Thesis Statements

• A thesis statement declares the main point or controlling idea of your entire essay

• A thesis statement may be more than one sentence, but it is usually not more than two sentences.

• A thesis statement is ALWAYS a statement. It is NEVER a question.

A good thesis statement:

1. intelligently states the writer's clearly defined opinion on some subject
2. asserts one main idea
3. has something worthwhile to say
4. is limited to fit the assignment
5. is easily recognized as the main idea (and is often located in the 1^st or 2^nd paragraph)

EXAMPLE:

(poor thesis) Many people have different opinions on whether people under twenty-one should be permitted to drink alcohol, and I agree with some of them. [The writer's opinion on the issue is not clear.]

(good thesis) The legal minimum age for purchasing alcohol should be eighteen rather than twenty-one [Here, the writer has asserted a clear position on theissue that will be argued in the essay.]

Avoid Common Errors in thesis statements.

1. Don't make your thesis merely an announcement of your subject matter or a

description of your intentions. State an attitude toward the subject.

1. Don't clutter your thesis with such expressions as "in my opinion," "I believe," and

"in this essay I'll argue that...." These unnecessary phrases weaken your thesis

statement because they often make you sound timid or uncertain.

1. Don't be unreasonable. Be careful of making oversimplified or irrational claims.
2. Don't merely state a fact. Remember that a thesis statement leads to a discussion.
3. Never express your thesis statement in the form of a question.
4. Do not use the predictable, formulaic (not to mention boring!) 3-pronged thesis

which leads to the horrible 5-paragraph theme!

Your Thesis Statement Should Look Like This:

Topic (area/ideas you want to explore) + Slant/Attitude/Point = Working Thesis

Example: Topic = Old-fashioned courtesy + Slant = Courtesy has declined in the

last 10 years.

Working Thesis = Old-fashioned courtesy has declined in the last 10 years.

Example: Topic = Rats + Slant = Rats are smart.

Working Thesis = Rats are natural students who excel at learning and understanding

concepts.