .

A thesis statement is not a question. A statement must be arguable and provable through evidence and analysis. While your thesis might stem from a research question, it should be in the form of a statement.

Tip: A thesis statement is typically 1-2 sentences. For a longer project like a thesis, the statement may be several sentences or a paragraph.

A good thesis statement needs to do the following:

Condense the main idea of your thesis into one or two sentences.
Answer your project’s main research question.
Clearly state your position in relation to the topic .
Make an argument that requires support or evidence.

Once you have written down a thesis statement, check if it fulfills the following criteria:

Your statement needs to be provable by evidence. As an argument, a thesis statement needs to be debatable.
Your statement needs to be precise. Do not give away too much information in the thesis statement and do not load it with unnecessary information.
Your statement cannot say that one solution is simply right or simply wrong as a matter of fact. You should draw upon verified facts to persuade the reader of your solution, but you cannot just declare something as right or wrong.

As previously mentioned, your thesis statement should answer a question.

If the question is:

What do you think the City of New York should do to reduce traffic congestion?

A good thesis statement restates the question and answers it:

In this paper, I will argue that the City of New York should focus on providing exclusive lanes for public transport and adaptive traffic signals to reduce traffic congestion by the year 2035.

Here is another example. If the question is:

How can we end poverty?

A good thesis statement should give more than one solution to the problem in question:

In this paper, I will argue that introducing universal basic income can help reduce poverty and positively impact the way we work.

The Writing Center of the University of North Carolina has a list of questions to ask to see if your thesis is strong .

A thesis statement is part of the introduction of your paper. It is usually found in the first or second paragraph to let the reader know your research purpose from the beginning.

In general, a thesis statement should have one or two sentences. But the length really depends on the overall length of your project. Take a look at our guide about the length of thesis statements for more insight on this topic.

Here is a list of Thesis Statement Examples that will help you understand better how to write them.

Every good essay should include a thesis statement as part of its introduction, no matter the academic level. Of course, if you are a high school student you are not expected to have the same type of thesis as a PhD student.

Here is a great YouTube tutorial showing How To Write An Essay: Thesis Statements .

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How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

What’s Covered:

What is the purpose of a thesis statement, writing a good thesis statement: 4 steps, common pitfalls to avoid, where to get your essay edited for free.

When you set out to write an essay, there has to be some kind of point to it, right? Otherwise, your essay would just be a big jumble of word salad that makes absolutely no sense. An essay needs a central point that ties into everything else. That main point is called a thesis statement, and it’s the core of any essay or research paper.

You may hear about Master degree candidates writing a thesis, and that is an entire paper–not to be confused with the thesis statement, which is typically one sentence that contains your paper’s focus.

Read on to learn more about thesis statements and how to write them. We’ve also included some solid examples for you to reference.

Typically the last sentence of your introductory paragraph, the thesis statement serves as the roadmap for your essay. When your reader gets to the thesis statement, they should have a clear outline of your main point, as well as the information you’ll be presenting in order to either prove or support your point.

The thesis statement should not be confused for a topic sentence , which is the first sentence of every paragraph in your essay. If you need help writing topic sentences, numerous resources are available. Topic sentences should go along with your thesis statement, though.

Since the thesis statement is the most important sentence of your entire essay or paper, it’s imperative that you get this part right. Otherwise, your paper will not have a good flow and will seem disjointed. That’s why it’s vital not to rush through developing one. It’s a methodical process with steps that you need to follow in order to create the best thesis statement possible.

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

When you’re assigned an essay, there are several different types you may get. Argumentative essays are designed to get the reader to agree with you on a topic. Informative or expository essays present information to the reader. Analytical essays offer up a point and then expand on it by analyzing relevant information. Thesis statements can look and sound different based on the type of paper you’re writing. For example:

Argumentative: The United States needs a viable third political party to decrease bipartisanship, increase options, and help reduce corruption in government.
Informative: The Libertarian party has thrown off elections before by gaining enough support in states to get on the ballot and by taking away crucial votes from candidates.
Analytical: An analysis of past presidential elections shows that while third party votes may have been the minority, they did affect the outcome of the elections in 2020, 2016, and beyond.

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Once you know what type of paper you’re writing, you then need to figure out the point you want to make with your thesis statement, and subsequently, your paper. In other words, you need to decide to answer a question about something, such as:

What impact did reality TV have on American society?
How has the musical Hamilton affected perception of American history?
Why do I want to major in [chosen major here]?

If you have an argumentative essay, then you will be writing about an opinion. To make it easier, you may want to choose an opinion that you feel passionate about so that you’re writing about something that interests you. For example, if you have an interest in preserving the environment, you may want to choose a topic that relates to that.

If you’re writing your college essay and they ask why you want to attend that school, you may want to have a main point and back it up with information, something along the lines of:

“Attending Harvard University would benefit me both academically and professionally, as it would give me a strong knowledge base upon which to build my career, develop my network, and hopefully give me an advantage in my chosen field.”

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Once you have the point you want to make, you need to figure out how you plan to back it up throughout the rest of your essay. Without this information, it will be hard to either prove or argue the main point of your thesis statement. If you decide to write about the Hamilton example, you may decide to address any falsehoods that the writer put into the musical, such as:

“The musical Hamilton, while accurate in many ways, leaves out key parts of American history, presents a nationalist view of founding fathers, and downplays the racism of the times.”

Once you’ve written your initial working thesis statement, you’ll then need to get information to back that up. For example, the musical completely leaves out Benjamin Franklin, portrays the founding fathers in a nationalist way that is too complimentary, and shows Hamilton as a staunch abolitionist despite the fact that his family likely did own slaves.

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and that you feel like you can truly write a paper on the topic. Once you’ve done that, you can then begin writing your paper.

When writing a thesis statement, there are some common pitfalls you should avoid so that your paper can be as solid as possible. Make sure you always edit the thesis statement before you do anything else. You also want to ensure that the thesis statement is clear and concise. Don’t make your reader hunt for your point. Finally, put your thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph and have your introduction flow toward that statement. Your reader will expect to find your statement in its traditional spot.

If you’re having trouble getting started, or need some guidance on your essay, there are tools available that can help you. CollegeVine offers a free peer essay review tool where one of your peers can read through your essay and provide you with valuable feedback. Getting essay feedback from a peer can help you wow your instructor or college admissions officer with an impactful essay that effectively illustrates your point.

Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

Explain the analysis of the college admission process
Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

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How to Write a Thesis Statement–Examples

What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement summarizes the main idea of a paper or an essay. Similar to the statement of the problem in research, it prepares the reader for what is to come and ties together the evidence and examples that are presented and the arguments and claims that are made later.

A good thesis statement can provoke thought, arouse interest, and is always followed up by exactly what it promises—if the focus or direction of your essay changes over time, you should go back to your statement and adapt it as well so that it clearly reflects what you are explaining or discussing.

Where does the thesis statement go in my paper?

Your thesis statement should be placed near the end of your introduction—after you have given the reader some background and before you delve into the specific evidence or arguments that support your statement.

these statement example, books on a shelf

Can you give me a thesis statement template?

Depending on the type of essay you are writing, your thesis statement will look different. The important thing is that your statement is specific and clearly states the main idea you want to get across. In the following, we will discuss different types of statements, show you a simple 4-step process for writing an effective thesis statement, and finish off with some not-so-good and good thesis statement examples.

Types of Thesis Statements

Depending on whether your paper is analytical, expository, or argumentative, your statement has a slightly different purpose.

Analytical thesis statements

An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its components, evaluates the pieces, and presents an evaluation of this breakdown to the reader. Such papers can analyze art, music, literature, current or historical events, political ideas, or scientific research. An analytical thesis statement is therefore often the result of such an analysis of, for example, some literary work (“Heathcliff is meant to be seen as a hero rather than a horrible person”) or a process (“the main challenge recruiters face is the balance between selecting the best candidates and hiring them before they are snatched up by competitors”), or even the latest research (“starving yourself will increase your lifespan, according to science”). In the rest of the paper, you then need to explain how you did the analysis that led you to the stated result and how you arrived at your conclusion, by presenting data and evidence.

Expository thesis statements

An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience, such as a historical development, a current phenomenon, or the effect of political intervention. A typical explanatory thesis statement is therefore often a “topic statement” rather than a claim or actual thesis. An expository essay could, for example, explain “where human rights came from and how they changed the world,” or “how students make career choices.” The rest of the paper then needs to present the reader with all the relevant information on the topic, covering all sides and aspects rather than one specific viewpoint.

Argumentative thesis statements

An argumentative paper makes a clear and potentially very subjective claim and follows up with a justification based on evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the author’s claim is true. A thesis statement for such a paper could be that “every student should be required to take a gap year after high school to gain some life experience”, or that “vaccines should be mandatory”. Argumentative thesis statements can be bold, assertive, and one-sided—you have the rest of the paper to convince the reader that you have good reasons to think that way and that maybe they should think like that, too.

How to Write a Thesis Statement Step-by-Step

If you are not quite sure how you get from a topic to a thesis statement, then follow this simple process—but make sure you know what type of essay you are supposed to write and adapt the steps to the kind of statement you need.

First , you will have to select a topic . This might have been done for you already if you are writing an essay as part of a class. If not, then make sure you don’t start too general—narrow the subject down to a specific aspect that you can cover in an essay.

Second , ask yourself a question about your topic, one that you are personally interested in or one that you think your readers might find relevant or interesting. Here, you have to consider whether you are going to explain something to the reader (expository essay) or if you want to put out your own, potentially controversial, opinion and then argue for it in the rest of your (argumentative) essay.

Third , answer the question you raised for yourself, based on the material you have already sifted through and are planning to present to the reader or the opinion you have already formed on the topic. If your opinion changes while working on your essay, which happens quite often, then make sure you come back to this process and adapt your statement.

Fourth and last, reword the answer to your question into a concise statement . You want the reader to know exactly what is coming, and you also want to make it sound as interesting as possible so that they decide to keep reading.

Let’s look at this example process to give you a better idea of how to get from your topic to your statement. Note that this is the development of a thesis statement for an argumentative essay .

Choose a specific topic: Covid-19 vaccines

Narrow it down to a specific aspect: opposition to Covid-19 vaccines

Ask a question: Should vaccination against Covid-19 be mandatory?
Answer the question for yourself, by sorting through the available evidence/arguments:

Yes: vaccination protects other, more vulnerable people; vaccination reduces the spread of the disease; herd immunity will allow societies to go back to normal…

No: vaccines can have side-effects in some people; the vaccines have been developed too fast and there might be unknown risks; the government should stay out of personal decisions on people’s health…

Form your opinion and reword it into your thesis statement that represents a very short summary of the key points you base your claim on:

While there is some hesitancy around vaccinations against Covid-19, most of the presented arguments revolve around unfounded fears and the individual freedom to make one’s own decisions. Since that freedom is offset by the benefits of mass vaccination, governments should make vaccines mandatory to help societies get back to normal.

This is a good argumentative thesis statement example because it does not just present a fact that everybody knows and agrees on, but a claim that is debatable and needs to be backed up by data and arguments, which you will do in the rest of your essay. You can introduce whatever evidence and arguments you deem necessary in the following—but make sure that all your points lead back to your core claim and support your opinion. This example also answers the question “how long should a thesis statement be?” One or two sentences are generally enough. If your statement is longer, make sure you are not using vague, empty expressions or more words than necessary .

Good and Bad Thesis Statement Examples

Not-so-good thesis statement : Everyone should get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Problem: The statement does not specify why that might be relevant or why people might not want to do it—this is too vague to spark anyone’s interest.

Good : Since the risks of the currently available Covid-19 vaccines are minimal and societal interests outweigh individual freedom, governments should make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory.

Not-so-good thesis statement : Binge drinking is bad for your health.

Problem: This is a very broad statement that everyone can agree on and nobody needs to read an article on. You need to specify why anyone would not think that way.

Good : Binge drinking has become a trend among college students. While some argue that it might be better for your health than regular consumption of low amounts of alcohol, science says otherwise.

Not-so-good thesis statement : Learning an instrument can develop a child’s cognitive abilities.

Problem: This is a very weak statement—”can” develop doesn’t tell us whether that is what happens in every child, what kind of effects of music education on cognition we can expect, and whether that has or should have any practical implications.

Good thesis statement : Music education has many surprising benefits on children’s overall development, including effects on language acquisition, coordination, problem-solving, and even social skills.

You could now present all the evidence on the specific effects of music education on children’s specific abilities in the rest of your (expository) essay. You could also turn this into an argumentative essay, by adding your own opinion to your statement:

Good thesis statement : Considering the many surprising benefits that music education has on children’s overall development, every child should be given the opportunity to learn an instrument as part of their public school education.

Not-so-good thesis statement : Outer space exploration is a waste of money.

Problem: While this is a clear statement of your personal opinion that people could potentially disagree with (which is good for an argumentative thesis statement), it lacks context and does not really tell the reader what to expect from your essay.

Good thesis statement : Instead of wasting money on exploring outer space, people like Elon Musk should use their wealth to solve poverty, hunger, global warming, and other issues we are facing on this earth.

Get Professional Thesis Editing Services

Now that you know how to write the perfect thesis statement for your essay, you might be interested in our Wordvice AI Proofreader . And after drafting your academic papers, be sure to get proofreading that includes manuscript editing , thesis editing , or dissertation editing services before submitting your work to journals for publication.

We have many more articles for you on all aspects of academic writing , tips and tricks on how to avoid common grammar mistakes , and resources on how to strengthen your writing style in general.

While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence)

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.

Arguable thesis with analytical claim

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.

Arguable thesis with normative claim

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.

Questions to ask about your thesis

Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?
Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?
Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?
Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?
Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
picture_as_pdf Thesis

How to Write a Thesis Statement

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What Is a Thesis Statement?

Best way to write a thesis statement, tips for writing a thesis statement, what makes a thesis statement strong, frequently asked questions about writing a thesis statement.

Think about the last time you made an argument in favor of or against something/someone. Think about your stance and how you delivered your message to your audience. Were your points valid? Did they make sense? Did you get your message across concisely and thoroughly? Now, did you realize that your argument ended with a thesis statement? Yep, it's true, and it can be that simple for your academic essays, as well.

Today's topic is all about the thesis statement: the different types of thesis statements, what makes a thesis statement good, what to include in a thesis statement, and how a thesis statement can be used in the future . I'll also give you some tips on how to write a thesis statement, as well as how to prepare a thesis statement, so if you have papers coming due, mid-terms or simply want to know how to write a good thesis statement, look no further. I got you!

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Before we get started, I think it's important to go over what exactly a thesis statement is , so we don't get it confused with anything else.

A thesis statement is a summary of the main point, central idea, or claim of an essay, research paper, or any other piece of academic writing . It usually appears at the end of the introduction and prepares the reader on what to expect in the rest of your paper.

When I was in school, I remember struggling when it came to sorting out my thoughts and putting my ideas, thesis statement and supporting evidence down on paper. If you're someone who deals the same obstacles, one thing that worked for me was thinking of it like a real-life argument. Ask yourself what the main point you're trying to make is and boom. You got yourself a compelling thesis statement.

Types of thesis statements

However, things can get tricky if you don't know what kind of thesis statement you're writing. There are several types of thesis statements that can be used depending on the purpose and structure of your paper. Let's talk about them:

Analytical thesis statement : This type of thesis breaks down an issue or idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
Expository thesis statement : This type of thesis explains something to the audience, presenting information in a clear and concise manner.
Argumentative thesis statement : This type of thesis makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence and reasoning.
Narrative thesis statement : This type of thesis tells a story or recounts an event, providing a narrative structure to the academic work.

So, before you start your paper, I suggest carefully going over your essay guidelines to figure out what kind of thesis statement you're aiming to write . Whether it be for expository and argumentative essays or persuasive essays, if your thesis statement adheres to the rules of the essay, you'll be good to go.

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What to Include in a Thesis Statement

Now, I don't want to give the impression that writing a solid thesis statement is all you need to be compelling in your argument because it's not. There are several components you should include in your thesis statement to really make it stand out to your audience. These components are (but are not limited to):

1. Knowing the main topic/subject of your paper . Clearly state what the paper is about to provide context for the reader.

2. Having a specific claim or argument . Make a clear and concise statement that outlines your main point or position on the topic.

3. Showcasing the scope of your paper : Provide a preview of the main points or arguments that will be discussed in the paper to give the reader an idea of what to expect.

4. The significance of your argument : Explain why your claim is important/relevant to the topic being discussed.

While these are a few key elements you should have in your thesis statement, they're also not the end-all-be-all. You want to make sure that your main point is strong and backed with supporting evidence and clear opinions on the topic at hand, as well.

Like most things, writing a thesis statement takes the right amount of concentration and dedication . This means zero distractions and 100% focus. I know—zero distractions can be difficult, but it’s completely doable! All you need is a fresh piece of paper, a pen, and discipline. Here, let’s go over some of the best ways to write a thesis statement.

First, you’re going to want to get rid of any distractions . Yes, that means your cellphone (don’t hate me!). Along with your cellphone, you want to make sure you remove any other devices like TVs, radios, etc. from your vicinity to remain focused. This can also mean people and places, as well. Make sure you set yourself up in a quiet, no-traffic area to make sure there is nothing and no one around that can deter you from the task at hand.

You also want to make sure you prioritize your time and block out a piece of your day to get this done. By setting aside time for your academic essays, you are setting yourself up for success . And if you don’t have a lot of time to spare, that’s totally okay.

You have to figure out what works best with your schedule, so even if it’s 30 minutes to write down your topic sentence, central ideas, or even a working final thesis statement, that helps! Anything counts. You just want to make sure you don’t waste the time you have.

And don’t neglect yourself from breaks . I know that being in a role can be exhilarating—your brain is working, your thoughts are flowing, and work is getting done, but you don’t want to burn yourself out too fast.

Make sure you take 5-to-10-minute breaks every 30 minutes to an hour to keep your momentum. Just don’t get lost in the break! Train yourself to have enough discipline to give yourself some grace but still be able to pick up right where you left off.

Preparing Your Thesis Statement

There’s something about hearing the words ‘thesis statement’ that immediately overwhelms you, but it doesn’t have to. If you have a plan, coming up with a solid thesis statement can be as easy as 1, 2, 3 . That’s why preparing your thesis statement can help you effectively convey the main point or argument of your work. Here are some steps to help you prepare a strong thesis statement:

Understand the assignment : It sounds silly to say, but you want to make sure you fully understand the requirements and expectations of your assignment before working your thesis statement. If you need to, ask questions to clarify any confusion you may have.
Choose a topic : Writing can be boring for some, so you want to choose a topic that interests you and is relevant to the assignment. Consider the scope of the topic and how you can narrow it down to your specific focus of interest.
Conduct research : It’s important to gather any relevant information and evidence there is to support your thesis statement, even if you aren’t working on a research paper. It can be tedious, but trust me, it will help you develop a strong argument.
Brainstorm ideas : Take the time to brainstorm different angles or perspectives on your topic. I’m a huge believer in details, so think of any background context or supporting evidence for your topic. Consider different approaches to your argument that you can use in your thesis statement, as well.
Draft your thesis statement : Based on your research and brainstorming, draft a preliminary thesis statement that clearly states the main point or argument of your paper.
Revise and refine : Review your thesis statement and revise it as many times as necessary. Step away from your work and revisit it if you need to. This will help you make sure it is specific, arguable, clear, and focused.
Seek feedback : Consider sharing your thesis statement with peers, instructors, or writing tutors to get feedback and suggestions for improvement. Constructive feedback always helps

I know these are just tips I like to follow, but they are meant to set you up for success, as well. By taking them into consideration, you can effectively prepare a strong and well-crafted thesis statement for your academic work.

While there is no one way of knowing how to write a thesis statement, there are some rules you can follow to make it easier on yourself. To write a good, working thesis statement, follow these steps :

Identify the topic : First thing, determine the topic/subject of your paper. (I found this is best done in the form of an outline)
Narrow down the focus : Narrow down your topic to a specific aspect or angle that you want to explore in your paper.
Make a claim : Form a clear and concise statement that presents your main argument or position on the topic.
Provide reasons : Include reasons or evidence that support your claim and give context to your argument.
Revise and refine : Again, edit, edit, edit. Review your thesis statement multiple times if necessary to ensure it is clear and focused. Revise as needed to strengthen your statement and deepen your argument.
Place the thesis statement : Typically, the thesis statement is placed at the end of the introduction paragraph to guide the reader on what to expect in the rest of the paper.

I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I can assure you that these are the key elements you need for a strong thesis . Follow me, and I’ll lead you to more academic success.

Everyone has their own way of doing things, especially when it comes to learning, and if I want anything, it's to help set you up with the clearest, most organized way to write a thesis statement. Here are some tips I like to follow when writing a thesis statement . I hope they work for you, too.

Be specific : Your thesis statement should clearly state the main point or argument of your paper in a concise and specific manner.
Create an Outline :
Have an argument : Your thesis statement should present a claim that can be debated or challenged by others. Avoid stating facts or obvious statements.
Be clear : Your thesis statement should provide a clear direction for the reader and what they should expect to be in the rest of the paper.
Stay focused : Your thesis statement should address a single main idea or topic. Avoid including multiple ideas in one thesis statement.

Feel free to add or put your own twist on tips for thesis statements . It's important that you create or find your own way of doing these things so they can help you in the future.

A strong thesis statement possesses many factors. It isn't summed up in a single sentence or general statement. The tone you set in your first paragraph is the tone for the entirety of your paper. For instance, specificity. Being clear and precise makes the main point or argument of the paper that much more impactful . It also provides clarity on the subject, which makes it easy to understand and provides a clear direction for the reader.

Your argument is also key . It presents a straightforward claim that can be debated or challenged by others. A good argument can help compare and contrast ideas and which only strengthens your thesis. Your argument should also be relevant and directly relate to the topic of the paper and guide the reader on what to expect, as well as focused and supported by evidence, reasoning, or analysis throughout the paper.

But most importantly, your thesis should be original . Having a unique main idea presents interesting, out-of-the-box perspectives on the topic, which can leave a lasting impression as an academic. This will keep your reader engaged and interested in your work.

Using Thesis Statements in the Future

There is no way of telling when you'll be using thesis statements in your future, especially once you graduate from school, but I promise you you will, without realizing it, for instance, in a regular discussion with a friend, family member, colleague, or peer.

We don't notice how the conversations and discussions we have with others are just essays in verbal form . They, too, include main ideas, specific details, and an argument, all leading up to a thesis statement.

Aside from essays, thesis statements can be found in presentations and reports in professional settings, as well. When giving presentations or reviewing reports, a thesis statement will help structure your content and communicate your main message effectively to your audience. It will articulate the main findings or recommendations of your work.

Example Thesis Statements

It's only fair that I leave examples of thesis statements for you to review and gain ideas from. They can also be used as blueprints for any future essays you have.

Example 1: "Studying abroad is one of the most valuable experiences one can have in college. It is the only way to get completely immersed in another language and learn how other cultures and countries are different from your own."

Example 2 : "Learning how to manage money at a young age can not only set you up for financial success, it can also help you build a life of financial freedom for your future."

Example 3 : "The quality of TV series today has grown so much over the last few years and sometimes matches the one of a full-length film, even though the two forms have some dramatic differences."

Be sure to do more research on thesis statement examples in order to sharpen your skills , as well as thought processes for upcoming essays or presentations you may have in the future. You have all the tools for success. Now it's time to put them to use!

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What makes a thesis statement good?

A good thesis statement is made up of different elements, like identifying a topic, making an argument, and supporting your claims with specific examples and evidence. Make sure you don't derail from your topic, and remember to stay focused on the argument at hand.

What is something to keep in mind when writing a thesis statement?

When writing a thesis statement, keep in mind that you will need 100% of your focus in order to form a solid thesis statement. Disconnect yourself from social media, electronics, and any other devices you may have that keep you distracted. Find yourself a quiet place you can work from and watch how the ideas pour out of you like water!

When will you use thesis statements?

You may stop writing essays once you graduate from college, but that doesn't mean forming a quality thesis statement is going to leave you. Though I can't say when and where, I can guarantee you will use thesis statements in your everyday life, like when you are having a discussion with others, presenting a professional report at work, or simply engaging in debates with others. The writing stops, but knowing how to make a good argument stays with you for life.

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Tips for writing an effective thesis statement.

This handout is available for download in DOCX format and PDF format .

Thesis statements are essentially the driving force and backbone of an academic essay. Without a thesis statement, your essay will lack a cohesive argument and will read more like a list of statistics, quotations or connecting ideas. Before completing your thesis statement, ask yourself:

Is your essay’s major claim complex? Is it insightful? Is it surprising or unexpected?
Does your thesis respond to a question, tension or problem?
Is your thesis stated clearly at the outset and does it evolve and develop throughout the paper?
Does your thesis statement have a clear motive?

Effective thesis statements directly and boldly articulate a complex, arguable or surprising argument (or arguments) of your own which will need to develop throughout the essay. They should be intelligent, well thought-out responses to a question or problem your essay will address.

Weak Thesis Statements Often:

Make no claim.

Example: This paper will examine the similarities and differences between two articles.
Possible Solution: Put the articles in conversation with one another and raise specific issues they agree or disagree about.

Are Obviously True or Statements of Fact

Example: Tourists are often out of place in other cultures.
Possible Solution: Make an assertion your reader can argue with.

Restate Conventional Wisdom or Clichés

Example: We shouldn’t judge others because it’s the inside that counts.
Possible Solution: Seek to complicate your thesis by anticipating counterarguments; try offering something new to the cliché.

Offer Personal Conviction as the Basis for the Argument

Example: Clearly, Kincaid is being one-sided.
Possible Solution: Maintain some distance from your subject. Do not merely assume your idea is an objective or obvious truth.

Make Overly Broad Claims

Example: Limerick shows her knowledge about the West.
Possible Solution: Convert broad, generic categories into more specific, complex assertions. Find ways to bring out the complexity of your argument.

Points to Remember:

The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
A thesis is not the answer to a math problem; it is not supposed to be “correct.” Your thesis should be designed to persuade the reader that your point of view is valid and worthy of consideration.
Make sure your thesis is your own argument and not simply the argument that you think your instructor or one of your sources would approve of.
A thesis statement will never be perfect, because it is an attempt to encapsulate everything that will happen in your argument. Since it takes a whole paper to do that, your thesis will always lack something. Accept this and make it the best it can be regardless!

Credit: “Thesis Statements,” The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 25 October 2017, http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements ; “Developing Strong Thesis Statements,” Purdue Online Writing Lab. 25 October 2017, https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/01/ .

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Topic Sentences

Thesis Statements

A thesis statement is a sentence (sometimes more than one sentence) in the introduction that tells the reader the following information:

What the topic of the paper is
How the writer intends to discuss that topic
It gives a blueprint for how the essay will be structured
How the writer intends to prove or demonstrate his or her main points.

Think of your paper as a human body, and your thesis statement as the spinal cord. Without it, there is no structure.

For you as the writer, the thesis statement:

Develops through the interrelationship of thinking, reading, and writing;

Limits your research by providing you with one controlling main idea that intrigues you;

Narrows your writing to one specific claim that you can develop or prove;

Organizes your ideas so you know the important points you want to make in your paper; and

Clarifies your writing by keeping you on target to fulfill your proposed purpose.

For your readers, the thesis statement:

Identifies the main point and sub-points of your essay clearly and quickly;

Functions as a road map so your readers can easily follow your ideas; and

Gives satisfaction at the conclusion of the paper when your readers discover you have fulfilled your promise by proving or developing your main point.

Characteristics of Effective Thesis Statements

An effective thesis statement must be factual and narrow.

An effective thesis statement prepares readers for facts and details, but it cannot itself be a fact. It must always be an inference that demands proof or further development. These proofs come from the literature.

UNT Dallas campus has two buildings.

Not factual enough: The UNT Dallas campus is the perfect size.

Just Right: While some might see small universities as a disadvantage, the small campus of UNT Dallas holds many advantages for students, including a close-knit campus community, smaller class sizes, and better support from professors.

2. Narrow Topic

A good thesis should be narrow, and not too broad or too vague. If the topic is too broad, you won’t be able to cover the entire topic in your paper. If it’s too narrow, you might not be able to find research, and your paper probably won’t be long enough.

Too Broad: College students have a lot of responsibilities.

Too Narrow: Student workers in the Learning Commons at UNT Dallas have many responsibilities in their course work and tutoring.

Just Right: College students who are financially independent have many responsibilities as they must maintain good grades, pay living expenses, and balance work and school.

Remember, a thesis statement is not:

Instead , you should argue, based on facts and literature, why or why not NASA should receive more funding.
Ask yourself--can I find anything in literature to prove this point, or is this MY opinion?
Instead, you should argue why or why not people like chocolate OR why or why not chocolate is healthy for you based on facts and literature findings.
Similar to the subjective opinion, ask yourself is this statement is based on facts and literature findings or if this is YOUR opinion. Although it is ok to have your own opinion, professors usually do not like to read articles about beliefs (students have been writing about these for years and years).
Instead, you could discuss theories about politics or religions and use literature to prove or disprove those theories.
This is too factual (the Himalayas WERE formed from a collision of tectonic plates), and there is nothing to discuss because this IS a fact in itself.
Instead, you could compare and contrast the tectonic plate formation of different mountains.

Examples of Thesis Statements

A thesis statement f or a 5 paragraph essay conta ins three parts:.

1. A Topic: the main idea of the essay

2. The Controlling Idea: what you want to say about the topic

3. The subtopics: usually 3 examples/reasons you will discuss in your paper

Here is an example of a thesis statement.

Ex: Regularly visiting the Writing Center at UNT Dallas will help you become the best writer on the planet because it offers superhero tutors, current technology, and fantastic handouts.

The main topic explores the idea that regularly vsiting the writing center will help you become the best writer on the planet, and the subtopics further expand this opinion with three distinct examples: 1) tutors, 2) technology, and 3) the handouts.

Outline Example

The paper should be organized around the subtopics. For example, for the thesis written above, the writer would write one body paragraph about the tutors, one about technology, and one about the handouts.

Here is a sample essay outline based on this thesis:

Introduce the topic of tutoring
Thesis (last sentence of intro): Regularly visiting the Writing Center at UNT Dallas will help you become the best writer on the planet because it offers superhero tutors, current technology, and fantastic handouts.
topic sentence
Restate thesis
Concluding remarks

For further assistance with the structure, see our handouts on Introductions and Conclusions and Topic Sentences.

A thesis statement for a LONG ESSAY contains two parts: A Topic: the main idea of the essay The Controlling Idea: what you want to say about the topic

Throughout the paper, your thesis promises your readers that you will prove specific facts or develop certain ideas ; therefore, every paragraph, sentence, and word in your paper must relate to this controlling idea.

Here are some examples of thesis statements.

Baseball, once a national pastime and even an addiction, has lost its popularity because of the new interest in more violent sports.
Since the space program has yet to provide the American people with any substantial, practical returns, it is a waste of money and should be dissolved.
To stop the alarming rise in the number of violent crimes committed every year, our courts must hand out tougher sentences.
Detective stories appeal to the basic human desire for thrills.
Hemingway's war stories helped to create a new prose style.
Bronte utilizes light and fire to symbolize the emotional expressions of the characters.

Here is a suggested outline for a long essay and how that would look in terms of your thesis statement, topic, and controlling ideas:

Introduce the novel Jane Eyre and the topic of symbolism
Thesis (last sentence of intro): Bronte utilizes light and fire to symbolize the emotional expressions of the characters.
textual examples and elaboration

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25 Thesis Statement Examples That Will Make Writing a Breeze

Understanding what makes a good thesis statement is one of the major keys to writing a great research paper or argumentative essay. The thesis statement is where you make a claim that will guide you through your entire paper. If you find yourself struggling to make sense of your paper or your topic, then it's likely due to a weak thesis statement.

Let's take a minute to first understand what makes a solid thesis statement, and what key components you need to write one of your own.

A thesis statement always goes at the beginning of the paper. It will typically be in the first couple of paragraphs of the paper so that it can introduce the body paragraphs, which are the supporting evidence for your thesis statement.

Your thesis statement should clearly identify an argument. You need to have a statement that is not only easy to understand, but one that is debatable. What that means is that you can't just put any statement of fact and have it be your thesis. For example, everyone knows that puppies are cute . An ineffective thesis statement would be, "Puppies are adorable and everyone knows it." This isn't really something that's a debatable topic.

Something that would be more debatable would be, "A puppy's cuteness is derived from its floppy ears, small body, and playfulness." These are three things that can be debated on. Some people might think that the cutest thing about puppies is the fact that they follow you around or that they're really soft and fuzzy.

All cuteness aside, you want to make sure that your thesis statement is not only debatable, but that it also actually thoroughly answers the research question that was posed. You always want to make sure that your evidence is supporting a claim that you made (and not the other way around). This is why it's crucial to read and research about a topic first and come to a conclusion later. If you try to get your research to fit your thesis statement, then it may not work out as neatly as you think. As you learn more, you discover more (and the outcome may not be what you originally thought).

Additionally, your thesis statement shouldn't be too big or too grand. It'll be hard to cover everything in a thesis statement like, "The federal government should act now on climate change." The topic is just too large to actually say something new and meaningful. Instead, a more effective thesis statement might be, "Local governments can combat climate change by providing citizens with larger recycling bins and offering local classes about composting and conservation." This is easier to work with because it's a smaller idea, but you can also discuss the overall topic that you might be interested in, which is climate change.

So, now that we know what makes a good, solid thesis statement, you can start to write your own. If you find that you're getting stuck or you are the type of person who needs to look at examples before you start something, then check out our list of thesis statement examples below.

Thesis statement examples

A quick note that these thesis statements have not been fully researched. These are merely examples to show you what a thesis statement might look like and how you can implement your own ideas into one that you think of independently. As such, you should not use these thesis statements for your own research paper purposes. They are meant to be used as examples only.

Vaccinations Because many children are unable to vaccinate due to illness, we must require that all healthy and able children be vaccinated in order to have herd immunity.
Educational Resources for Low-Income Students Schools should provide educational resources for low-income students during the summers so that they don't forget what they've learned throughout the school year.
School Uniforms School uniforms may be an upfront cost for families, but they eradicate the visual differences in income between students and provide a more egalitarian atmosphere at school.
Populism The rise in populism on the 2016 political stage was in reaction to increasing globalization, the decline of manufacturing jobs, and the Syrian refugee crisis.
Public Libraries Libraries are essential resources for communities and should be funded more heavily by local municipalities.
Cyber Bullying With more and more teens using smartphones and social media, cyber bullying is on the rise. Cyber bullying puts a lot of stress on many teens, and can cause depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Parents should limit the usage of smart phones, monitor their children's online activity, and report any cyber bullying to school officials in order to combat this problem.
Medical Marijuana for Veterans Studies have shown that the use of medicinal marijuana has been helpful to veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Medicinal marijuana prescriptions should be legal in all states and provided to these veterans. Additional medical or therapy services should also be researched and implemented in order to help them re-integrate back into civilian life.
Work-Life Balance Corporations should provide more work from home opportunities and six-hour workdays so that office workers have a better work-life balance and are more likely to be productive when they are in the office.
Teaching Youths about Consensual Sex Although sex education that includes a discussion of consensual sex would likely lead to less sexual assault, parents need to teach their children the meaning of consent from a young age with age appropriate lessons.
Whether or Not to Attend University A degree from a university provides invaluable lessons on life and a future career, but not every high school student should be encouraged to attend a university directly after graduation. Some students may benefit from a trade school or a "gap year" where they can think more intensely about what it is they want to do for a career and how they can accomplish this.
Studying Abroad Studying abroad is one of the most culturally valuable experiences you can have in college. It is the only way to get completely immersed in another language and learn how other cultures and countries are different from your own.
Women's Body Image Magazines have done a lot in the last five years to include a more diverse group of models, but there is still a long way to go to promote a healthy woman's body image collectively as a culture.
Cigarette Tax Heavily taxing and increasing the price of cigarettes is essentially a tax on the poorest Americans, and it doesn't deter them from purchasing. Instead, the state and federal governments should target those economically disenfranchised with early education about the dangers of smoking.
Veganism A vegan diet, while a healthy and ethical way to consume food, indicates a position of privilege. It also limits you to other cultural food experiences if you travel around the world.
University Athletes Should be Compensated University athletes should be compensated for their service to the university, as it is difficult for these students to procure and hold a job with busy academic and athletic schedules. Many student athletes on scholarship also come from low-income neighborhoods and it is a struggle to make ends meet when they are participating in athletics.
Women in the Workforce Sheryl Sandberg makes a lot of interesting points in her best-selling book, Lean In , but she only addressed the very privileged working woman and failed to speak to those in lower-skilled, lower-wage jobs.
Assisted Suicide Assisted suicide should be legal and doctors should have the ability to make sure their patients have the end-of-life care that they want to receive.
Celebrity and Political Activism Although Taylor Swift's lyrics are indicative of a feminist perspective, she should be more politically active and vocal to use her position of power for the betterment of society.
The Civil War The insistence from many Southerners that the South seceded from the Union for states' rights versus the fact that they seceded for the purposes of continuing slavery is a harmful myth that still affects race relations today.
Blue Collar Workers Coal miners and other blue-collar workers whose jobs are slowly disappearing from the workforce should be re-trained in jobs in the technology sector or in renewable energy. A program to re-train these workers would not only improve local economies where jobs have been displaced, but would also lead to lower unemployment nationally.
Diversity in the Workforce Having a diverse group of people in an office setting leads to richer ideas, more cooperation, and more empathy between people with different skin colors or backgrounds.
Re-Imagining the Nuclear Family The nuclear family was traditionally defined as one mother, one father, and 2.5 children. This outdated depiction of family life doesn't quite fit with modern society. The definition of normal family life shouldn't be limited to two-parent households.
Digital Literacy Skills With more information readily available than ever before, it's crucial that students are prepared to examine the material they're reading and determine whether or not it's a good source or if it has misleading information. Teaching students digital literacy and helping them to understand the difference between opinion or propaganda from legitimate, real information is integral.
Beauty Pageants Beauty pageants are presented with the angle that they empower women. However, putting women in a swimsuit on a stage while simultaneously judging them on how well they answer an impossible question in a short period of time is cruel and purely for the amusement of men. Therefore, we should stop televising beauty pageants.
Supporting More Women to Run for a Political Position In order to get more women into political positions, more women must run for office. There must be a grassroots effort to educate women on how to run for office, who among them should run, and support for a future candidate for getting started on a political career.

Still stuck? Need some help with your thesis statement?

If you are still uncertain about how to write a thesis statement or what a good thesis statement is, be sure to consult with your teacher or professor to make sure you're on the right track. It's always a good idea to check in and make sure that your thesis statement is making a solid argument and that it can be supported by your research.

After you're done writing, it's important to have someone take a second look at your paper so that you can ensure there are no mistakes or errors. It's difficult to spot your own mistakes, which is why it's always recommended to have someone help you with the revision process, whether that's a teacher, the writing center at school, or a professional editor such as one from ServiceScape .

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Writing Effective Thesis Statements

What is a thesis, what is a thesis statement.

Writing the Thesis Statement
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Grammarly will then check your work for a specific set of issues common to a certain type of assignment. You can also check your thesis statement for common issues without uploading a full essay.

You can connect to Grammarly through our tutorial:

Grammarly Tutorial Library tutorial for using Grammarly, a writing and citation aide.

A thesis is a type of paper written at the end of an academic program . This is not the same as a " thesis statement ."

View our Theses Services guide if you're looking for additional information to complete the thesis requirement at the end of your program.

A thesis statement is a short statement, usually one sentence in length, that is present at the end of your introduction paragraph.

A thesis statement summarizes the main point of the essay and makes an argument about the topic, its importance, or its plausibility.

A thesis statement is...

... in the body of the essay through the use of examples and evidence.

What is a thesis statement? I need some examples, too.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement clearly identifies the topic being discussed, includes the points discussed in the paper, and is written for a specific audience. Your thesis statement belongs at the end of your first paragraph, also known as your introduction. Use it to generate interest in your topic and encourage your audience to continue reading.

You can read chapter four of Schaum's Quick Guide to Writing Great Research Papers an eBook in our online collection, click the title to open: "How Do I Write a Thesis Statement?" .

Another option is to think of a thesis statement as one complete sentence that expresses your position .

Narrows the topic down to a specific focus of an investigation.
Establishes a direction for the entire paper.
Points forward to the conclusion.
Always stated in your introduction. (Usually at the end of the first paragraph).
Always take a stand and justify further discussion.

A thesis statement is not a statement of fact.

Your readers—especially your instructors—want to read writing that engages them. Consequently, you must write thesis statements that are arguable, not factual. Statements of fact seem easy to write about because, well, they are easy to prove. After all, they’re facts. The problem is that you cannot write engaging papers around statements of fact. Such theses prevent you from demonstrating critical thinking and analytical skills, which you want to show your instructor. If you were to write a paper around the next two statements, your writing would probably be quite dull because you would be restating facts that the general public already knows.

Thesis Statements always take a stand and justify further discussion.

In order to make your writing interesting, you should develop a thesis statement that is arguable. Sometimes you will be writing to persuade others to see things your way and other times you will simply be giving your strong opinion and laying out your case for it.

Take a look at the following examples:

Statement of fact:

Small cars get better fuel mileage than 4x4 pickup trucks.

Arguable thesis statement:

The government should ban 4x4 pickup trucks except for work-related use.

Foul language is common in movies.

The amount of foul language in movies is disproportionate to the amount of foul language in real life.

State ment of fact:

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease.

Arguable thesis statement/opening paragraph:

Researchers think the incidence of celiac disease is increasing in the USA not only because of an increase in the ability and awareness to diagnose it, but also because of changes in the agricultural system. In particular, they are looking at the increased use of pesticides, insecticides, and genetically modified wheat as culprits. Some of these theories are more likely to be valid than others.

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this is really helpful by rita on Nov 14, 2021
Yes, thank you. This is really helpful. It's been YEARS since I have encountered the term "thesis statement", and I needed a refresher on what it was before beginning my final presentation for a college course. This page answered all of my questions! by Brigitte on Dec 06, 2021
Thank You. This helped by Deborah Smith on Mar 23, 2022
Great explanation. This will definitely help my writing, by Jack on Dec 15, 2022
This a very helpful website for me. Thank you by Catie on Jan 09, 2023
This is very helpful. Thank you by George Wilson on Jan 31, 2024

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Writing Tips

What Should a Thesis Include? (A Handy Thesis Checklist)

3-minute read

2nd September 2020

What to put in a thesis or dissertation depends on the subject. After all, there’s a big difference between analyzing seventeenth-century literature and conducting a scientific experiment!

However, there are some common features shared by most theses. Use this thesis checklist to make sure you have all the bases covered in your work .

The Basics of a Thesis

No matter what you’re studying, your thesis should include:

Cover page – A page with key information about your thesis (e.g., title, your name, the date of submission). Your university might have a template cover page, so make sure to check.
Abstract – A brief summary of your main arguments. This can include predictions, methods, results and recommendations, but focus on key details. Ideally, it will be no more than 500 words.
List of contents – A contents page. You may also want to include lists of images, tables or equations used in your work. Microsoft Word makes it simple to add lists based on heading and caption text .
Introduction – A short section outlining the background, aims and objectives of your research. If you’re conducting an experiment, the hypotheses should go here as well.
Main text – This will usually be spread out over several sections or chapters, covering the complete details of your research. What this involves will depend on your project, but there is a standard structure for experimental work (see below for more information).
Conclusion and recommendations – The conclusion is where you summarize your findings and explain how they are related to your predictions. You may also need to make recommendations for further research or applications of your results.
References – A complete list of all sources cited in your work.

If you’re missing any of these when you come to hand your work in, make sure to ask your supervisor in case you’ve overlooked something.

Experimental Work

If you’re reporting on an experiment, your thesis should also include:

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Literature review – All theses should engage with past research, but experimental studies usually include a section dedicated to setting out studies and theories you’ve drawn upon.
Methodology – Whether you’ve conducted a sociological survey or a medical laboratory test, you need to explain your methods. This includes both the techniques used and your reasons for picking them.
Results, Discussion and Analysis – For any experimental study, you must report your results. You should also discuss and analyze their significance. Depending on your university, the results, discussion and analysis may be presented in separate sections, so check your style guide if you have one.
Appendices – You don’t have to use an appendix (or appendices). But most studies will have extra information (e.g., complete test results, questionnaire transcripts) that doesn’t fit in the main body of your thesis. Adding this to appendices at the end of your document is a good idea.

Of course, every thesis is a little bit different, but as long as you include most of the above somewhere in your work, you’re on the right track!

Expert Thesis Proofreading

One last thing! Before submitting your thesis, you’ll want to have it proofread. This will ensure your writing is all easy to read and typo free, helping you win valuable extra marks for your research.

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How to write a PhD thesis: a step-by-step guide

A draft isn’t a perfect, finished product; it is your opportunity to start getting words down on paper, writes Kelly Louise Preece

Kelly Louise Preece

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Formative, summative or diagnostic assessment a guide, emotions and learning: what role do emotions play in how and why students learn, how to assess and enhance students’ ai literacy, how hard can it be testing ai detection tools.

Congratulations; you’ve finished your research! Time to write your PhD thesis. This resource will take you through an eight-step plan for drafting your chapters and your thesis as a whole.

Infographic with steps on how to draft your PhD thesis

Organise your material

Before you start, it’s important to get organised. Take a step back and look at the data you have, then reorganise your research. Which parts of it are central to your thesis and which bits need putting to one side? Label and organise everything using logical folders – make it easy for yourself! Academic and blogger Pat Thomson calls this “Clean up to get clearer” . Thomson suggests these questions to ask yourself before you start writing:

What data do you have? You might find it useful to write out a list of types of data (your supervisor will find this list useful too.) This list is also an audit document that can go in your thesis. Do you have any for the “cutting room floor”? Take a deep breath and put it in a separate non-thesis file. You can easily retrieve it if it turns out you need it.
What do you have already written? What chunks of material have you written so far that could form the basis of pieces of the thesis text? They will most likely need to be revised but they are useful starting points. Do you have any holding text? That is material you already know has to be rewritten but contains information that will be the basis of a new piece of text.
What have you read and what do you still need to read? Are there new texts that you need to consult now after your analysis? What readings can you now put to one side, knowing that they aren’t useful for this thesis – although they might be useful at another time?
What goes with what? Can you create chunks or themes of materials that are going to form the basis of some chunks of your text, perhaps even chapters?

Once you have assessed and sorted what you have collected and generated you will be in much better shape to approach the big task of composing the dissertation.

Decide on a key message

A key message is a summary of new information communicated in your thesis. You should have started to map this out already in the section on argument and contribution – an overarching argument with building blocks that you will flesh out in individual chapters.

You have already mapped your argument visually, now you need to begin writing it in prose. Following another of Pat Thomson’s exercises, write a “tiny text” thesis abstract. This doesn’t have to be elegant, or indeed the finished product, but it will help you articulate the argument you want your thesis to make. You create a tiny text using a five-paragraph structure:

The first sentence addresses the broad context. This locates the study in a policy, practice or research field.
The second sentence establishes a problem related to the broad context you have set out. It often starts with “But”, “Yet” or “However”.
The third sentence says what specific research has been done. This often starts with “This research” or “I report…”
The fourth sentence reports the results. Don’t try to be too tricky here, just start with something like: “This study shows,” or “Analysis of the data suggests that…”
The fifth and final sentence addresses the “So What?” question and makes clear the claim to contribution.

Here’s an example that Thomson provides:

Secondary school arts are in trouble, as the fall in enrolments in arts subjects dramatically attests. However, there is patchy evidence about the benefits of studying arts subjects at school and this makes it hard to argue why the drop in arts enrolments matters. This thesis reports on research which attempts to provide some answers to this problem – a longitudinal study which followed two groups of senior secondary students, one group enrolled in arts subjects and the other not, for three years. The results of the study demonstrate the benefits of young people’s engagement in arts activities, both in and out of school, as well as the connections between the two. The study not only adds to what is known about the benefits of both formal and informal arts education but also provides robust evidence for policymakers and practitioners arguing for the benefits of the arts. You can find out more about tiny texts and thesis abstracts on Thomson’s blog.

Writing tips for higher education professionals
Resource collection on academic writing
What is your academic writing temperament?

Write a plan

You might not be a planner when it comes to writing. You might prefer to sit, type and think through ideas as you go. That’s OK. Everybody works differently. But one of the benefits of planning your writing is that your plan can help you when you get stuck. It can help with writer’s block (more on this shortly!) but also maintain clarity of intention and purpose in your writing.

You can do this by creating a thesis skeleton or storyboard , planning the order of your chapters, thinking of potential titles (which may change at a later stage), noting down what each chapter/section will cover and considering how many words you will dedicate to each chapter (make sure the total doesn’t exceed the maximum word limit allowed).

Use your plan to help prompt your writing when you get stuck and to develop clarity in your writing.

Some starting points include:

This chapter will argue that…
This section illustrates that…
This paragraph provides evidence that…

Of course, we wish it werethat easy. But you need to approach your first draft as exactly that: a draft. It isn’t a perfect, finished product; it is your opportunity to start getting words down on paper. Start with whichever chapter you feel you want to write first; you don’t necessarily have to write the introduction first. Depending on your research, you may find it easier to begin with your empirical/data chapters.

Vitae advocates for the “three draft approach” to help with this and to stop you from focusing on finding exactly the right word or transition as part of your first draft.

This resource originally appeared on Researcher Development .

Kelly Louse Preece is head of educator development at the University of Exeter.

If you would like advice and insight from academics and university staff delivered direct to your inbox each week, sign up for the Campus newsletter .

How to develop a researcher mindset as a PhD student

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Trump is a convicted felon. Here's what it means for the former president.

This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here .

Happy Friday! Ancient Egyptians still left us a few secrets as archaeologists may have just found a hidden chamber at the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza .

In today's big story, we're looking at the historic guilty verdict against former President Donald Trump .

What's on deck:

Markets: Take a trip down memory lane as top investors relive the best trades of their careers .
Tech: A leaked trove of Google Search documents has a corner of the internet up in arms .
Business: It lives! The housing market is showing signs of life .

But first, the verdict is in.

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The big story

A presidential verdict.

Guilty on all counts.

In a historic verdict, former President Donald Trump was convicted of all 34 criminal counts related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star , write Business Insider's Laura Italiano, Jacob Shamsian, and Natalie Musumeci.

It's the first time a US president has become a convicted felon. According to a veteran court sketch artist who captured the moment for history, Trump looked "demolished" by the verdict.

It took the jury less than 10 hours over two days to reach a verdict on the case, which focused on a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels made 11 days before the 2016 election.

A key piece of deliberations could have been the judge's "rain metaphor" instructions. On Thursday, jurors asked to rehear the concept — you can infer it's raining by seeing a wet umbrella even if you don't see actual rain — suggesting they were weighing Trump's intent .

Trump's sentencing is scheduled for July 11, where he could face up to four years in prison, but don't expect things to move quickly.

A legal expert told BI's Lloyd Lee that Trump likely won't face any consequences before the election due to what's sure to be a lengthy appeals process . (There's also a slim chance Trump will see the inside of a jail cell for these charges anyway.)

In the meantime, the 77-year-old, who is the likely Republican presidential nominee, didn't mince words after the verdict was announced .

"This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge that was corrupt," Trump told reporters in the Manhattan courtroom hallway.

"I'm a very innocent man," he added.

Trump also didn't waste time leveraging his conviction into a fundraising opportunity . A graphic on his campaign's website labeled him "a political prisoner."

So what does this conviction really mean for Trump?

He can still run for president as a convicted felon. In fact, two previous candidates did it behind bars , although, unlike Trump, they were long shots.

And the conviction won't even stop him from voting — as long as he's not in jail on Election Day — according to an attorney who spoke with NBC News .

You could even argue feelings about Trump, for better or worse, will remain unchanged despite the guilty verdict. If anything, it might cause supporters and detractors to dig their heels in deeper.

(Either way, I'm curious if you feel differently about Trump. Vote here .)

In reality, Trump's fate still comes down to November's election. Trump told reporters Thursday the "real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people."

At least one person agrees: President Joe Biden .

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Elliott Management just raised a ton of cash. Here's what it's gonna do with it. Paul Singer's vaunted hedge fund raised $8.5 billion, according to a letter to investors seen by BI . The $66 billion firm is preparing for a potential market downturn where distressed opportunities, its specialty, will arise.
Tech-savvy hedge funds are hiring top AI talent. BI collected salary data from eight hedge funds and prop-trading firms for AI roles. Check out who's paying the most at firms like Bridgewater, Two Sigma, Jane Street, and more.

3 things in tech

The SEO industry isn't happy with Google these days. A trove of 2,500 documents containing highly coveted secrets about how Google ranks its search results pages was circulated this week. SEO experts said the documents showed Google hasn't always been honest when answering questions about how it ranks websites .
In more Google news, the company is scaling back its AI search plans. The tech giant's head of search Liz Reid confirmed in a blog post on Thursday that Google would roll back the use of AI-generated answers after the feature made several errors, including telling users to put glue in their pizza sauce .
Microsoft seems concerned about an OpenAI deal with Apple. CEO Satya Nadella met with Sam Altman to discuss the deal, The Information reported. Nadella was reportedly worried about the potential impact it could have on Microsoft's product ambitions .

3 things in business

The Shopify Plus brand will no longer be used. According to a leaked internal memo , Shopify Plus, a more premium version of Shopify's SaaS product, has "outlived its usefulness." The company will stop referring to Shopify Plus as a stand-alone brand.
The housing market appears to be entering a recovery period. In a recent note, Charles Schwab said supply, price growth, and home sales all look to be improving from past conditions — but that doesn't mean we'll be seeing a booming expansion .
Laid-off TikTok staffers speak out. The company started letting go of employees across its ops and marketing teams last week after it had previously bucked the Big Tech trend by holding fire on cost-cutting efforts. Several ex-staffers told BI how they're feeling about the layoffs .

In other news

Tesla accuses advisory firm of 'scaremongering' after it urged investors to vote against Musk's pay package .
Elon Musk says he hasn't discussed taking a role in a second Trump administration .
Apple lets YouTuber MKBHD inside its stress-test labs, where machines subject iPhones to water jets and drop tests .
Apollo CEO Marc Rowan defends private credit from Jamie Dimon, saying shadow banking 'makes the system safer.'
Disney's Bob Iger may be celebrating today after Nelson Peltz's latest move .
'The Apprentice' producer says Donald Trump used the n-word on set .
15 rising stars in influencer management building impressive talent rosters and making waves in the creator economy .
My coworker hated me and badmouthed me to everyone. Leaving the job I loved was the best decision I ever made .
The IRS says its direct file program saved Americans $5.6 million in filing fees. Now they're making it permanent.

What's happening today

The Bureau of Economic Analysis will publish April's PCE inflation data, which is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco , deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb , editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock , senior editor, in London. George Glover , reporter, in London.

Watch: Guilty Trump says 'real verdict' will be on election day

Main content

What was Trump found guilty of? See the 34 business records the jury decided he falsified

Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records after prosecutors successfully convinced a jury he disguised hush money reimbursement as legal expenses. He is the first former president to be convicted of a crime.

Each count is tied to a different business record that prosecutors demonstrated Trump is responsible for changing to conceal or commit another crime .

Those records include 11 checks paid to former lawyer Michael Cohen , 11 invoices from Michael Cohen and 12 entries in Trump's ledgers.

The jury found that Trump authorized a plan to reimburse Cohen for the $130,000 hush money payment issued to Stormy Daniels and spread the payments across 12 months disguised as legal expenses.

Live updates: Former President Donald Trump found guilty on all counts in hush money case

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Breakdown of 34 counts of falsifying business records

Here are the 34 business records Trump was found guilty of falsifying, as described in Judge Juan Merchan 's jury instructions :

Count 1: Michael Cohen's invoice dated Feb. 14, 2017
Count 2: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust dated Feb. 14, 2017
Count 3: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust dated Feb. 14, 2017
Count 4: A Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust Account check and check stub dated Feb. 14, 2017
Count 5: Michael Cohen's invoice dated March 16, 2017
Count 6: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust dated March 17, 2017
Count 7: A Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust Account check and check stub dated March 17, 2017
Count 8: Michael Cohen's invoice dated April 13, 2017
Count 9: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated June 19, 2017
Count 10: A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated June 19, 2017
Count 11: Michael Cohen's invoice dated May 22, 2017
Count 12: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated May 22, 2017
Count 13: A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub May 23, 2017
Count 14: Michael Cohen's invoice dated June 16, 2017
Count 15: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated June 19, 2017
Count 16: A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated June 19, 2017
Count 17: Michael Cohen's invoice dated July 11, 2017
Count 18: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated July 11, 2017
Count 19: A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated July 11, 2017
Count 20: Michael Cohen's invoice dated Aug. 1, 2017
Count 21: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated Aug. 1, 2017
Count 22: A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Aug. 1, 2017
Count 23: Michael Cohen's invoice dated Sept. 11, 2017
Count 24: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated Sept. 11, 2017
Count 25: A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Sept. 12, 2017
Count 26: Michael Cohen's invoice dated Oct. 18, 2017
Count 27: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated Oct. 18, 2017
Count 28: A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Oct. 18, 2017
Count 29: Michael Cohen's invoice dated Nov. 20, 2017
Count 30: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated Nov. 20, 2017
Count 31: A Donald J. Trump account check and check stub dated Nov. 21, 2017
Count 32: Michael Cohen's invoice dated Dec. 1, 2017
Count 33: Entry in the Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump dated Dec. 1, 2017
Count 34: A check and check stub dated Dec. 5 2017

Jurors saw copies of these records entered as evidence. Evidence from the entire trial is available on the New York Courts website .

Contributing: Aysha Bagchi

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How to Write a Thesis Statement
Placement of the thesis statement. Step 1: Start with a question. Step 2: Write your initial answer. Step 3: Develop your answer. Step 4: Refine your thesis statement. Types of thesis statements. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about thesis statements.
How to write a thesis statement + Examples
A good thesis statement needs to do the following: Condense the main idea of your thesis into one or two sentences. Answer your project's main research question. Clearly state your position in relation to the topic. Make an argument that requires support or evidence.
How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples
Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing. Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and ...
Creating a Thesis Statement, Thesis Statement Tips
Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement. 1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing: An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.; An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.; An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies ...
How to Write a Thesis Statement-Examples
Good and Bad Thesis Statement Examples. Not-so-good thesis statement: Everyone should get vaccinated against Covid-19. Problem: The statement does not specify why that might be relevant or why people might not want to do it—this is too vague to spark anyone's interest.
Thesis
Thesis. Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is arguable, which means a thoughtful reader could disagree with it and therefore ...
How to Write a Thesis Statement in 4 Steps
When writing a thesis statement, try to imagine the body paragraphs you could write to support it. Consider counterarguments, and make sure that you can argue for your thesis against those counterpoints. 2. Answer a specific question. Think of your thesis as the answer to an important question.
Thesis Statements
Thesis Statements. A thesis is the main claim you are making in an argument, similar to the hypothesis in a scientific experiment. It is what you are trying to prove or persuade your audience to believe or do. It's helpful to develop a working thesis to guide your composition process. "Working" is the operative word here; your ideas are ...
What is a thesis
A thesis is an in-depth research study that identifies a particular topic of inquiry and presents a clear argument or perspective about that topic using evidence and logic. Writing a thesis showcases your ability of critical thinking, gathering evidence, and making a compelling argument. Integral to these competencies is thorough research ...
How to write a thesis statement (with examples)
What your thesis statement includes is determined by three things: 1. The subject and topic of the essay. 2. The purpose of the essay. 3. The length of the essay. Let's examine each of those in more detail to see how they can help us refine our thesis statement.
How To Write a Thesis Statement: Effective & Expert Tips
Wondering how to write a thesis statement? Our guided tips can help. Dictionary Thesaurus Sentences Grammar Vocabulary Usage ... Change Your Thesis As You Go. Related to the above, even as you get into the writing process, don't be afraid to change your thesis. It's not really meant to be some rigid object.
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These components are (but are not limited to): 1. Knowing the main topic/subject of your paper. Clearly state what the paper is about to provide context for the reader. 2. Having a specific claim or argument. Make a clear and concise statement that outlines your main point or position on the topic. 3.
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A good thesis statement will make an arguable claim. When writing a thesis, you need to develop an interesting viewpoint that you can support and defend. This perspective must be more than a mere observation. "America is violent" is an observation. "Americans are violent because they are fearful" (the position that Michael Moore takes in his ...
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A thesis statement encapsulates the main idea or point of your entire text in one effective, assertive, and clear-cut sentence. The five steps to writing your thesis statement are: Choose a topic. Set your objective. Encapsulate the main point of your text in as few words as possible. Check for spelling and grammar errors.
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A strong thesis statement is often not created all at once but will rather go through stages of revision. A thesis statement in its early form is called a "working thesis." While honing and tightening your working thesis, ask yourself these questions: ... The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
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A thesis statement is a sentence (sometimes more than one sentence) in the introduction that tells the reader the following information: What the topic of the paper is. How the writer intends to discuss that topic. It gives a blueprint for how the essay will be structured. How the writer intends to prove or demonstrate his or her main points.
25 Thesis Statement Examples That Will Make Writing a Breeze
What that means is that you can't just put any statement of fact and have it be your thesis. For example, everyone knows that puppies are cute. An ineffective thesis statement would be, "Puppies are adorable and everyone knows it." This isn't really something that's a debatable topic. Something that would be more debatable would be, "A puppy's ...
What Is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement is a short statement, usually one sentence in length, that is present at the end of your introduction paragraph.. A thesis statement summarizes the main point of the essay and makes an argument about the topic, its importance, or its plausibility.. A thesis statement is.... developed; supported; explained... in the body of the essay through the use of examples and evidence.
What is a thesis statement? I need some examples, too.
Take a look at the following examples: Statement of fact: Small cars get better fuel mileage than 4x4 pickup trucks. Arguable thesis statement: The government should ban 4x4 pickup trucks except for work-related use. Statement of fact: Foul language is common in movies. Arguable thesis statement: The amount of foul language in movies is ...
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How to write a PhD thesis: a step-by-step guide
It often starts with "But", "Yet" or "However". The third sentence says what specific research has been done. This often starts with "This research" or "I report…". The fourth sentence reports the results. Don't try to be too tricky here, just start with something like: "This study shows," or "Analysis of the data ...
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How to write a thesis statement + examples

What is a thesis statement?

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How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

What’s Covered:

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

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Types of Thesis Statements

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Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence)

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Weak Thesis Statements Often:

Are Obviously True or Statements of Fact

Restate Conventional Wisdom or Clichés

Offer Personal Conviction as the Basis for the Argument

Make Overly Broad Claims

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Points to Remember:

Thesis Statements

For you as the writer, the thesis statement:

For your readers, the thesis statement:

Characteristics of Effective Thesis Statements

2. Narrow Topic

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Writing Effective Thesis Statements

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What is a thesis statement? I need some examples, too.

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What Should a Thesis Include? (A Handy Thesis Checklist)

The Basics of a Thesis

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