Thesis Statements

Think of your thesis statement as the Google map of your essay: it shows where you're starting, where you're going, and what you'll see along the way.  Just as Google maps controls the route you are going to take, a thesis statement controls the topic you're going to write about.  A strong, clear thesis statement will ensure that you stay on course and only stop to present the most relevant evidence.

What is a thesis statement? Why do you need it?

A thesis statement tells the reader what your paper is about, what your opinion is on this topic, and how you plan to prove that your argument is correct.  You need one to:

• Introduce the topic and your angle to your reader
• Show the reader (and yourself!) how you will organize and present your evidence

This video contains a helpful and straightforward explanation about how to write a thesis statement.  Spend some time reviewing the creator's other videos to learn more about academic writing.

What are the qualities of a strong thesis statement?

Most thesis statements are only one or two sentences long and appear at the end of your first paragraph.  Here are the five most important qualities you'll want to include in your statement:

1. Specific: your thesis clearly responds to the assigned topic or prompt.  
2. Arguable: you can reasonably use evidence to argue for or against your thesis.
3. Precise: you've focused on a specific aspect of the topic to keep your scope narrow.
4. Demonstrable: your statement indicates how you will present your evidence.
5. Important: your thesis is relevant and teaches the reader something about your topic.  

Review the following links for more guidance on thesis statements.