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Essentials of How To Write a Tentative Thesis in 2023

Do you know that you can write your tentative thesis without stress? Here are expert directions on how you can achieve this task effortlessly.

You will need more than a tentative thesis definition, some words on a paper, and a few hours to have a quality document. Creating a substantial piece requires time, planning, dedication, and above-average writing skills.

For an excellent paper, apt students will google, ‘write my tentative thesis’ to find professional help. You must be one of those desiring top-grades, and that is why you are here. We will provide you with all information you need to know on how to create a tentative thesis that will earn you an A+.

What is a Tentative Thesis?

The statement forms the subject matter’s backbone as contained within a paper by stating something significant and relevant to the reader. The tentative thesis statement summarizes the paper’s main points and says the essay’s necessity to the readers.

The tentative claim is paramount to the essay, and without it, the paper will appear uncontrolled and inadequate. It’s like a plane that is about to land on a runway without lights and a radar. The pilot will only circumnavigate around the airport without landing on the ground.

Now that you can define tentative thesis let us proceed to the basics.

How To Write a Tentative Thesis: Outline

A tentative thesis outline will determine how much time you will invest in your paper. In other words, it will help you develop the topic, reflect on it, and write the Thesis. Since a tentative thesis states your standpoint regarding the subject, it should be clear and to the point.

Let’s look at some of the steps that you will take:

Select your topic

The key to cracking a tentative thesis statement is evident in the topic from the onset. A good topic should be relevant, practical, and one that contributes to solving a problem. Such a task is not easy, and thus you should be ready for an in-depth, mind-intriguing process.

Brainstorming on the topic

Once you have your topic set, it is now time to disintegrate it. This will prompt you into a process of brainstorming to develop ideas for your tentative Thesis. You will put on the table various ideas that come to our mind either silently or through reading other sources.

Developing the tentative thesis statement

It is important to note that the tentative claim is in the introduction of your paper. Since it is a single statement found at the end of the intro, you have to be strategic and approach it precisely.

Parts of a Tentative Thesis

As short as it may seem, a tentative thesis has three crucial parts that you cannot avoid at any cost. Therefore, you will have to be coherent and logical in your approach to this section. Let us look at each of these critical sections in brief:

Tentative Thesis Introduction

In the intro, you will give the reader a feel of the topic by summarizing the arguments you intend to bring in the body. To achieve this, you should use clear and spot-on statements to hook the reader to your paper.

The first statement that meets the eye of the reader should interest and captivate him/her. It should arouse a sense of curiosity in the reader that makes him want to read your essay more. You should also include background information to put the topic into context.

All these three culminate in the thesis statement, which is the last statement of the introduction paragraph.

Tentative Thesis Body

It contains statements in support of your claim, and they form the bulk of your paper. These statements should comprise of evidence and facts in support of your stance. The tentative thesis body will fortify your claims and make them viable.

The structure of the body paragraphs is this: topic sentence, explanation, and supporting statements. At the end of each section, there should be a transition sentence that ushers in the next paragraph.

Tentative Thesis Conclusion

In this section, you will find a summary of the key arguments and claims made in the body. The reader will have a chance to re-visit the discussions in the body in a concise way. You remind him/her of the thesis statement and the conclusions made from it.

While restating the thesis statement, do not merely repeat what you wrote in the introduction, word for word. Instead, summarize it differently while still maintain the original idea. Remember also to include your recommendations, opinion, or final thoughts on the discussion.

An impressive tentative thesis conclusion leaves a strong impression on the reader.

Writing Tips For A Top-Notch Tentative Thesis

It should be specific and clear – to make it easy to understand
The tentative thesis statement should be in the introduction (the last sentence)
It should communicate a single thought or idea rather than a myriad of pictures here and there.
Write it from scratch. A fresh and original thesis statement will attract top grades rather than a plagiarized one.
Write it concisely and coherently. It will keep your readers hooked.

Tentative Thesis Statement Samples

Sample 1: “The continued ignorance of people towards the coronavirus prevention guidelines is wanting. This ignorance will likely lead to a second wave of infections.” Sample 2: “Global pandemics threaten the stability of the world in different areas. There are political, social, and cultural implications.”

Tentative Thesis Writing From Profs

As a college or university student, knowing how to write a tentative thesis is crucial because it constitutes the bulk of assignments. From the discussions above, you can note that structure of a tentative thesis is vital.

Disregarding any section may cause your paper to be rejected. Since it forms the first part of your essay, ensure that it is appealing and captivating.

But don’t worry – thesisgeek.com is here to assist you with that! You can use this professional thesis writing service to help you with the topics, structure, and format of a tentative thesis. It will also enable you to have a different understanding of the subject.

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How to Formulate a Tentative Thesis: Tips and Examples

Starting your academic journey often feels like standing at the base of a mountain, looking up and wondering where to begin. One of the first hurdles you’ll face is crafting a tentative thesis. This initial statement isn’t just a random guess at what your paper might be about—it’s the foundation that will guide your research and shape your entire essay. But how do you go about formulating a tentative thesis that’s both strong and flexible enough to evolve as your understanding deepens? It might seem tricky, but with the right approach, you’ll find it much more manageable than you think. Let’s break it down into actionable steps and explore some examples to make the process clear and straightforward.

What is a Tentative Thesis?

So, what exactly is a tentative thesis ? At its core, a tentative thesis is a preliminary version of your main argument. It’s not the final word on your topic but rather a working statement that evolves as you delve deeper into your research. Think of it as the starting point of your essay’s map, offering a general direction but not yet outlining every twist and turn. This flexibility allows you to refine your thesis as you gather more evidence and develop a more nuanced understanding of your subject.

Why is a Tentative Thesis Important?

A tentative thesis isn’t just a formality; it’s a crucial part of the writing process. It helps you focus your research, ensuring that you don’t waste time on irrelevant information. More importantly, it provides your readers with a snapshot of your paper’s purpose and direction. Without a clear tentative thesis, your essay might lack coherence, leaving readers confused about your main point. In short, this initial statement is like the backbone of your essay, holding everything together and giving it structure.

Steps to Formulate a Tentative Thesis

Creating a tentative thesis might feel daunting at first, but by following a few simple steps, you can develop a solid foundation for your paper.

1. Start with a Question

The process begins with curiosity. What question are you trying to answer through your research? This question will form the basis of your tentative thesis. For example, if you’re writing about the effects of social media on mental health, you might start with a question like, “How does social media usage affect the mental health of teenagers?” This question will guide your initial research and help you formulate a focused thesis.

2. Conduct Preliminary Research

Before you can formulate your tentative thesis, you need to have a basic understanding of your topic. Start by gathering some preliminary data—skim through relevant articles, books, and credible websites. This research doesn’t have to be exhaustive, but it should give you enough information to make an educated guess about your main argument. For instance, you might find studies suggesting that excessive social media use correlates with higher rates of anxiety and depression among teens.

3. Take a Stance

Now that you have a question and some background information, it’s time to take a stance. What do you think the answer to your question is? Your tentative thesis should make a claim that you will support with evidence throughout your paper. Using our earlier example, a possible tentative thesis might be, “Social media negatively impacts teenage mental health by increasing anxiety and depression levels.”

Examples of Tentative Thesis Statements

Examples often make abstract concepts easier to grasp. Here are a few examples of tentative thesis statements across different subjects:

Literature : “ In ‘The Great Gatsby, ‘ F. Scott Fitzgerald critiques the American Dream by illustrating how it leads to moral decay and personal disillusionment.”

History : “The rapid industrialization of Japan in the late 19th century was driven more by internal political reforms than by external pressure from Western powers.”

Science : “The decline in bee populations poses a significant threat to global agriculture, as it disrupts pollination processes essential for crop production.”

Social Issues : “The increasing prevalence of remote work is reshaping urban economies by reducing demand for commercial real estate and altering local businesses’ revenue streams.”

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While formulating a tentative thesis, it’s easy to stumble into a few common traps. Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Being Too Broad

A thesis that’s too broad will leave you with an overwhelming amount of information to cover. Narrow your focus to a specific aspect of your topic. For example, instead of saying, “Climate change affects the world,” you could narrow it down to, “Climate change is exacerbating water scarcity in arid regions.”

2. Making Absolute Claims

Avoid making claims that are too definitive or absolute. These statements can shut down debate rather than invite it. For instance, rather than stating, “Video games are harmful to all children,” consider, “Video games may contribute to behavioral issues in children when not moderated.”

3. Lacking Clarity

A vague thesis is almost as bad as no thesis at all. Your thesis should be clear and concise, leaving no room for confusion about your main point. For example, instead of saying, “Technology impacts society,” a clearer statement would be, “Advancements in technology are reducing face-to-face interactions, leading to a decline in interpersonal communication skills.”

Revising Your Tentative Thesis

As you continue researching and writing, you may find that your original thesis no longer fits your paper. That’s perfectly fine! In fact, revising your thesis is a natural part of the writing process. Here’s how to approach it:

1. Reflect on New Information

After gathering more data, take a step back and see how it fits with your original thesis. Does it support your initial claim, or does it point in a different direction? Use this reflection to adjust your thesis as needed.

2. Narrow Your Focus

Sometimes, new information might make your original thesis too broad. If you find yourself overwhelmed with data, consider narrowing your thesis to focus on a more specific aspect of your topic. This will make your argument more manageable and focused.

The Role of a Tentative Thesis in Your Writing Process

Your tentative thesis isn’t just a statement—it’s a tool that shapes your entire writing process. Here’s how it influences each stage:

1. Guiding Your Research

With a tentative thesis in hand, you can approach your research with a clear purpose. You’ll know which sources are relevant and which can be set aside, making your research process more efficient.

2. Structuring Your Argument

Your thesis also acts as the backbone of your paper. As you write, every paragraph should tie back to your thesis, ensuring that your argument remains cohesive and focused.

3. Streamlining Revisions

When revising your paper, use your thesis as a touchstone. If a paragraph doesn’t support your thesis, it may need to be reworked or removed. This approach keeps your paper tight and relevant.

Quick Tips for a Strong Tentative Thesis

Here’s a quick checklist to make sure your tentative thesis is on point:

Specificity : Is your thesis narrow and focused?
Arguability : Can someone reasonably disagree with your thesis?
Clarity : Is your thesis statement easy to understand?
Direction : Does your thesis provide a clear roadmap for your paper?
Flexibility : Are you prepared to revise your thesis as needed?

Moving Forward with Confidence

Remember, your tentative thesis is just the beginning. It’s your guide through the rough terrain of research and writing, but it’s also flexible enough to change as you learn more about your topic. By starting with a clear question, doing some preliminary research, and being ready to revise as necessary, you’ll be well on your way to writing a strong, focused paper. With these tools in hand, you’re ready to tackle the challenge ahead. Happy writing!

Tentative Thesis Statement

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In the early stages of research, writers often form tentative thesis statements to guide their exploration and inquiry. These statements, while not set in stone, provide a provisional stance on a topic, helping researchers to focus their reading and data collection. This guide delves into the intricacies of crafting, refining, and understanding the significance of tentative thesis statements , accompanied by illustrative examples and tips for effective formulation. Let’s embark on this enlightening journey.

What is a Tentative Thesis Statement?

A tentative thesis statement, also known as a working thesis, is an initial statement regarding the topic of your research or essay, indicating your perspective and direction, but remaining open to modification as you gather more evidence or shift your focus during the writing process. It provides a preliminary stand on an issue, offering direction for both research and writing, but is open to adjustments based on the information you uncover.Y ou may also be interested to browse through our other hypothesis statement and Strong thesis statement .

What is an example of a Tentative thesis statement?

“While many believe that space exploration is a wasteful expenditure, preliminary research suggests that the technological advancements and potential economic benefits derived from space missions may significantly outweigh the costs. However, further investigation into specific missions and their direct impacts is necessary.”

100 Tentative Thesis Statement Examples

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Crafting a tentative thesis statement can be a challenge, especially when you’re just starting with a topic. These preliminary statements offer a guiding light, showcasing the direction your paper might take. However, remember that as you delve deeper into your research, your thesis may change based on the evidence you uncover. Here are 100 examples to inspire your own writing:

Although preliminary research suggests vegan diets can lead to health benefits, further studies are necessary to determine long-term impacts.
While some argue online learning is less effective than traditional classroom settings, initial findings indicate its potential in certain educational contexts.
Early studies hint at the possibility that urban green spaces can significantly affect mental well-being, but comprehensive research is still needed.
Renewable energy, based on initial research, seems to be a viable replacement for fossil fuels, though the feasibility of widespread adoption remains in question.
The tentative link between screen time and decreased attention spans in children warrants more in-depth study.
Preliminary studies suggest a correlation between meditation practices and reduced stress levels, but causation hasn’t been firmly established.
While many assume that organic foods are nutritionally superior, early research presents mixed results, necessitating further examination.
Initial findings indicate that corporate social responsibility initiatives might enhance brand loyalty, though concrete evidence is scant.
The notion that increasing minimum wage always results in reduced employment opportunities is debated, and more comprehensive data is required.
While many believe artificial intelligence will revolutionize industries, its potential negative impacts on the job market are still under study.
Preliminary data on intermittent fasting indicates potential health benefits, but long-term effects are yet to be confirmed.
Early research on gut health hints at its significant role in overall well-being, though more data is required to make definitive conclusions.
The potential relationship between a country’s cultural values and its economic growth rate is still under examination.
While some evidence suggests that certain video games can enhance cognitive function, a comprehensive study on various genres is still needed.
The initial connection between urban planning and crime rates is compelling, but more nuanced studies are necessary.
Although many point to globalization as a primary driver for economic disparity, its exact role is still being studied.
Preliminary findings suggest that flexible work hours can boost employee productivity, but the potential drawbacks need exploration.
While there’s some indication that regular physical activity can delay cognitive decline in the elderly, more specific research is necessary.
The theory that early music education enhances mathematical skills in children is intriguing, though not universally accepted.
Initial insights into the microplastics problem hint at its widespread impact on marine ecosystems, but quantifiable data is sparse.
While some early research suggests that the gig economy offers freedom for workers, further inquiry into job security and benefits is warranted.
Preliminary studies into augmented reality’s applications in education show promise, but a deeper dive into its practicalities and long-term implications is necessary.
The tentative assertion that bilingualism delays the onset of Alzheimer’s requires more comprehensive data for validation.
Initial indications point to telemedicine as a potential solution for healthcare disparities in rural areas, yet its effectiveness remains under examination.
While there’s preliminary evidence suggesting that mindfulness practices can improve academic performances, more in-depth studies are needed for a definitive stance.
The early hypothesis that diets high in antioxidants can slow aging processes is yet to be conclusively proven.
Some initial studies hint that corporate diversity leads to higher innovation, but the specific dynamics remain unclear.
While there’s emerging evidence that urban farming can significantly reduce food insecurity, its scalability and feasibility need further exploration.
Preliminary research suggests potential benefits of a four-day workweek, but its impact on overall business productivity remains under study.
The tentative belief that childhood exposure to multiple languages enhances creativity in adulthood needs more empirical evidence.
Although early studies show a correlation between green tea consumption and reduced cancer risk, this relationship requires deeper examination.
The initial hypothesis that social media usage intensifies feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially among teenagers, is a topic of ongoing research.
While preliminary data indicates potential economic benefits of universal basic income, its broader socio-economic implications remain in the realm of speculation.
There’s a tentative assertion that the modern open office layout fosters collaboration, but its impact on individual productivity and well-being is still debated.
Early indications that community involvement programs in schools can reduce youth crime rates are promising, but further validation is essential.
Initial research into the benefits of pets in elderly care settings suggests improvements in emotional well-being, but more comprehensive studies are required.
While there’s some early evidence linking forest bathing practices with improved mental health, its long-term benefits and mechanisms are still under study.
The preliminary idea that cryptocurrency could replace traditional banking systems in the next decade is a topic of intense debate and research.
There’s a tentative belief that immersive educational technologies can significantly improve learning outcomes for students with learning disabilities.
Early studies on the impact of climate change on migratory patterns of birds hint at significant disruptions, necessitating further research
The preliminary assertion that virtual reality can help treat certain phobias is intriguing, yet conclusive evidence is still pending.
Initial findings suggest that meditation might enhance focus and productivity in workplaces, but a broader spectrum of research is needed for validation.
Tentative studies propose that urban green spaces could significantly improve residents’ mental health, but the extent of these benefits remains uncertain.
There’s an emerging perspective that diets rich in fermented foods may improve gut health, though comprehensive studies are still underway.
The initial idea that digital detox weekends can enhance mental clarity and reduce anxiety is currently being explored further.
Preliminary research pointing to the therapeutic effects of music on Alzheimer’s patients requires more extensive clinical trials.
While there’s an initial buzz about the potential of electric cars reducing city pollution levels, the overall environmental impact, including production, needs in-depth analysis.
The tentative theory that microdosing psychedelics enhances creativity and problem-solving abilities in individuals is under rigorous investigation.
Early studies suggesting a correlation between screen time and sleep disturbances in teenagers necessitate more nuanced research.
The provisional hypothesis that urban rooftop gardens can counteract the heat island effect in cities is being evaluated.
Initial findings hint at the possibility that consuming dark chocolate in moderation can boost cognitive functions; however, the exact mechanisms are still being probed.
The emerging idea that regular nature walks can substantially reduce symptoms of depression is undergoing more rigorous research validation.
Tentative observations suggest that gamification in education might enhance student engagement and retention, but its long-term effects are yet to be seen.
Preliminary reports indicating a potential link between processed meats and certain cancers demand more detailed analysis.
The hypothesis that community-driven renewable energy projects can substantially reduce carbon footprints is under detailed scrutiny.
Early data suggesting that intergenerational interactions can combat loneliness in the elderly are promising, but wider-scale studies are essential.
The idea that sustainable fashion practices might reshape the fashion industry’s environmental impact in the next decade is under review.
Initial studies on the potential of ocean wave energy as a consistent renewable energy source are optimistic, but technical challenges are still being addressed.
There’s a tentative belief that AI-driven personalized learning can revolutionize education, but its broader implications are still under exploration.
Early research pointing to the benefits of intermittent fasting on metabolic health requires more long-term human trials for validation
The initial proposition that urban beekeeping could reverse the decline in bee populations is currently under review.
Tentative studies indicate that telemedicine might significantly reduce healthcare costs for rural areas, but implementation challenges remain.
There’s a growing inclination to believe that pet therapy can benefit patients with chronic illnesses, but definitive clinical trials are needed.
The preliminary idea that e-learning platforms might eventually replace traditional classrooms has gained traction, though long-term outcomes remain uncertain.
The hypothesis suggesting that incorporating art therapy in schools can enhance emotional intelligence in students is still under rigorous testing.
Early data hinting at vertical farming’s potential to address urban food deserts is promising, yet economic feasibility is still being assessed.
The emerging belief that community-based tourism might be more sustainable than mass tourism is undergoing further investigation.
Initial studies proposing that listening to binaural beats can improve focus and concentration during tasks demand more in-depth research.
The tentative theory that blue light exposure from screens might be significantly affecting circadian rhythms is under more comprehensive review.
Preliminary findings suggest that mindfulness techniques might reduce burnout in healthcare professionals, though larger trials are needed.
The proposition that blending online and offline shopping experiences can revolutionize retail is currently being evaluated.
The idea that augmented reality might become the primary mode of digital interaction in the next decade is being critically assessed.
Early studies on the potential of algae as a biofuel source show promise, but scalability remains a challenge.
There’s a tentative stance that urban tree planting campaigns could substantially improve air quality, but metrics for quantification are being developed.
The initial hypothesis suggesting that decentralized work models might become the norm post-pandemic is under analysis.
Studies hint at the possibility of 3D printed food revolutionizing the culinary world, but the practical and nutritional implications remain uncertain.
The provisional stance that probiotic supplements can improve mental well-being is undergoing more rigorous scientific validation.
The emerging perspective that the gig economy might reshape employment norms in the coming years is being debated.
Initial claims suggesting that digital currencies might replace traditional banking systems are under scrutiny, especially in terms of security and scalability.
Preliminary evidence that collaborative robot technologies can improve manufacturing efficiency is encouraging, but the full spectrum of implications is still being explored
There’s an initial belief that blockchain technology might revolutionize supply chain management, though its full implications remain to be explored.
The tentative idea that virtual reality (VR) could become a primary mode of education has gained some attention, but its effectiveness in the long run is still uncertain.
Early studies suggest that urban green spaces could have significant mental health benefits, yet quantifiable data is still being collected.
The proposal that vertical forests in metropolitan areas can combat air pollution is being critically reviewed in light of practical challenges.
Preliminary investigations indicate that autonomous vehicles might drastically reduce traffic accidents, though safety protocols and regulations are still in development.
The notion that advances in biotechnology might lead to personalized medicine tailored to individual genetics is currently under evaluation.
Tentative hypotheses suggest that nanotechnology could play a pivotal role in environmental cleanup, especially for oil spills, but field trials are still ongoing.
The initial stance that chatbots and AI might replace a significant portion of customer service roles is being weighed against their current limitations.
The provisional theory that wearable tech, like smartwatches, could aid in early disease detection is gaining traction but requires more rigorous testing.
The emerging perspective that urban aquaponics might address food security concerns in densely populated areas is being considered.
Preliminary data suggests that the integration of AI in journalism might transform news production, but ethical considerations are still being debated.
The notion that renewable energy storage solutions, particularly batteries, might revolutionize the energy sector is under detailed analysis.
Early insights hint that gamification techniques could enhance corporate training effectiveness, but scalable models are yet to be developed.
The tentative belief that quantum computing might render current encryption methods obsolete is driving new research in cybersecurity.
The idea that merging traditional farming with tech innovations can boost crop yields is being critically assessed for long-term sustainability.
The proposition that holographic technology might reshape live entertainment and events is being explored, especially in the wake of pandemic-induced restrictions.
Initial studies suggesting that exoskeletons can revolutionize physical rehabilitation for patients are promising, but more patient trials are essential.
The concept that integrating drones into urban transport systems can alleviate traffic congestion is gaining attention, though regulatory challenges persist.
Preliminary research posits that microplastics in oceans might have more profound ecosystem impacts than previously believed, driving more extensive studies.
The tentative stance that merging AI with traditional art forms can birth a new artistic movement is captivating the art world, awaiting more tangible outcomes.

Tentative thesis statements serve as the starting blocks for in-depth research, fostering curiosity and prompting the academic community to seek clarity. Their potential to pivot existing understanding or usher in new paradigms underscores their significance in scholarly pursuits. You may also be interested in our final thesis statement .

How to Write a Tentative Thesis Statement: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understand Your Assignment : Before you begin, it’s vital to thoroughly understand the requirements of your assignment. Are you supposed to analyze, compare, discuss, or argue? The nature of the assignment will guide your tentative thesis.
Choose a Topic : Decide on a topic that interests you and is relevant to your assignment. A tentative thesis is more effective when you’re genuinely curious about the subject.
Conduct Preliminary Research : Before settling on a tentative thesis, gather some basic information about your topic to understand its complexities and primary issues.
Ask a Question : Formulate a question about your topic. This helps in focusing your research and forms the basis of your tentative thesis. For instance, if you’re writing about renewable energy, your question might be, “How effective are solar panels in reducing carbon footprints?”
Draft a Statement : Answer the question you posed in a clear and concise statement. Using the above example, a tentative thesis could be, “Solar panels have the potential to significantly reduce carbon footprints.”
Stay Flexible : Remember, it’s a tentative thesis. As you conduct further research, be prepared to adjust or even change your thesis to reflect more accurate or comprehensive findings.
Avoid Being Too Broad or Too Narrow : Your statement should be specific enough to cover in detail but broad enough to find sufficient information. For instance, “Solar panels are good” is too broad, while “Solar panels in X town on Y street” might be too narrow.
Seek Feedback : Discuss your tentative thesis with peers, instructors, or mentors. They might offer a fresh perspective or point out aspects you haven’t considered.
Refine and Revise : As your research progresses, continually revisit and tweak your thesis. The more you learn, the better you can make your thesis.
Finalize : Once your research supports your tentative thesis or provides a more precise direction, solidify your thesis statement. It should now be clear, concise, and supported by the evidence you’ve gathered.

A tentative thesis acts as a compass for your research, providing direction and focus. However, it’s essential to approach it with an open mind. As new information comes to light, your thesis may evolve, leading to a more enriched and accurate conclusion. In addition, you should review our thesis statement for research paper .

Tips for Writing a Tentative Thesis Statement

Start Broad, Then Narrow Down : Begin with a general topic or idea and then narrow it down based on your research findings and assignment requirements.
Stay Open-Minded : A tentative thesis is just that – tentative. Be willing to adjust, refine, or even entirely change your thesis as you delve deeper into your research.
Keep It Clear and Concise : Even though it’s a preliminary statement, clarity is crucial. Avoid jargon and ensure that your statement can be understood by someone not familiar with the topic.
Avoid Absolutes : Words like “always,” “never,” and “all” can be tricky in a tentative thesis. Since you’re still in the research phase, it’s wise to avoid making absolute claims.
Make It Arguable : A good thesis statement is not a plain statement of fact. Instead, it should present a point that others might agree or disagree with.
Ensure It’s Specific : While you don’t want to be too narrow, it’s essential that your thesis isn’t too broad either. It should provide a clear focus for your research.
Seek Feedback Early : Sharing your tentative thesis with classmates, instructors, or mentors can provide valuable insights and may highlight areas for improvement.
Write Multiple Versions : Don’t settle on the first thesis you draft. Write a few different versions and choose the one that best aligns with your research direction.
Keep Revisiting : As you research, periodically come back to your thesis. Does it still align with what you’re finding? If not, adjust as necessary.
Stay Organized : As you adapt your thesis, make sure to adjust your research notes and outline accordingly to maintain cohesion in your writing process.

Remember, a tentative thesis statement is a tool to help guide your research and writing process. It’s not set in stone. As you become more informed about your topic, allowing your thesis to evolve will lead to a more robust and accurate final paper. You should also take a look at our case study thesis statement .

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How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

Start with a question
Write your initial answer
Develop your answer
Refine your thesis statement

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What is 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.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

Why you hold this position
What they’ll learn from your essay
The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

It gives your writing direction and focus.
It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

Ask a question about your topic .
Write your initial answer.
Develop your answer by including reasons.
Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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How to Write a Tentative Thesis: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the academic waters can be daunting, especially when confronted with the colossal task of crafting a thesis. But fear not, intrepid researcher! Before diving headfirst into a final thesis statement, consider the invaluable tool of writing a tentative thesis . This roadmap of your research lays the groundwork for a well-structured and focused academic endeavor.

Let’s Get Started with How to write a tentative thesis.

What is a Tentative Thesis?

A tentative thesis is a preliminary statement outlining your central argument or claim about your chosen topic. It’s a dynamic entity, evolving as your research progresses, guiding your exploration and analysis. Unlike its final counterpart, the tentative thesis allows flexibility and revision, allowing you to refine your focus and delve deeper into the most promising avenues. Students can improve thesis writing using Grammarly writing assistant and improve the content of their thesis by removing any mistakes from it.

How To Write A Tentative Thesis: Building Blocks

Crafting a rock-solid tentative thesis requires careful consideration of several key factors:

Topic Selection: The Foundation of Your Research

The initial step in writing a Tentative Thesis is meticulously selecting a topic.

This decision not only shapes the trajectory of your academic exploration but also plays a pivotal role in sustaining your interest and aligning with your academic aspirations.

When choosing a topic, consider its ability to captivate your fascination, the availability of scholarly resources , and its seamless integration with your academic goals.

Subject Immersion: Delving Deeper into Your Chosen Topic

Once you’ve identified a compelling topic, the next phase involves subject immersion. Immerse yourself in the wealth of knowledge surrounding your chosen subject.

Consume relevant academic literature, attend lectures, and seek the guidance of experts in the field.

This immersive process is not just about gathering information but about developing a profound understanding that forms the bedrock for crafting a nuanced and well-informed central argument.

Drafting the Thesis Statement: Crafting Clarity from Complexity

Distilling the wealth of information acquired during your subject immersion, your next task is articulating a clear and concise thesis statement.

This statement is the linchpin of your entire research endeavor, encapsulating the core of your central claim.

Avoid vagueness and absolutes at this stage; strive for specificity and arguability. Your thesis statement should be a beacon guiding the direction of your research, providing a clear roadmap for both you and your readers.

Write a Draft of the Thesis Statement: A Working Blueprint

With your initial thesis statement in hand, it’s time to translate your thoughts into a working draft. This draft is not set in stone but rather a dynamic document open to refinement as your research progresses.

Be prepared to revisit and revise your thesis statement as you delve deeper into your exploration. This fluid approach ensures that your thesis statement reflects your evolving understanding of the topic.

Write the Body: Constructing a Compelling Argument

With a tentative thesis statement as your guiding light, proceed to build the body of your research.

This is where you substantiate your central argument with a meticulous presentation of evidence, insightful analysis, and consideration of counter-arguments.

Each section of the body should contribute cohesively to the overarching narrative, providing a robust foundation for your thesis.

Write the Conclusion: Reinforcing Significance and Insights

As you approach the culmination of your research, the conclusion becomes a critical element. Summarize your key findings, reiterating your tentative thesis with emphasis.

Reflect on the significance of your research within the broader academic context. A well-crafted conclusion not only reinforces the importance of your central argument but also leaves a lasting impression on your readers.

How Long is a Tentative Thesis Statement?

While there’s no set word count, aim for concise clarity. A strong tentative thesis typically ranges from one to three sentences.

What are the characteristics of a strong tentative thesis statement?

Specificity:.

Precisely pinpoint your research focus, avoiding generalization.

Ensure your statement is readily understandable by an informed reader.

Argumentability:

Present a claim that invites debate and analysis, not a mere fact.

Actionable:

Guide your research by clearly stating your intended direction.

What is a tentative thesis example?

“While many scholars attribute the success of the Roman Empire to military prowess, this paper argues that its economic and social policies played an equally crucial role in its long-term dominance.”

Example 2:

“Despite initial skepticism, the recent surge in renewable energy production suggests that it may offer a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, as this paper will explore through an analysis of case studies and policy initiatives.”

“This paper contends that Shakespeare’s portrayal of female characters in Hamlet subverts traditional gender roles, challenging contemporary societal expectations.”

How does a tentative thesis differ from a final thesis?

Remember, your tentative thesis is a dynamic entity. As you delve deeper into your research, your understanding of the subject may evolve, prompting revisions to your initial proposition. Embrace this fluidity! This iterative process allows you to hone your focus and develop a more nuanced argument, ultimately leading to a well-grounded and compelling final thesis.

Tentative thesis:

Broader and flexible, outlining the initial question and potential avenues of exploration. Think of it as a wide-angle lens capturing the vast landscape.

Final thesis:

Narrower and focused, highlighting the specific conclusions drawn from your research. It’s a zoomed-in view showcasing the details and intricacies of your chosen path.

Superficial, providing a preliminary understanding of the subject. It’s like dipping your toes in the intellectual pool, testing the waters.

Final thesis:

Profound, reflecting a comprehensive analysis of your chosen topic. It’s a deep dive into the academic ocean, revealing hidden currents and fascinating creatures.

Open to change and evolution as your research progresses. Think of it as a pencil sketch, easily erased and redrawn.

Confident and conclusive, representing the culmination of your academic journey. It’s like a pen-and-ink map, fixed and final after a thorough exploration.

Guides your research, providing a direction and framework for exploration. It’s a compass, helping you navigate the vast academic territory.

Summarizes your findings, presenting your argument and supporting evidence. It’s a testament to your intellectual voyage, showcasing the knowledge and insights you’ve gleaned.

1. How specific should my tentative thesis be?

Your tentative thesis should be specific enough to guide your research but open enough to allow for new discoveries. Avoid broad statements or factual summaries. Aim for a clear claim that asserts your unique perspective on the topic. For example, instead of “Shakespeare’s plays explore human emotions,” try “Shakespeare’s character portrayals in Hamlet reveal the complex interplay between ambition and morality.”

2. What questions should I ask myself to develop a good tentative thesis?

You should ask these questions to develop a good tentative thesis:

What is the main topic of my research?
What key arguments or ideas have I encountered so far?
What specific aspect of the topic am I most interested in exploring?
What unique contribution can I make to the existing knowledge in this area?
Can I formulate my argument as a clear and concise statement?

3. When should I write my tentative thesis?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but the ideal time is after you’ve done some preliminary research and have a general understanding of your topic. However, don’t wait until you have everything figured out. Having a tentative thesis can actually help you direct your research and make sense of your findings.

4. What if my tentative thesis changes during my research?

That’s perfectly normal! The beauty of a tentative thesis is its flexibility. As you explore your topic, new insights and perspectives may emerge. Embrace these changes and refine your thesis to reflect your evolving understanding. Don’t be afraid to rewrite and adjust your thesis as your research progresses.

Conclusion: Final Words

The tentative thesis isn’t just a stepping stone; it’s a vital tool for shaping a powerful academic investigation. By mastering its nuances and embracing its flexibility, you equip yourself with the roadmap to navigate the complex research landscape. So, step into the academic arena with confidence, knowing that within you lies the potential to craft a groundbreaking thesis that leaves its mark on the world.

About The Author

Tom Baldwin

Tentative Thesis Guide

At some time during their academic careers, every student is faced with the challenge of writing a thesis. And this is why it is important for students to learn how to write a thesis. But there are lots of things that go into writing a thesis. You have to understand topic selection, thesis statement construction, and never lose sight of your audience.

To get a captivating tentative thesis topic and mold it into a captivating tentative thesis, it is important to first clarify what a tentative thesis is. In this article, you will learn what a tentative thesis is and how to write a superior tentative thesis. Keep reading to see all you need to know about writing a tentative thesis and check out the tentative thesis example!

What Is a Tentative Thesis?

A tentative thesis is a strong provisional idea that keeps the writer’s attention on the paper. It reveals the author’s strategy, clarifies the subject, and emphasizes the key concepts that will be explored throughout the piece.

A tentative thesis describes what you will be arguing in your paper. It is also often referred to as a working hypothesis. It is the first draft (short version) of your paper, meant to give you an idea of what your final thesis will look like.

With the tentative thesis, you can think about your topic, figure out how to approach it, and think about what kind of writing style you want in your final thesis. The tentative thesis is not supposed to be perfect; it’s just an outline of the ideas that will go into your final paper and a way to test your ideas and see how they hold up.

You should write down your tentative thesis before you start writing your paper, so that you can see how your ideas are developing and how they relate to one another.

Tentative Thesis Statement Examples

One of the most important parts of a tentative thesis is a tentative thesis statement. This statement is always placed towards the conclusion of the introduction paragraph in a typical tentative thesis example.

A strong tentative thesis statement will be helpful while looking for additional facts to include in the article. You must have a firm understanding of the subject and the issues that will be covered in the thesis before drafting a tentative thesis statement.

Here are some tentative thesis statement examples to give you a clearer understanding of what a tentative thesis statement looks like.

“It is disappointing that people continue to disregard the recommendations for preventing coronavirus. A second wave of illnesses will probably result from this ignorance.”

“Trade issues between the US and China have significantly decreased sales of Apple products in China. In China, a market with close to 2 billion people, Huawei smartphones have gradually gained popularity, leaving Apple devices in that region of Asia playing catch-up.”

“Financing women’s businesses helps release them from tight economic yokes. It creates additional chances for them in the predominantly male workforce.”

Example 4:

“Global pandemics present many threats to world stability. They can threaten the political, social, and cultural ramifications that exist.”

How to Write a Tentative Thesis

You need a strong tentative thesis to steer your arguments regardless of whether you are writing a research paper or just an ordinary assignment that does not involve much research. Here are some steps about how to write a tentative thesis.

Choose a topic

Any tentative thesis should have a good topic that is expressed as clearly as possible. So, you should be clear on the subject or the issue before you start to frame a tentative thesis. Here are a few tips for choosing your topic.

The topic must provide the answer to a tentative thesis statement right away.
A good topic should be timely and help resolve an issue.
Your chosen topic must be useful and capable of contributing to knowledge in your research area.
You should be familiar with the topic and at least have basic knowledge about it.

After choosing a topic, you should expand your knowledge about it. To organize what you know about a potential thesis topic, brainstorm and write down the ideas or information that come to mind.

Discuss the subject

After you have chosen your topic, you should expound on it and generate ideas for your tentative thesis. During the brainstorming session, you should note as many concepts that occur to you while thinking aloud or reading other sources.

Write a draft of the thesis statement

It’s important to remember that your paper’s introduction should have a tentative thesis statement. Your thesis statement should be bold as it is a single remark that provides a more in-depth explanation of the thesis. A thesis statement should be thorough, precise and unambiguous, reflect the true nature of the topic, and be supported by facts.

Write the body

The main body of a tentative thesis contains the argument in the thesis. This section is typically divided into sentences that reflect the subject, sentences that provide evidence for it, and summing statements. Your sentences and paragraphs in this section should be logical, cohesive, and supported by facts and evidence.

Write the conclusion

The final component of a tentative thesis is the conclusion. The conclusion should contain a summary of the argument in the main paragraph of the tentative thesis. Usually, this will follow the format of the introduction paragraph closely. It should also include an overview of the article’s main concepts and points.

Important Tentative Thesis Parts

A tentative thesis comprises three important parts that must not be omitted. You must include all parts to ensure your paper is logical and coherent. Let’s take a quick look at each of these crucial sections:

The Introduction
The Conclusion

Tentative Thesis Writing Help

While you may know how to write a tentative, you may not have all the time in the world to do the necessary research and put down all your thoughts. For example, you may have lots of extracurricular activities that you have no time to brainstorm the right topic or what your tentative thesis statement should be. If this is the case, it’s only logical to get someone to help you write your tentative thesis for you.

Also, if you have gone through this article but you’re still unsure about how to write a tentative thesis, you can always seek help from tentative thesis writing help websites. You absolutely don’t have to wing it and end up with a bad score. So, get a reliable tentative thesis help today to help you write the perfect tentative thesis!

There you have it! Here’s all you need to know about writing a superior tentative thesis. With this guide, you should now know how to write a tentative thesis statement by taking cues from the tentative thesis statement examples. If you follow all these steps, you’ll be able to write a better thesis paper.

If you’re not sure whether you can write a tentative thesis or you need some help with your tentative thesis for one reason or another, seek help from expert thesis writers!

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Developing a Tentative Thesis

The thesis statement of an essay is to your argument paper what the topic sentence is to the paragraph: a guide, a control--a single promise. It indicates the subject, the approach, and the limitations of your topic. It also suggests your position, your attitude, and a commitment to the subject. It conveys the sense that your subject matters, that you have a stake in it. Rather than say, "Advertisers often use sexist ads," tell us something we don't know. Perhaps you could shed new light on an old subject: "Although long criticized for their sexist portrayal of women in TV commercials, the auto industry is just as often guilty of stereotyping men as brainless idiots unable to make a decision." The first statement stimulates "Ho hum," the other "Oh, yeah? I'd like to know more about that."

The thesis statement is your promise to the reader and to yourself.

For today's assignment, please focus a tentative thesis by first deciding on a specific audience and a specific purpose.

Your specific audience: Your specific purpose: Your tentative thesis:

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Developing a Tentative Thesis

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Preparing a Thesis Statement

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The thesis or thesis statement is a comprehensive summary of everything you say in the essay. It is the main point you are making in the essay. Therefore, it may be best to formulate your thesis afteryou have written the rest of the essay, so you are aware of what point you want to make. You may, of course, set out with a tentative thesis, allowing it to change as the content in your essay changes.

In an argumentative essay, the thesis lets the reader know exactly where you stand, for or against the issue. It is not neutral.

Bad : "Abortion is a controversial issue which has been debated for the past 20 years." Good : "The laws restricting abortion should be loosened for the social, psychological, and financial welfare of both mother and child-to-be."

Notice that the thesis usually sums up your ideas.

Your thesis should be bold, direct, authoritative. Do not write "In my opinion" or "I think" in the thesis statement. Such expressions weaken the authority of your thesis:

Bad : "In my opinion most men wear beards because they are trying to find themselves." Good : "The current beard fad may be an attempt on the part of men to emphasize their male identity."

A thesis should not be in the form of a question. (Usually the answer for that question could be the thesis.)

Bad : "Should eighteen-year-old males have the right to vote?" Good : "Anyone who is old enough to fight a war is old enough to vote."

A thesis should not be expressed in muddled or incoherent language:

Bad : "Homicides performed by those whose status is juvenile simply because of their being below the age of eighteen should be treated the same as those by older individuals." Good : "A juvenile who commits murder should be subject to the same punishment as any other capital offender."

The thesis should not be too broad and vague; instead, it should be a definite summary of your essay:

Bad : "Life in a racial ghetto is miserable." Good : "Residents of a racial ghetto tend to have higher death rates, higher disease rates, and higher psychosis rates than any other residents of American cities."

Other examples of well-formulated thesis statements:

"The legalization of gambling in British Columbia will promote tourism, add money to government coffers, and spawn a host of fringe industries."
"Prostitution in Vancouver must be legalized to protect juveniles, to abolish pimping, and to improve health standards."
"When overzealous parents and coaches emphasize competitiveness and winning in children's sports, the result can be activities that are neither satisfying nor beneficial to children."

In a literary essay, do not confuse the thesis with the theme. The theme is the message, the truth (about life or human relationships) that the author of the story or play wants to convey. The thesisis your theory of how the author conveys that theme through the device of irony, point-of-view, contrast (or conflict), setting, motif, or symbol.

Here are a few examples of literary thesis statements:

"In D. H. Lawrence's story 'The Odour of Chrysanthemums' the inability to understand, to clearly see another's point-of-view, is represented by the motif-symbol of darkness."
"In A Man For All Seasons, the contrast of the symbols of water and land represent a conflict between society's changing trends and the timeless unchanging world of God."

Whatever type of essay you are writing, the thesis should be a definite summary of the essay, allowing the reader to anticipate the rest of the essay. Usually appearing at the end of the first paragraph, the thesis should be provocative, a punchline that makes the reader want to read the essay. The thesis is one of the most important parts of an essay. Make it strong, and make it say something.

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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2020 11:35 AM
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While writing academic essays or papers, you have to pay microscopic attention to your train of thought. Whether it’s a college essay or a research paper, a strong thesis statement can either make or break your document. But how to write a thesis statement that best represents your work?

In this article, we’ll answer this and other questions related to a thesis statement for essays, papers, or longer documents. We will discuss all aspects of a thesis, its importance, and its types. We’ll also provide a few thesis statement examples so you understand how to write a strong thesis.

Before we begin, we should have clarity on one question: What is a thesis statement?

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement sums up the central point of your paper or essay in the span of a few sentences. It is usually placed near the end of your introduction. The rest of your essay builds upon the thesis statement by addressing different aspects of it.

The opening thesis statement serves as an assertion that the rest of your essay can validate and align with. Further, it serves as a roadmap to the entire essay. As such, it should heavily draw upon your unique understanding of the subject.

Since the thesis statement is placed at the end of the introduction, take your time introducing the subject. Structuring an introduction that conveniently leads to your thesis statement is a good practice.

A strong thesis statement:

introduces the subject,
makes an assertion, and
provides reasoning for it.

Take a look.

Let’s go through some guidelines to help you come up with a strong thesis for your essay.

How to write a thesis statement

Here are some basic guidelines for writing a thesis statement:

Present your point of view in two sentences.
Clearly indicate the logical progression of your research.
Always take a case-by-case approach. Based on your research, you may also opt for a 3-part thesis statement.
Clearly dictate your assertion on the topic.
Create a thesis statement that is debatable, but can be proven with evidence and reasoning.
Place your thesis statement as a conclusion to the Introduction section of your paper.

We can only give you some tips on how to write a thesis statement, but a strong thesis only comes out of strong research and reading. So, make sure to read your sources carefully before you begin to write your essay.

Follow these tips to write a strong thesis statement:

#1 Formulate your research question.

Filtering your line of research is the first step while writing a strong thesis. Conduct targeted research in your area of interest to formulate your research question. Be as specific as possible here, since it adds to the credibility of your research. Your research question should display the amount of research you’ve undertaken.

As a continuation of the climate change thesis statement example we’ve cited above, a pertinent research question would be along these lines: “ How does climate change affect different countries in the world? “

#2 Create a tentative thesis statement.

Answer your research question and shape it into a broad statement that sums up your topic. This should give you the first draft of the thesis statement outline wherein multiple changes will definitely be in order.

A lot of effort goes into drafting your tentative thesis statement. You need to locate a general your area of interest and then conduct precise research activities. Revisit your tentative thesis statement and revise it as you invest more time, research, and resources in the project.

If your assignment requires you to argue a certain take on the subject, you’ll have to sharpen your tentative thesis with the help of evidence. Here’s such a thesis statement example for an argumentative essay: “The proletarian movie, The Grapes of Wrath , perfectly captures the psyche of the American labor class during the Great Depression.”

#3 Supplement reasoning with evidence.

Your tentative thesis serves as a dependable guide to entering the next critical phase of thesis writing. This phase demands the most attention since it requires you to critically engage with already-established literature. You must gather enough relevant information as evidence so you can support your ideas and arguments.

The more exhaustive the research process is, the more prepared you will be. This is of substantial importance since your academic expertise will come in handy during the viva in which you will be required to firmly defend your arguments.

So, pursue your research extensively and work hard to make your thesis foolproof. After all, academic work is worth nothing without sound evidence!

#4 Anticipate counterarguments.

Counterarguments serve a significant purpose: They help you prepare stronger arguments. Anticipating counterarguments is a window into the broader scope of your research and how it fits into the larger discourse.

Counterarguments from your peers, cohort, supervisor, and others provide a learning curve for you as a scholar. You can always filter what aligns with your interest, but having a non-expert colleague can help you better prepare for your presentations and defense.

Types of thesis statements

Every essay or paper is built upon two essential elements: a topic and an angle. The topic is the subject matter you’re writing about and the angle is your primary idea or opinion on the subject. Based on these, your essay falls under one of three types: expository essay, descriptive essay, or argumentative essay.

Your thesis statement varies depending on the type of essay you’re writing. There are three main types of thesis statements, so let’s go through them one by one.

#1 Expository thesis

Also known as the explanatory thesis, this type of thesis statement requires you to explain a given opinion, idea, or concept. As the name indicates, this type of thesis applies to expository essays in which you are not required to provide your unique opinion on the matter.

Thesis structure for expository essays

Introduce the topic.
Explain the categories that best represent the topic.
Determine the order of the categories to present the topic as it is.

Thesis statement example for expository essays

This essay looks closely at Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the reasons why it increases the incidence frequencies of fibrillation and cardiac stroke.

#2 Analytical thesis

The analytical thesis statement requires you to break down a larger idea into its basic components. You can further analyze the individual components to present the final assessment to your readers.

This thesis statement requires you to present various topics in the order in which your essay discusses them. So, it can apply to both persuasive and descriptive essays.

Analytical thesis structure

Introduce the core element(s) you are analyzing.
Deconstruct the topic into its constituent categories.
Determine the order of the categories to best represent your findings.

Example of an analytical thesis

John Steinback’s classic, The Grapes of Wrath , captures the Westward migration of the labor class to the promised land of California during the Great Depression. This paper attempts to revisit the proletarian novel through the political lens of new working conditions, poverty, and social change.

#3 Argumentative thesis

In this type of thesis statement, you make a claim and provide evidence to back it up. These are some common types of claims that you can make in an argumentative thesis statement:

Comprehension
Cause-and-effect solutions

Naturally, this type of thesis works best for an argumentative essay, where you take a position on your topic and then reason it with substantial evidence.

Thesis structure for argumentative essays

Make your claim.
Present your reasons or pieces of evidence to support the claim.
Determine the order of the categories to best represent your claim.

Thesis statement example for an argumentative essay

The execution of proper legislation that will regulate gun ownership can substantially reduce gun violence in America. Such laws can re-establish the core democratic ideal that freedom is subject to accountability in the purview of public interest. This can significantly reduce the fatality rate as a result of open mass shootings, suicides, and domestic abuse.

Examples of a strong thesis statement

As academic editors , the most common type of queries we come across are in essays about global warming and climate change. So, we’ll demonstrate how you can write a strong thesis statement on these topics.

In the table below, you’ll find some examples of strong thesis statements compared to weak ones. Compare the two to understand how to write a thesis statement that perfectly sums up your take on the subject.

To sum up: place the thesis statement toward the end of your introduction, state your angle on the topic, and provide your reasoning with evidence. Since you only get 20–50 words to work with, make sure to use them wisely!

Keep reading with more resources from your loyal editors and proofreaders:

What is Predatory Publishing?
How to Deal with Rejection from a Journal
What is Proposal Editing and Why Is It Important?
How to Write a Lab Report
How to Write an Impactful Personal Statement

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a thesis statement , where is the thesis statement located , can a thesis statement be two sentences, how to make a good thesis statement , can a thesis statement be a question.

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Developing a Thesis Statement

Many papers you write require developing a thesis statement. In this section you’ll learn what a thesis statement is and how to write one.

Keep in mind that not all papers require thesis statements . If in doubt, please consult your instructor for assistance.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement . . .

Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic.
Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper.
Is focused and specific enough to be “proven” within the boundaries of your paper.
Is generally located near the end of the introduction ; sometimes, in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or in an entire paragraph.
Identifies the relationships between the pieces of evidence that you are using to support your argument.

Not all papers require thesis statements! Ask your instructor if you’re in doubt whether you need one.

Identify a topic

Your topic is the subject about which you will write. Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic; or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper.

Consider what your assignment asks you to do

Inform yourself about your topic, focus on one aspect of your topic, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts, generate a topic from an assignment.

Below are some possible topics based on sample assignments.

Sample assignment 1

Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II.

Identified topic

Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis

This topic avoids generalities such as “Spain” and “World War II,” addressing instead on Franco’s role (a specific aspect of “Spain”) and the diplomatic relations between the Allies and Axis (a specific aspect of World War II).

Sample assignment 2

Analyze one of Homer’s epic similes in the Iliad.

The relationship between the portrayal of warfare and the epic simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64.

This topic focuses on a single simile and relates it to a single aspect of the Iliad ( warfare being a major theme in that work).

Developing a Thesis Statement–Additional information

Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic, or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper. You’ll want to read your assignment carefully, looking for key terms that you can use to focus your topic.

Sample assignment: Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II Key terms: analyze, Spain’s neutrality, World War II

After you’ve identified the key words in your topic, the next step is to read about them in several sources, or generate as much information as possible through an analysis of your topic. Obviously, the more material or knowledge you have, the more possibilities will be available for a strong argument. For the sample assignment above, you’ll want to look at books and articles on World War II in general, and Spain’s neutrality in particular.

As you consider your options, you must decide to focus on one aspect of your topic. This means that you cannot include everything you’ve learned about your topic, nor should you go off in several directions. If you end up covering too many different aspects of a topic, your paper will sprawl and be unconvincing in its argument, and it most likely will not fulfull the assignment requirements.

For the sample assignment above, both Spain’s neutrality and World War II are topics far too broad to explore in a paper. You may instead decide to focus on Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis , which narrows down what aspects of Spain’s neutrality and World War II you want to discuss, as well as establishes a specific link between those two aspects.

Before you go too far, however, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts. Try to avoid topics that already have too much written about them (i.e., “eating disorders and body image among adolescent women”) or that simply are not important (i.e. “why I like ice cream”). These topics may lead to a thesis that is either dry fact or a weird claim that cannot be supported. A good thesis falls somewhere between the two extremes. To arrive at this point, ask yourself what is new, interesting, contestable, or controversial about your topic.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times . Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Derive a main point from topic

Once you have a topic, you will have to decide what the main point of your paper will be. This point, the “controlling idea,” becomes the core of your argument (thesis statement) and it is the unifying idea to which you will relate all your sub-theses. You can then turn this “controlling idea” into a purpose statement about what you intend to do in your paper.

Look for patterns in your evidence

Compose a purpose statement.

Consult the examples below for suggestions on how to look for patterns in your evidence and construct a purpose statement.

Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis
Franco turned to the Allies when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from the Axis

Possible conclusion:

Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: Franco’s desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power.

Purpose statement

This paper will analyze Franco’s diplomacy during World War II to see how it contributed to Spain’s neutrality.

The simile compares Simoisius to a tree, which is a peaceful, natural image.
The tree in the simile is chopped down to make wheels for a chariot, which is an object used in warfare.

At first, the simile seems to take the reader away from the world of warfare, but we end up back in that world by the end.

This paper will analyze the way the simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64 moves in and out of the world of warfare.

Derive purpose statement from topic

To find out what your “controlling idea” is, you have to examine and evaluate your evidence . As you consider your evidence, you may notice patterns emerging, data repeated in more than one source, or facts that favor one view more than another. These patterns or data may then lead you to some conclusions about your topic and suggest that you can successfully argue for one idea better than another.

For instance, you might find out that Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis, but when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from them, he turned to the Allies. As you read more about Franco’s decisions, you may conclude that Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: his desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power. Based on this conclusion, you can then write a trial thesis statement to help you decide what material belongs in your paper.

Sometimes you won’t be able to find a focus or identify your “spin” or specific argument immediately. Like some writers, you might begin with a purpose statement just to get yourself going. A purpose statement is one or more sentences that announce your topic and indicate the structure of the paper but do not state the conclusions you have drawn . Thus, you might begin with something like this:

This paper will look at modern language to see if it reflects male dominance or female oppression.
I plan to analyze anger and derision in offensive language to see if they represent a challenge of society’s authority.

At some point, you can turn a purpose statement into a thesis statement. As you think and write about your topic, you can restrict, clarify, and refine your argument, crafting your thesis statement to reflect your thinking.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Compose a draft thesis statement

If you are writing a paper that will have an argumentative thesis and are having trouble getting started, the techniques in the table below may help you develop a temporary or “working” thesis statement.

Begin with a purpose statement that you will later turn into a thesis statement.

Assignment: Discuss the history of the Reform Party and explain its influence on the 1990 presidential and Congressional election.

Purpose Statement: This paper briefly sketches the history of the grassroots, conservative, Perot-led Reform Party and analyzes how it influenced the economic and social ideologies of the two mainstream parties.

Question-to-Assertion

If your assignment asks a specific question(s), turn the question(s) into an assertion and give reasons why it is true or reasons for your opinion.

Assignment : What do Aylmer and Rappaccini have to be proud of? Why aren’t they satisfied with these things? How does pride, as demonstrated in “The Birthmark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” lead to unexpected problems?

Beginning thesis statement: Alymer and Rappaccinni are proud of their great knowledge; however, they are also very greedy and are driven to use their knowledge to alter some aspect of nature as a test of their ability. Evil results when they try to “play God.”

Write a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the essay you plan to write.

Main idea: The reason some toys succeed in the market is that they appeal to the consumers’ sense of the ridiculous and their basic desire to laugh at themselves.

Make a list of the ideas that you want to include; consider the ideas and try to group them.

nature = peaceful
war matériel = violent (competes with 1?)
need for time and space to mourn the dead
war is inescapable (competes with 3?)

Use a formula to arrive at a working thesis statement (you will revise this later).

although most readers of _______ have argued that _______, closer examination shows that _______.
_______ uses _______ and _____ to prove that ________.
phenomenon x is a result of the combination of __________, __________, and _________.

What to keep in mind as you draft an initial thesis statement

Beginning statements obtained through the methods illustrated above can serve as a framework for planning or drafting your paper, but remember they’re not yet the specific, argumentative thesis you want for the final version of your paper. In fact, in its first stages, a thesis statement usually is ill-formed or rough and serves only as a planning tool.

As you write, you may discover evidence that does not fit your temporary or “working” thesis. Or you may reach deeper insights about your topic as you do more research, and you will find that your thesis statement has to be more complicated to match the evidence that you want to use.

You must be willing to reject or omit some evidence in order to keep your paper cohesive and your reader focused. Or you may have to revise your thesis to match the evidence and insights that you want to discuss. Read your draft carefully, noting the conclusions you have drawn and the major ideas which support or prove those conclusions. These will be the elements of your final thesis statement.

Sometimes you will not be able to identify these elements in your early drafts, but as you consider how your argument is developing and how your evidence supports your main idea, ask yourself, “ What is the main point that I want to prove/discuss? ” and “ How will I convince the reader that this is true? ” When you can answer these questions, then you can begin to refine the thesis statement.

Refine and polish the thesis statement

To get to your final thesis, you’ll need to refine your draft thesis so that it’s specific and arguable.

Ask if your draft thesis addresses the assignment
Question each part of your draft thesis
Clarify vague phrases and assertions
Investigate alternatives to your draft thesis

Consult the example below for suggestions on how to refine your draft thesis statement.

Sample Assignment

Choose an activity and define it as a symbol of American culture. Your essay should cause the reader to think critically about the society which produces and enjoys that activity.

Ask The phenomenon of drive-in facilities is an interesting symbol of american culture, and these facilities demonstrate significant characteristics of our society.This statement does not fulfill the assignment because it does not require the reader to think critically about society.

Drive-ins are an interesting symbol of American culture because they represent Americans’ significant creativity and business ingenuity.

Among the types of drive-in facilities familiar during the twentieth century, drive-in movie theaters best represent American creativity, not merely because they were the forerunner of later drive-ins and drive-throughs, but because of their impact on our culture: they changed our relationship to the automobile, changed the way people experienced movies, and changed movie-going into a family activity.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast-food establishments, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize America’s economic ingenuity, they also have affected our personal standards.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast- food restaurants, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize (1) Americans’ business ingenuity, they also have contributed (2) to an increasing homogenization of our culture, (3) a willingness to depersonalize relationships with others, and (4) a tendency to sacrifice quality for convenience.

This statement is now specific and fulfills all parts of the assignment. This version, like any good thesis, is not self-evident; its points, 1-4, will have to be proven with evidence in the body of the paper. The numbers in this statement indicate the order in which the points will be presented. Depending on the length of the paper, there could be one paragraph for each numbered item or there could be blocks of paragraph for even pages for each one.

Complete the final thesis statement

The bottom line.

As you move through the process of crafting a thesis, you’ll need to remember four things:

Context matters! Think about your course materials and lectures. Try to relate your thesis to the ideas your instructor is discussing.
As you go through the process described in this section, always keep your assignment in mind . You will be more successful when your thesis (and paper) responds to the assignment than if it argues a semi-related idea.
Your thesis statement should be precise, focused, and contestable ; it should predict the sub-theses or blocks of information that you will use to prove your argument.
Make sure that you keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Change your thesis as your paper evolves, because you do not want your thesis to promise more than your paper actually delivers.

In the beginning, the thesis statement was a tool to help you sharpen your focus, limit material and establish the paper’s purpose. When your paper is finished, however, the thesis statement becomes a tool for your reader. It tells the reader what you have learned about your topic and what evidence led you to your conclusion. It keeps the reader on track–well able to understand and appreciate your argument.

Writing Process and Structure

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Getting Started with Your Paper

Interpreting Writing Assignments from Your Courses

Generating Ideas for

Creating an Argument

Thesis vs. Purpose Statements

Architecture of Arguments

Working with Sources

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources

Using Literary Quotations

Citing Sources in Your Paper

Drafting Your Paper

Generating Ideas for Your Paper

Introductions

Paragraphing

Developing Strategic Transitions

Conclusions

Revising Your Paper

Peer Reviews

Reverse Outlines

Revising an Argumentative Paper

Revision Strategies for Longer Projects

Finishing Your Paper

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

How to Proofread your Paper

Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative and Group Writing

Writing an Effective Thesis Statement

Writing an Effective Thesis Statement Podcast

Writing an effective thesis statement transcript.

Greetings everyone. This is Kurtis Clements with another effective writing podcast. In this episode, I am going to discuss how to write an effective thesis statement. One issue to keep in mind when you write is that your words need to stand on their own. It is your responsibility to express your thoughts in a way that others can understand. Think of it this way: You will not be around to explain to readers what you meant by a certain remark or to offer another example to illustrate a fuzzy point. Indeed, the words in your composition will have to communicate meaning without your presence. What you do not want to have happen is for your audience to reach the end of a piece of your written communication and say, “So what? What’s the point?”

The “so what” of a piece of writing is the specific point the piece makes, what the writing says about its subject. The “so what” is what the writing adds up to. It is the meaning found in the writing. The “so what” of an informative essay may be Boston has a lot to offer young children. The “so what” of a business memo may be profits have exceeded expectations.

No matter the type of composition, the piece of writing must communicate meaning, not to the writer, but, rather, to an audience. The meaning found in a piece of writing, the “so what,” is the most important aspect of any piece of writing, for what good would a piece of writing be if it did not add up to something, if it did not say something to an audience? When you are working on a composition, you will need to think about what you are trying to say so that you are in a position to make sure that what you are trying to communicate is, in fact, communicated.

I know what you’re thinking: What’s all this have to do with a thesis statement? The answer: everything! Let me explain.

Every composition needs to make a clear point about its topic—otherwise, what purpose would the writing serve? One way to ensure that readers will follow along in the development of an essay is by including a written out thesis statement (more on this in just a moment). The word thesis comes from a Greek word that means “proposition” or “position.” In an essay, the thesis establishes the writer’s position, the main idea of the paper, what the writer claims to be true or important about the topic. A thesis helps readers understand the direction the essay is heading and it connects body paragraphs to a controlling idea so that the essay comes together as a unified whole.

Most thesis statements are expressed in a single declarative sentence, but depending on a number of factors such as the scope and complexity of the topic or the writer’s approach in discussing it, the thesis may require more than one sentence, but this is the exception rather than the rule. In most academic writing, the thesis will appear near or at the end of the introduction and announce to readers exactly what the body paragraphs that follow will discuss. In some writing, especially personal writing, a written-out thesis may not be necessary, but regardless the focus of the paper still needs to be clear. So, whether the thesis is written out verbatim or not, the thesis of the paper—what it will discuss—still needs to be clear.

Constructing a thesis statement will take time; in fact, like writing itself, developing a thesis is a process, so you will need to be patient and be willing to revise as necessary. A good thesis comes about the more you explore your topic whether that exploration is the result of exploratory writing like freewriting or research or long walks in which you think and think and think.

As you explore your thinking, your ideas will get clearer and clearer. Again, a thesis statement evolves over time. Begin with a working thesis—your tentative ideas about a topic—and be willing to modify the statement depending on what you discover about your topic and how your thinking changes over time. Indeed, many writers find themselves in jams because they are unwilling to deviate from their original thesis and are bent on trying to support ideas that are unrealistic, perhaps even impossible.

Still worse, some writers try to force the content to fit the idea expressed in the thesis. This won’t work. In fact, some writers approach their work so that the thesis emerges out of the writing. That’s right! Some writers don’t start with a thesis—working or otherwise—and, instead, explore their thinking in writing as a way to discover what it is they have to say about a topic. The fabulous Donald Murray, a journalist and famous writer about the process of writing, worked this way. And other writers work this way, too. And of course, many writers do not work this way and the truth is the actual process you use to develop a thesis does not matter so long as the end result is successful.

As you approach drafting a thesis, make sure you keep your purpose for writing in mind. Will you be informing? Persuading? Entertaining? Complaining? Whatever the case, you will want that purpose to be apparent from the construction of the thesis.

One good way to come up with ideas that you can use to construct a working thesis is to explore your thoughts. What do you already know about the topic? Use freewriting (or some other exploratory writing method such as brainstorming) to capture what you already know and think about the topic. Roll up your sleeves and spend 10, 15, or more minutes just writing. Write about what interests you about the topic and what you might like to know. Explore freely what is bouncing around inside your head and do not be afraid to follow your thinking wherever it takes you. Writing is an act of discovery, and you might stumble upon an interesting angle to pursue if you give yourself permission to explore. After you’ve written for a period of time, look over your writing and see if any dominant idea emerges or if some of the writing suggests a direction worth thinking about more. In a perfect world, the freewriting will produce enough of your ideas that you can almost see the beginning of a thesis.

Another good approach to producing a thesis is to conduct some research. Some assignments may not benefit from this tip, but many—even those that don’t specifically require research—will. To this end, peruse the library whether you do so physically or virtually. Poke and read around about your topic, following the discussion here and there depending on what interests you. Take some notes as you see fit.

You could also ask questions about what you wonder or would like to know about your topic. Do big-box stores such as Home Depot and Wal-Mart have an impact on local economies? What are the benefits of a vegan lifestyle? How costly are green energy sources? What steps should individuals take to safeguard against identity fraud? Avoid yes/no type questions and research accordingly. A good research question can lend itself to the development of a working thesis in that the “answer” can serve as a starting point.

So what are the characteristics of an effective thesis statement?

An effective thesis statement establishes one major idea. If a thesis introduces more than one idea, the paper will not have a tight focus. Most papers you will write will be relatively short and do not have room to discuss more than one major idea. Pay particular attention to your thesis statement if it includes the word “and” as this connecting word often joins new ideas. Note how the following thesis has more than one main idea: Healthcare reform must be addressed because so many Americans are uninsured or without adequate coverage, and politicians must work together to ensure new legislation is passed. In this example, the word “and” establishes an additional main idea and so the thesis lacks a clearly defined focus. To improve upon the thesis, the thesis would need to be streamlined and focus on one main idea. For example, a better thesis might be Politicians must work together to reform healthcare because too many Americans are without sufficient coverage.

An effective thesis statement is limited in scope. The thesis should limit the extent of the discussion to something manageable given the assignment—neither too broad nor too narrow. The thesis should establish a focus that is realistic and suitable for a substantive discussion of the main idea. Taking a stand on capital punishment, for example, is not realistic for a short research paper let alone an entire book—the topic is too broad. However, limiting the focus by narrowing the scope may work. You could argue that capital punishment does not reduce the crime rate or that lethal injection is the most humane form of capital punishment. In this way, the focus is something that realistically could be addressed in the paper.

An effective thesis statement clearly states the writer’s position. The thesis should state precisely and specifically what the paper will discuss. After reading the thesis, readers should know exactly what to expect. Avoid language that is too general, abstract, or otherwise confusing. If your thesis does not clearly establish your main idea, readers may have a difficult time following the development of the body paragraphs that follow. Here is an example of a thesis statement that is vague: Television violence is an issue that many face. Based on this thesis, do you understand what the writer is going to explore in the paper? Sure, television violence, but beyond that general subject, do you have any clear sense of what the writer will be exploring? Not at all! This thesis lacks the specificity it needs to orient readers appropriately so that they know what to expect in the discussion.

An effective thesis statement requires supporting evidence. The thesis expresses an idea that moves beyond a statement of fact and requires supporting content to “prove” the main idea. For example, a thesis that proclaims Barack Obama is the first African-American to be elected president of the United States would not be very good as it states a widely known fact. A better thesis might proclaim this: Barack Obama’s election as president of the United States marked a seminal moment in American politics. The revised thesis moves beyond simply stating a fact and, instead, presents a main idea that would require evidence to support.

There are two basic approaches to composing a thesis—forecasting the main points by embedding them in the thesis (an approach commonly referred to as the three-point thesis) or not including the main points in the thesis. Your approach will depend on the topic you are addressing as well as any particular requirements of the assignment.

A three-point thesis states the main idea of the essay and includes three key points as support. Take a look at the following thesis: Banning cigarette smoking in public places is an effective intervention to improve the public’s health by helping to reduce the dangers of second-hand smoke on non-smokers, encouraging current smokers to quit, and reducing healthcare costs. In this example, the main idea—the position the writer takes relative to the topic—is Banning cigarette smoking in public places is an effective intervention to improve the public’s health. This part of the thesis states what the writer claims to be true about the topic. How will the writer support this view? In this case, the thesis includes three telegraphed key points—by helping to reduce the dangers of second-hand smoke on non-smokers, encouraging current smokers to quit, and reducing healthcare costs.

The three-point thesis is the blueprint of the essay in that it not only establishes the main idea, but it also fleshes out the key points to that readers can anticipate a basic structure of the essay. Readers would expect each forecasted point to be discussed in the order presented—that is, the first section will discuss the first key point, the next section the second, and so on.

Another approach to composing a thesis is to state the main idea minus the key points. Using the example above, the thesis would read: Banning cigarette smoking in public places is an effective intervention to improve the public’s health. With this approach, the key points are not included in the thesis, yet the focus and direction are clear. Readers may not know the exact key points, but they understand the writer’s position on the topic and can anticipate the likely discussion that will follow. In this case, since the main idea states the view that banning smoking in public is an effective intervention to improve public health, it is logical to expect key points that address how this is so.

Please keep in mind that writing a good thesis is a process and a process requires time. While some folks might be able to come up with a humdinger of a thesis from the get-go that is not the norm. To this end, give yourself time to explore your topic and don’t be impatient. Draft a working thesis and revise as necessary. I hope you find this podcast helpful.

Thanks, everyone. Happy writing!

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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?
picture_as_pdf Thesis

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How to write a thesis statement + examples

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 .

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What Is an Example of a Tentative Thesis Statement?

A tentative thesis statement example would be, “In ‘The Great Gatsby,’ the character Jay Gatsby functions as a symbol for the notion of the American dream.” A tentative thesis statement, also known as a working thesis, indicates the subject, approach and limitations of a topic without being specific.

A thesis statement is defined as a statement in a paper or essay that states the claim of the argument presented. Sometimes a thesis statement includes a brief summary of the reasons that will be addressed to support the thesis later in the writing. A tentative thesis statement suggests a general argument but is lacking specific details or claims.

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a sentence in a paper or essay (in the opening paragraph) that introduces the main topic to the reader. As one of the first things your reader sees, your thesis statement is one of the most important sentences in your entire paper—but also one of the hardest to write!

In this article, we explain how to write a thesis statement in the best way possible. We look at what to include and the steps to take for writing your own, along with plenty of thesis statement examples to guide you.

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What is a thesis statement, how to write a thesis statement: basics, what to include in a thesis statement (with examples), how to write a thesis statement in 3 steps.

The goal of a thesis statement is to let your reader know what your paper or essay is about. It helps your reader understand the greater context and scope of your topic, plus it lets your readers know what to expect from the rest of the work.

A secondary benefit of a thesis statement is that it makes it easier to search for papers on a particular topic, especially in the realm of academic writing like research papers and thesis papers (which are sometimes known as dissertations when written for doctoral degrees). For example, if you’re writing a paper of your own, you’ll want to look up other papers to use as evidence and sources . You can simply scan the thesis statements of several papers to see which match your topic and could be worthwhile sources to cite.

Before we get into details, here are the basic steps for how to write a thesis statement:

Develop the best topic to cover in your paper
Phrase your topic as a question-and-answer
Add some polish

We ’ ll describe each of those steps in more detail below, but we wanted to share a quick guide. Also, we ’ ll provide some thesis statement examples and talk about how to write a thesis statement for different kinds of essays: persuasive, compare-and-contrast, expository, and argumentative essays.

The thesis statement is located at the beginning of a paper, in the opening paragraph, making it an essential way to start an essay . A thesis statement isn’t necessarily the first sentence in an essay; typically you’ll want to hook the reader in an engaging way in the opening sentence before inserting your central idea or argument later in the first paragraph. A thesis statement is often confused with a topic sentence , the first sentence in a paragraph, because they both introduce the central idea of what follows. You can think of thesis statements as the topic sentence of your entire paper.

Thesis statements are a necessary part of paper and essay writing , but different formats have different rules and best practices. Below, we break down how to write a thesis statement for the most common types of papers.

How to write a thesis statement for expository and argumentative essays

Expository and argumentative essays are some of the most common types of academic papers. Because they don’t have a formal abstract like research papers, they rely on their thesis statements to provide an overview of what’s discussed.

Thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays should use strong and decisive language; don’t be wishy-washy or uncertain. You want to take a stand right in the opening so that your readers understand what your paper is trying to show.

Moreover, thesis statements for these essays should be specific, with some minor details to hint at the rest of the paper. It’s not enough to merely make your point; you also want to provide some basic evidence or background context to paint a full picture.

If your paper dives into different subtopics or categories, try to fit them into the thesis statement if you can. You don’t have to get into details here, but it’s nice to mention the different sections at the top so that the reader knows what to expect.

Thesis statement examples

Despite the taboo, insects make an excellent food source and could stem humanity’s looming food shortage, based on both their protein output and the sustainability of farming them.

The backlash to rock ’n’ roll music in the ’50s by religious groups and traditionalists actually boosted the genre’s popularity instead of diminishing it as intended.

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 state clear opinions . Still, the format is the same, and the opinions are often treated like facts, including conclusive language and citing evidence to support your claims.

Furthermore, unlike with other essays, it’s appropriate to make emotional connections in a thesis statement in persuasive essays. This can actually be a clever strategy to start your essay off on a more personal, impactful note.

Advertising should not be allowed in public schools because it’s a distraction from studies and may lead to misguided priorities among the school board, to say nothing of the materialist culture it promotes.

Exotic pets provide the same love and companionship as conventional pets, so the laws regulating which animals can and cannot be kept as pets should be more relaxed.

How to write a thesis statement for compare-and-contrast essays

Thesis statements for compare-and-contrast essays are tricky because you have at least two topics to touch on instead of just one. The same general guidelines apply (decisive language, details, etc.), but you need to give equal attention to both your topics—otherwise, your essay will seem biased from the start.

As always, your thesis statement should reflect what’s written in the rest of your essay. If your essay spends more time comparing than contrasting, your thesis statement should focus more on similarities than differences.

It sometimes helps to give specific examples as well, but keep them simple and brief. Save the finer details for the body of your essay.

Sean Connery and Daniel Craig are the two most popular actors to portray James Bond, but both have their own distinct and at times contradictory interpretations of the character.

Now that you know what you’re aiming for, it’s time to sit down and write your own thesis statement. To keep you on track, here are three easy steps to guide you.

1 Brainstorm the best topic for your essay

You can’t write a thesis statement until you know what your paper is about, so your first step is choosing a topic.

If the topic is already assigned, great ! That’s all for this step. If not, consider the tips below for choosing the topic that’s best for you:

Pick a topic that you’re passionate about. Even if you don’t know much about it, it’ll be easier to learn about it while writing if you’re genuinely interested.
Narrow down your topic to something specific; otherwise, your paper will be too broad and perhaps too long. Just make sure it’s not too specific, or you won’t have enough to write about. Try to find a happy medium.
Check beforehand that there are enough strong, credible sources to use for research. You don’t want to run out of referential material halfway through.

Once you’ve chosen a topic—and the angle or stance you want to take—then it’s time to put the idea for your thesis sentence into words.

2 Phrase your topic as a question and then answer it

It’s not always easy to fit your entire thesis into just one sentence, let alone one that’s written clearly and eloquently. Here’s a quick technique to help you get started.

First, phrase your topic as a question. For example, if you want to write about Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, ask yourself, “What influences did Gandhi have on society after his death?”

If you already know the answer, write it down—that’s a good start for your thesis statement. If you don’t know the answer, do some preliminary research to find out; you can certainly use what you discover as evidence and sources in your essay’s body paragraphs .

3 Add some polish

Chances are, your first attempt at a thesis statement won’t be perfect. To get it to its best, try revising , editing , and adding what’s missing.

Remember the core traits for thesis statements we mentioned above: decisive language, a happy medium of specific but not too specific details, and mention of subtopics. If you’re struggling to contain everything in a single sentence, feel free to move the secondary information to the following sentence. The thesis statement itself should only have what’s most necessary.

If you’re in doubt, read your thesis statement to a friend and ask them what they think your paper is about. If they answer correctly, your thesis statement does its job.

Next comes the hard part—writing the rest! While the bulk of the writing lies ahead, at least you’ve nailed down your central idea. To plot out your supporting argument, follow our advice on essay structure and let your ideas flow.

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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

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 evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

Explain the analysis of the college admission process
Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

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Tentative Thesis: Example, Definition, Step-By-Step Guide
A tentative thesis is a statement that summarizes the main points and arguments of an essay. Learn the definition, structure, and writing tips for a tentative thesis with examples and professional help.
How to Formulate a Tentative Thesis: Tips and Examples
A tentative thesis isn't just a formality; it's a crucial part of the writing process. It helps you focus your research, ensuring that you don't waste time on irrelevant information. More importantly, it provides your readers with a snapshot of your paper's purpose and direction. Without a clear tentative thesis, your essay might lack ...
Tentative Thesis Statement
A tentative thesis statement, also known as a working thesis, is an initial statement regarding the topic of your research or essay, indicating your perspective and direction, but remaining open to modification as you gather more evidence or shift your focus during the writing process.
What is a Tentative Thesis and How to Write One? A Step-by-Step ...
What Is a Tentative Thesis? A tentative thesis is a lengthy paper that involves a person's research paper written for a university degree, as Oxford Languages states. It is called a tentative thesis because the initial thesis statement is always unsure and may change upon further study.
How to Write a Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. Learn how to write a thesis statement by following four simple steps: start with a question, write your initial answer, develop your answer, and refine your thesis statement.
How to Write a Tentative Thesis: A Comprehensive Guide
A tentative thesis is a preliminary statement outlining your central argument or claim about your chosen topic. It's a dynamic entity, evolving as your research progresses, guiding your exploration and analysis. Unlike its final counterpart, the tentative thesis allows flexibility and revision, allowing you to refine your focus and delve ...
Tentative Thesis Guide (With Examples)
A tentative thesis is a strong provisional idea that keeps the writer's attention on the paper. It reveals the author's strategy, clarifies the subject, and emphasizes the key concepts that will be explored throughout the piece. A tentative thesis describes what you will be arguing in your paper.
Developing a Tentative Thesis
Developing a Tentative Thesis. The thesis statement of an essay is to your argument paper what the topic sentence is to the paragraph: a guide, a control--a single promise. It indicates the subject, the approach, and the limitations of your topic. It also suggests your position, your attitude, and a commitment to the subject.
Developing a Thesis Statement
A tentative thesis or hypothesis is more specific than the preliminary or open thesis, and it is particularly important for a research paper. After you have brainstormed, written a list of questions, arrived at an open thesis, and begun your research and reading, you will be prepared to write a focused question and then a tentative answer to ...
What is a thesis
Learn what a thesis is, how to write a strong thesis statement, and the difference between a thesis and a working thesis. A working thesis is an initial version of your thesis statement that can change as you research more.
W-2b Coming Up with a Tentative Thesis
Coming Up with a Tentative Thesis. A THESIS is a statement that indicates your main point, identifying your topic and the CLAIM you are making about it. Here are some steps for developing a tentative thesis statement: State your topic as a question. You may have a topic, such as "gasoline prices." But that doesn't make a statement.
Developing a Tentative Thesis
A tentative thesis is a guide, a control, and a promise for your argument paper. It indicates the subject, the approach, and the limitations of your topic, and suggests your position and attitude.
Research Guides: Preparing a Thesis Statement: How To and Examples
The thesis or thesis statement is a comprehensive summary of everything you say in the essay. It is the main point you are making in the essay. ... You may, of course, set out with a tentative thesis, allowing it to change as the content in your essay changes. In an argumentative essay, the thesis lets the reader know exactly where you stand ...
PDF How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement
Formulate a Tentative Thesis Statement Coming up with a good thesis statement can seem like a very perplexing task in the early stages of the writing process, particularly if you're asked to submit a research proposal that requires a tentative thesis statement. Remember that a tentative thesis statement is not something set in stone; rather ...
How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Research Paper in 2024: Steps and
Having a specific research question in mind can help researchers formulate a strong, sound thesis statement to address this question. 2. Construct a statement that directly addresses the research question. Once the research question has been identified, preliminary research on the topic can begin.
How to Write a Thesis Statement: Examples & Tips
Here are some basic guidelines for writing a thesis statement: Present your point of view in two sentences. Clearly indicate the logical progression of your research. Always take a case-by-case approach. Based on your research, you may also opt for a 3-part thesis statement. Clearly dictate your assertion on the topic.
Developing a Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is an argumentative assertion about a topic that states the conclusions and promises of a paper. Learn how to identify a topic, develop a main point, and compose a thesis statement with examples and tips.
Writing an Effective Thesis Statement
An effective thesis statement establishes one major idea. If a thesis introduces more than one idea, the paper will not have a tight focus. Most papers you will write will be relatively short and do not have room to discuss more than one major idea. Pay particular attention to your thesis statement if it includes the word "and" as this ...
Thesis Statements
Thesis Statements. A thesis is the main claim you are making in an argument, similar to the hypothesis in a scientific experiment. It is what you are trying to prove or persuade your audience to believe or do. It's helpful to develop a working thesis to guide your composition process. "Working" is the operative word here; your ideas are ...
Thesis
Learn how to write a strong thesis for an academic essay, with examples and tips. A thesis is the central claim that responds to an analytical or normative question or problem, and it should be arguable, clear, and supported by evidence.
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.
What Is an Example of a Tentative Thesis Statement?
A tentative thesis statement example would be, "In 'The Great Gatsby,' the character Jay Gatsby functions as a symbol for the notion of the American dream.". A tentative thesis statement, also known as a working thesis, indicates the subject, approach and limitations of a topic without being specific. A thesis statement is defined as a ...
What is a Thesis Statement: Writing Guide with Examples
A thesis statement is a sentence in a paper or essay (in the opening paragraph) that introduces the main topic to the reader. As one of the first things your reader sees, your thesis statement is one of the most important sentences in your entire paper—but also one of the hardest to write! In this article, we explain how to write a thesis ...
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 ...

Essentials of How To Write a Tentative Thesis in 2023

What is a Tentative Thesis?

How To Write a Tentative Thesis: Outline

Parts of a Tentative Thesis

Writing Tips For A Top-Notch Tentative Thesis

Tentative Thesis Statement Samples

Tentative Thesis Writing From Profs

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How to Formulate a Tentative Thesis: Tips and Examples

What is a Tentative Thesis?

Why is a Tentative Thesis Important?

Steps to Formulate a Tentative Thesis

1. Start with a Question

2. Conduct Preliminary Research

3. Take a Stance

Examples of Tentative Thesis Statements

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Being Too Broad

2. Making Absolute Claims

3. Lacking Clarity

Revising Your Tentative Thesis

1. Reflect on New Information

2. Narrow Your Focus

The Role of a Tentative Thesis in Your Writing Process

1. Guiding Your Research

2. Structuring Your Argument

3. Streamlining Revisions

Quick Tips for a Strong Tentative Thesis

Moving Forward with Confidence

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How to Write a Tentative Thesis: A Comprehensive Guide

What is a Tentative Thesis?

How To Write A Tentative Thesis: Building Blocks

Topic Selection: The Foundation of Your Research

Subject Immersion: Delving Deeper into Your Chosen Topic

Drafting the Thesis Statement: Crafting Clarity from Complexity

Write a Draft of the Thesis Statement: A Working Blueprint

Write the Body: Constructing a Compelling Argument

Write the Conclusion: Reinforcing Significance and Insights

How Long is a Tentative Thesis Statement?

What are the characteristics of a strong tentative thesis statement?

Argumentability:

Actionable:

What is a tentative thesis example?

Example 2:

How does a tentative thesis differ from a final thesis?

Tentative thesis:

Final thesis:

Final thesis:

1. How specific should my tentative thesis be?

2. What questions should I ask myself to develop a good tentative thesis?

3. When should I write my tentative thesis?

4. What if my tentative thesis changes during my research?

Conclusion: Final Words

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Tentative Thesis Guide

What Is a Tentative Thesis?

Tentative Thesis Statement Examples

Example 4:

How to Write a Tentative Thesis

Choose a topic

Discuss the subject

Write a draft of the thesis statement

Write the body