Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central message. The argument(s) you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How long does it need\nto be?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A\nthesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should\npresent the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in\nrelation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the\npaper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument\nfocused. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Questions to Ask When\nFormulating Your Thesis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Where is your thesis\nstatement?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You\nshould provide a thesis early in your essay — in the introduction, or in\nlonger essays in the second paragraph — in order to establish your position\nand give your reader a sense of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip<\/strong>: In order to write a\nsuccessful thesis statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your thesis\nstatement specific?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your thesis\nstatement should be as clear and specific as possible. Normally you will\ncontinue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument(s), so your thesis\nwill evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of where your\nargument is taking you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip<\/strong>: Check your thesis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your thesis\nstatement too general?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your\nthesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified number of\npages. Shape your topic so that you can get straight to the “meat” of\nit. Being specific in your paper will be much more successful than writing\nabout general things that do not say much. Don’t settle for three pages of just\nskimming the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nopposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling, superficial\nthesis. Compare this original thesis (too general) with three possible\nrevisions (more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same\ntopic):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your thesis\nstatement clear?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your\nthesis statement is no exception to your writing: it needs to be as clear as\npossible. By being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make\nsure that your reader understands exactly what you mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip<\/strong>: In order to be as clear\nas possible in your writing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These\nwords tell the reader next to nothing if you do not carefully explain what you\nmean by them. Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is obvious. Check to\nsee if you need to define your terms (\u201dsocialism,” “conventional,”\n“commercialism,” “society”), and then decide on the most\nappropriate place to do so. Do not assume, for example, that you have the same\nunderstanding of what \u201csociety\u201d means as your reader. To avoid misunderstandings,\nbe as specific as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compare\nthe original thesis (not specific and clear enough) with the revised version\n(much more specific and clear):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Does your thesis\ninclude a comment about your position on the issue at hand?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nthesis statement should do more than merely announce the topic; it must reveal\nwhat position you will take in relation to that topic, how you plan to\nanalyze\/evaluate the subject or the issue. In short, instead of merely stating\na general fact or resorting to a simplistic pro\/con statement, you must decide\nwhat it is you have to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tips<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not expect to come up with a fully formulated thesis statement before you have finished writing the paper. The thesis will inevitably change as you revise and develop your ideas\u2014and that is ok! Start with a tentative thesis and revise as your paper develops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your thesis\nstatement original?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid,\navoid, and avoid generic arguments and formula statements. They work well to\nget a rough draft started, but will easily bore a reader. Keep revising until\nthe thesis reflects your real ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip<\/strong>: The point you make in the\npaper should matter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compare\nthe following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid\nformula and generic words. Search for concrete subjects and active verbs,\nrevising as many “to be” verbs as possible. A few suggestions below\nshow how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thesis4u2000.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11-2.png\")
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