How to develop a thesis statement for a research paper

Mla guide -apa guide -how to navigate the new owl -media file index -owl printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice at and examples for writing thesis y: this resource provides tips for creating a thesis statement and examples of different types of thesis butors:elyssa tardiff, allen brizeelast edited: 2014-02-10 10:44: for writing your thesis statement. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e. A narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the statement e of an analytical thesis statement:An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular paper that follows should:Explain the analysis of the college admission n the challenge facing admissions e of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with paper that follows should:Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with e of an argumentative thesis statement:High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global paper that follows should:Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering the owl you're requesting copies of this the owl you're linking to this ght ©1995-2017 by the writing lab & the owl at purdue and purdue rights reserved.

How to start a thesis statement for a research paper

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair center for writing sity of illinois at tion: quick tion: main content te of g across the seminars and l archive of literacy g and working g personal s workshop: writer g tips: thesis ng the thesis ons to ask when formulating your ng the thesis is a thesis statement? The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis long does it need to be? It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument ons to ask when formulating your is your thesis statement? Should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your reader a sense of : in order to write a successful thesis statement:Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague te the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, “the point of my paper is…”. Normally you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument(s), so your thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of where your argument is taking : check your thesis:Are there two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating conjunction (i. So, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further your thesis statement too general? Thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified number of pages.

Making a thesis statement for a research paper

Being specific in your paper will be much more successful than writing about general things that do not say much. Don't settle for three pages of just skimming the opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling, superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis (too general) with three possible revisions (more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic):There are serious objections to today's horror e modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young american viewers to pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades both men and 's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that 1930s horror films your thesis statement clear? Thesis statement is no exception to your writing: it needs to be as clear as possible. By being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make sure that your reader understands exactly what you : in order to be as clear as possible in your writing:Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid technical language. To avoid misunderstandings, be as specific as e the original thesis (not specific and clear enough) with the revised version (much more specific and clear):Original thesis: although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated. Thesis: although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce and cold-blooded your thesis include a comment about your position on the issue at hand? Thesis statement should do more than merely announce the topic; it must reveal what position you will take in relation to that topic, how you plan to analyze/evaluate the subject or the issue.

How to make thesis statement for a research paper

In short, instead of merely stating a general fact or resorting to a simplistic pro/con statement, you must decide what it is you have to merely announcing the topic; your original and specific "angle" should be clear. In this way you will tell your reader why your take on the issue al thesis: in this paper, i will discuss the relationship between fairy tales and early d thesis: not just empty stories for kids, fairy tales shed light on the psychology of young making universal or pro/con judgments that oversimplify complex al thesis: we must save the d thesis: because our planet's health may depend upon biological diversity, we should save the you make a (subjective) judgment call, specify and justify your reasoning. Just because” is not a good reason for an al thesis: socialism is the best form of government for d thesis: if the government takes over industry in kenya, the industry will become more merely reporting a fact. Thesis: hoover's administration was rocked by d thesis: the many scandals of hoover's administration revealed basic problems with the republican party's nominating not expect to come up with a fully formulated thesis statement before you have finished writing the paper. The thesis will inevitably change as you revise and develop your ideas—and that is ok! Keep revising until the thesis reflects your real : the point you make in the paper should matter:Be prepared to answer “so what? About your thesis prepared to explain why the point you are making is worthy of a paper. Manipulation of data allows a researcher to use statistics to support any claim she order to ensure accurate reporting, journalists must understand the real significance of the statistics they e advertisers consciously and unconsciously manipulate data, every consumer should learn how to evaluate statistical formula and generic words.

Urbana, il : 217-333-3251 • fax: 217-333-4321 • email: cws-programs@ght © 2013 university of illinois board of trustees • college of liberal arts & sciences • university of illinois at urbana-champaign • developed by statement guide development the steps below to formulate a thesis statement. An effective statement s one major the topic and assert something specific about a more specific statement than the topic statement a stance on an issue about which reasonable people might your position on or opinion about the s should regulate the amount of television their children watch. Provide a possible title for your statement guide statement model #1: sample thesis s should regulate the amount of television their children statement model #2: thesis with that this model makes a concession by addressing an argument from the opposing viewpoint first, and then uses the phrase "even though" and states the writer's opinion/main idea as a though television can be educational, parents should regulate the amount of television their children statement model #3: thesis with , the use of "because" reveals the reasons behind the writer's opinion/main s should regulate the amount of television their children watch because it shortens children's attention spans, it inhibits social interaction, and it isn't always intellectually statement model #4: thesis with concession and model both makes a concession to opposing viewpoint and states the reasons/arguments for the writer's main television can be educational, parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch because it inhibits social interaction, shortens children's attention spans, and isn't always intellectually er: these thesis statements are generated based on the answers provided on the form. When you build a thesis statement that works for you, ensure that it addresses the assignment. Finally, you may have to rewrite the thesis statement so that the spelling, grammar, and punctuation are statement guide: sample the outline below, which is based on the five–paragraph essay model, when drafting a plan for your own essay. An introduction can begin with a rhetorical question, a quotation, an anecdote, a concession, an interesting fact, or a question that will be answered in your paper. The idea is to begin broadly and gradually bring the reader closer to the main idea of the paper. The thesis statement model used in this example is a thesis with though television can be educational , parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch because it shortens children's attention spans, it inhibits social interaction, and it is not always intellectually , parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch because it shortens children's attention that this assertion is the first reason presented in the thesis statement.

Remember that the thesis statement is a kind of "mapping tool" that helps you organize your ideas, and it helps your reader follow your argument. Show the reader how this entire paragraph connects back to the thesis onally, it inhibits social first sentence of the second body paragraph should reflect an even stronger assertion to support the thesis statement. Show the reader how this entire paragraph connects back to the thesis y, the most important reason parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch is it is not always intellectually strongest point should be revealed in the final body paragraph. Also, if it's appropriate, you can address and refute any opposing viewpoints to your thesis statement here. Show the reader how this entire paragraph connects back to the thesis , while television can be educational, parents should regulate the amount of television their children se your thesis statement in the first sentence of the conclusion. Again, use the thesis statement guide as many times as you like, until you reach a thesis statement and outline that works for >blog posts >how to write a strong thesis statement. Thesis can be found in many places—a debate speech, a lawyer’s closing argument, even an advertisement. But the most common place for a thesis statement (and probably why you’re reading this article) is in an r you’re writing an argumentative paper, an informative essay, or a compare/contrast statement, you need a thesis.

Since a thesis is so important, it’s probably a good idea to look at some tips on how to put together a strong is a “thesis statement” anyway? That type of thesis is a long, well-written paper that takes years to piece d, we’re talking about a single sentence that ties together the main idea of any argument. In the context of student essays, it’s a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your position on it. Categories of thesis statements: informative and as there are different types of essays, there are different types of thesis statements. The thesis should match the example, with an informative essay, you should compose an informative thesis (rather than argumentative). You want to declare your intentions in this essay and guide the reader to the conclusion that you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you must procure the ingredients, find a knife, and spread the thesis showed the reader the topic (a type of sandwich) and the direction the essay will take (describing how the sandwich is made). Other types of essays, whether compare/contrast, argumentative, or narrative, have thesis statements that take a position and argue it. In other words, unless your purpose is simply to inform, your thesis is considered persuasive.

A persuasive thesis usually contains an opinion and the reason why your opinion is butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste this persuasive thesis statement, you see that i state my opinion (the best type of sandwich), which means i have chosen a stance. This persuasive type of thesis can be used in any essay that contains the writer’s opinion, including, as i mentioned above, compare/contrast essays, narrative essays, and so on. Styles of thesis as there are two different types of thesis statements (informative and persuasive), there are two basic styles you can first style uses a list of two or more points. This style of thesis is perfect for a brief essay that contains only two or three body paragraphs. Lewis’s chronicles of narnia series is one of the richest works of the 20th century because it offers an escape from reality, teaches readers to have faith even when they don’t understand, and contains a host of vibrant the above persuasive thesis, you can see my opinion about narnia followed by three clear reasons. This thesis is perfect for setting up a tidy five-paragraph college, five paragraph essays become few and far between as essay length gets longer. Instead of listing two or three distinct points, a thesis can list one overarching point that all body paragraphs tie vs. Evil is the main theme of lewis’s narnia series, as is made clear through the struggles the main characters face in each this thesis, i have made a claim about the theme in narnia followed by my reasoning.

The broader scope of this thesis allows me to write about each of the series’ seven novels. While students rarely end up with a thesis that follows this exact wording, the following template creates a good starting point:___________ is true because of ___________, ___________, and ___________. The formula for a thesis with only one point might follow this template:___________________ is true because of _____________________. Usually end up using different terminology than simply “because,” but having a template is always helpful to get the creative juices qualities of a solid thesis composing a thesis, you must consider not only the format, but other qualities like length, position in the essay, and how strong the argument : a thesis statement can be short or long, depending on how many points it mentions. You probably should aim for a single sentence that is at least two lines, or about 30 to 40 words on: a thesis statement always belongs at the beginning of an essay. Teachers will have different preferences for the precise location of the thesis, but a good rule of thumb is in the introduction paragraph, within the last two or three th: finally, for a persuasive thesis to be strong, it needs to be arguable. This means that the statement is not obvious, and it is not something that everyone agrees is e of weak thesis:Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are easy to make because it just takes three people would agree that pb&j is one of the easiest sandwiches in the american lunch e of a stronger thesis:Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are fun to eat because they always slide is more arguable because there are plenty of folks who might think a pb&j is messy or slimy rather than ing a thesis statement does take a bit more thought than many other parts of an essay. However, because a thesis statement can contain an entire argument in just a few words, it is worth taking the extra time to compose this sentence.

It can direct your research and your argument so that your essay is tight, focused, and makes readers weekly, valuable content on writing, research, and education your email below to sign up!