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How To Write A Thesis Statement | Essay Writing Part 1 [2022 UPDATE]

how to create a thesis for a essay

Guide Chapters

  • 1. Thesis statement
  • 2. Introduction structure
  • 3. Topic sentence
  • 4. Body paragraph structure
  • 5. Conclusion

This post, How to Write a Thesis Statement, is the first post in our 5 part Essay Writing Series. In this series, we will break essay writing into a series of parts and solve some commonly asked questions to give you the tools to write consistent essays.

Some common questions about essay structure are:

What is a thesis statement?

  • What does a thesis statement do?
  • Is the thesis statement important?
  • How do I write a good thesis statement?

In this post, we’ll give you an overview of essay structure and explain why a thesis statement is important for your essay. We’ll then give you a step-by-step guide for writing a Band 6 thesis.

Table of Contents

  • Essay Structure
  • What is a thesis statement
  • 1. Underline key words in the question
  • 2. Note down relevant topics/themes
  • 3. Decide on the argument you want to present in your thesis statement
  • 4. Turn that argument into a thesis statement

Common mistakes that students make in their thesis statements

What should you do instead, essential essay structure: how to write a thesis statement | essay writing part 1.

Learning how to write a good essay is something developed through practice and logic, not innate skill or talent. Anybody can write a good essay with practice and instruction.

In this series of posts, we will show you some of the skills that Matrix students use as they learn to write Band 6 responses. First, we will learn about the structure of an essay, and then we will look at why the thesis is the solid foundation on which we build our argument.

What is Essay Structure?

Essay structure is the logical sequencing of information we use when composing a written argument. When you break it down, essay writing is actually a fairly straightforward process.

  • Introduce your main argument ( thesis )
  • Explain the key 2 or 3 ideas ( themes ) that will support your main argument
  • Explain how these ideas fit together logically
  • Introduce a specific idea
  • Present evidence that supports your idea
  • Connect this idea to your main argument
  • Repeat these ‘2. Body Paragraph’ steps for the other ideas that support your main argument
  • Restate your argument
  • Make a concluding statement

When you break essay writing down into a process, it becomes straightforward and systematic.

We can take the process of essay writing and look at it in a diagram:

Blog-English-How-To-Write-A-Thesis-Statement-Essay-Structure

In this post, we will look at the first step of this process. The thesis statement.

Let’s have a look at what it does.

Last chance to finesse your thesis statement writing!

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The thesis is the foundation of your essay. It structures your argument. Having a good thesis is essential to getting a Band 6 result, regardless of what module or level of English you are doing.

Your thesis needs to be concise, but also answer the question. It must introduce an idea that you can readily repeat throughout your essay so that your reader is constantly aware of what you are arguing.

Now we know what a thesis is and how it functions within an essay, let’s look at a step-by-step process for writing one!

How to write a thesis statement – A step-by-step guide

We’ll now look at the process for writing a thesis statement. To do so, we will use a HSC question as an example and develop it throughout this series.

Step 1: Underline key words in the question

You need to properly address the question to score a Band 6. Underlining key words in the question will take less than a minute and give your essay clear direction.

Let’s look at how we would annotate the 2021 HSC question for the Common Module:

Analyse how your prescribed text represents the ways individuals respond to the challenges they face.

Step 2: Note down relevant topics/themes

Now that you know the key points that the question wants you to discuss, you can jot down relevant topics/themes from your prescribed you’d want to discuss in your essay.

Key wordTopics/themes
representsdystopian novel, third person limited narration, placid tone, symbols/motifs including diary, coral paperweight, 2+2=5, Big Brother
individualsWinston, Julia, O’Brien, Katharine, Parsons family, woman with sandy hair
challengesstrict freedom-less political regime, threat of persecution, lack of companionship, no self-expression or individual identity
responsesblindly conform to social pressures, genuinely support the regime, don’t trust anyone, try or at least hope that it’s possible to overturn the strict political regime, risk persecution to enjoy immediate personal gratification, openly or covertly rebel

Step 3: Decide on the argument you want to present in your thesis statement

Your argument is essentially your super passionate response to the question. It’s subjective and opinionated, which is why you need a whole essay to try to convince your marker that you are right.

You don’t have to use fancy wording to get your point across. Write it how you would say it in a conversation; this step is for you to know what you are going to spend the next 40 minutes writing furiously about.

Be strategic about it. Pick a stance that:

  • You can back up with evidence — if you can’t remember any quotes from the text that support your argument, you probably want to quietly come up with a different argument that you can confidently discuss.
  • Aligns the module statement — a lot of really smart people spent a long time coming up with the module statements, so you’ll probably have a hard time arguing that individuals don’t have experiences or responses to challenges. If you want to flex your creative side, do that in your nuanced analysis of the textual evidence, instead of blatantly rejecting everything your teachers spent an entire year teaching you.

You don’t necessarily have to personally believe that your argument is true. You can play devil’s advocate or be overly pessimistic if you think that’s the easiest route to take.

Here’s an example of an argument that you can make in response to the 2021 HSC  Common Module question:

“Even though everyone responds to challenges in different ways, at the end of the day, we all selfishly prioritise our own needs and safety before anyone else.”

It’s a very drastic and upsetting thing to believe, but you can see how we could effectively use evidence from Nineteen Eighty-Four to prove it.

Step 4: Turn that argument into a thesis statement

Now that you know exactly what your overarching argument is going to be, you can write a thesis statement from that. To turn your argument into a thesis statement, you need to:

  • Specify details relevant to the themes in your prescribed text
  • Be as concise as possible
  • Avoid using first or second-person language
Argument from Step 3Thesis Statement
Even though everyone responds to challenges in different ways, at the end of the day, we all selfishly prioritise our own needs and safety before anyone else.Individuals respond to the social challenges of an oppressive regime differently, but they all inherently prioritise self-preservation.

Don’t write the 94851 th essay that your marker has to read with these mistakes.

Mistake 1: Repeating the question

The most common error when composing thesis statements is repeating the question.

As senior students, you are expected to analyse the question and construct a personal and logical response to it. Repeating the question back at the marker as a thesis statement does not demonstrate an understanding of the question, module, or text. Instead, such a response demonstrates that you have a limited understanding of both.

Let’s look at the 2021 HSC question for Module A:

How do the extracts provided contribute to a broader textual conversation between the pair of prescribed texts that you have studied in Module A?

You can find the extracts the question refers to here .

We’ve written examples for the prescribed texts The Tempest and Hag-Seed .

Common but weak thesisStrong thesis
William Shakespeare’s and Margaret Atwood’s engage in a textual conversation as shown in the extracts provided.

The given extracts highlight the major and universal themes that are explored in the textual conversation between William Shakespeare’s and Margaret Atwood’s

Margaret Atwood’s social commentary of the play reveals how controversies surrounding discrimination and persecution transcend Shakespeare’s Jacobean context and penetrate contemporary society. She uses her novel to frame how society has adopted more secular ideologies, yet retained such social issues from a predominantly Christian context.
These responses simply repeat or paraphrase the question without offering any additional insight.This response provides a specific answer to the question, refers to ideas explored in the given extracts, and offers insight into themes that endure through a range of contexts — a key concern of Module A.

Mistake 2: Using uncertain terms

Don’t be vague or use low modality words and expressions in your thesis.

Students have it drilled into them that “they know nothing” or “don’t have the experience” to say things with certainty. This is said to stop students making broad sweeping statements about human existence or genres of writing, but it must not apply to your understanding of the text.

Let’s have a look at the 2020 HSC Module A question to see what we mean:

In textual conversations, the later text is often seen as a shadow, lacking the originality and power of the earlier.

To what extent is this statement true of the two prescribed texts you have studied in Module A?

A common thesis mistake was to state something along the lines of:

“Margaret Edson’s play ‘W;t’ (1995) may appear to merely echo the concepts John Donne explores in his poems. However, her play could be also seen as nuanced commentary of Donne’s poetry that creates a highly engaging textual conversation about the death, separation and salvation of one’s physical and mental being.”

This statement uses the verb “could” which lacks certainty. You want to avoid verbs like “may,” “might,” or “could” , or replace them with verbs like “will,” “does,” and “shall” that have high-modality or high certainty.

 People are more inclined to give credibility to assertive and confident voices.  This is why the following thesis statement sounds so authoritative:

“It would be grossly unfair to say that Margaret Edson’s later play ‘W;t’ (1995) merely echoes the concepts that John Donne explores in his poems. In fact, Edson’s nuanced commentary of Donne’s poetry creates a highly engaging textual conversation about the death, separation and salvation of one’s physical and mental being.”

Mistake 3: Trying to fit it all in one sentence when it really doesn’t fit

The term thesis statement can be misleading. We hear “statement” and we often think “sentence.” The two words are not synonymous, though. It is far better to use an extra sentence to add detail to your sentence rather than stubbornly pack it into one. You need to explain the logic of your argument in a thesis, not just outline an argument.

Compare these two thesis statements:

“The storytelling of narratives that have been denied or repressed leads individuals to reconsider their knowledge of things.”

“The storytelling of narratives that have been denied or repressed profoundly impacts an individual’s perspective of society. The process of uncovering these stories compels individuals to reassess the political regime they live in and adjust their understanding of truth in their world.”

The second thesis is obviously better, but why?

The first thesis statement is competent, but it does not help the marker into your understanding of the module or the question. By splitting the statement over two sentences in the second example, we detail the logic of our argument. The second statement explains how the process of storytelling works, rather than merely noting that it occurs. 

blog-english-how-to-write-a-thesis-statement-2

Mistake 4: Not answering the question asked

Too often students will write the thesis they have prepared and not the one that responds to the question they have been given. This is common amongst students who prefer to write “generic” essays and “mould” them to suit a question.

Let’s consider the 2021 HSC question for Module B:

‘Literature forces us to ask questions and look for answers. Even if those answers do not exist.’

To what extent is this true?

In your response, make close reference to your prescribed text.

One of the key things to note is that this question asks you ‘ To what extent is this [statement] true’. You can answer that in a range of ways:

1. The statement is completely true

StanceWhat does this mean for your thesis statement and essay?
Your prescribed text forces you to ask questions and look for their answers, regardless of whether these answers exist.You will need to provide evidence from your prescribed text that shows that it:

2. The statement is completely false

StanceWhat does this mean for your thesis statement and essay?
Your prescribed text doesn’t make you ask questions or look for answers.You will need to provide evidence from your prescribed text that shows that it does not make you question anything or feel the need to resolve anything.

This is a hard argument to made, as your text was prescribed because it is believed to be thought-provoking and explore prominent ideas that should concern you as a reader.

3. The statement is partly true

StanceWhat does this mean for your thesis statement and essay?
The question consists of 4 key statements that you have to determine whether they are true or not:

Strictly speaking, there are no right or wrong answers. However, you will need to have textual evidence to back it up.

For example, if you were to argue that ‘These answers always exist’, you will need to find a concern in your prescribed text that is raised, but not resolved with a clear solution.

In an exam, you usually won’t have enough time to write out all the different stances you could make to address the question. However, at the very least, you should dedicate a minute to annotating parts of the question that you agree and disagree with, and think about how you can use the evidence you remember to support your thesis.

You have already got off to a good start by going through these steps to writing a thesis statement. From here, it’s all about practice and making sure you don’t let down your fabulous thesis statement with the rest of your essay.

Tip 1: Practice

Essay writing is a skill that develops the same way as juggling a soccer ball or playing the panpipes. You will not become adept unless you invest many hours writing and rewriting responses to a variety of questions.

If you want to learn how to produce that killer thesis go to the NESA website  and work your way through their practice questions until you’re an expert.

Tip 2: Learn how to write a thematic framework

Now you’ve got a thesis, you need to use it to structure an essay. The next step is to choose the themes that you will discuss and introduce them to your reader.

How to Structure Your Essay Introduction | Essay Writing Part 2

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how to create a thesis for a essay

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how to create a thesis for a essay

The Visual Techniques Toolkit

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?
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How to write a thesis statement, what is a thesis statement.

Almost all of us—even if we don’t do it consciously—look early in an essay for a one- or two-sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow. We refer to that condensation as a thesis statement.

Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis Statement?

  • to test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two
  • to better organize and develop your argument
  • to provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument

In general, your thesis statement will accomplish these goals if you think of the thesis as the answer to the question your paper explores.

How Can You Write a Good Thesis Statement?

Here are some helpful hints to get you started. You can either scroll down or select a link to a specific topic.

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned

Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single question. Your first step, then, is to distill the assignment into a specific question. For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class,” turn the request into a question like, “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” After you’ve chosen the question your essay will answer, compose one or two complete sentences answering that question.

Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .”
A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .”

The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

[ Back to top ]

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned

Even if your assignment doesn’t ask a specific question, your thesis statement still needs to answer a question about the issue you’d like to explore. In this situation, your job is to figure out what question you’d like to write about.

A good thesis statement will usually include the following four attributes:

  • take on a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree
  • deal with a subject that can be adequately treated given the nature of the assignment
  • express one main idea
  • assert your conclusions about a subject

Let’s see how to generate a thesis statement for a social policy paper.

Brainstorm the topic . Let’s say that your class focuses upon the problems posed by changes in the dietary habits of Americans. You find that you are interested in the amount of sugar Americans consume.

You start out with a thesis statement like this:

Sugar consumption.

This fragment isn’t a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates a general subject. Furthermore, your reader doesn’t know what you want to say about sugar consumption.

Narrow the topic . Your readings about the topic, however, have led you to the conclusion that elementary school children are consuming far more sugar than is healthy.

You change your thesis to look like this:

Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school children.

This fragment not only announces your subject, but it focuses on one segment of the population: elementary school children. Furthermore, it raises a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree, because while most people might agree that children consume more sugar than they used to, not everyone would agree on what should be done or who should do it. You should note that this fragment is not a thesis statement because your reader doesn’t know your conclusions on the topic.

Take a position on the topic. After reflecting on the topic a little while longer, you decide that what you really want to say about this topic is that something should be done to reduce the amount of sugar these children consume.

You revise your thesis statement to look like this:

More attention should be paid to the food and beverage choices available to elementary school children.

This statement asserts your position, but the terms more attention and food and beverage choices are vague.

Use specific language . You decide to explain what you mean about food and beverage choices , so you write:

Experts estimate that half of elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar.

This statement is specific, but it isn’t a thesis. It merely reports a statistic instead of making an assertion.

Make an assertion based on clearly stated support. You finally revise your thesis statement one more time to look like this:

Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.

Notice how the thesis answers the question, “What should be done to reduce sugar consumption by children, and who should do it?” When you started thinking about the paper, you may not have had a specific question in mind, but as you became more involved in the topic, your ideas became more specific. Your thesis changed to reflect your new insights.

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

1. a strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand..

Remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject. For example, if you are writing a paper for a class on fitness, you might be asked to choose a popular weight-loss product to evaluate. Here are two thesis statements:

There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.

This is a weak thesis statement. First, it fails to take a stand. Second, the phrase negative and positive aspects is vague.

Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

This is a strong thesis because it takes a stand, and because it's specific.

2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion.

Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. If your assignment is to write a paper on kinship systems, using your own family as an example, you might come up with either of these two thesis statements:

My family is an extended family.

This is a weak thesis because it merely states an observation. Your reader won’t be able to tell the point of the statement, and will probably stop reading.

While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.

This is a strong thesis because it shows how your experience contradicts a widely-accepted view. A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial. Readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how you support your point.

3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea.

Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper. For example:

Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.

This is a weak thesis statement because the reader can’t decide whether the paper is about marketing on the Internet or Web pages. To revise the thesis, the relationship between the two ideas needs to become more clear. One way to revise the thesis would be to write:

Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.

This is a strong thesis because it shows that the two ideas are related. Hint: a great many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like because , since , so , although , unless , and however .

4. A strong thesis statement is specific.

A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic. For example, if you're writing a seven-to-ten page paper on hunger, you might say:

World hunger has many causes and effects.

This is a weak thesis statement for two major reasons. First, world hunger can’t be discussed thoroughly in seven to ten pages. Second, many causes and effects is vague. You should be able to identify specific causes and effects. A revised thesis might look like this:

Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

This is a strong thesis statement because it narrows the subject to a more specific and manageable topic, and it also identifies the specific causes for the existence of hunger.

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How to write a thesis statement + examples

Thesis statement

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 .

how to create a thesis for a essay

The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

  • tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
  • is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
  • directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
  • makes a claim that others might dispute.
  • is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

  • Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
  • Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
  • Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
  • Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
  • Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
  • Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

  • Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
  • Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
  • Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
  • Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
  • Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

  • Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.
  • Do I answer the question? Yes!
  • Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
  • Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
  • Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
  • Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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how to create a thesis for a essay

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

how to create a thesis for a essay

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.

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What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

Published on September 14, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on April 16, 2024.

A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master’s program or a capstone to a bachelor’s degree.

Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation , it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete. It relies on your ability to conduct research from start to finish: choosing a relevant topic , crafting a proposal , designing your research , collecting data , developing a robust analysis, drawing strong conclusions , and writing concisely .

Thesis template

You can also download our full thesis template in the format of your choice below. Our template includes a ready-made table of contents , as well as guidance for what each chapter should include. It’s easy to make it your own, and can help you get started.

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Table of contents

Thesis vs. thesis statement, how to structure a thesis, acknowledgements or preface, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review, methodology, reference list, proofreading and editing, defending your thesis, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about theses.

You may have heard the word thesis as a standalone term or as a component of academic writing called a thesis statement . Keep in mind that these are two very different things.

  • A thesis statement is a very common component of an essay, particularly in the humanities. It usually comprises 1 or 2 sentences in the introduction of your essay , and should clearly and concisely summarize the central points of your academic essay .
  • A thesis is a long-form piece of academic writing, often taking more than a full semester to complete. It is generally a degree requirement for Master’s programs, and is also sometimes required to complete a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts colleges.
  • In the US, a dissertation is generally written as a final step toward obtaining a PhD.
  • In other countries (particularly the UK), a dissertation is generally written at the bachelor’s or master’s level.

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The final structure of your thesis depends on a variety of components, such as:

  • Your discipline
  • Your theoretical approach

Humanities theses are often structured more like a longer-form essay . Just like in an essay, you build an argument to support a central thesis.

In both hard and social sciences, theses typically include an introduction , literature review , methodology section ,  results section , discussion section , and conclusion section . These are each presented in their own dedicated section or chapter. In some cases, you might want to add an appendix .

Thesis examples

We’ve compiled a short list of thesis examples to help you get started.

  • Example thesis #1:   “Abolition, Africans, and Abstraction: the Influence of the ‘Noble Savage’ on British and French Antislavery Thought, 1787-1807” by Suchait Kahlon.
  • Example thesis #2: “’A Starving Man Helping Another Starving Man’: UNRRA, India, and the Genesis of Global Relief, 1943-1947″ by Julian Saint Reiman.

The very first page of your thesis contains all necessary identifying information, including:

  • Your full title
  • Your full name
  • Your department
  • Your institution and degree program
  • Your submission date.

Sometimes the title page also includes your student ID, the name of your supervisor, or the university’s logo. Check out your university’s guidelines if you’re not sure.

Read more about title pages

The acknowledgements section is usually optional. Its main point is to allow you to thank everyone who helped you in your thesis journey, such as supervisors, friends, or family. You can also choose to write a preface , but it’s typically one or the other, not both.

Read more about acknowledgements Read more about prefaces

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how to create a thesis for a essay

An abstract is a short summary of your thesis. Usually a maximum of 300 words long, it’s should include brief descriptions of your research objectives , methods, results, and conclusions. Though it may seem short, it introduces your work to your audience, serving as a first impression of your thesis.

Read more about abstracts

A table of contents lists all of your sections, plus their corresponding page numbers and subheadings if you have them. This helps your reader seamlessly navigate your document.

Your table of contents should include all the major parts of your thesis. In particular, don’t forget the the appendices. If you used heading styles, it’s easy to generate an automatic table Microsoft Word.

Read more about tables of contents

While not mandatory, if you used a lot of tables and/or figures, it’s nice to include a list of them to help guide your reader. It’s also easy to generate one of these in Word: just use the “Insert Caption” feature.

Read more about lists of figures and tables

If you have used a lot of industry- or field-specific abbreviations in your thesis, you should include them in an alphabetized list of abbreviations . This way, your readers can easily look up any meanings they aren’t familiar with.

Read more about lists of abbreviations

Relatedly, if you find yourself using a lot of very specialized or field-specific terms that may not be familiar to your reader, consider including a glossary . Alphabetize the terms you want to include with a brief definition.

Read more about glossaries

An introduction sets up the topic, purpose, and relevance of your thesis, as well as expectations for your reader. This should:

  • Ground your research topic , sharing any background information your reader may need
  • Define the scope of your work
  • Introduce any existing research on your topic, situating your work within a broader problem or debate
  • State your research question(s)
  • Outline (briefly) how the remainder of your work will proceed

In other words, your introduction should clearly and concisely show your reader the “what, why, and how” of your research.

Read more about introductions

A literature review helps you gain a robust understanding of any extant academic work on your topic, encompassing:

  • Selecting relevant sources
  • Determining the credibility of your sources
  • Critically evaluating each of your sources
  • Drawing connections between sources, including any themes, patterns, conflicts, or gaps

A literature review is not merely a summary of existing work. Rather, your literature review should ultimately lead to a clear justification for your own research, perhaps via:

  • Addressing a gap in the literature
  • Building on existing knowledge to draw new conclusions
  • Exploring a new theoretical or methodological approach
  • Introducing a new solution to an unresolved problem
  • Definitively advocating for one side of a theoretical debate

Read more about literature reviews

Theoretical framework

Your literature review can often form the basis for your theoretical framework, but these are not the same thing. A theoretical framework defines and analyzes the concepts and theories that your research hinges on.

Read more about theoretical frameworks

Your methodology chapter shows your reader how you conducted your research. It should be written clearly and methodically, easily allowing your reader to critically assess the credibility of your argument. Furthermore, your methods section should convince your reader that your method was the best way to answer your research question.

A methodology section should generally include:

  • Your overall approach ( quantitative vs. qualitative )
  • Your research methods (e.g., a longitudinal study )
  • Your data collection methods (e.g., interviews or a controlled experiment
  • Any tools or materials you used (e.g., computer software)
  • The data analysis methods you chose (e.g., statistical analysis , discourse analysis )
  • A strong, but not defensive justification of your methods

Read more about methodology sections

Your results section should highlight what your methodology discovered. These two sections work in tandem, but shouldn’t repeat each other. While your results section can include hypotheses or themes, don’t include any speculation or new arguments here.

Your results section should:

  • State each (relevant) result with any (relevant) descriptive statistics (e.g., mean , standard deviation ) and inferential statistics (e.g., test statistics , p values )
  • Explain how each result relates to the research question
  • Determine whether the hypothesis was supported

Additional data (like raw numbers or interview transcripts ) can be included as an appendix . You can include tables and figures, but only if they help the reader better understand your results.

Read more about results sections

Your discussion section is where you can interpret your results in detail. Did they meet your expectations? How well do they fit within the framework that you built? You can refer back to any relevant source material to situate your results within your field, but leave most of that analysis in your literature review.

For any unexpected results, offer explanations or alternative interpretations of your data.

Read more about discussion sections

Your thesis conclusion should concisely answer your main research question. It should leave your reader with an ultra-clear understanding of your central argument, and emphasize what your research specifically has contributed to your field.

Why does your research matter? What recommendations for future research do you have? Lastly, wrap up your work with any concluding remarks.

Read more about conclusions

In order to avoid plagiarism , don’t forget to include a full reference list at the end of your thesis, citing the sources that you used. Choose one citation style and follow it consistently throughout your thesis, taking note of the formatting requirements of each style.

Which style you choose is often set by your department or your field, but common styles include MLA , Chicago , and APA.

Create APA citations Create MLA citations

In order to stay clear and concise, your thesis should include the most essential information needed to answer your research question. However, chances are you have many contributing documents, like interview transcripts or survey questions . These can be added as appendices , to save space in the main body.

Read more about appendices

Once you’re done writing, the next part of your editing process begins. Leave plenty of time for proofreading and editing prior to submission. Nothing looks worse than grammar mistakes or sloppy spelling errors!

Consider using a professional thesis editing service or grammar checker to make sure your final project is perfect.

Once you’ve submitted your final product, it’s common practice to have a thesis defense, an oral component of your finished work. This is scheduled by your advisor or committee, and usually entails a presentation and Q&A session.

After your defense , your committee will meet to determine if you deserve any departmental honors or accolades. However, keep in mind that defenses are usually just a formality. If there are any serious issues with your work, these should be resolved with your advisor way before a defense.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

  • Survivorship bias
  • Self-serving bias
  • Availability heuristic
  • Halo effect
  • Hindsight bias
  • Deep learning
  • Generative AI
  • Machine learning
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

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The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5–7% of your overall word count.

If you only used a few abbreviations in your thesis or dissertation , you don’t necessarily need to include a list of abbreviations .

If your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they won’t be known to your audience, it’s never a bad idea to add one. They can also improve readability, minimizing confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader.

When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

  • Your anticipated title
  • Your abstract
  • Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

A thesis is typically written by students finishing up a bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Some educational institutions, particularly in the liberal arts, have mandatory theses, but they are often not mandatory to graduate from bachelor’s degrees. It is more common for a thesis to be a graduation requirement from a Master’s degree.

Even if not mandatory, you may want to consider writing a thesis if you:

  • Plan to attend graduate school soon
  • Have a particular topic you’d like to study more in-depth
  • Are considering a career in research
  • Would like a capstone experience to tie up your academic experience

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Research Paper: A step-by-step guide: 3. Thesis Statement & Outline

  • 1. Getting Started
  • 2. Topic Ideas
  • 3. Thesis Statement & Outline
  • 4. Appropriate Sources
  • 5. Search Techniques
  • 6. Taking Notes & Documenting Sources
  • 7. Evaluating Sources
  • 8. Citations & Plagiarism
  • 9. Writing Your Research Paper

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About Thesis Statements

Qualities of a thesis statement.

Thesis statements:

  • state the subject matter and main ideas of a paper.
  • appear in the first paragraph and announces what you will discuss in your paper.
  • define the scope and focus of your essay, and tells your reader what to expect.  
  • are not a simple factual statement.  It is an assertion that states your claims and that you can prove with evidence.
  • should be the product of research and your own critical thinking.
  • can be very helpful in constructing an outline for your essay; for each point you make, ask yourself whether it is relevant to the thesis.

Steps you can use to create a thesis statement

1. Start out with the main topic and focus of your essay.

youth gangs + prevention and intervention programs

2. Make a claim or argument in one sentence.  It can be helpful to start with a question which you then turn into an argument

Can prevention and intervention programs stop youth gang activities?  How?  ►►►  "Prevention and intervention programs can stop youth gang activities by giving teens something else to do."

3. Revise the sentence by using specific terms.

"Early prevention programs in schools are the most effective way to prevent youth gang involvement by giving teens good activities that offer a path to success."

4. Further revise the sentence to cover the scope of your essay and make a strong statement.

"Among various prevention and intervention efforts that have been made to deal with the rapid growth of youth gangs, early school-based prevention programs are the most effective way to prevent youth gang involvement, which they do by giving teens meaningful activities that offer pathways to achievement and success."

5. Keep your thesis statement flexible and revise it as needed. In the process of researching and writing, you may find new information or refine your understanding of the topic.

You can view this short video for more tips on how to write a clear thesis statement.

An outline is the skeleton of your essay, in which you list the arguments and subtopics in a logical order. A good outline is an important element in writing a good paper. An outline helps to target your research areas, keep you within the scope without going off-track, and it can also help to keep your argument in good order when writing the essay.  Once your outline is in good shape, it is much easier to write your paper; you've already done most of the thinking, so you just need to fill in the outline with a paragraph for each point.

To write an outline: The most common way to write an outline is the list format.  List all the major topics and subtopics with the key points that support them. Put similar topics and points together and arrange them in a logical order.    Include an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. 

A list outline should arrange the main points or arguments in a hierarchical structure indicated by Roman numerals for main ideas (I, II, III...), capital letters for subtopics (A, B, C...), Arabic numerals for details (1,2,3...), and lower-case letters for fine details if needed (a,b,c...). This helps keep things organized.  

Here is a shortened example of an outline:

Introduction: background and thesis statement

I. First topic

1. Supporting evidence 2. Supporting evidence

II. Second Topic

III. Third Topic

I. Summarize the main points of your paper II. Restate your thesis in different words III. Make a strong final statement

You can see examples of a few different kinds of outlines and get more help at the Purdue OWL .

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Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Parts of a Paper / How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis can be found in many places—a debate speech, a lawyer’s closing argument, even an advertisement. But the most common place for a thesis statement (and probably why you’re reading this article) is in an essay.

Whether you’re writing an argumentative paper, an informative essay, or a compare/contrast statement, you need a thesis. Without a thesis, your argument falls flat and your information is unfocused. Since a thesis is so important, it’s probably a good idea to look at some tips on how to put together a strong one.

Guide Overview

What is a “thesis statement” anyway.

  • 2 categories of thesis statements: informative and persuasive
  • 2 styles of thesis statements
  • Formula for a strong argumentative thesis
  • The qualities of a solid thesis statement (video)

You may have heard of something called a “thesis.” It’s what seniors commonly refer to as their final paper before graduation. That’s not what we’re talking about here. That type of thesis is a long, well-written paper that takes years to piece together.

Instead, we’re talking about a single sentence that ties together the main idea of any argument . In the context of student essays, it’s a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your position on it. This sentence can tell a reader whether your essay is something they want to read.

2 Categories of Thesis Statements: Informative and Persuasive

Just as there are different types of essays, there are different types of thesis statements. The thesis should match the essay.

For example, with an informative essay, you should compose an informative thesis (rather than argumentative). You want to declare your intentions in this essay and guide the reader to the conclusion that you reach.

To make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you must procure the ingredients, find a knife, and spread the condiments.

This thesis showed the reader the topic (a type of sandwich) and the direction the essay will take (describing how the sandwich is made).

Most other types of essays, whether compare/contrast, argumentative, or narrative, have thesis statements that take a position and argue it. In other words, unless your purpose is simply to inform, your thesis is considered persuasive. A persuasive thesis usually contains an opinion and the reason why your opinion is true.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good.

In this persuasive thesis statement, you see that I state my opinion (the best type of sandwich), which means I have chosen a stance. Next, I explain that my opinion is correct with several key reasons. This persuasive type of thesis can be used in any essay that contains the writer’s opinion, including, as I mentioned above, compare/contrast essays, narrative essays, and so on.

2 Styles of Thesis Statements

Just as there are two different types of thesis statements (informative and persuasive), there are two basic styles you can use.

The first style uses a list of two or more points . This style of thesis is perfect for a brief essay that contains only two or three body paragraphs. This basic five-paragraph essay is typical of middle and high school assignments.

C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series is one of the richest works of the 20th century because it offers an escape from reality, teaches readers to have faith even when they don’t understand, and contains a host of vibrant characters.

In the above persuasive thesis, you can see my opinion about Narnia followed by three clear reasons. This thesis is perfect for setting up a tidy five-paragraph essay.

In college, five paragraph essays become few and far between as essay length gets longer. Can you imagine having only five paragraphs in a six-page paper? For a longer essay, you need a thesis statement that is more versatile. Instead of listing two or three distinct points, a thesis can list one overarching point that all body paragraphs tie into.

Good vs. evil is the main theme of Lewis’s Narnia series, as is made clear through the struggles the main characters face in each book.

In this thesis, I have made a claim about the theme in Narnia followed by my reasoning. The broader scope of this thesis allows me to write about each of the series’ seven novels. I am no longer limited in how many body paragraphs I can logically use.

Formula for a Strong Argumentative Thesis

One thing I find that is helpful for students is having a clear template. While students rarely end up with a thesis that follows this exact wording, the following template creates a good starting point:

___________ is true because of ___________, ___________, and ___________.

Conversely, the formula for a thesis with only one point might follow this template:

___________________ is true because of _____________________.

Students usually end up using different terminology than simply “because,” but having a template is always helpful to get the creative juices flowing.

The Qualities of a Solid Thesis Statement

When composing a thesis, you must consider not only the format, but other qualities like length, position in the essay, and how strong the argument is.

Length: A thesis statement can be short or long, depending on how many points it mentions. Typically, however, it is only one concise sentence. It does contain at least two clauses, usually an independent clause (the opinion) and a dependent clause (the reasons). You probably should aim for a single sentence that is at least two lines, or about 30 to 40 words long.

Position: A thesis statement always belongs at the beginning of an essay. This is because it is a sentence that tells the reader what the writer is going to discuss. Teachers will have different preferences for the precise location of the thesis, but a good rule of thumb is in the introduction paragraph, within the last two or three sentences.

Strength: Finally, for a persuasive thesis to be strong, it needs to be arguable. This means that the statement is not obvious, and it is not something that everyone agrees is true.

Example of weak thesis:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are easy to make because it just takes three ingredients.

Most people would agree that PB&J is one of the easiest sandwiches in the American lunch repertoire.

Example of a stronger thesis:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are fun to eat because they always slide around.

This is more arguable because there are plenty of folks who might think a PB&J is messy or slimy rather than fun.

Composing a thesis statement does take a bit more thought than many other parts of an essay. However, because a thesis statement can contain an entire argument in just a few words, it is worth taking the extra time to compose this sentence. It can direct your research and your argument so that your essay is tight, focused, and makes readers think.

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How To Write a Thesis Statement (with Useful Steps and Tips)

How To Write A Thesis Statement? Writing a thesis statement is one of the most important parts of crafting an essay. Without it, the audience is not informed as to what the purpose of the essay is or your take on it. In this article, we are going to be looking at how to write an effective and hard-hitting thesis statement that will enable you to write an excellent essay .

How To Write A Thesis Statement

What Is A Thesis Statement?

Before we begin looking at how to write a thesis statement , it is important to fully understand what one is. In short, a thesis statement is a short statement which offers the reader information on what the essay is about, stating its main point or argument. A thesis statement should appear in both the introduction paragraph as well as the conclusion paragraph of the essay .

Now that we are fully aware as to what a thesis statement is and what it is used for, we can begin to look at how to write one.

For Assigned Subjects

If you have been asked to write an essay on a specific subject or topic, you can model your thesis statement around this. For example, if you have been given the essay question of ‘How does unemployment affect homelessness?’ you could write a thesis statement in direct reply to this, it might look something like the following…

Unemployment affects homelessness in two ways, it causes a rise in how many homeless people there are which in turn has an effect on how much money is being spent on charities such as food banks and homeless shelters.

This statement neatly sums up the main point of the essay and gives a brief look into what is going to be discussed in more depth throughout the piece of writing.

For Non-Assigned Subjects

If you have free reign over the essay topic, you must first select what you are going to write about. Once you have decided on this, you can begin crafting your thesis statement. You should remember to ensure that the thesis statement takes care of the following points:

  • Show one main argument or idea
  • Gives space for people to disagree.
  • Shows your personal conclusion on the topic.

Now let’s presume that you have chosen the topic of whether homework is conducive to learning, you need to take into consideration the following points:

  • What is the main point of the essay?
  • What are your views on the topic?
  • Can you find any research to back your opinion or even change it?

When you have answered these questions, you are then more easily able to come up with a good thesis statement. As with the assigned essay, it is important to answer a question with your thesis statement. So, considering we are writing an essay on the subject of homework, you could then turn that subject into a question ‘Is homework conducive to learning?’ Your thesis statement might look something like this:

More and more parents are refusing to allow their children to do homework, saying that it eats into their free time and provides no benefit to learning. It has been shown that this is not true, in a study conducted in Germany, 90% of children who completed homework passed their exams with a higher grade.

The above thesis statement is strong because it:

  • Shows the author’s stance on the topic.
  • Provides a clear insight to the essay purpose.
  • Uses clear and concise language and does not waffle .
  • Expresses one main argument.

When writing your thesis statement it is important to ensure that it actively meets the above criteria in order for it to be strong and effective.

Creating a Strong Thesis Statement

Identifying the main idea.

A key step in crafting a strong thesis statement is identifying the main idea of your essay. The main idea reflects the primary subject or topic you will be discussing. To begin, make sure to have a clear understanding of the assignment and the specific requirements. If you are having trouble pinpointing the main idea, start by asking yourself what problem or question your essay aims to solve or answer. Once you have identified the main idea, use it as the focal point for your thesis statement.

Narrowing the Focus

Another crucial element in creating a solid thesis statement is narrowing the focus. Instead of attempting to address a broad topic, focus on a smaller, more specific aspect of the subject. This will help you create a strong and concise thesis statement that effectively addresses the primary question or issue.

Consider the following steps to narrow your focus:

  • Break down the main idea into smaller, related components
  • Determine which aspect of the topic is most relevant to your essay
  • Evaluate the scope of your research and analysis

By narrowing the focus, you provide a clear and specific direction for your essay, making it easier for both you and your reader to understand the central argument.

Taking a Stand

A strong thesis statement should not only present the main idea but also take a stand. It is important to make a clear, decisive assertion that demonstrates your perspective on the subject. This means avoiding vague or weak statements, and instead, confidently presenting a well-informed and well-reasoned argument.

To create a thesis statement that takes a strong stand, ensure that it:

  • Clearly articulates your position on the topic
  • Is debatable, meaning that it can be supported by evidence and allows for differing opinions
  • Presents a specific and strong point of view

By incorporating these elements, you demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the subject and have formed an educated opinion based on your research and analysis.

In summary, to craft a strong thesis statement, start by identifying the main idea, narrow the focus of your essay, and take a clear stand on the subject. These steps will help ensure that your paper is well-organized, compelling, and effectively communicates your central argument.

Testing and Refining Your Thesis Statement

Evaluating your working thesis.

It is crucial to evaluate your working thesis throughout the writing process. This allows you to determine if your thesis is focused, clear, and relevant to your research. Keep these questions in mind when evaluating your thesis:

  • Does it answer the research question or address the main issue?
  • Is it specific and concise?
  • Does it serve as a guide for your ideas and analysis?

Revise your thesis if it does not fulfill these criteria or needs improvement.

Considering Counterarguments

A powerful thesis statement should take into account potential counterarguments. By considering negative perspectives and possible objections to your argument, you can refine your thesis and ensure its strength. Examine your thesis to see if it can withstand opposing views:

  • Can you think of any counterarguments?
  • Do your research and analysis support the thesis statement in light of these counterarguments?
  • Can you provide plausible evidence to refute the counterarguments?

If your thesis can stand up to scrutiny and maintain its focus in spite of potential objections, it is on the right track.

Revising for Clarity and Strength

Once you have evaluated your working thesis and accounted for counterarguments, it is time to revise your thesis statement for clarity and strength. To do this, follow these steps:

  • Remove any vague phrases and make your thesis statement as specific as possible.
  • Ensure that your thesis does not try to cover too many ideas or provide unrelated information.
  • Test your thesis against new research and perspectives that emerge throughout your writing process.

By revising your thesis statement and ensuring that it is clear, concise, and backed by relevant research and analysis, you will create a strong foundation for your paper.

Supporting Your Thesis Statement

Gathering evidence.

When working on a thesis statement, it is essential to gather relevant evidence to support your position. Evidence can include statistics, research findings, primary sources, or expert opinions. Start by reviewing available material, assessing its credibility and reliability, and choosing the most reliable and valuable sources. Organize the evidence in a logical manner to make it easy for the reader to understand and follow your argument.

Understanding Topic Sentences

A well-structured paper begins with clear and concise topic sentences. Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that identifies the main idea of the paragraph, and it should link back to the thesis statement. This helps maintain focus and coherence throughout the paper. For example:

  • In a paper about the benefits of renewable energy, a topic sentence could be: “Solar energy is a reliable and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels.”

Analyzing Sources and Facts

Thoroughly analyze your sources to determine their relevance, credibility, and accuracy. An effective way to do this is through the following steps:

  • Check the author’s background and expertise.
  • Evaluate the source’s publication date and ensure it is up-to-date.
  • Determine if the source is peer-reviewed or published by a reputable organization.
  • Check for biased language or exaggerated claims.

When presenting facts, remain neutral and unbiased, accurately representing the information you’ve gathered. Lastly, provide proper citations to give credit to the authors and avoid plagiarism.

Organizing Your Material

Effectively organizing your material is crucial for a well-structured and coherent paper. Make sure to:

  • Create an outline to map out the flow of your argument.
  • Group related pieces of evidence together, using bullet points or tables when necessary for clarity.
  • Transition smoothly between paragraphs to maintain the reader’s interest and understanding.

By following these steps, your paper will effectively support your thesis statement, convincingly presenting your argument and contributing to the field of education.

Additional Tips For A Good Thesis Statement

We are now going to look at some final hints to ensure that you write the best thesis statement possible.

  • Ensure that your thesis statement appears in your introduction and conclusion and does not get burying deep within the body of the essay.
  • Make sure that the thesis statement does not exceed two sentences.
  • Avoid making obvious statements such as ‘this is an essay about….’ or ‘the point of this paper is….’ The thesis statement should be able to convey this without using such up-front language.
  • Write clearly and articulately.

In conclusion, a thesis statement is a critical element in the process of writing a research paper, essay, or dissertation. It serves to provide focus, direction, and convey the main argument of the work. The following paragraphs will explore some examples, tips, and guidelines on effective thesis statement writing.

When crafting a thesis statement, it is essential to ensure it is clear, concise, and focused. One way to create a strong thesis is to consider the scope of your research and align your statement with the overall themes and objectives of the project. Using specific, well-defined language helps to articulate your argument and demonstrate a solid understanding of the topic. Consider the following example:

Example:  “Through a comparative analysis of European and American film noir, this paper will reveal the influence of post-WWII societal anxieties on the genre’s distinctive narrative and stylistic elements.”

In this example, the thesis statement clearly states the research question, the subject matter, and the intended scope of the analysis.

Additionally, it is important to be consistent with the type of paper you are writing. For instance, if you are writing an analytical paper, your thesis statement should break down the issue and present an evaluation. However, if your paper is argumentative, your thesis should make a claim and justify your stance. Here are few examples for each type:

Analytical paper:  “Through an examination of campaign strategies, this study will explore the effectiveness of social media in modern political discourse.”

Argumentative paper:  “Despite the widespread use of social media in political discourse, it is argued that traditional media continues to be pivotal in shaping public opinion.”

Finally, to aid in the comprehension and readability of your work, consider employing formatting elements such as tables and bullet points when presenting complex information. This will help ensure your thesis statement and research paper is understandable and effective in conveying your main argument.

How To Write A Thesis Statement Infographic

How To Write A Thesis Statement (with Useful Examples)

Writing a good thesis statement can have a big impact on your essay. A thesis statement should include the point of view of the author , the main point of the writing and be clear and easy to understand.

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The thesis statement or main claim must be debatable

An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. In other words, the thesis must be something that people could reasonably have differing opinions on. If your thesis is something that is generally agreed upon or accepted as fact then there is no reason to try to persuade people.

Example of a non-debatable thesis statement:

This thesis statement is not debatable. First, the word pollution implies that something is bad or negative in some way. Furthermore, all studies agree that pollution is a problem; they simply disagree on the impact it will have or the scope of the problem. No one could reasonably argue that pollution is unambiguously good.

Example of a debatable thesis statement:

This is an example of a debatable thesis because reasonable people could disagree with it. Some people might think that this is how we should spend the nation's money. Others might feel that we should be spending more money on education. Still others could argue that corporations, not the government, should be paying to limit pollution.

Another example of a debatable thesis statement:

In this example there is also room for disagreement between rational individuals. Some citizens might think focusing on recycling programs rather than private automobiles is the most effective strategy.

The thesis needs to be narrow

Although the scope of your paper might seem overwhelming at the start, generally the narrower the thesis the more effective your argument will be. Your thesis or claim must be supported by evidence. The broader your claim is, the more evidence you will need to convince readers that your position is right.

Example of a thesis that is too broad:

There are several reasons this statement is too broad to argue. First, what is included in the category "drugs"? Is the author talking about illegal drug use, recreational drug use (which might include alcohol and cigarettes), or all uses of medication in general? Second, in what ways are drugs detrimental? Is drug use causing deaths (and is the author equating deaths from overdoses and deaths from drug related violence)? Is drug use changing the moral climate or causing the economy to decline? Finally, what does the author mean by "society"? Is the author referring only to America or to the global population? Does the author make any distinction between the effects on children and adults? There are just too many questions that the claim leaves open. The author could not cover all of the topics listed above, yet the generality of the claim leaves all of these possibilities open to debate.

Example of a narrow or focused thesis:

In this example the topic of drugs has been narrowed down to illegal drugs and the detriment has been narrowed down to gang violence. This is a much more manageable topic.

We could narrow each debatable thesis from the previous examples in the following way:

Narrowed debatable thesis 1:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just the amount of money used but also how the money could actually help to control pollution.

Narrowed debatable thesis 2:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just what the focus of a national anti-pollution campaign should be but also why this is the appropriate focus.

Qualifiers such as " typically ," " generally ," " usually ," or " on average " also help to limit the scope of your claim by allowing for the almost inevitable exception to the rule.

Types of claims

Claims typically fall into one of four categories. Thinking about how you want to approach your topic, or, in other words, what type of claim you want to make, is one way to focus your thesis on one particular aspect of your broader topic.

Claims of fact or definition: These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. Example:

Claims of cause and effect: These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur. Example:

Claims about value: These are claims made of what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something. Example:

Claims about solutions or policies: These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Example:

Which type of claim is right for your argument? Which type of thesis or claim you use for your argument will depend on your position and knowledge of the topic, your audience, and the context of your paper. You might want to think about where you imagine your audience to be on this topic and pinpoint where you think the biggest difference in viewpoints might be. Even if you start with one type of claim you probably will be using several within the paper. Regardless of the type of claim you choose to utilize it is key to identify the controversy or debate you are addressing and to define your position early on in the paper.

How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement

The important sentence expresses your central assertion or argument

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A thesis statement provides the foundation for your entire research paper or essay. This statement is the central assertion that you want to express in your essay. A successful thesis statement is one that is made up of one or two sentences clearly laying out your central idea and expressing an informed, reasoned answer to your research question.

Usually, the thesis statement will appear at the end of the first paragraph of your paper. There are a few different types, and the content of your thesis statement will depend upon the type of paper you’re writing.

Key Takeaways: Writing a Thesis Statement

  • A thesis statement gives your reader a preview of your paper's content by laying out your central idea and expressing an informed, reasoned answer to your research question.
  • Thesis statements will vary depending on the type of paper you are writing, such as an expository essay, argument paper, or analytical essay.
  • Before creating a thesis statement, determine whether you are defending a stance, giving an overview of an event, object, or process, or analyzing your subject

Expository Essay Thesis Statement Examples

An expository essay "exposes" the reader to a new topic; it informs the reader with details, descriptions, or explanations of a subject. If you are writing an expository essay , your thesis statement should explain to the reader what she will learn in your essay. For example:

  • The United States spends more money on its military budget than all the industrialized nations combined.
  • Gun-related homicides and suicides are increasing after years of decline.
  • Hate crimes have increased three years in a row, according to the FBI.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases the risk of stroke and arterial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).

These statements provide a statement of fact about the topic (not just opinion) but leave the door open for you to elaborate with plenty of details. In an expository essay, you don't need to develop an argument or prove anything; you only need to understand your topic and present it in a logical manner. A good thesis statement in an expository essay always leaves the reader wanting more details.

Types of Thesis Statements

Before creating a thesis statement, it's important to ask a few basic questions, which will help you determine the kind of essay or paper you plan to create:

  • Are you defending a stance in a controversial essay ?
  • Are you simply giving an overview or describing an event, object, or process?
  • Are you conducting an analysis of an event, object, or process?

In every thesis statement , you will give the reader a preview of your paper's content, but the message will differ a little depending on the essay type .

Argument Thesis Statement Examples

If you have been instructed to take a stance on one side of a controversial issue, you will need to write an argument essay . Your thesis statement should express the stance you are taking and may give the reader a preview or a hint of your evidence. The thesis of an argument essay could look something like the following:

  • Self-driving cars are too dangerous and should be banned from the roadways.
  • The exploration of outer space is a waste of money; instead, funds should go toward solving issues on Earth, such as poverty, hunger, global warming, and traffic congestion.
  • The U.S. must crack down on illegal immigration.
  • Street cameras and street-view maps have led to a total loss of privacy in the United States and elsewhere.

These thesis statements are effective because they offer opinions that can be supported by evidence. If you are writing an argument essay, you can craft your own thesis around the structure of the statements above.

Analytical Essay Thesis Statement Examples

In an analytical essay assignment, you will be expected to break down a topic, process, or object in order to observe and analyze your subject piece by piece. Examples of a thesis statement for an analytical essay include:

  • The criminal justice reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate in late 2018 (" The First Step Act ") aims to reduce prison sentences that disproportionately fall on nonwhite criminal defendants.
  • The rise in populism and nationalism in the U.S. and European democracies has coincided with the decline of moderate and centrist parties that have dominated since WWII.
  • Later-start school days increase student success for a variety of reasons.

Because the role of the thesis statement is to state the central message of your entire paper, it is important to revisit (and maybe rewrite) your thesis statement after the paper is written. In fact, it is quite normal for your message to change as you construct your paper.

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How to write a thesis statement (with examples)

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What exactly is a thesis statement?

What if I told you that one sentence in your essay or thesis could be the difference between a First and a Fail?

It may sound absurd – perhaps even unfair – but it’s true. I refer, of course, to the thesis statement. A thesis statement is your entire essay if it were condensed into a single sentence. If your essay title is a question, then your thesis statement is the one-sentence answer.

It tends to arrive near the end of the first paragraph of a thesis.

Let’s take a look at an example from a Master of Education degree thesis:

Thesis title What constitutes ‘good writing’ for GCSE students of English?

Thesis statement The examination rubric by which GCSE English writing performance is assessed, influenced by a long history of variable ‘tastes’, may now be said to describe ‘good writing’ as that which is grammatically accurate, sophisticated, and suited to purpose, genre and audience.

(The thesis statement would be located in paragraph 1, after a brief overview of the subject).

Why is a thesis statement important?

As I mentioned, the way your thesis statement is written can be the difference between a First and a Fail. But how?

To answer that, let’s think about what ‘thesis’ means. From the Greek thésis, meaning ‘proposition’, your thesis is your main argument.

It is the position you have to support and defend for the remainder of your essay. Without something clear to defend, the fortress you build will crumble and the army you deploy will run about like headless chickens.

In essence: without a clear thesis statement, you don’t have an essay.

“Establishing a clear thesis at the start of your essay is crucial for both you and your examiner. For your examiner, it’s evidence that you have answered the question. For you, it can function as an essay plan.”

For both of you, it’s a litmus test for the quality of the argument: if you can’t fit your essay’s arguments into a sentence, they are too diffuse; and if you can’t stick to your thesis statement’s focus throughout your essay, you are not focused.

A precisely focused and well-grounded essay is more worthy of a First Class grade than one with a scattergun approach.

What should a thesis statement include?

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.

The subject and topic of the essay

Look at this real-life title from an undergraduate Sports Science essay:

What are the key differences between training recommendations for maximising muscular strength and maximising muscular hypertrophy?

The first task is, of course, to determine the subject of the essay.

In this example, that would be ‘training recommendations for maximising muscular strength and training recommendations for maximising muscular hypertrophy’.

Knowing that means that I know I will need to deploy my knowledge about those two similar but distinct areas. It also means that I should be using the specialist terminology relevant to the field, such as load, isotonic and volume.

Next, I need to determine the topic.

Here it would be ‘the key differences’ between training recommendations for those two goals. That phrase ‘key differences’ is likely to be at the heart of my thesis statement, to show that I’m on track.

With that in mind, my thesis statement might look like this:

Whilst both training outcomes require resistance training centred upon isotonic contractions, it is likely that the absolute load requirements may need to be higher for strength purposes, whilst the total training volume may need to be higher for hypertrophy purposes.

It is by no means a complete essay, but it states clearly what the ‘short answer’ to the question is, whilst paving the way for the ‘long answer’ to follow.

But what if the essay isn’t just looking for the facts organised into a specific order? What if the essay is asking for analysis? Or an argument?

The purpose of the essay

Different essay purposes require different thesis statements. Fortunately, there are only three main essay purposes, and they’re pretty easy to recognise:

1. The expository essay: This is an essay type that asks for the key facts on a subject to be laid out, with explanations. The Sports Science question above is an example of this. It asks for the WHAT and HOW of something.

2. The analytical essay: This essay type asks you not only to lay out the facts, but also to analyse and deconstruct them to better understand them. It is typical in subjects such as English Literature and Fine Art. It asks for the WHY of something.

3. The argumentative essay: This type of essay asks you to use the facts available, to analyse them for value, and then to provide a point of view about the subject. It moves more quickly through the WHAT, HOW and WHY of a topic through to: WHY DOES IT MATTER?

All of the above essay types need a thesis statement that includes a proposition (a statement which answers the question or addresses the title).

Beyond that, these three essay types all require different additions.

For the expository essay , you need to add an overview of the details of the conclusion. Let’s look at an example:

Expository essay title: What are the key differences between training recommendations for maximising muscular strength and maximising muscular hypertrophy? (BSc in Sports Science)

Expository thesis statement: Whilst both training outcomes require resistance training centred upon isotonic contractions, it is likely that the absolute load requirements may need to be higher for strength purposes, whilst the total training volume may need to be higher for hypertrophy purposes. (The basic conclusion is that both approaches need isotonic resistance training; the details are teased out in bold.)

For the analytical essay , you need to add an overview of the analysis performed. Here’s an example:

Analytical essay title: Why did England and Wales vote to leave the European Union? (BA in Politics)

Analytical thesis statement: A close consideration of the voter demographics, the populist nature of political messages leading up to the referendum, and the history of Britain’s status in the EU, will demonstrate that Brexit was primarily motivated by the machinations of the Right.

(The basic conclusion is that Brexit was influenced by politicians; the analytical approach is in bold.)

For the argumentative essay , you need to add an overview of your reasoning. Another example:

Argumentative essay title: To what extent do you consider the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays to be in question? (BA in English Literature)

Argumentative thesis statement: Shakespeare’s authorship of his plays is beyond question, given both the entirely unconvincing nature of any counter-theories and the relatively unstable conception of the playwright’s identity as it stands. (The basic conclusion is that Shakespeare did write his plays; the reasoning is in bold.)

As you can see from these examples, the purpose of the essay gives a very clear demand for something beyond a simple answer.

But, there’s more!

The length of the essay

The prescribed length of the essay also defines what you need to do with your thesis statement.

Your thesis statement is a microcosm : a miniature, compressed version of your whole essay.

So, it makes sense that the length of the actual essay is going to impact upon the content of the thesis statement.

If, for example, your essay is expected to be 800 words long and on the subject of Eve in the Bible, then it would be overly ambitious for your thesis statement to say: ‘through comprehensive study of the Bible and extant criticism’. For an 800 essay, more precision will be necessary. It would be better for your thesis statement to say: ‘with due awareness of the complexity of the issue, focusing on feminist readings of Genesis .’

“Matching the scope given in your thesis statement to the depth you provide in your essay is a very effective way to ensure precision.”

Contrastingly, if your essay is expected to be 80,000 words long (a PhD thesis, for example), on the subject of stop-motion animation, it would be rather unambitious to suggest that the essay will ‘provide a visual analysis of Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers’, only. For a PhD, we would expect more content to be covered, and multiple approaches to analysis to be considered.

Indeed, matching the scope given in your thesis statement to the depth you provide in your essay is a very effective way to ensure precision.

So, to summarise, how do I write a thesis statement?

It’s a simple, three-part process:

1. Identify the question in the title (or make a question from the statement). 2. Answer that question in as few words as possible. 3. Complete the sentence by providing an overview of the foundation behind your answer.

Easy, right? It can be!

That said, there are plenty of traps that essayists can fall into with this part of the essay. Let’s look at some of these pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Pitalls to Avoid

Pitfall #1: amateurish style.

This is common throughout academic essays written by beginners. It’s not just the thesis statement that falls foul of sounding amateurish. There are plenty of ways this happens, which are beyond the scope of this argument, but the following example is a prime example: In this essay, I will explore the various pieces of evidence before concluding.

This is amateurish for a few reasons. Firstly, it doesn’t actually say anything. You could otherwise word it, ‘I will write an essay which answers the question’ – a rather wasted sentence. The next, and more forgivable issue is the use of the first-person. We want to get a sense that an individual wrote this essay, but we never want to hear them mentioned! Make sense? No? Sorry.

This should instead read more like:

This essay considers evidence from X in light of Y which ultimately reveals Z at the heart of the issue.

(It focuses on the specifics, X, Y, and Z, and is devoid of any mention of its author.)

Pitfall #2: empty phrasing

This is similar to amateurish style. However, empty phrasing is not just amateur-sounding; it’s manipulative-sounding.

Using phrases such as “in order to” instead of, simply, “to” – or “due to the fact that” instead of just “as” – look like attempts to fill up the word count with waffle rather than content. The same goes for phrases that can be substituted for one word: ‘it is evident that’ can (and should) become ‘evidently’.

Watch this thesis statement from a GCSE essay on Music go from hideous to tolerable:

Beethoven was unable to hear his work, due to the fact that he was deaf, so it is evident that he musically conceptualised the notes in order to compose. (Wordy!)

Beethoven was unable to hear his work, as he was deaf, so it is evident that he musically conceptualised the notes to compose. (Slightly less wordy.)

Beethoven’s deafness made him unable to hear his work, so evidently he musically conceptualised the notes to compose. (About as concise as such a complex sentence will get…)

Do not mistake wordiness for sophistication. Your ideas should be sophisticated; your writing should be clear.

Pitfall #3: non-standard grammar

For an examiner, the English language is not just a vehicle for your ideas. It should be, but the academic process always involves the assessment of your expression.

So, to satisfy our examiners’ prescriptive tastes, we need to adhere to the basic tenets of Standard English.

Take a look at the following thesis statement example from an A Level Sociology essay: Considering the status of BAME in Internet culture, the demonstrably racist treatment at the hands of the police, and the energy behind the BLM protests, concluding that there is hope for the future.

This sentence has no finite main verb, so it is technically not a sentence. To become a grammatical sentence, we would need to make ‘concluding’ finite: ‘it can be concluded’, or ‘we conclude’.

The writer got lost in this example because the sentence was so long!

Long sentences can also lead to a failure to make subject and verb agree, like in the next thesis statement example from a school Geography essay:

The most populous municipalities of Spain, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Zaragoza, does not rank in the top ten most dense populations of the country, with the exception of Barcelona.

Because the subject ‘municipalities’ is separated from the verb ‘does’ by eight words, it is easy to forget that they do not agree. It should, of course, be ‘do, not ‘does’.

Final words

The thesis statement, as I said at the start, can be the difference between a First and a Fail. So, take your time with it.

Write it carefully.

Then redraft and refine it several times, until it’s as good as you can make it.

The payoff is a slick, coherent thesis statement that paves the way to a great essay that really impresses your examiner.

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Jerz's Literacy Weblog (est. 1999)

Thesis statement tips: helpful hacks for how to write a thesis for academic essays.

Jerz >  Writing > Academic     [ Argument | Title  | Thesis |  Blueprint  | Pro/Con | Quoting |  MLA Format ]

The biography  challenges the Western genre’s stereotype of the “savage Indian” through  .

how to create a thesis for a essay

  • Precise Opinion : the book challenges a stereotype (a good thesis is debatable, so a good paper would also cover ways that this book perpetuates this same stereotype)
  • A strong blueprint would hint at why these three details add up to support the thesis statement.
  • A less impressive blueprint might simply list the main points the essay will cover.

There is nothing magically “correct” about a thesis on challenging a cultural stereotype. Instead of claiming that a book “ challenges a genre’s stereotypes ,” you might instead argue that some text “ provides a more expensive but more ethical solution than X ” or “ undermines Jim Smith’s observation that ‘[some quote from Smith here]’ ”. (Don’t automatically use “challenges a genre’s stereotype” in the hopes of coming up with the “correct” thesis.)

A more complicated thesis statement for a paper that asks you to demonstrate your ability engage with someone else’s ideas (rather than simply summarize or react to someone else’s ideas) might follow a formula like this:

Although Smith says “quote a passage that makes a specific claim you intend to disagree with” (123), in this paper I will use Brown’s concept of X to argue that [your original thesis goes here].”

For a short paper (1-2 pages), the thesis statement is often the first sentence. A complex thesis statement for a long paper may be part of a thesis paragraph. But it’s hard to go wrong if you put your thesis first.

Useful Formulae for Thesis Statements

If you’re not sure whether you have a good thesis statement, see whether you can fit your ideas into one of these basic patterns.

because .
or
Because , .
Although , show .

If you are just starting out, and you are still developing an original, evidence-based claim to defend, a simpler formula is probably best. Once you have done the research, and you understand the subject, then a formula like the following won’t look like random words; it will suggest a way to frame a nuanced, complex argument that goes beyond making non-controversial factual statements.

While says , says . While the two authors disagree over , they both share a deep concern over . refusal to accept suggests that is .
What really matters is not guessing the magically correct words to fit some secret formula that your mean instructor is refusing to tell you.

What matters is that you have researched your subject, that you have found and engaged meaningfully with peer-reviewed academic sources, and that you are developing an evidence-based claim, rather than summarizing or giving unsupported opinion.

Academic Argument: Evidence-based Defense of a Non-obvious Position

how to create a thesis for a essay

  • Unlike a personal essay , which can rely on personal experience and general observations, a research paper must draw on evidence — usually in the form of direct quotations or statistics from peer-reviewed academic journals .
  • You have no reason to “defend” a position unless some expert has presented credible evidence that challenges  a claim you want to make. (Finding, quoting, and engaging with that evidence is part of your task as an academic writer.)
  • An academic argument is not a squabble, a difference of opinions, or an attorney’s courtroom statement. The author of an academic argument is more like the judge, who, after hearing out the best arguments in favor of various possible solutions, supports the best one. An academic argument is part of a discussion that respects multiple viewpoints (as long as those viewpoints are backed by credible evidence).

Parts of a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement has 3 main parts : the limited subject , the precise opinion , and the blueprint of reasons .

1. Limited Subject

Make sure you’ve chosen a subject that meets your instructor’s requirements for the assignment. (It never hurts to ask.)

2. Precise Opinion

The precise opinion gives your answer to a question about the subject. A good precise opinion is vital to the reader’s comprehension of the goal of the essay .

3. Blueprint of Reasons

A blueprint is a plan. It lets the builder know that the foyer will be here, the living room will be to the east, the dining room to the west, and the family room will be north.The blueprint of an essay permits you to see the whole shape of your ideas before you start churning out whole paragraphs.While it’s okay for you to start writing down your ideas before you have a clear sense of your blueprint, your reader should never encounter a list of details without being told exactly what point these details are supposed to support. (For more details on the reasoning blueprint, see Blueprinting .)

The biography  challenges the Western genre’s stereotype of the “savage Indian” through  .
In the blueprint, the author . The author of the example above introduces three different kinds of evidence:

Informed by this blueprint, the reader expects to encounter one section (a paragraph or more) devoted to each subtopic.The .

If your thesis statement introduces three reasons A, B and C, the reader will expect a section on reason A, a section on reason B, and a section on reason C.

For a single paragraph, you might only spend one sentence on each reason. For a 2-3 page paper, each reason might get its own paragraph. For a 10-page paper, each reason might contain its own local thesis statement, with its own list of reasons, so that each section involves several paragraphs.To emphasize the structure of your essay, repeat keywords or paraphrased ideas from the blueprint as you introduce the sections in which you expand on each point. Crafting good transitions is a skill that takes time and practice. ( See Transitions and Reminders of Thesis ).

Note : If you repeat your blueprint phrases and your thesis statement robotically (“The third point I want to talk about is how Black Elk Speaks accurately represents the Indian lifestyle through its direct quotes from Black Elk.”), your writing will be rather dry and lifeless. Dull writing is probably better than aimless rambling, although neither is terribly effective. |

Note : A thesis statement amounts to nothing if the paper is not completely focused on that main point . Blueprinting helps create the coherency of the thesis throughout the entire essay, which makes it a necessary part of the thesis statement.

accurately represents Indian lifestyle through its attention to cultural detail, its use of Indian words, and its direct quotes from Black Elk.
: The representation of Indian lifestyle in the book Black Elk Speaks : the book is accurate : the book pays attention to it uses , and it uses . (The rest of the paper will establish the truth of teach of these supporting points, and then explain why they add up to support the truth of the thesis statement.)
Is  a tragedy?
This is a question, not a statement. It’s fine to sit down at the keyboard with the intention of writing a paper to answer this question, but before you start churning out the sentences, you should have a clear idea of what answer you’re trying to support.
This paper will look at the book’s attention to cultural detail, its use of Indian words, and its direct quotations from Black Elk, in order to determine whether accurately represents Indian lifestyle.
The above sample is slightly better because it offers more detail, but it still doesn’t say what position the author is taking on the topic of whether the book is accurate.
Because the events in the story emphasize Black Elk’s role as a Sioux Warrior, and do not describe his eventual conversion to Catholicism and membership in the Society of St. Joseph, presents a skewed and simplified view of the complex history of Native Americans.
Note that the above sample contains a (the accuracy of Black Elk Speaks), (it is skewed and simplified), and (because the book only tells part of the story).

You don’t need to present those three parts in that exact order every time; furthermore, your instructor may have a good reason to ask you for a different organization. But most of the time, including these three parts will help your reader to follow your ideas much more closely.

Biographies of all types can teach us many things about the past. What was the culture like? What was the language like? And what did the people say? One such book is Black Elk Speaks, which tells the story of a Sioux warrior in the late 1800s. How accurate is this book? This paper will investigate the cultural details, the language, and what Black Elk actually said, in order to determine the answer.
The above sample starts off with a wordy, general statement about biographies. But the main topic isn’t about biographies of all types, it’s specifically about one book, Black Elk Speaks.

17 Oct 2000 — originally posted by Nicci Jordan, UWEC Junior 08 Dec 2000 — first posted here. Maintained by Prof. Jerz. 13 Dec 2003 — links updated 22 Sep 2006 — moderate revisions by Jerz 29 Oct 2011 — updated by Jerz 14 June 2015 — minor adjustments

Blueprinting: Planning Your Essay A blueprint is a rough but specific  plan , or outline, which defines the structure of your whole essay. The blueprint, usually located within the thesis statement, is a brief list of the points you plan to make, compressed into just a few words each, in the same order in which they appear in the body of your paper.

Hochstein, Jordan, and Jerz Thesis Reminders A thesis reminder is a direct  echo of the thesis statement . In a short paper, the topic sentence of each paragraph should repeat words or phrases from the thesis statement.

Dennis G. Jerz Timed Essays: Planning and Organizing in a Crunch

222 thoughts on “ Thesis Statement Tips: Helpful Hacks for How to Write a Thesis for Academic Essays ”

this did not help at all

I can’t win them all.

Gibberish person may be skimming too fast. This always helps. I’m in the middle of replying to a student email on how to rework her thesis statement and I use your explanation as a clear explanation.

This has helped a lot, thank you.

I find this page helpful. Thank you!

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please I want some more examples of how to construct a very good acedamic essays

From this class,I kind of know what is thesis statement.It is a strong support of a whole passage,it can inform people of what the passage is telling,only by using a few words .It should have the keywords and a good organization to make itself brief but rich.After learning this class,I think I will be better at writing the thesis statement.Thanks

I am doing a project for my MST…but iam finding it difficult in putting up my paragraphs which needs to include my subject and limited subject…..pliz advice me on how to put up my paragraph

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I am doing preparation of ielts exam . but I faface difficulty in grammar and especially in thesis line which I confuse that what should i write in thesis line among all kinds of essay …plz tell me but should I do to improve it.

I think you should read more and write more.After writing,you can ask someone that is good at English learning to help you know what your mistakes are.

Vehicles has become a essential part of human being life. People used to bicycle but by the time mode of commute has been replaced by car .however, still in some cities people prefer to ride bicycle for travelling.

Plz tell me how can I impressive to my intro and how can I improve my writing skill

Jonu, I’d say the most important helpful thing you can do is expose yourself to English as spoken by native English speakers, talking with people who know the language well enough that they can correct you immediately, in casual conversation, when you make one of the word-level errors that only an expert user of the language would spot. There is no shortcut — exposing yourself to a language is the only way to learn it.

I happened to come across this video, which is geared towards a young audience, but is written for English language learners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqxuNrhKhMc

Hi i am doing the preparation of competitive exam , i have to write an Essay of 2500-2800 words, data should be critical and researched base, for example there is Essay on Climate change , then please tell me how i develop a thesis statement, and how we write thesis statement, is it is written in the start of Essay or in the end of introduction, some people said that thesis satement should be written in start other say that this written in end of introductory paragraph. please help me with example thanks

Rab, if you are looking for my advice on thesis statements, you have found the right page. If you have any specific questions or comments about the content of this page, I’d be happy to address them. I’ve already put lots of time into this page, and at the moment I can’t think of a way to present my advice any more clearly.

Although you did say “please,” even so, “tell me how I develop a thesis statement” is asking for quite a lot.

What is your college major or your area of professonal expertise? If I asked you to tell me, right here on my blog, what I need to know in order to succeed in a competitive exam in your field, what would you say?

If I went to a doctor and said “Tell me how to diagnose a patient,” or I went to a judge and said “Tell me how to interpret the law,” or I went to an artist and said “Tell me how to be creative,” do you think they would be able give me a few sentences that completely answer my question and prepare me for professional work as a doctor, judge, or artist? If they had spent years as students learning their subject matter, and additional years teaching or writing a textbook on their specialty, they might be very good in their professions but I’d bet they’d all find it tough to answer such a question in any meaningful way.

I won’t be evaluating your submission, so my opinion on debatable topics such as where the thesis should go won’t be of any specific use to you.

thesis statement should be the last statement in your introductory paragraph, it will consist of a short explanation as to why you are writing the essay and what is involved.

That’s certainly a valid place to put a thesis statement, jentar. If your instructor tells you to put a thesis statement in a certain place, then putting it anywhere else is risky. But it’s also possible to start with a paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention with a gripping example that illustrates what’s at stake, and then give the thesis statement in the second paragraph.

This is great stuff. I wonder if you didn’t mean expansive rather than expensive in the following sentence. “Instead of claiming that a book “challenges a genre’s stereotypes,” you might instead argue that some text “provides a more expensive but more ethical solution than X” or “challenges Jim Smith’s observation that ‘[some quote from Smith here]’” instead.

Thanks for your feedback. I’m glad you found the page useful. I really did mean “expensive” in that example, though I am simply suggesting that considering cost is worth exploring in an argument, depending on the kind of argument you are making.

I found the information to be very informative and easy to understand. Thank you

Hi. I began an essay on the topic ; reasons why pursuing college education is important. I had it started off this way… Aristotle said it best when he stated, “Education is the best provision for life’s journey.” Pursuing a college education provides individuals with career pportunities, higher income and experiences necessary in the journey of life. Please do you think I started off good or too weak? I need your help as this is a great assignment for me to make up for my mid semester examination which I was unable to attend!

Your instructor is the one who will grade the assignment, so he or she is the best source of feedback. Without knowing what grade/level you are, or what kind of class you are taking, I can’t really advise you. However, unless you have read Aristotle’s works yourself and can place that quote in its context, I would not recommend pulling a random quote from a website and using it to start a paper. The complete quote is “Education is the best provision for the journey to old age,” but what does that mean?

The word “best” means there is at least a “good” and a “better,” and that by some measurement or judgement, a third thing is “best.” What are the two other sayings (at least) that you have compared to Aristotle, and what are the two other things (at least) that Aristotle thinks are not as good provision for life’s journey to old age? Why does your opinion (on at least three different sayings, of which the best is Aristotle’s), and at least three different provisions for old age (of which the best is education) help you to answer your instructor’s prompt about the reasons for pursing a college education?

What we think of as “college” is very different from the education that Aristotle would have received (or provided). I suggest you look into ways that a college education encourages critical thinking, which is a different way of thinking than “Did I get the right answer? Will my teacher approve? What’s the secret ‘correct’ answer in the back of my instructor’s book that I should memorize and spit back?” Maybe your instructor wants you to determine for yourself whether you feel gaining a college education is worth the intellectual effort.

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Home > Blog > Thesis Statement Essays Examples

Thesis Statement Essays Examples

Thesis Statement Essays Examples

  • Smodin Editorial Team
  • Updated: August 30, 2024
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Writing an essay can seem challenging, but a solid thesis statement can make it easier. A thesis statement is a crucial part of any essay. It gives your reader a clear understanding of your main idea. The goal should be to deliver a strong, concise, yet compelling statement that immerses the reader in your writing. A strong thesis statement means a strong start to your essay !

We’ve developed this comprehensive guide to explore what makes a good thesis statement. We’ll discuss different thesis statement essay examples and show you steps on how to write a strong statement. Whether you’re writing a research paper, argumentative essay, or policy proposal, a solid thesis statement is key.

 A student writing on a desk in front of a laptop.

What Is a Thesis Statement?

To put it simply, a thesis statement summarizes your entire paper. It usually appears at the end of the first paragraph, known as the essay introduction. Your thesis should be specific, concise, and clear.

It should express one main idea and guide your writing. For example, if your paper explains climate change, your thesis might assert that “Climate change poses a significant threat to global ecosystems.”

How To Write a Thesis Statement: Example and What To Include

In this section, we include how to write a thesis statement with an example to help you out in the process. Below, we have listed some of the steps involved, while compiling a thesis statement.

Start With a Question

Every good thesis statement starts with a question. Think about what you want to explore or decide about your topic. For example, “Has the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?”

Write Your Initial Answer

After some research, write a simple, tentative answer to your question. This will guide your research and writing process. For example, “The internet has had a positive impact on education.”

Refine Your Thesis Statement

Your final thesis should ultimately tell the reader why you hold this position. You can elaborate and explain what they’ll learn from your essay and the key points of your argument.

For example, “The internet’s positive impact on education outweighs its negatives by providing easier access to information. Exposure to different perspectives and a flexible learning environment for students and teachers contributes to this”.

Two students smiling while working on a project outdoors.

A Good Thesis Statement Example

A good thesis statement is concise, coherent, and contentious. It should clearly state your main idea and be backed up by specific evidence. Take a look at the following good thesis statement example:

“While many people believe climate change is a natural phenomenon, evidence shows that human activities significantly contribute to its acceleration.”

This statement is clear, concise, and debatable. It presents a strong position that can be supported with evidence.

Types of Thesis Statements

Your thesis should match the type of essay you’re writing. Here are some examples of different types of thesis statements.

Argumentative Thesis Statement

In an argumentative essay , your thesis should take a strong position.

For example:

“The government should implement stricter regulations on carbon emissions to combat climate change.”

An argumentative paper makes a clear, debatable claim that requires evidence and reasoning. This thesis presents a clear argument that will be supported with evidence throughout the essay.

Expository Thesis Statement

In an expository essay , your thesis should explain the facts of a topic or process.

“The invention of braille improved the lives of blind people by allowing them to read and write independently.”

This statement explains the impact of braille without taking a position.

A girl in a yellow t-shirt working on a desk in front of a laptop and smiling.

Thesis Statement Essay Examples for Different Types of Papers

Let’s look at some thesis statement essay examples to understand how to craft one effectively.

Example 1: Argumentative Paper

Topic: The impact of surveillance on society

Thesis statement: “Although surveillance is often viewed negatively, its positive effects on public safety outweigh its downsides.”

This thesis presents a clear argument that will be supported with evidence throughout the essay.

Example 2: Expository Paper

Topic: The history of the internet

Thesis statement: “The internet revolutionized communication by allowing instant access to information and connecting people globally.”

This statement explains how the internet has changed communication without presenting an argument.

In both examples, the thesis statements are clear and concise, and provide a roadmap for the essay.

Example 3: Analytical Paper

Topic: The impact of social media on mental health

Thesis statement: “Social media influences mental health by increasing anxiety, promoting unrealistic body images, and enhancing social connections.”

An analytical thesis statement breaks down an idea into parts to examine and interpret. This example shows the impact of social media into specific components for detailed analysis. An analytical paper breaks complex subjects into components for detailed examination and analysis.

Characteristics of a Good Thesis Statement

An effective thesis statement is the backbone of a well-structured essay. Thesis statement examples help illustrate the differences between strong and weak thesis statements. Here are the essential characteristics of a good thesis statement.

Concise Summary

The best thesis statements should be brief and to the point. Avoid unnecessary words. For instance, instead of saying, “In this essay, I will discuss the reasons why climate change is a critical issue that needs urgent attention,” you can say, “Climate change demands urgent attention due to its severe impact on global ecosystems.” This keeps your thesis clear and focused.

The aim is to bring the statement to the concluding point as effectively as possible.

Specific Evidence

In academic writing, your thesis statement should be backed up by specific evidence. It should not just make a claim but also provide a hint of the evidence that supports it. For example, “Human activities, such as deforestation and fossil fuel consumption, significantly contribute to climate change,” indicates that the essay will discuss these specific activities.

A strong thesis statement clearly states your main idea. It should convey the central point of your essay in a way that is easy to understand. For example, “Renewable energy sources are essential for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change,” clearly states the essay’s main idea.

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3 Common Mistakes to Avoid

According to the Guardian , teachers are observing that students are continuously having issues with writing essays. This may be due to various reasons like a lack of foundational skills in writing or the likelihood of them making specific mistakes when compiling their essays and thesis statements.

Below we have listed some of the common errors students can make when writing a thesis statement for their paper.

1. Being Too Broad

A thesis statement that is too broad lacks focus and fails to provide a clear argument. For example: “Climate change is bad,” is too broad. Instead, narrow your focus to something more specific, like, “Climate change significantly impacts coastal cities by increasing the frequency of flooding.”

2. Not Getting Into Specifics

A vague thesis statement doesn’t give specific details, making it difficult for the reader to understand your argument. For example, “Climate change affects the environment,” is too vague. A more precise thesis would be, “Climate change accelerates the melting of polar ice caps, leading to rising sea levels.”

3. Just Stating a Fact

In a great research paper, a thesis statement that states a fact rather than an argument is not debatable. For example, “Climate change exists,” is a statement of fact and not arguable. A more debatable thesis would be, “Immediate action is required to mitigate climate change impacts on future generations.”

How To Strengthen a Weak Thesis Statement

If your thesis statement is weak, here is how you can strengthen it:

  • Contextualize your topic: Understand the broader context of your topic. This helps in narrowing down the focus and making it more specific.
  • Make it arguable: Ensure your thesis is something that can be debated. A strong thesis often takes a clear stance on an issue.
  • Support with evidence: Be prepared to back up your thesis with specific evidence. This adds credibility and strength to your statement.

Example of a Weak Thesis

A weak thesis statement, such as “The internet is useful,” is too general and lacks specificity. It doesn’t provide any direction for the essay, leaving readers unclear about what the essay will address. A weak thesis statement:

  • Lacks focus: The statement “The internet is useful” doesn’t specify how or why the internet is useful. This lack of focus can confuse readers and make it challenging to develop supporting arguments.
  • Is not honing in on a specific topic: This thesis is overly broad, covering too many potential topics without honing in on a specific aspect.
  • Doesn’t leave room for a debate: It doesn’t present a debatable claim. A strong thesis should make a claim that others might dispute, providing a basis for argumentation and discussion.

For instance, an essay based on the weak thesis “The internet is useful” could meander through various topics like online shopping, social media, and research, without a clear structure or argument. This makes it difficult for readers to grasp the main point or purpose of the essay.

Example of a Strong Thesis

A strong thesis statement, like “The internet is useful for education because it provides access to a wealth of information and resources,” is specific and provides a clear argument supported by evidence. It also indicates what the essay will discuss, which helps guide the reader.

Therefore, a strong thesis statement should:

  • Have a clear focus: This thesis specifies that the essay will focus on the educational benefits of the internet. This clarity helps readers understand the essay’s purpose from the beginning.
  • Be to the point: The thesis mentions “access to a wealth of information and resources.” So, it provides a specific angle on how the internet is useful, which helps to narrow the scope of the essay.
  • Include a debatable claim: The statement makes a claim that could be argued. It posits that the internet is beneficial for education. But, it also implies that there are specific ways in which this is true. Thus, the statement opens the door for discussion and analysis.
  • Guide the essay: This strong thesis provides a roadmap for the essay. It suggests that the following paragraphs will explore how the internet facilitates education through information access and resource availability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is a sentence that summarizes the main point of your essay. It usually appears at the end of the first paragraph.

Can a thesis statement be more than one sentence?

Ideally, a thesis statement should be one or two sentences long.

Where should I place my thesis statement?

Your thesis statement should be at the end of the first paragraph, known as the essay introduction.

Improve Your Thesis Statements With Smodin.io

A good thesis statement is the backbone of your essay. It guides your writing and tells your reader what to expect. By following the steps we’ve outlined in these examples, you can write a strong thesis statement.

Ready to improve your writing skills and create compelling essays? Enhance your writing with Smodin’s AI writing tool. Whether you’re writing a research paper or an argumentative essay, Smodin can help you craft a strong thesis statement. Join us now at Smodin.io and take your writing to the next level.

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For most college essays, you need a thesis statement that captures the argument, or central claim, of the essay.  It will usually appear at the end of the first or second paragraph of the essay and will include the basic argument and its implications. Your thesis will often change from early thinking (to accommodate your evolution in thinking as you write) once you’ve got a whole draft, and a strong working thesis will adapt into a well-considered, well-supported articulation of your ultimate argument. The takeaway? Creating a strong thesis goes hand-in-hand with creating a strong argument in the overall essay.

General Considerations

A strong thesis should do the following things:.

  • Go beyond announcing a subject – join an ongoing conversation by taking a stand on an issue or offering an interpretation of something (a text, a policy, a new scientific discovery, etc.)
  • Get specific – rule out most of the broad material pertinent to your topic and zero in on a clear claim that focuses more narrowly on some specific aspect of your topic.
  • Indicate the “what, why, and how” of your argument – what are you claiming, why you believe this to be true, important, etc., and how you will approach your topic.

A strong thesis will apply to your issue/text and only to your issue/text

Thesis statements that are too broad often could be transplanted from one paper (even one subject!) to the next without anyone noticing. If what you claim in your thesis could work equally well for an essay on Mrs. Dalloway and an essay on the virtues of capitalism, you have more focusing and tightening to do.

In Practice

Start with a working thesis (revise it later).

A working thesis is often different from a final thesis. A working thesis will help you get started writing by keeping you focused on the general sense of what you wish to argue, even if you don’t have all the details in place; those details will usually work themselves out in the writing.  Often after you’ve finished writing a complete draft, you will realize that you’ve actually argued something more interesting and complex than your working thesis could express. At that point, you should revise your working thesis into a final thesis that accurately expresses your argument.

The first step toward writing a strong thesis is taking a stand or offering an interpretation of an issue related to your topic.  Sometimes an essay assignment might ask you a question that will prompt an argument, and other times you will need to come up with an argument on your own.  Either way, your position can be simple at first, as the process of writing the essay will most likely lead you to develop a more complex thesis. The following are samples of possible working theses:

  • American politics relies too heavily on the two-party system.
  • Jane Eyre does not align with feminism.
  • The potential use of stem cell research should be explored.
  • The continuous stream of news coverage undermines the quality of the news.

In each of these statements, the writer has taken a position that will allow them to start writing, even though these statements could be seen as too simple to truly make a strong thesis.  These statements could be referred to as the basic argument (the “what”) .  A strong thesis will also require justifications (the “why,” sometimes referred to as implications ) and/or a method/framework (the “how”), which can be explored later once the basic argument is in place.

Look for Signs that Your Thesis is Weak

On occasion, writers will be hindered early on by statements that seem like they will make a good basis for arguments, while in actuality they prevent an argument from being strong.  For that reason, it’s good to know what separates a strong thesis from a weak one.

A strong thesis is NOT

  • just an observation (Example: Jane Eyre relates to ideas about feminism.)  This may be true, but this statement is simply an observation about the book—it doesn’t take a stand on how feminism is treated in the text.
  • a statement of fact (Example: Many people are opposed to stem cell research.) Fact-based statements can be easily checked by asking yourself if anyone could reasonably disagree with you.  If everyone would agree that your statement is true, then your statement is only a fact, not an argument.
  • a broad generalization (Example: Politics are working for the people.)  It may seem as if using broad terms allows for more possibilities for things to include in your essay, but broad issues because contain too many specific arguments within them, and making a broad claim will mean making a shallow argument.  In this example, “politics” and “people” are both too broad.  The “American two-party system” is a more specific category that will allow you to focus on one argument and discuss the complexities within it.
  • a list of examples (Example: The continuous stream of news coverage causes lack of depth, focuses on superficial issues, and results in information overload.) While your essay may include examples of all of these issues, using a list for a thesis doesn’t allow for deep investigation of one topic nor does it show the relationship between ideas.  The items in the list may be points of evidence you can use in your essay without naming them.

Make It Complex

A strong thesis needs to make a complex argument, meaning it needs to show that the complications or contradictions of the issue have been taken into account in the essay and that the argument matters —or that there are implications to the argument.  The complexity of the argument, and therefore the thesis, can be explored in various ways that can help evolve the working thesis into a complex thesis.

Explore counterarguments

What reasonable claims have others made that contradict your argument, and how might taking those into consideration help you justify or strengthen your own? If you were to launch your own rebuttal to your argument, what would that look like? How does that help you complicate your ideas?

Consider a variety of angles

There are more than two sides—often far more—to any argument. For instance, people might argue the same thing for different reasons, might agree on a common problem but feel differently about how to solve it, might see the same problem as being caused by different things, etc. If you seek out as many stances on your topic as possible, you might be able to shape your argument in a way that fills a void in the conversation.

Ask yourself why the argument matters

Ok, you may be writing about the Two-Thirds Compromise because your instructor told you to. But beyond that, find a way to consider why you (and we) should care about it. What is important about your topic (whether historical or contemporary, out of the STEM fields or music and dance) here and now? Who are the stakeholders in your argument? Is there anyone whose voice hasn’t been heard on this that you could bring to light? In other words, “so what?” If you can find a legitimate reason why the argument matters, you can argue it from a stronger, more complicated place.

Consider starting with the “magical thesis” template, at least as a working thesis.

“By looking at ______________, we can see _________________, which most [readers, scientists, politicians, actors, etc.] don’t see; this is important because ____________________.” This thesis template asks you to articulate your object of study, what you can reveal about it, and why your revelation is important.

Think about the project you’re working on, and answer the following questions:

What is your topic?

What is your stance on the topic? State this as a complete sentence.

Why do you believe this? State your reasons in a “because” clause.

Why would someone disagree with this? State the opposing opinion in an “although” clause.

Now put it together to form a working thesis: “Although” clause + Stance on topic + “Because” clause = Complete (working) thesis statement

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How to Write a Thesis for a Narrative Essay

Last Updated: June 4, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Alicia Cook . Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 109,907 times.

In a narrative essay, your thesis will be a bit different than in an argumentative or explanatory paper. A narrative essay is basically you writing a story for the reader. The purpose of a narrative essay is to make a certain point, using personal experiences or life events to convey your main point or theme. [1] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source However, just as in a standard paper, your thesis will still appear in the introduction of your narrative essay.

Creating Your Thesis

Step 1 Write a short phrase for each major section of your essay.

  • For example: “In this essay, I will discuss the issue of grief by discuss my grandmother's sickness, discuss my grandmother's death, talk about what happened afterwards.”
  • Adjust your first attempt so it is grammatically correct: “In this essay, I will discuss the issue of grief by discussing my grandmother's sickness, my grandmother's death, and what happened afterward.”

Step 4 Refine your thesis.

  • You may want to create a thesis that is a bit more sophisticated and less stilted by removing the more formal phrase, “I will discuss”.
  • For example: “Grief affects everyone's life at one point or another, and it certainly has affected mine; when my grandmother became sick and passed away, I had to learn how to deal with the aftermath of her death.”

Step 5 Remember that your thesis should always cover the main topics of your essay.

  • Avoid packing too many ideas into one sentence. Your thesis should help ease the reader into your essay, not confuse them.

Preparing to Write the Thesis

Step 1 Brainstorm ideas to find your topic.

  • Come up with a topic that is important to you and that you feel you can talk about in a personal way.

Step 2 Pick an event to help convey your topic.

  • Another way to find a personal event is to look through your old social media posts, as they often chronicle important or meaningful events in your life.

Step 3 Write down all the details you can remember of that event.

  • Remembering the details of the event through your five senses will also help to trigger other details or images you may have forgotten.
  • For example, maybe you remember the taste of coconut after your grandmother's funeral, which will then help you remember that you all ate your grandmother's favorite coconut cake at the gathering after the funeral. You can then try to find that recipe and use it as a way to jog other memories of your grandmother.

Step 4 Create an outline for your narrative essay.

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how to create a thesis for a essay

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about writing essays, check out our in-depth interview with Alicia Cook .

  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/narrative_essays.html
  • ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/thesis-statements/
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html
  • ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/process/thesis/
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
  • ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/narrative-writing/
  • ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-narrative-essay

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Developing a Strong Thesis Statement for Your English Essay

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Thesis Format: Detailed Instructions and Tips

Thesis Format: Detailed Instructions and Tips

Gathering the necessary material for a large and saturated project is just half the battle, to set up everything and format the work properly is a real deed, challenging and exacting. There are a lot of specific requirements and rules to be born in mind. But don't take it so hard, we give you all the fundamental information concerning thesis paper format. You'll find out 

  • what parts a successful work should have;
  • what formatting requirements should be adhered to;
  • what tips occur to be helpful.

So, get ready to remember all the important principles in terms of paper finalization.

What is a Thesis Format?

In the process of thesis creation, everyone should set up the data in a specific way. The general structure and stylistic patterns are usually the same everywhere, though some minor issues may vary from one department to another.

Correct Thesis Format: Important or Not?

When working with the material it is crucial to stick to the thesis writing format in order to:

  • show your professional approach to this activity;
  • refine the readability of the text;
  • provide convenient navigation through the work;
  • bring the skills nearer to the academic standards;
  • help the audience focus on the investigation essence.

A Thesis and its Parts

The thesis structure format implies such parts, obligatory for a good consistent work.

Title Page

It is the first page, forming the impression of the whole work. There should be the title itself, the writer's name, academic information (institution, department, and others), and submission date. There may be some additional local requirements as well, just check the local guidelines.

Abstract

It is a summarized copy of the project, usually consisting of 170-300 words. A key target, chosen methods, results, and finalizing inference should be introduced here. 

Acknowledgments

It is a paragraph to express gratitude towards your tutor, professor – or any person – who helped you during the work.

Table of Contents

It is a significant part of a basic thesis format, reflecting the project structure. There is a recommendation to create it with the help of the automatic updating function, presented in the word-processing app.

Figures and Tables

If there is any visual material (tables, schemes, charts, and whatnot) in the work, make up a list of all issues. Index them and add relevant page numbers to it.

Introduction

Due to the introduction thesis format, here the author gives some background data, a hypothesis, and key points of the work.

Literature Review

This part is devoted to literary sources, a person took as the basis of the research. Here it is advisable to analyze existing investigations and point out what is explored insufficiently.

Methodology

It is a section where methods of work should be presented (including information about participants of the experiment, used instruments, and data collecting).

Results

It is a place for all the findings the author has got. The best way of presenting is visual (charts, schemes, etc.).The format of a thesis insists on adding them sufficiently.

Discussion

In the section the author should analyze the results of the researching activity, offer the way of their implication, and formulate ideas for future investigation.

Conclusion

This part is the summary of the writer's results and ideas, underlining the significance of the work and its benefit for the followers.

References

It is a list of all cited sources a person used while creating the project. Check the local format rules to avoid any mistakes while writing this section.

Appendices

Here the writer should add any supplementary he needs for supporting the project, especially if they are too overwhelming for the main body.

Having discussed the standard structure of the paper, it's high time to discuss useful rules and tips on how to complete the processing.

A General Guideline for Thesis Formatting

Well, how to format a thesis correctly? The most important points are presented in the table.

Font

Times New Roman, 12 pt

Margins

1 inch from every side of the page

Spacing

Double, throughout all the text

Citing

It depends on the formatting style (APA, MLA, or Chicago)

Headings and Subheadings

Format them in a consistent way throughout the whole work

Tables and Figures

Every issue should have its own number and a clear legend, and be included in the list mentioned above

Page numbers

Every page should have a sequential number, placed as it is described in the local guideline (upper right, center, etc.)

Page Break

It is used to divide all the material into sections and chapters.

These recommendations are general, and every writer must look through the local guidelines in all cases. Almost every department has a thesis format example, and by getting acquainted with it everyone is certain to get rid of potential mistakes. It doesn't take much time but accentuates your interest and thoroughness, so important for a perfect researcher.

Other Tips on how to Format the Thesis

Apart from answering the question 'What is the thesis format?', we'd like to present some additional recommendations and tips concerning the work. It is useful to remind that visual division helps to acquire information in a better way

  • Use single-spaced blocks for quotations or footnotes.
  • Add a special line for the committee signature on the relevant page.
  • Organize margins from all the sides of the sheet appropriately.
  • Check the numbers on page consequence.
  • Proofread all the text and check all the format details before submitting the paper.

Studying general rules of formatting is crucial for students, researchers, and other specialists of the sphere. But every time you are also to look into the guidelines offered by your local headmen. The correct paperwork is pleasant to read. Moreover, it underlines the author's professionalism and preciseness.

If you need to get acquainted with thesis format essay, try Aithor . It is a professional instrument, generating texts according to input parameters. You may choose the language, writing style, topic, outline, and other necessary options.

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Body Paragraph for an Essay: Purpose, Components, Steps & Tips

Ways to Write Body Paragraph for an Essay

Table of Contents

What Is a Body Paragraph? Its Purpose!

Components of strong body paragraphs, how to write the body of an essay 9 tips, need help for your essay we can help.

Body paragraphs are a common thread that runs through many forms of writing, from journals to academic essays. By learning more about how to write engaging body paragraphs, you can feel more connected to the larger writing community, all while supporting your project's central idea. But many of you find it difficult or get stuck with writing the body of an essay. Not anymore! We, Global Assignment Help, are all set to help you with it in the best way.

Moreover, this blog will help you learn about the meaning and purpose and tips on writing and components. Our experts know what information is crucial for you to write a fantastic body essay. So, go through this till the end and excel in your academic grades. So, let's get started with the definition and purpose.

The body paragraph, a crucial element of a part of the essay, follows the introduction and precedes the conclusion. Here, you illuminate and discuss the main topics, supporting them with logical and proper evidence, strengthening their importance. Furthermore, the body paragraphs in an essay outnumber the other two parts, necessitating a clear and concise explanation. Now, after learning its meaning, let's discuss its purpose.

Purpose of Body Paragraph

  • Go through the points below and understand the purpose of writing a solid body in an essay. Let's begin
  • It elaborates on a specific idea that supports the central essay's main thesis.
  • Here, the body paragraph comes to life with The inclusion of examples, evidence, and counterarguments.
  • These elements deepen the discussion and provide a comprehensive view of the topic.
  • The body paragraph organizes and logically organizes the content of the essay and ensures clarity and coherence.
  • The body paragraph seamlessly connects every thought in the essay by adding transitions. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted reading experience for the reader.

So, hope you understand what the is body in an essay and its purpose. But is it enough? No! By continuing reading further, you can enhance your understanding of the tips and components of the body paragraph for your essay. Also, if you do not have a deadline, you can use our essay writing services .

Components of strong body paragraph

Knowing the components of a solid body of an essay is crucial so that you can write a fantastic essay. Thus, this is the query of many of you as they do not know about it in detail. Moreover, when writing the middle part, you need to know the proper way to write it to make it the best one. Keeping that in mind, our experts are all set to help you with it. Also, for more clarification, you can also read our essay format  blog. Now, let's get started!

Transitions

To connect your body section with a new paragraph, you must add a few words at the beginning or end of the paragraphs. This is not just a technique but a necessity that creates a coherent flow through the writing, making it more readable and understandable.

Topic Sentence

It is essential to be specific in the topic sentence of each paragraph that states the focus of the paragraph, where you discuss the main idea about your topic. This specificity helps the reader understand the exact point you're discussing, contributing to a clear and focused discussion in your writing.

Reliable Evidences

As the body paragraph is the longest part of an essay, you need to have support for your arguments. There are various types you can use, such as evidence, logic, opinion, or testimonials. These can be further diversified with details, reasons, examples, pools, facts, percentages, and data from reliable sources.

Concluding Statement

As the writer, it is crucial for you to guide your reader in connecting the main idea and the thesis you have discussed above. Therefore, the concluding statement, the last sentence of the body paragraph, is a tool you can use to ensure your reader is actively engaged in understanding your essay's structure.

Follow this component in your writing to excel it as this can help to improve and know how to write the body of an essay. But still, there is a lot more to tell you! Now, moving further you will read about the best tips to write the body of an essay. So, let's delve into the next part.

Do you also face difficulties with writing or knowing how to start the body of an essay? Worry not, as this problem will soon come to an end! Here, you will read and get insightful knowledge about the tips that can help you write a fantastic body. Thus, to avoid all the hassle, you can use our essay typer  and get an instant solution. Now, without any further delay, it is the right time to begin reading the tips for the body part of the essay.

Begin with the Topic Sentence

Kicking off your body paragraph with a strong topic sentence is crucial. This sentence should guide the entire paragraph's content by focusing entirely on specific issues. Also, it must leave room for support and analysis by avoiding the use of direct quotations.

Discuss One Idea at Point

When writing your body essay, it's best to focus on a single aspect at a time. Why? Because if you try to juggle multiple thoughts, you and your reader may become confused. To avoid this, create a clear outline before you start writing. This will help you stay organized to write a body paragraph for an essay.

Break Paragraphs Evenly

Divide your body in the essay evenly to provide clarity to both you and your reader. However, don't forget to use transitions. These are like bridges that connect your paragraphs, making it easier for your reader to follow your train of thought. They also help your writing flow, keeping your reader engaged and interested.

Add Supporting Evidence

It is crucial to include evidence in your body paragraphs to support your thesis. After introducing the main arguments in the introduction, it's important to provide examples that can prove your point in the rest of the paragraph. However, it's equally important that these examples come from reliable sources, as this will give your writing credibility and your reader confidence in your argument.

Use Relevant Details Only

Many of you might get distracted by discussing small information in detail while writing the body of an essay. In addition, this will make you get away from the main topic or arguments and will also make it a difficult task for your reader to understand your point. Thus, it is good to give relevant ideas in your writing but keep it cut short and go back to your primary discussion.

Don't Repeat Information

When choosing the topics, many of you select the one that finds you captivating. Also, some of you don't have enough data to add, and in such cases, they end up repeating the same idea or information. This affects your body part of the essay and makes it waste as this will not be fascinating to read. Thus, try to bring new and unique thoughts into your writing.

Keep it Clear and Concise

Keeping the body of an essay clear and concise will help you stay on track with your writing. If you mix up your thoughts or do not clarify what you need to write, you will end up making a blunder. Moreover, this will have a massive effect on you because you will be unable to score A+ grades.

Ensure Proper Formatting

To understand the role of formatting is crucial in an essay. Thus, if you understand it, half of your stress will go away. However, how to structure it is the big question that revolves around many of your heads.

So, for this, you must read our how-to structure an essay blog and clarify all your doubts in no time. In addition, this will provide you with new ideas for your paper.

Polish and Revise

After writing the body in essay, you might forget or procrastinate to revise and polish your writing. Therefore, this leads to many mistakes in your paper, which can be easily visible to your professor. Moreover, in this case, it is best to proofread it and rectify all the errors before moving forward. This will create the best impression of yours.

Following the tips given above will help you write the body of an essay. Thus, if you follow this, you will never get stuck with how to write the body of an essay, and you can submit an A+ document. Moreover, you might be having more queries related to it or might be having a deadline to meet. So, to get out of it, you can read the next section and learn how our experts can help you out.

After absorbing all the information, you may feel equipped to tack the start of each paragraph. The tips and components we've covered are invaluable when you embark on the writing journey. However, mastering these skills can be overwhelming, especially if you're still learning the basics. The good news is you don't have to navigate this alone. Our experts, with their refined clarity, tone, and conciseness, can guide you. With our assignment help , your writing will be apparent, engaging, and polished, no matter the context.

Our assistance extends beyond essays to all types of papers, all at a competitive price. And rest assured, we don't rely on plagiarism or AI. Each document is crafted from scratch and delivered on time. So, don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity.

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How can I use AI as an instructor?

AI can be a powerful ally in content creation. Various tools and platforms, often user-friendly and accessible, empower instructors to generate diverse and creative content. From learning outcomes to writing assignments to lesson plans, generative AI can provide inspiration and assist in overcoming creative blocks.

Click on the tabs below to view instructions and examples for generating each item

Student learning outcomes

  • Define learning objectives and key concepts: Begin by clearly outlining the learning objectives and key concepts you want to address. For instance, if the goal is to understand the principles of physics, specify concepts such as motion, energy, and forces.
  • Generate general learning outcomes: Utilize a generative AI tool to create overarching learning outcomes. Example: “Generate student learning outcomes for a physics course covering motion, energy, and forces.” AI-generated outcomes may include statements like “Students will explain the relationship between force and motion” or “Students will apply the principles of energy conservation to solve real-world problems.”
  • Refine and tailor outcomes: Review the AI-generated outcomes and refine them to align with specific course objectives. Tailor the language to fit the educational context and the level of understanding expected from students.
  • Create specific learning objectives: Use generative AI to create more granular learning objectives for each key concept. Example: “Generate specific learning objectives for understanding motion in a physics course.” AI-generated objectives may include statements like “Students will calculate speed and acceleration using appropriate formulas” or “Students will analyze graphs to interpret an object’s motion.”
  • Ensure measurability and clarity: Review each learning outcome to ensure it is measurable and clear. Adjust language or add specificity as needed to enhance clarity. For instance, if an outcome states “Students will understand,” consider revising it to “Students will demonstrate understanding through practical applications.”

Lecture plans or lecture notes

  • Define lecture topics and objectives: Identify the main topics and objectives you want to cover in your lecture. For instance, if the lecture is on “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence,” outline key subtopics such as AI history, applications, and ethical considerations.
  • Generate lecture overview: Prompt the generative AI with a request for a general lecture overview. Example: “Generate an overview for a lecture on ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ covering history, applications, and ethical considerations.” The AI might produce a concise summary, outlining key points and subtopics.
  • Outline main points and subtopics: Use the AI to help outline the main points and subtopics for each section of your lecture. Example: “Outline key points for the section on AI history in the ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ lecture.” The AI could generate an organized list of historical milestones and developments in AI.
  • Expand on subtopics with details: To add depth to your lecture, use the AI to generate detailed information for each subtopic. Example: “Provide detailed information on the ethical considerations related to AI in the ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ lecture.” The AI might generate content on topics such as bias in AI algorithms, privacy concerns, and responsible AI practices.
  • Incorporate relevant examples and case studies: Enhance your lecture with real-world examples and case studies. Example: “Generate examples illustrating the applications of AI in the ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ lecture.” The AI might offer instances of AI in healthcare, finance, or autonomous vehicles, providing concrete illustrations for your lecture.
  • Craft engaging lecture introductions and transitions: Use the AI to help craft engaging introductions for each section and smooth transitions between topics. Example: “Create an engaging introduction for the section on AI applications in the ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ lecture.” The AI might generate an attention-grabbing anecdote or a relevant statistic to captivate your audience.
  • Ensure coherence and flow: Review the content generated by the AI to ensure coherence and flow between different sections of your lecture. Adjust language or reorder information as needed to create a seamless and logical progression of ideas.

Assignment or discussion prompts

Generative AI, with its ability to understand context and generate diverse responses, can assist instructors in formulating open-ended questions that encourage deeper understanding and analysis.

  • Define assignment or discussion topics: Start by clearly defining the topics or themes for the assignment or discussion. For instance, if the focus is on literature, identify specific works, themes, or concepts you want students to explore.
  • Generate overall assignment or discussion prompt: Prompt the generative AI with a request for a general assignment or discussion prompt. Example: “Generate an assignment prompt for analyzing symbolism in ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald.” The AI may provide a broad question like, “Explore and analyze the use of symbolism in ‘The Great Gatsby’ and its impact on character development and themes.”
  • Break down into specific tasks or questions: Use the AI to help break down the overall prompt into specific tasks or questions. Example: “Generate specific questions for analyzing symbolism in ‘The Great Gatsby’.” The AI might produce questions such as, “How does the green light symbolize the American Dream?” or “Examine the symbolic significance of the Valley of Ashes in the novel.”
  • Tailor for different learning levels: Adjust the complexity of the prompts based on the learning level of your students. Example: “Create discussion prompts on genetic inheritance suitable for high school biology students.” The AI may generate questions like, “Explain the principles of Mendelian inheritance” or “Predict the outcomes of genetic crosses involving specific traits.”
  • Include real-world applications: Enhance the relevance of the assignment or discussion by incorporating real-world applications. Example: “Generate prompts for a business ethics assignment discussing the ethical implications of a real-world corporate case.” The AI might provide questions like, “Analyze the ethical decisions made by the company in response to environmental concerns” or “Propose alternative strategies that prioritize ethical considerations.”
  • Encourage critical thinking and reflection: Prompt the AI to generate prompts that encourage critical thinking and reflection. Example: “Create discussion prompts for a philosophy class exploring existentialism.” The AI might generate questions like, “How does existentialism influence personal identity?” or “Reflect on the existential themes in a contemporary work of literature or film.”
  • Check for clarity and coherence: Review the prompts generated by the AI to ensure clarity and coherence. Adjust language or rephrase questions as needed to ensure that students can easily understand and respond to the prompts.

Grading rubrics

Rubric design is a critical aspect of assessing student work. Generative AI can streamline this process by helping instructors create fair and comprehensive rubrics. In this session, we will learn how to leverage AI to design rubrics tailored to specific assignments and projects. By examining real-world examples, participants will gain insights into how AI can enhance the assessment process, providing more nuanced and objective evaluation criteria.

  • Identify assessment criteria: Define the assessment criteria for the assignment or project. For example, if grading a research paper, criteria might include thesis clarity, evidence quality, organization, and writing mechanics.
  • Generate overall Rubric structure: Prompt the generative AI with a request for an overall rubric structure. Example: “Generate a rubric structure for grading a persuasive essay.” The AI may provide a general format, including categories like “Thesis Statement,” “Supporting Evidence,” and “Organization.”
  • Break down categories into subcriteria: Use the AI to break down each category into specific subcriteria. Example: “Generate subcriteria for assessing ‘Thesis Statement’ in a persuasive essay rubric.” The AI might generate subcriteria such as “Clarity of thesis,” “Relevance to the prompt,” and “Originality.”
  • Determine scoring levels: Define the scoring levels for each subcriterion. Example: “Generate scoring levels for ‘Clarity of thesis’ in a persuasive essay rubric.” The AI might provide levels like “Excellent (4): Clearly stated and focused,” “Good (3): Mostly clear,” “Satisfactory (2): Somewhat clear,” and “Needs Improvement (1): Unclear or vague.”
  • Tailor for assignment specifics: Adjust the rubric based on the specific requirements of the assignment. Example: “Customize a rubric for assessing creativity in a student presentation.” The AI could generate categories like “Creativity in Content,” “Presentation Style,” and “Engagement with the Audience.”
  • Include weighting for importance: Prompt the AI to generate weighting for each category or subcriterion based on their relative importance. Example: “Generate weightings for categories in a coding project rubric.” The AI might suggest higher weight for categories like “Functionality” and “Efficiency” compared to “Aesthetics.”
  • Check for clarity and objectivity: Review the rubric generated by the AI to ensure clarity and objectivity. Adjust language or modify criteria as needed to ensure that the rubric provides clear guidance for both instructors and students.

This content was developed with the assistance of Open AI’s ChatGPT.

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Essay on National Sports Day in English: 10 Lines, Short and Long Essay Ideas

National sports day , celebrated on august 29th, this day highlights the importance of physical fitness, sportsmanship, and teamwork, encouraging individuals to embrace an active lifestyle and appreciate the values embodied by sports..

Anisha Mishra

10 lines on National Sports Day 

  • National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29th each year in honor of Major Dhyan Chand, an Indian hockey player.
  • The day highlights the importance of sports and physical fitness in our daily lives.
  • Major Dhyan Chand, known for his extraordinary skills, played a crucial role in India's success in hockey.
  • National Sports Day serves as a tribute to his contributions and achievements in the world of sports.
  • The day encourages people of all ages to engage in physical activities and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
  • Schools, colleges, and sports organizations organize various events to celebrate sports and inspire participants.
  • Activities on National Sports Day include sports demonstrations, friendly matches, and fitness challenges.
  • The day also features motivational talks and awards recognizing outstanding athletes and teams.
  • National Sports Day fosters a sense of unity, teamwork, and sportsmanship among individuals.
  • By celebrating this day, we honor the values of discipline and dedication that sports teach us and encourage a lifelong commitment to fitness and well-being.

Essay on National Sports Day in 300 Words

National Sports Day, celebrated on August 29th every year, is a special occasion dedicated to honoring Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary hockey player known for his exceptional skills. Born on this day in 1905, Dhyan Chand earned the nickname "The Wizard" because of his amazing talent on the hockey field. His contributions to Indian sports include leading the country to win gold medals in the 1928 and 1932 Olympic Games, making him one of India’s greatest athletes.

The main purpose of National Sports Day is to promote the importance of sports and physical activity. It serves as a reminder of how sports can help us stay fit, learn discipline, and work well with others. Playing sports teaches us important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance.

On this day, schools, colleges, and sports organizations across the country organize various events and activities. These can include sports demonstrations, friendly matches, and fitness challenges. These activities are designed to encourage everyone, especially young people, to be active and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

National Sports Day also features motivational talks from famous athletes who share their experiences and inspire others to follow their dreams. Awards are given to outstanding athletes to recognize their hard work and achievements.

Essay on National Sports Day in 500 Words

National Sports Day, observed on August 29th each year, is a special day in India dedicated to celebrating sports and honoring the achievements of Major Dhyan Chand, one of the greatest hockey players in history. Born on this day in 1905, Dhyan Chand’s incredible skills and contributions to the sport of hockey make him a legendary figure. His remarkable performances led India to win gold medals in the 1928 and 1932 Olympic Games, earning him the nickname “The Wizard” of hockey.

The purpose of National Sports Day is to highlight the importance of sports and encourage people to stay active and healthy. Sports are not just about playing games; they teach us important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. When we participate in sports, we learn how to work well with others, set goals, and overcome challenges. These lessons are valuable in all areas of life, not just in sports.

On National Sports Day, schools, colleges, and sports organizations across the country organize various events and activities. These can include sports demonstrations, friendly matches, and fitness challenges. These events are designed to get everyone involved and promote physical activity. For example, students might participate in running races, soccer games, or basketball tournaments. There are also activities that focus on fun and fitness, such as yoga sessions and dance performances.

In addition to these activities, National Sports Day often features speeches and motivational talks from famous athletes. These athletes share their stories and experiences, inspiring others to pursue their own goals and dreams. Hearing from people who have achieved great things in sports can motivate us to work harder and strive for success.

Awards are also an important part of National Sports Day. Outstanding athletes are recognized for their hard work and achievements. This helps to celebrate their efforts and encourages others to aim for excellence in their own sports activities.

National Sports Day is not just about honoring Major Dhyan Chand’s legacy; it is also about celebrating the joy of sports and the benefits they bring to our lives. Sports help us stay fit and healthy, make new friends, and develop important skills. They also bring people together, creating a sense of community and teamwork.

By participating in the events of National Sports Day, we are reminded of the values that sports teach us. We learn about the importance of hard work, dedication, and fair play. We also get a chance to enjoy the excitement and fun that sports provide. This day encourages us to be active, to appreciate the benefits of physical fitness, and to embrace the positive values that come with playing sports.

Essential Tips for Essay Writing

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  1. How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Research Paper: Steps and

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  2. How To Write a Thesis Statement (with Useful Steps and Tips) • 7ESL

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  3. How to Write a Thesis Statement

    how to create a thesis for a essay

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    how to create a thesis for a essay

  5. How to create a thesis statement

    how to create a thesis for a essay

  6. How To Write a Thesis Statement (with Useful Steps and Tips) • 7ESL

    how to create a thesis for a essay

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  1. How to create Thesis project (AppsCom) chapter-3

  2. How to create Thesis project (AppsCom) Chapter-4

  3. What is a effective thesis statement?

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  5. How to Write an Essay Introduction

  6. How to write a research paper/ thesis/ synopsis/ easily way

COMMENTS

  1. 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.

  2. Creating a Thesis Statement, Thesis Statement Tips

    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 ...

  3. What is a Thesis Statement: Writing Guide with Examples

    How to write a thesis statement for persuasive essays. Similar to argumentative essays, persuasive essays follow many of the same guidelines for their thesis statements: decisive language, specific details, and mentions of subtopics. However, the main difference is that, while the thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays state facts, the thesis statements for persuasive essays ...

  4. How To Write a Thesis Statement: Step-By-Step

    How to write a thesis statement - a step-by-step guide. 1. Underline key words in the question. 2. Note down relevant topics/themes. 3. Decide on the argument you want to present in your thesis statement. 4. Turn that argument into a thesis statement.

  5. 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 ...

  6. How to Write a Thesis Statement

    This is a strong thesis because it shows how your experience contradicts a widely-accepted view. A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial. Readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how you support your point. 3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea.

  7. 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.

  8. Thesis Statements

    A thesis statement: tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion. is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself.

  9. 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 ...

  10. What Is a Thesis?

    A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master's program or a capstone to a bachelor's degree. Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation, it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete.

  11. 3. Thesis Statement & Outline

    can be very helpful in constructing an outline for your essay; for each point you make, ask yourself whether it is relevant to the thesis. Steps you can use to create a thesis statement. 1. Start out with the main topic and focus of your essay. youth gangs + prevention and intervention programs. 2. Make a claim or argument in one sentence.

  12. How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

    2 Categories of Thesis Statements: Informative and Persuasive . Just as there are different types of essays, there are different types of thesis statements. The thesis should match the essay. For example, with an informative essay, you should compose an informative thesis (rather than argumentative). You want to declare your intentions in this ...

  13. How To Write a Thesis Statement (with Useful Steps and Tips)

    Make sure that the thesis statement does not exceed two sentences. Avoid making obvious statements such as 'this is an essay about….' or 'the point of this paper is….'. The thesis statement should be able to convey this without using such up-front language. Write clearly and articulately.

  14. How to Write a STRONG Thesis Statement

    A good thesis statement sums up the main points of your paper, and keeps you on the right track during the whole writing process. This video will show you ho...

  15. Strong Thesis Statements

    The thesis needs to be narrow. Although the scope of your paper might seem overwhelming at the start, generally the narrower the thesis the more effective your argument will be. Your thesis or claim must be supported by evidence. The broader your claim is, the more evidence you will need to convince readers that your position is right.

  16. How to Write a Thesis Statement With Examples

    Examples of a thesis statement for an analytical essay include: The criminal justice reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate in late 2018 ("The First Step Act") aims to reduce prison sentences that disproportionately fall on nonwhite criminal defendants.

  17. 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.

  18. How to Write a Thesis Statement in 4 Steps

    How to Write a Thesis Statement in 4 Steps. If you produce a solid thesis statement to kick off an argumentative essay or piece of academic writing, you instantly frame the objective for yourself as a writer and for your audience as readers. By learning how to write a thesis statement, you will rapidly advance your pedigree as an academic ...

  19. Thesis Statement Tips: Helpful Hacks for How to Write a Thesis for

    A thesis statement is the single, specific claim that your essay supports. A strong thesis answers the question you want to raise; it does so by presenting a topic, the position you wish to defend, and a reasoning blueprint that sketches out your defense of your chosen position. A good thesis is not merely a factual statement, an observation, a personal opinion or preference, or the question ...

  20. Thesis Statement Essays Examples

    A strong thesis should make a claim that others might dispute, providing a basis for argumentation and discussion. For instance, an essay based on the weak thesis "The internet is useful" could meander through various topics like online shopping, social media, and research, without a clear structure or argument.

  21. How Can I Create a Strong Thesis?

    Make It Complex. A strong thesis needs to make a complex argument, meaning it needs to show that the complications or contradictions of the issue have been taken into account in the essay and that the argument matters—or that there are implications to the argument. The complexity of the argument, and therefore the thesis, can be explored in ...

  22. Thesis Generator

    A good thesis statement acknowledges that there is always another side to the argument. So, include an opposing viewpoint (a counterargument) to your opinion. Basically, write down what a person who disagrees with your position might say about your topic. television can be educational. GENERATE YOUR THESIS.

  23. How to Write a Thesis for a Narrative Essay: 9 Steps

    2. Begin your thesis with the main idea or theme you are trying to convey in the essay. [3] A possible beginning may be: "In this essay, I will discuss the issue of grief.". 3. Add examples to support your main theme or idea. Start by composing the simplest, most direct thesis and then edit it.

  24. How to Create a Clearly Structured Essay Outline

    An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. In just 3 minutes, this video will show you how to organize your initial ideas into a coherent argument, order your points to support the argument, and create a clearly structured outline for your essay! ... Initial thesis - 00:41 Creating categories ...

  25. Developing a Strong Thesis Statement for Your English Essay

    developing thesis statements. These interactive sessions can provide valuable feedback and guidance from writing experts. 3. Online writing communities: Join online writing communities or forums where you can interact with other writers. Seek feedback on your thesis statement and engage in discussions about essay writing techniques.

  26. Thesis Format: Detailed Instructions and Tips

    Gathering the necessary material for a large and saturated project is just half the battle, to set up everything and format the work properly is a real deed, challenging and exacting. There are a lot of specific requirements and rules to be born in mind. But don't take it so hard, we give you all the fundamental information concerning thesis paper format. You'll find out * what parts a ...

  27. How to Write a Powerful Body Paragraph for an Essay?

    It elaborates on a specific idea that supports the central essay's main thesis. Here, the body paragraph comes to life with The inclusion of examples, evidence, and counterarguments. ... Knowing the components of a solid body of an essay is crucial so that you can write a fantastic essay. Thus, this is the query of many of you as they do not ...

  28. How Can I Use AI as an Instructor?

    AI can be a powerful ally in content creation. Various tools and platforms, often user-friendly and accessible, empower instructors to generate diverse and creative content. From learning outcomes to writing assignments to lesson plans, generative AI can provide inspiration and assist in overcoming ...

  29. Essay on National Sports Day in English: celebrating the Spirit of Sports

    Create a rough outline to help structure your essay. Start with a Strong Introduction: Begin with an engaging opening sentence. Introduce the topic and state your main idea (thesis) clearly.