How to write a Thesis Statement

1. What is a Thesis Statement?
   It is a two-sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow. The thesis is the answer to the question your paper explores.


2. Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis Statement?
• To test your ideas by distilling them in a sentence or two
• To better organize and develop your argument
• To provide your reader with a ‘guide’ to your argument.


3. What does a Good Thesis Statement Include?
   • A take on a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree
   • A subject that can be adequately treated
   • An expression of one main idea
   • An assertion or conclusions about the subject.

4. Example: How to Generate a Thesis Statement for a Social Policy Paper?
   Brainstorm: If you start with the topic of crack babies or babies born to mothers addicted on cocaine, the first two words you will think of are:
   
   Crack babies

   This is not enough to create a thesis statement. It is a fragment of the statement.
   
   Narrow the topic:
   Your readings will lead to the conclusion that such babies may grow up in poverty and neglect, hence will need special programs to help them. The statement will change to look like this:

   Programs for crack kids

   Take a position on the topic:
   Some people will disagree that programs should be developed for crack kids. The topic will then change into an argument. Should there be programs for such kids, and who should develop and fund them. So the statement may change to look like this:

   Attention is needed for the environment the crack kids grow up in

   New elements have entered you statement, such as "environment" and "attention".

   Explain the new elements:
   You will then need to explain what kind of attention is needed and the types of environments, as well as who is responsible for both.
   Your statement may read like this:

   Experts estimate that half of crack babies will grow up in home
   environments lacking rich cognitive and emotional stimulation

   Make an assertive stand: Based on research and readings, your statement will express an opinion and may look as follows:

   Because half of all crack babies are likely to grow up in homes
   lacking good cognitive and emotional stimulation, the federal government
   should finance programs to supplement parental care for crack kids

   In this manner, the statement now answers the question "Why should anything be done for crack kids and who should do it?"
   

5. How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One
   • A strong thesis takes a stand
   • A strong thesis justifies discussion
   • A strong thesis expresses one main idea
   • A strong thesis statement is specific

    

Adapted from:
Writing Tutorial Services
Indiana University
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts
July 2005