Thesis writing is an important part of anyone’s academic career, which also makes it really scary to approach. A good thesis statement grabs the attention of the reader and leaves an overall positive impression while signifying that the writer is capable of showcasing his/her ideas in an intelligent and orderly manner. So it’s totally understandable when a student just can’t get the thesis statement to sound good enough! Notable points in a thesis statement is one area that students need to incorporate in their content.
Luckily, there’s no need to worry anymore. By the end of this blog post, you will have a better and detailed idea regarding how to write a brilliant thesis statement. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Tip number 1: know what a thesis statement is and what its aim is:-
- WHAT: A thesis statement is the CORE IDEA which your paper will further discuss in detail. It should be capable of delivering the purpose or the central theme of the paper or academic essay and further pique the interest of the reader to keep on reading.
- AIM: Think of the thesis statement as the backbone of the entire paper. Thus, it is absolutely NECESSARY that the thesis statement should have distinct and visible connections to the body paragraphs of the paper supported by important analyses and arguments wherever required.
Hence, there should be a specific area depicting notable points in a thesis statement, that will give the crux of this statement.
Tip number 2: position of a thesis statement:-
The position of the thesis statement in your entire paper depends PRIMARILY on the instructions given to you. Most rules instruct the student to position the thesis statement at the end of the introduction. However, some disciplines may ask your thesis statement to be the first sentence of the essay.
Therefore, READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!
   If instructions do not state otherwise, then DO NOT BURY YOUR THESIS STATEMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR PAPER RANDOMLY. This prevents the reader from clearly understanding what exactly the theme of your paper is, thus leaving a negative impression on the reader. So, avoid that and include notable points in a thesis statement to make it all the more relevant.
Tip number 3: determine whether your assignment asks for a subjective pov or objective pov:-
A subjective writing style assignment: Requires the writer’s personal views, assertions or claims further strengthened by a cohesive and organised presentation of facts, evidence, examples and thorough analysis while also providing requisite arguments.
An objective writing style assignment: Requires the writer to provide unbiased information or critical analysis regarding a topic further strengthened by a cohesive and organised presentation of facts, evidence, examples and thorough analysis while also providing requisite arguments.
Your thesis statement will take on a different appearance based on whether your paper is a subjective or objective writing style assignment.
EXAMPLE:
Main general fact: Drug abuse has many causes.
Subjective:Although some researchers have concluded that genetic factors are primarily to blame for drug abuse, there is much stronger evidence to the contrary that proves that environmental factors are more likely the cause.
Objective: Research into the causes of drug abuse emphasises both sides of the coin, which addresses the genetic factors as well as personal experiences that may lead to addictive personality.
A specific segment as notable points in a thesis statement helps in making this content a better one.
Tip number 4: length of the thesis statement:-
Ideally, the thesis statement should be 1-2 sentences for a short paper (less than 5 pages) and 2-4 sentences for longer papers (greater than 5 pages).
EXAMPLE:
Thesis for a short paper:
Moving to New York City in the 1950s was a turning point in Maya Angelou’s life because she was able to meet numerous people involved in the Civil Rights Movement and subsequently holding the position of Northern Coordinator at the request of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thesis for a long paper:
Although Maya Angelou’s move to New York City is popularly considered to be a turning point in her life, however, Angelou’s introduction to classic literature and female black artists by her teacher Bertha Flowers is another unrecognised turning point in Angelou’s life. This introduction largely shaped the mindset of the Black Feminist Angelou of today.
A rule of thumb is that longer papers tend to have more specific thesis statements than short papers.
Tip number 5: great thesis statement = clear, concise and specific:-
You only have an allowance of 1-4 sentences for your thesis statement. Therefore, the thesis statement is NOT the time for you to describe with lazy details.
      A great thesis statement should make sure of the following:
- BE SPECIFIC: Find the focus of your entire paper.
For example, is your focus “Effect of a diet heavy in junk food on the academics of students†OR “Effect of a diet heavy in junk food on the academics of high school studentsâ€? If it is the latter, then your thesis statement SHOULD mention that and not JUST “studentsâ€.
- BE CONCISE: Don’t waste your precious sentences in long-winded and/or general sentences. Be concise. This applies to BOTH your thesis statement and your actual paper. Choose 2 info-packed sentences over 5 general, directionless statements.
Example of a concise and a general thesis statement:
DON’T: School cafeterias face serious objections in regards to the health and wholesomeness of the food they provide to the students.
DO: In an attempt to please the varied tastes of students of a wide age-group, school cafeterias tend to provide the unanimously loved cuisine of junk food resulting in adverse health effects on the students.
- BE CLEAR: The reader may often fall prey to misunderstandings if you are not clear enough in your thesis statement. The Centre of Writing Studies at the University Of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign suggests defining the meanings of terms in case the words hold abstract meanings (as opposed to a singular meaning). Such words could include “societyâ€, “commercialismâ€, “realismâ€, “conventionalâ€, etc. Avoid jargon and vague words (like “goodâ€, “badâ€, “interestingâ€, “strangeâ€, ).
DO NOT ASSUME that your reader will perceive a word in the same way as you do.
EXAMPLE:
DON’T: Although junk food is being constantly proven to be detrimental to a person’s health yet people are unable to switch to a healthier diet. [If junk food is detrimental, then WHY are people not switching to a healthier diet?]
DO: Although junk food is being constantly proven to be detrimental to a person’s health yet people are unable to switch to a healthier diet because of the apparently higher costs of a healthy diet coupled with the general idea that healthy food cannot be as tasty as junk food.
Tip number 6: avoid merely mentioning a general fact or issue. Instead, state your claims, analysis or your position regarding the fact
A good thesis statement should reveal the position you (what YOU have to say) take on the topic you are going to discuss in your paper. Avoid oversimplification of complex issues, don’t JUST mention a proven fact, and provide reasoning in a subjective statement.
EXAMPLE:
DON’T: This paper will discuss the relationship between Internet exposure in middle-school children and childhood development.
DO: Far from creating couch potatoes, exposure to the Internet in middle-school children helps in creating awareness in the child’s mind regarding gender equality and gender expressions.
Make sure you include notable points in a thesis statement when you finally submit your document.
There you have it, six helpful tips to make your first thesis statement seem less daunting! Don’t forget, when in doubt, always ask for help. That’s all for this blog post.