Writing a Strong Thesis Statement

Developed by David Finchem for the Writing Center @ CCD, Last Updated 2019 1

What is a thesis?

• The thesis is a statement (usually a single sentence) that expresses the central idea or main argument of the

essay and reflects the writer’s purpose for writing it.

• It typically appears at the end of the introduction as the last sentence (though it may appear elsewhere).

• The thesis may be implied or explicitly stated, but it should always be evident to the reader.

• The thesis may differ in form depending on the type of writing (argumentative, persuasive, informative,

narrative, etc.).

• The thesis should be restated in a new and interesting way in the conclusion.

Explicit vs. Implied

• An explicit thesis directly states the writer’s main idea/position and provides a clear direction for the essay.

 Example: The most significant problems facing Africa are poverty, political corruption, and poor

healthcare.

• An implied thesis is not directly stated, but rather suggested through the writer’s ideas and supporting

points. Nonetheless, it should still provide an obvious focus for the reader.

 Example: There are several serious problems facing Africa today that require attention.

Parts of a thesis (claim + road map):

• Claim or main idea: This part states the main idea of the essay.

 Example: Being a vegetarian is better than eating meat . . .

• Road map: This part lists the major supporting reason(s) discussed in the body of the essay. Note

that not all instructors require this part; always consult your professor’s instructions.

 Example: . . . because it is healthier, less expensive, and doesn’t harm animals.

• Claim + Road Map = Entire Thesis Statement

 Example: Being a vegetarian is better than eating meat because it is healthier, less expensive,

and doesn’t harm animals.

Developed by David Finchem for the Writing Center @ CCD, Last Updated 2019 2

Things to Avoid

• Don’t announce your thesis: In this essay, I am going to tell you about vegetarianism and why everyone

should adopt this lifestyle.

 Note: Some instructors may, however, encourage this type of first-person statement; always refer

to your professor’s instructions.

• Don’t confuse your readers: The thesis should be clear and focus on ONE main idea.

• Don’t write the thesis as a fact: This doesn’t allow the writer to develop their ideas or prove anything

because the statement is already factual and does not require additional explanation.

• Don’t write the thesis as a question: This allows readers, rather than the writer, to determine the meaning

of the essay. For example, Don’t you think eating meat is inhumane? may be more effectively restated as

Eating meat is inhumane because . . .

Types of Thesis Statements

The purpose and form of a thesis may depend on the genre of writing.

Argumentative Thesis

• The argumentative thesis takes a clear position on a debatable issue/topic and suggests or states the

supporting reason(s) for that stance, which will be discussed further in the body of the essay.

 Example: A vegetarian diet is better than a diet that includes meat because a vegetarian diet is

healthier, less expensive, and more humane toward animals.

Try your own argumentative thesis:

CLAIM

because

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Persuasive/Proposal Thesis

• The persuasive thesis takes a clear position on a debatable issue/topic, attempting to persuade a specific

audience to enact some sort of change, and suggests or states the supporting reason(s) for that stance, which

will be discussed further in the body of the essay.

 Example: We, as a society, should require a parenting license for new parents because it will

reduce infant mortality rates, improve children’s health, and create better citizens.

Try your own persuasive thesis:

AUDIENCE SUGGESTED CHANGE

should because

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Developed by David Finchem for the Writing Center @ CCD, Last Updated 2019 3

Informative/Expository Thesis

• The informative thesis introduces the subject or topic that the essay will define, explain, and inform the

reader about and suggests or states the specific elements to be discussed in the body of the essay. Note that

informative writing does not contain the writer’s opinion and should not attempt to form an argument or

persuade readers.

 Example: To fully understand hip-hop culture, it is important to consider its origins in break

dancing, deejaying, and emceeing.

Try your own informative thesis:

SUBJECT

can be understood by considering

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Compare/Contrast Thesis

• The compare/contrast thesis introduces two or more subjects to be compared and contrasted in the body of

the essay and suggests or states the specific points upon which they will be compared.

 Example: The similarities and differences between Democrats and Republicans can be seen by

comparing their economic approaches, their domestic concerns, and their foreign affairs policies.

Try your own compare/contrast thesis:

SUBJECT #1 SUBJECT #2

and can be

compared based on

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Common Ground Thesis

• The common ground thesis introduces two opposing viewpoints, indicating that, despite their obvious

disagreement, there is common ground or shared values upon which they can agree and also states or

suggests the specific points of disagreement/agreement to be discussed in the body of the essay.

 Example: Although Democrats and Republicans disagree about many things, they do share the

common values of strengthening the economy, protecting human rights, and improving the

education system.

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Try your own common ground thesis:

MAIN DISAGREEMENT

Although X and Y disagree about , they do

agree about

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Process Thesis

• The process thesis introduces a particular process and suggests or states the specific steps/parts of the

process that will be discussed, in detail, throughout the body of the essay.

 Example: There are four important steps in the process of writing an essay, including prewriting,

drafting, revising, and editing.

Try your own process thesis:

PROCESS

The three important steps to the process of are

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Narrative/Significant Event Thesis

• The narrative thesis introduces the subject or topic of the narrative and emphasizes the overall significance

of the events described in the essay.

 Example: The day that my first child was born was a significant event in my life because it

drastically changed my perspective on personal responsibility.

Try your own narrative thesis:

EVENT

was a significant event because

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Cause and Effect Thesis

• The cause/effect thesis identifies one cause and suggests or states what the resulting effects are OR

identifies one effect and suggests or states the multiple causes of that effect.

 Example 1: Global warming has a number of negative effects, including increased natural

disasters, agricultural losses, and the extinction of species.

 Example 2: Global warming is the result of three causes, including pollution from fossil fuels,

deforestation, and the use of too much hairspray during the 1980s.

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Try your own cause and effect thesis:

CAUSE

has a number of resulting effects

including

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

OR

EFFECT

is the result of three causes

including

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Illustration/Definition/Concept Thesis

• The illustration thesis introduces a concept that requires further definition/explanation/illustration and

suggests or states the various aspects of the concept to be discussed throughout the body of the essay.

 Example: The concept of love can be illustrated by examining its three different types, including

familial love, platonic love, and romantic love.

Try your own illustration thesis:

CONCEPT

The concept of can be illustrated by

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Profile/Description Thesis

• The descriptive thesis introduces a subject (person, place, object, etc.) and the writer’s dominant impression

of it, and then suggests or states the specific characteristics of that subject, which will be discussed

throughout the body of the essay in order to demonstrate this dominant impression.

 Example 1: The most defining characteristics of the Writing Center include its physical design, the

types of people who use it, and the friendly atmosphere.

 Example 2: Martin Luther King Jr. can best be described as inspirational because of his peaceful

ideals, his kind personality, and his contributions to human and civil rights.

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Try your own descriptive thesis:

SUBJECT

The most defining characteristics of

include

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

OR

SUBJECT DOMINANT IMPRESSION

can best be described as because

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Problem-Solution/Proposal Thesis

• The proposal thesis introduces a problem and proposes a possible solution, suggesting or stating the

specific parts of the solution to be discussed further in the body of the essay.

 Example: An effective solution to the problem of global warming will involve the development of

alternative fuel sources, replanting deforested areas, and limiting individual energy consumption.

Try your own proposal thesis:

PROBLEM

An effective solution to the problem of will

involve

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Evaluative Thesis

• The evaluative thesis introduces one or more subjects to be evaluated, makes an evaluative judgment about

the subject(s), and suggests or states the specific criteria upon which it/they will be thoroughly evaluated

throughout the body of the essay. Note that an evaluative essay can focus on either positive or negative

aspects, or it can include both.

 Example 1: Crash is an excellent movie because of the realistic acting, the provocative subject

matter, and the great character development.

 Example 2: Although Crash has very poor plot development, it is an effective film overall because

of its realistic acting and great character development.

Developed by David Finchem for the Writing Center @ CCD, Last Updated 2019 7

Try your own evaluative thesis:

SUBJECT EVALUATION

is because

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

OR

SUBJECT NEGATIVE ASPECT

Although is bad because of , it’s good

because

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Rhetorical Analysis Thesis

• The rhetorical analysis thesis introduces a text (book, film, advertisement, etc.) and makes an evaluative

judgment about the effectiveness of the author’s use of rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) to persuade

the readers of his/her claim.

 Example: Dr. Seuss effectively convinces readers that green eggs and ham are delicious through

his skilled use of pathos.

Try your own rhetorical analysis thesis:

EVALUATION

The author effectively/ineffectively convinces the

audience of through his/her

rhetorical use of

ROAD MAP

1)

2)

3)

Note: Instead of the generic terms (ethos, pathos, logos), some professors may prefer specific examples of these

appeals such as personal experience, humor, facts, etc.

Note

These are only basic examples of thesis statements. Writers are encouraged to experiment with these structures in

order to develop a thesis statement that best suits their particular piece of writing.