The Thesis Statement

A Road Map for Your Essay

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© 2001 by Ruth Luman

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 Introduction
Thesis Statements

After you have brainstormed and you have some main

ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can
begin thinking about writing a thesis statement.

What’s a thesis
statement????
 Definition
Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a complete sentence

that contains one main idea. This idea controls
the content of the entire essay. A thesis
statement that contains subpoints also helps a
reader know how the essay will be organized.
Look at the introductory paragraph below. See
if you can identify the thesis statement and
subpoints.
 Definition
Thesis Statement
When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to
become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often
gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how
to do math problems or how to read a book. As I grew
older, my desire to become an ESL teacher became
clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in
the United States. As I look back on my reasons for
becoming a teacher, there are three reasons that stand
out. They are: my love for the English language, my
innate interest in how people learn, and my desire to help
other people .

The thesis statement Subpoints in the thesis

contains the main idea or nearby help the
that controls the content reader know how the
of the essay. essay will be organized
 Thesis Statement
Another Example
Psychologists have argued for decades about how a
person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists
believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family
as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the
greatest influence. I believe birth order can have a
significant impact in the formation of a child’s
character based on my own experience growing up in a
family of four children. Birth order can strongly affect
one’s relationship with parents, relationships with
others, and how one views responsibility as an adult.

The thesis statement Subpoints in the thesis

contains the main idea or nearby help the
that controls the content reader know how the
of the essay. essay will be organized
 Key Features
Thesis Statement

 states the main idea of the essay in a complete

sentence, not in a question.

 is usually at the end of an introduction.

 states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t

just state the topic, itself.

 often lists subtopics.

 does not directly announce your main topic.

 Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence

Since the thesis statement is the main

statement for the entire essay, it should express
a complete thought and be a complete sentence.
The thesis statement is asserting an opinion or
idea, so it should not be a question. Look at the
examples below to see how they can be made
into thesis statements.
 Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence

The sport of cross-country running. This is not a complete

sentence.

The sport of cross-country running has allowed me Thesis

to get in better shape and meet some interesting Statement
people.

Why do I want to be a teacher? This is a question, not a

statement.

Being a teacher is a great profession, because it Thesis

allows me to work with students and be Statement
creative.
 A Complete Sentence
Another Example
The problem of pollution in big cities. This is not a complete
sentence.

The problem of pollution in major cities can be

Thesis
alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to
Statement
drive on city streets and creating more efficient public
transportation systems.

Why should marijuana be legalized? This is a question, not a

statement.

Marijuana should be legalized because it is not any

more addictive than tobacco and it can provide Thesis
numerous medicinal benefits for those suffering from Statement
terminal illnesses.
 Key Features
Location

English readers like to know what an essay

will be about near the beginning of the essay
rather than at the end. This is why the thesis
statement is often found at the end of the
introductory paragraph.
 Key Features
Location
For most of my life I have lived with bad health,
smelly clothes, and a chronic cough. My children and
husband begged me to stop the habit that caused
these conditions, but I couldn’t. The habit of smoking
had wrapped its addicting arms around me and was
slowly strangling me until one day I realized I had to
stop. This realization came after three terrifying
events occurred in my family.

The thesis statement comes at the end of

the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells
the reader that he/she can expect to read
about the events that caused the author to stop
smoking in the rest of the essay.
 Location
Another Example
Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author
in the United States. While growing up, she suffered
tremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life events
are portrayed in novels and poems such as, I Know Why the
Caged Bird Sings, and, Still I Rise. Her written works often
include strong themes such as perseverance through trials,
love for family, and passionate optimism.

The thesis statement comes at the end of

the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells
the reader that he/she can expect to read more
about how Maya Angelou expresses these
themes in her writing.
 Key Features
States an Opinion or Attitude

Good thesis statements often express a

writer’s opinion or attitude on a particular topic.
This makes the thesis statement more specific
and requires the writer to explain or prove
his/her opinion in the essay. Look at the
examples below.
 Key Features
States an Opinion or Attitude
Learning to play many musical
I learned to play many musical instruments when I was young
instruments when I was young. helped me to become a more
intelligent and well-rounded person.

This thesis statement is

This would not be much better because it
considered a good thesis expresses how the writer
statement because it is only feels about the experience
expressing a fact. It doesn’t of learning to play musical
give the writer’s opinion or instruments. This thesis
attitude on playing musical statement requires the
instruments. This thesis writer to explain how and
statement doesn’t give the why playing a musical
writer very much to explain instrument made him/her
or prove in his/her essay. a better person.
 An Opinion or Attitude
Another Example
This would not be considered a
Cancun is a popular vacation good thesis statement, because it
spot in Mexico. is only expressing a fact. It
doesn’t reflect the writer’s opinion
or attitude on Cancun. This thesis
statement doesn’t give the writer
very much to explain or prove in
his/her essay.

Cancun is one of the best

vacation spots in Mexico This thesis statement is much
because of its comfortable better because it expresses how
climate and proximity to some the writer feels about Cancun.
well-known archeological This thesis statement requires the
sites.
writer to explain how and why
going to Cancun is a good choice
for visitors.
 Key Features
Subtopics

You can make your thesis statement more

specific by including subtopics or supporting
ideas. By doing this, you give your reader a
clear idea of what will follow in the body
paragraphs of your essay.
 Key Features
Subtopics
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.

No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.

subtopic #2

The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of
the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.

subtopic #1 subtopic #3

This statement names three subtopics.

Can you find all of the subtopics?
 Subtopics
Another Example

Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.

No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.

subtopic #1 subtopic #2

Some of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public schools are
the overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and the
lack of resources such as textbooks for students.

This statement names three subtopics.

subtopic #3 Can you find all of the subtopics?
 Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious

In thesis statements, you should avoid using

statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or
“I’m going to write about…”. Try to write a
thesis statement that captures your reader’s
attention without announcing your main topic
and stating the obvious. Look at the examples
below.
 Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious

In this essay, I am going to discuss

the effects of long-term drug abuse.

Long-term drug use can have

disastrous effects on one’s marriage,
career, and health.
Don’t State the Obvious
Another Example

This essay will discuss some ways

teachers can fight teenage drug abuse.

Teachers can fight teenage drug

abuse by educating young people on its
dangers and by being good role models.
 Key Features
Review

 states the main idea of the essay in a complete

sentence, not in a question.

 is usually at the end of an introduction.

 states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t

just state the topic, itself.

 often lists subtopics.

 does not directly announce your main topic.

Practice Exercises

Now, you are ready to practice what you’ve learned. Click on

the button below to go back to Unit B. Complete the
Interactive Review and Exercise 1.