|
Cheat-Sheet for thesis Statements
In most academic essays the thesis statement is a direct statement of the paper’s specific argument, position or point.
- Argument, position or point: A thesis must be more than a fact or an opinion. It must analyze and evaluate, and it must be arguable
- Specific: A strong thesis avoids vague language and ideas, and it makes a focused argument.
- Direct: Unless your professor says otherwise, a thesis is not watered-down with phrases such as “I think . . . ,” “In this paper, I argue . . . ,” or “This paper will show that . . . .” It also avoids passive voice.
- Statement: A thesis may be longer than one sentence.
A thesis statement is a statement of the specific argument, position or point that the paper makes.
- For analytical, critical or argument essays, a thesis statement consists of two parts: (1) your topic and (2) the analysis, explanation or evaluation you make about the topic.
- For narrative, descriptive or informative papers, a thesis statement also consists of two parts: (1) your topic and (2) your understanding, belief or speculation about the topic.
A thesis statement can be more than one sentence.
A thesis statement can be either explicit (clearly stated in the paper) or implicit (implied in the paper but not stated).
- Implicit thesis statements are advisable when you want to emphasize the process and development of your thoughts, not your conclusion; when your audience is hostile towards your ideas; or when your professor tells you so.
- Some academic writing does not require thesis statements. If you can’t decide whether to use a thesis statement, you should talk with your professor.
Most academic writing uses explicit thesis statements.
In much American academic writing, the thesis statement typically appears at the end of the first paragraph. However, this guideline is frequently broken.
|
