Thesis Statements

The thesis statement expresses the "main message" of your paper. It generally comes at the end of your introduction, and it clarifies for the reader the point and purpose of your essay. It provides focus to the topic and prepares your reader for what follows. The thesis statement makes a contract with the audience. The author promises in a thesis statement to support this claim and only this claim. It is the most important sentence in your paper.

A thesis statement usually contains a claim and reasons why this claim is true. For example:

This is a good argument (claim) because it is supported by evidence (reason).

A good thesis statement uses clear, specific terms (not general, vague wording) to assert your position or point of view. The thesis should not be a statement of something obvious.

For more information, visit:

How to Write a Thesis Statement (from Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services)
General Thesis Statement Tips (from Pudue University OWL)
Developing a Thesis Statement (from University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center)

Thesis Statements

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