What is a Thesis Statement?
Thesis statements will let the reader know what will be discussed in your paper. A thesis statement is a sentence or two that states your perception or interpretation on the topic. In other words, they are the claim/argument about your topic that could be disputed. Thesis statements can also summarize the evidence you have gathered about your topic for papers that offer explanation.
How Do I Write a Thesis Statement?
When researching your topic, think about the different relationships you might find between the sources such as similarities, differences, themes, and audience. The evidence you collect from your research will back up your claim in the thesis. Make sure your thesis answers questions like “so what?”, to make a connection, as well as “how?” and “why?” to offer clarity. Let phrases like “in order to” and “because of” guide your statement.
Examples
Here are some examples of good thesis statements and what makes them strong:
Explanatory Thesis Statement
Cats are known to be exceptional predators because of their ability to see in the dark, remain silent in quiet environments, and control their body movements to adapt to speed and height.
- This is an example of an explanatory thesis statement. We can infer that the topic of this paper would be something along the lines of “Why do cats make good predators?”. The body and evidence from a paper with this thesis statement would explain why cats make exceptional predators based on the facts listed.
Argumentative Thesis Statement
Students should be allowed to bring laptops to class in order to increase their productivity and efficiency levels when completing assignments.
- This is an example of an argumentative thesis statement. This thesis presents a claim and provides evidence as to why the audience should believe the claim. A paper with this thesis statement would describe why students should be allowed to bring laptops to class, while using these points as a guideline.
Analytical Thesis Statement
An analysis of Don DeLillo’s White Noise reveals a modern America’s obsession with death while being overwhelmed by a capitalist society.
- This is an example of an analytical thesis statement. An analysis of the topic leads to the claim. A paper with this thesis statement would explain an analysis of White Noise and evidence of a modern America’s obsession with death within the book.
