Writing a strong thesis statement

What is a thesis statement? It is usually a single sentence at the end of your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

Roadmap The thesis statement is the “road map” of your paper, directing you as you write it and guiding the reader through it.

Do’s and Don’ts Know your essay’s type. (your speech is INFORMATIONAL) Make a clear statement. Be specific Announce the thesis, e.g. “I will discuss….” Announce yourself, e.g. “I am going to prove that….” Ask a question. Leave your reader asking “How?” or “Why?”

Examples Your history professor assigns a paper in which you must analyze why the North and South fought the Civil War. What would a good thesis statement look like?

Example prompt: Analyze why the North and South fought the Civil War Bad: The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different. This statement is too general and simply rephrases the prompt. It does not answer how or why their reasons differed.

Example prompt: Analyze why the North and South fought the Civil War Better: While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions. This sentence offers a more specific and debatable answer. However, it is still too broad and insupportable. (Moral reasons= vague and not specific; institutions= vague and not specific) You cannot defend a claim of morality in a five pages- that would take an entire book!

Example prompt: Analyze why the North and South fought the Civil War Best: While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government. This statement is specific, clear and thoughtful. Though some might disagree with your stance, your readers will know what to expect in your paper. Now it’s up to you to defend your thesis with good evidence and persuasive writing!

A strong thesis statement will tell the main points that will be discussed in your paper or speech. This will help you begin the writing process- after writing your thesis, you should easily begin to draft topic sentences that will guide the rest of your writing!

Human Rights Thesis Example Although all children have the right to an education, in Pakistan (specific place) many female children (specific group of people) are denied the ability to attend school (specific human rights issue). Topic sentences: In Pakistan, public schools are in “short supply” and many parents choose private school. Such schooling is expensive and parents prefer to educated males. Many schools are segregated by gender, and few schools for girls exist. Pakistan’s government has no government monitoring of required education.

What are topic sentences?

Speech/Essay Format 1.) Introduction paragraph 2.) Body Paragraph 3.) Body Paragraph 4.) Body Paragraph * 5.) Conclusion Introduction: Hook, Background Info and importance, Thesis Body Paragraph: Topic sentence, supporting details, conclusion Conclusion: Tie-in to hook, Rephrase Thesis, Clincher Your speech is only 3-4 minutes. You will probably not have time for three body paragraphs. However, when writing an essay, you should ALWAYS have three body paragraphs

What is a topic sentence? A topic sentence tells what the main idea of the body paragraph will be. Topic sentences should focus on a more specific aspect of your thesis statement.

-Examples -Statistics -Facts Supporting sentences should be pulled from your research. -Examples -Statistics -Facts

Although all children have the right to an education, in Pakistan (specific place) many female children (specific group of people) are denied the ability to attend school (specific human rights issue). Be careful- your topic sentence should be SUPPORTED by details like statistics, facts, and examples. Bad Example: According to the Human Rights Watch article “Shall I Feed My Daughter, or Educate Her?,” by the ninth grade, only 13 percent of girls in Pakistan remain in school. This is too specific! This is a supporting detail, not a topic sentence! This fact would actually be useful as a piece of background information in the introduction paragraph.

Although all children have the right to an education, in Pakistan (specific place) many female children (specific group of people) are denied the ability to attend school (specific human rights issue). Be careful- your topic sentence should be SUPPORTED by details like statistics, facts, and examples. Better Example: In Pakistan, poverty is a major reason why girls do not receive an adequate education. Supporting details: In 2016, a recorded 29.5% of the population was reported as living in poverty. Children often need to work to support their families. In particular, girls are needed to help take care of households- keeping them from school.