Thesis Statement Tip Sheet

Thesis An introduction tells readers what your topic is. First you capture your reader’s attention with a lead; next, you want them to know how you plan to discuss your topic. Your introduction should always include a thesis statement, a sentence that clearly presents your main idea and your purpose for writing. Remember your thesis statement is not your introduction. The pitcher is not the baseball team. The director is not the play. The stove is not the kitchen. The thesis is not the introduction. These are simply part of the greater group or thing. Your thesis statement is part of an inviting introduction.

A thesis statement SHOULD

A thesis statement SHOULD NOT

tell the subject of your composition give your view on the subject and your purpose for writing be a statement supported by fact

be an incomplete thought: “Battles in the 1300s” be a simple statement of fact: “Battles in the 1300s were bloody.” be merely an opinion: “Battles in the 1300s were cool!” be an announcement: “In this paper I will write about…”

be stated in an interesting way

Generally, the thesis statement comes at the end of your introduction and serves as a lead into the body of your composition. A thesis is not merely the subject you are writing about. It states how you plan addressing this topic—down which path will you lead your reader? Topic/Subject: Homework  Homework is a worthwhile endeavor that strengthens student’s academic abilities.  Homework serves little purpose other than squashing students’ creativity and love for learning.

When you are getting ready to write your introduction, you should go through the following process. 1. Identify your topic (the subject of your composition). When you are writing for a class, this is usually assigned. 2. Think about how you want to address this topic. What are your views on this subject? Why are you going to write this paper? 3. You have your purpose for writing—tell your reader what to expect in the pages ahead. Let them know what you will talk about in each paragraph. a. Topic…paragraph one focus, paragraph two focus, and paragraph three focus. We’ll call it the “Topic 1, 2, 3” approach.

A thesis statement in an essay is a sentence that plainly identifies the purpose of the paper by previewing its main ideas. A thesis statement is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation. • •

Fact or observation: People use many lawn chemicals. Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean.

A thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject. • •

Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems. Thesis: Solving our environmental problems is more difficult than many environmentalists believe.

A thesis is the main idea, not the title. It must be a complete sentence that explains in some detail what you expect to write about. • •

Title: Social Security and Old Age. Thesis: Continuing changes in the Social Security System makes it almost impossible to plan intelligently for one's retirement.

A thesis statement is narrow, rather than broad. If the thesis statement is sufficiently narrow, it can be fully supported. • •

Broad: The American steel industry has many problems. Narrow: The primary problem if the American steel industry is the lack of funds to renovate outdated plants and equipment.

A thesis statement is specific rather than vague or general. • •

Vague: Hemingway's war stories are very good. Specific: Hemingway's stories helped create a new prose style by employing extensive dialogue, shorter sentences, and strong Anglo-Saxon words.

A thesis statement has one main point rather than several main points. More than one point may be too difficult for the reader to understand and the writer to support. • •

More than one main point: Stephen Hawking's physical disability has not prevented him from becoming a world-renowned physicist, and his book is the subject of a movie. One Main point: Stephen Hawking's physical disability has not prevented him from becoming a world renowned physicist.

Revise your thesis often!