what is the thesis of an essay

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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. 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 audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An 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 provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. 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 paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.  

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence) 

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.  

Arguable thesis with analytical claim 

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.  

Arguable thesis with normative claim 

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.  

Questions to ask about your thesis 

• Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?  
• Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?  
• Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?  
• Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?  
• Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
• picture_as_pdf Thesis

Reference management. Clean and simple.

What is a thesis statement? [with example]

What is a thesis statement?

Purpose of a thesis statement, how to write the best thesis statement, thesis statement example, frequently asked questions about thesis statements, related articles.

A thesis statement is a concise description of the goal of your work. This element is one of the most essential components of academic writing , as it tells your readers what they can expect in your paper.

A thesis statement is the main argument of your paper or thesis.

If you find yourself in the process of writing a a paper, but you don't know how to create a thesis statement , you've come to the right place. In the next paragraphs, you will learn about the most important elements of a thesis statement and how to come up with one.

A thesis statement highlights the main topic, shows how it will evolve, and conveys clearly the aim of your work. It does not only share the topic but it conveys the conclusion you came up with.

A good thesis statement provides directions for the development of the topic throughout the paper. In sum, this element of academic writing is crucial to sound research .

You can create a great thesis statement by following the format we outlined in our guide How to write a thesis statement .

In general, you should adhere to the following tips to write the best thesis statement:

• Focus the main idea of your thesis into one or two sentences.
• Write the answer to the main question of your topic.
• Clearly state your position in relation to the topic.
• Do not state the obvious. Give a disputable stance that requires evidence.

Tip: To check if your thesis is clear, explain it to a peer or colleague. If they are confused, then you likely need to re-write it.

Here's an example of a thesis statement:

In what follows, I will explore Fiorina’s position in more depth, focusing especially on her claim that technology is "a great tool for democratization." Ultimately, I argue that the primary problem with Fiorina’s stance lies in her laissez-faire understanding of technology. By granting technology a kind of independent existence apart from human motivation and intent—by positing that "technology permits anybody to play," as if it possesses an autonomy all its own—Fiorina unwittingly opens the way for the very kind of discriminatory and undemocratic mechanisms that her position seemingly rejects.

Tip: Once you finish your paper, return to your thesis statement to make sure that it reflects what you actually wrote.

A thesis statement is part of the introduction of your paper. It is usually found in the first or second paragraph to let the reader know your research purpose from the beginning.

In general, a thesis statement should have one or two sentences. It really depends on your academic and expertise level. Take a look at our guide about the length of thesis statements, for more insight on this topic.

Here is a list of Thesis Statement Examples that will help you understand better how to write them.

Yes. Every good essay should include a thesis statement as part of its introduction. Of course, if you are a high school student you are not expected to have an extremely elaborate statement. A couple of clear sentences indicating the aim of your essay will be more than enough.

Here is a great YouTube tutorial showing How To Write An Essay: Thesis Statements .

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• What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

Published on September 14, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on April 16, 2024.

A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master’s program or a capstone to a bachelor’s degree.

Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation , it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete. It relies on your ability to conduct research from start to finish: choosing a relevant topic , crafting a proposal , designing your research , collecting data , developing a robust analysis, drawing strong conclusions , and writing concisely .

Thesis template

You can also download our full thesis template in the format of your choice below. Our template includes a ready-made table of contents , as well as guidance for what each chapter should include. It’s easy to make it your own, and can help you get started.

Download Word template Download Google Docs template

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Table of contents

Thesis vs. thesis statement, how to structure a thesis, acknowledgements or preface, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review, methodology, reference list, proofreading and editing, defending your thesis, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about theses.

You may have heard the word thesis as a standalone term or as a component of academic writing called a thesis statement . Keep in mind that these are two very different things.

• A thesis statement is a very common component of an essay, particularly in the humanities. It usually comprises 1 or 2 sentences in the introduction of your essay , and should clearly and concisely summarize the central points of your academic essay .
• A thesis is a long-form piece of academic writing, often taking more than a full semester to complete. It is generally a degree requirement for Master’s programs, and is also sometimes required to complete a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts colleges.
• In the US, a dissertation is generally written as a final step toward obtaining a PhD.
• In other countries (particularly the UK), a dissertation is generally written at the bachelor’s or master’s level.

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The final structure of your thesis depends on a variety of components, such as:

• Your discipline
• Your theoretical approach

Humanities theses are often structured more like a longer-form essay . Just like in an essay, you build an argument to support a central thesis.

In both hard and social sciences, theses typically include an introduction , literature review , methodology section ,  results section , discussion section , and conclusion section . These are each presented in their own dedicated section or chapter. In some cases, you might want to add an appendix .

Thesis examples

We’ve compiled a short list of thesis examples to help you get started.

• Example thesis #1:   “Abolition, Africans, and Abstraction: the Influence of the ‘Noble Savage’ on British and French Antislavery Thought, 1787-1807” by Suchait Kahlon.
• Example thesis #2: “’A Starving Man Helping Another Starving Man’: UNRRA, India, and the Genesis of Global Relief, 1943-1947″ by Julian Saint Reiman.

The very first page of your thesis contains all necessary identifying information, including:

• Your full title
• Your full name
• Your department
• Your institution and degree program
• Your submission date.

Sometimes the title page also includes your student ID, the name of your supervisor, or the university’s logo. Check out your university’s guidelines if you’re not sure.

Read more about title pages

The acknowledgements section is usually optional. Its main point is to allow you to thank everyone who helped you in your thesis journey, such as supervisors, friends, or family. You can also choose to write a preface , but it’s typically one or the other, not both.

Read more about acknowledgements Read more about prefaces

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An abstract is a short summary of your thesis. Usually a maximum of 300 words long, it’s should include brief descriptions of your research objectives , methods, results, and conclusions. Though it may seem short, it introduces your work to your audience, serving as a first impression of your thesis.

Read more about abstracts

A table of contents lists all of your sections, plus their corresponding page numbers and subheadings if you have them. This helps your reader seamlessly navigate your document.

Your table of contents should include all the major parts of your thesis. In particular, don’t forget the the appendices. If you used heading styles, it’s easy to generate an automatic table Microsoft Word.

Read more about tables of contents

While not mandatory, if you used a lot of tables and/or figures, it’s nice to include a list of them to help guide your reader. It’s also easy to generate one of these in Word: just use the “Insert Caption” feature.

Read more about lists of figures and tables

If you have used a lot of industry- or field-specific abbreviations in your thesis, you should include them in an alphabetized list of abbreviations . This way, your readers can easily look up any meanings they aren’t familiar with.

Read more about lists of abbreviations

Relatedly, if you find yourself using a lot of very specialized or field-specific terms that may not be familiar to your reader, consider including a glossary . Alphabetize the terms you want to include with a brief definition.

Read more about glossaries

An introduction sets up the topic, purpose, and relevance of your thesis, as well as expectations for your reader. This should:

• Ground your research topic , sharing any background information your reader may need
• Define the scope of your work
• Introduce any existing research on your topic, situating your work within a broader problem or debate
• State your research question(s)
• Outline (briefly) how the remainder of your work will proceed

In other words, your introduction should clearly and concisely show your reader the “what, why, and how” of your research.

Read more about introductions

A literature review helps you gain a robust understanding of any extant academic work on your topic, encompassing:

• Selecting relevant sources
• Determining the credibility of your sources
• Critically evaluating each of your sources
• Drawing connections between sources, including any themes, patterns, conflicts, or gaps

A literature review is not merely a summary of existing work. Rather, your literature review should ultimately lead to a clear justification for your own research, perhaps via:

• Addressing a gap in the literature
• Building on existing knowledge to draw new conclusions
• Exploring a new theoretical or methodological approach
• Introducing a new solution to an unresolved problem
• Definitively advocating for one side of a theoretical debate

Read more about literature reviews

Theoretical framework

Your literature review can often form the basis for your theoretical framework, but these are not the same thing. A theoretical framework defines and analyzes the concepts and theories that your research hinges on.

Read more about theoretical frameworks

Your methodology chapter shows your reader how you conducted your research. It should be written clearly and methodically, easily allowing your reader to critically assess the credibility of your argument. Furthermore, your methods section should convince your reader that your method was the best way to answer your research question.

A methodology section should generally include:

• Your overall approach ( quantitative vs. qualitative )
• Your research methods (e.g., a longitudinal study )
• Your data collection methods (e.g., interviews or a controlled experiment
• Any tools or materials you used (e.g., computer software)
• The data analysis methods you chose (e.g., statistical analysis , discourse analysis )
• A strong, but not defensive justification of your methods

Read more about methodology sections

Your results section should highlight what your methodology discovered. These two sections work in tandem, but shouldn’t repeat each other. While your results section can include hypotheses or themes, don’t include any speculation or new arguments here.

Your results section should:

• State each (relevant) result with any (relevant) descriptive statistics (e.g., mean , standard deviation ) and inferential statistics (e.g., test statistics , p values )
• Explain how each result relates to the research question
• Determine whether the hypothesis was supported

Additional data (like raw numbers or interview transcripts ) can be included as an appendix . You can include tables and figures, but only if they help the reader better understand your results.

Read more about results sections

Your discussion section is where you can interpret your results in detail. Did they meet your expectations? How well do they fit within the framework that you built? You can refer back to any relevant source material to situate your results within your field, but leave most of that analysis in your literature review.

For any unexpected results, offer explanations or alternative interpretations of your data.

Read more about discussion sections

Your thesis conclusion should concisely answer your main research question. It should leave your reader with an ultra-clear understanding of your central argument, and emphasize what your research specifically has contributed to your field.

Why does your research matter? What recommendations for future research do you have? Lastly, wrap up your work with any concluding remarks.

Read more about conclusions

In order to avoid plagiarism , don’t forget to include a full reference list at the end of your thesis, citing the sources that you used. Choose one citation style and follow it consistently throughout your thesis, taking note of the formatting requirements of each style.

Which style you choose is often set by your department or your field, but common styles include MLA , Chicago , and APA.

Create APA citations Create MLA citations

In order to stay clear and concise, your thesis should include the most essential information needed to answer your research question. However, chances are you have many contributing documents, like interview transcripts or survey questions . These can be added as appendices , to save space in the main body.

Read more about appendices

Once you’re done writing, the next part of your editing process begins. Leave plenty of time for proofreading and editing prior to submission. Nothing looks worse than grammar mistakes or sloppy spelling errors!

Consider using a professional thesis editing service or grammar checker to make sure your final project is perfect.

Once you’ve submitted your final product, it’s common practice to have a thesis defense, an oral component of your finished work. This is scheduled by your advisor or committee, and usually entails a presentation and Q&A session.

After your defense , your committee will meet to determine if you deserve any departmental honors or accolades. However, keep in mind that defenses are usually just a formality. If there are any serious issues with your work, these should be resolved with your advisor way before a defense.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

• Survivorship bias
• Self-serving bias
• Availability heuristic
• Halo effect
• Hindsight bias
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5–7% of your overall word count.

If you only used a few abbreviations in your thesis or dissertation , you don’t necessarily need to include a list of abbreviations .

If your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they won’t be known to your audience, it’s never a bad idea to add one. They can also improve readability, minimizing confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader.

When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

A thesis is typically written by students finishing up a bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Some educational institutions, particularly in the liberal arts, have mandatory theses, but they are often not mandatory to graduate from bachelor’s degrees. It is more common for a thesis to be a graduation requirement from a Master’s degree.

Even if not mandatory, you may want to consider writing a thesis if you:

• Plan to attend graduate school soon
• Have a particular topic you’d like to study more in-depth
• Are considering a career in research
• Would like a capstone experience to tie up your academic experience

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How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement to Make Your English Essay Stand Out

Trying to write a killer English essay but can’t seem to get your thesis statement right?

You’re not alone! A common problem students run into is writing thesis statements that are too weak, vague, or just don’t stand out from the crowd.

As a HSC all rounder, I’ve written this definitive guide to outline the sacred thesis statement formula that helped me achieve a Band 6 in English.

Read on and learn exactly how to nail those thesis statements. Every. Single. Time.

Art thou ready?

What is a Thesis Statement? How to Write a Thesis Statement in English (Step-by-step) Step 1: Breakdown Question Keywords Step 2: Brainstorm Specific Ideas on Question Step 3: Identify Most Sophisticated Stance Step 4: Link Key Context & Module Links Step 5: Craft Your Argument & Effect Examples of Thesis Statements The Ultimate Exercise to Improve Your Thesis Statements

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is a 1-2 sentence overarching argument in response to a specific essay question that you will prove throughout your essay.

Being the first sentence of an introductory paragraph on an essay, a thesis statement’s principal aim is to directly and concisely answer the question with the argument, stance, or position you are taking.

What Makes a Thesis Statement Strong?

Strong thesis statements typically have the following the components:

• Composer’s Name
• Text Form / Genre
• Keywords from the question
• Keywords from the module
• Specific Idea
• Effect of  Specific Idea

These components can be arranged in various one and two sentence “structures” that depend upon:

• The type of essay question you are responding to (i.e. Technique, Genre, Form, Thematic, or Critical Perspective Questions)
• The module and text you are being assessed on.

General Thesis Statement Structure

With that said, let’s take a look at our general one-sentence thesis statement structure:

It’s important to note that there are several variations of this differentiated by the ordering of each component.

Now, let’s take a look at an example where this structure is in effect.

Question  To what extent is Shakespeare concerned with the nature of jealousy and its interaction with power in “Othello”?

General Structure Thesis Statement Example

In our HSC English tutoring program we teach students how to effectively use these Band 6 thesis statement structures so they can level up their essays quickly for their specific texts.

How to Write a Thesis Statement in English (Step-by-step)

In this section, we’ll go through step-by-step on how to write a thesis statement with clear examples for each step.

Follow along to ensure you’re on the way to writing strong and impactful thesis statements.

Step 1: Breakdown Question Keywords

Have you ever gotten your essay back with feedback stating that you completely missed or didn’t really answer the question?

This usually happens when students don’t understand all the components of a question.

Continuing this practice could have detrimental effects to your thesis statements which risks the integrity of entire essays, both of which prevent you from achieving your goals.

Thus, the initial step to writing your thesis statement is making sure you completely understand the question.

So, grab a pencil, pen, or highlighter and identify those keywords.

To do this, ask yourself:

• What is the question focusing on?
• Is it on a specific character? or theme?
• Am I being asked to analyse a novel’s form or structure?
• Am I being asked to compare two texts side by side?

Example of Breaking Down a Question

Question Through the telling and receiving of stories, we become more aware of ourselves and our shared human experiences Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.

Keywords Telling and receiving of stories Aware of ourselves Shared human experiences.

Step 2: Brainstorm Specific Ideas on Question

Brainstorming can be actioned in a various way.

However, a fool-proof exercise we recommend practicing is that for each key term, ask each of the following mini-questions about the text:

• What / What Type?

The goal of this step is to get those ideas jotted down on to paper.

Example of Brainstorming Specific Ideas on Question

Question “ Henry IV Part 1 shows the disorder and conflict that result when society’s rulers are driven by greed and ambition.” Discuss this statement in relation to your prescribed text.

Keywords Conflict Society’s rulers Greed and ambition as motivations

Mini-Questions for Keyword: Conflict Mini-Questions Answers What / What Type? Political conflict How? Civil rebellions; infighting; power struggles Why? To demonstrate the difficulties associated with leadership and maintaining honour when one has seized the throne illegitimately So What? So that Shakespeare can uphold the Tudor Myth and glorify the divine right of kings. Who? Fictionalised representations of historical royal figures

Once you’ve answered each question, the next step would be to summarise it. The above can be summarised as follows:

Summary from Mini-Questions In order to demonstrate the difficulties associated with leadership and maintaining honour when one has seized the throne illegitimately, Shakespeare uses fictionalised representations of historical royal figures to depict internal political conflict after Henry IV usurped the English throne. This upholds the Tudor myth, glorifying the Divine Right of Kings under the reign of Elizabeth I. 

You will then use these summaries of your key terms to write the specific idea component of your thesis statement.

Step 3: Identify Most Sophisticated Stance

Not answering in a generic way means that you’re not answering in the same way as everyone else, which automatically gives your essay that little edge .

A good thesis statement must have a stance or take a position in response the essay question.

There are typically three stances that a thesis statement can take:

• Positive Stance — Agrees completely with the premise of the question
• Negative Stance — Disagrees completely with the premise of the question 
• Moderate Stance — Agrees/Disagrees partially with the premise of the question.

Therefore, take into account which idea stands out and what stance it is taking. A sophisticated statement is one that shows critical thinking and adds something new to the conversation.

This does not mean that your thesis needs to be overly long and complicated in grammar and syntax (in fact you want to avoid that).

Just make sure it states exactly what points you’re planning to make.

Example of Identifying Most Sophisticated Stance

Question — Module B Example To what extent does an understanding of your prescribed text’s context significant to an appreciation of its key concerns?

Keywords Context Key concerns

Now, comes the time to identify which the stance you’re going to take.

In 90% of cases it’s best to agree with the statement/question but still leave room for the slightest impartiality which makes for a “nuanced” response  — this is taking a “ mostly positive” stance.

“Mostly” Positive Stance Thesis Statement Example

Taking a “moderate” stance with the aim of being completely in 50/50 is quite difficult to produce — this is because students think they are making a judgement when in fact they have just avoided making one.

Although, that does not mean that it’s impossible to create an effective “moderate” response.

Moderate Stance Thesis Statement Example

When you choose to argue against the question, or take a “negative” stance, in English, it is less about causing trouble and more about creating discussion — you want to surprise your markers, not confuse them.

There are a whole bunch of reasons why you should argue against the question when it comes to responding to an essay, most of which boil down to just not doing what’s expected!

“Mostly” Negative Stance Thesis Statement Example

As you can see, all three thesis statements focus on the same key words and concepts from the question, the only difference is that they are all looking into it in different ways.

With that being said, if executed well, any stance can work well.

And, while it’s important to present a unique argument, more importantly, it needs to be one that you can actually substantiate — making sure the evidence you provide supports your thesis statement is what will help you achieve higher marks in English!

To help you identify and analyse evidence in texts, consider brushing up on those English Literary Techniques .

Step 4: Determine Key Context & Module Links 

To show that you have greater understanding of your studied text, you must be able to understand and place it within its key context, and identify links to the relevant course module.

Thus, to further elevate your thesis statements — ask yourself:

• What key concepts from the Module Rubric are relevant to this essay question?
• Does the essay question have a key term relating to context?

Example of Determining Context and Module Links

Question — Module A Example You have studied two texts composed at different times. When you consider these texts and their contexts, how has your understanding of the concepts and values of each text been developed and reshaped?

Keywords Texts and their contexts Understanding of concepts and values of each text Developed and reshaped

Arguably the largest context study out of all the HSC English Modules, it is important to at least implicitly incorporate elements of context especially in Module A responses.

However, this does not mean that context-related questions only appear in Module A.

Let’s analyse a thesis statement responding to the question above so you can get a taste of what makes for effective context and module linking in HSC English.

Thesis Statement The intertextual dialogue between Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and Atwood’s ‘Hag-Seed’ illuminates the adaptive text’s capacity to reframe and question traditional power dynamics and colonial narratives. This relationship highlights a transformation in understanding societal structures and gender roles, calling into question established norms and offering a critique that resonates with contemporary views on equality and justice.

Linking Key Context From Thesis Statement Why It's Effective "Reframe and question traditional power dynamics and colonial narratives." - An implicit commentary on Shakespeare's "Age of Discovery" colonial context. - Outlines Atwood's reimagining through a postcolonial context that centres minority voices in contemporary Canada. "Transformation in understanding societal structures and gender roles, calling into question established norms and offering a critique that resonates with contemporary views on equality and justice." - Merges thematic concerns of each text and their respective contexts. - Establishes points of discussion in the changes of "societal structures and gender roles" from Shakespeare's to Atwood's time. Linking Module Rubric From Thesis Statement Why It's Effective "Reframe" - Relates to how the latter text responds to or does something new with the former text's concerns. "Adaptive text" & "Intertextual dialogue" - Both directly address how the latter text is an adaptation of the former. "This relationship [between the two texts] highlight a transformation ..." - Addresses how contexts have changed since the performance of the first text and the publication of the latter, therefore addresses how texts have changed. "Resonates" - "Resonances and dissonances" are keywords from the rubric which address the extent to which the latter text has adopted or discarded elements of the former.

Step 5: Craft Your Argument & Effect

Now’s the time to start formulating your thesis statement. So grab and cling to your paper and pens, and let’s get writing!

This step is where we need to craft the specific idea, and effect of your specific idea component of your thesis statement from our General Thesis Statement Structure:

Example of Crafting Argument & Effect

Question “The representation of human experiences makes us more aware of the intricate nature of humanity.” To what extent does this statement align with your understanding of your prescribed text? In your response, discuss this statement with detailed reference to George Orwell’s ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’.

Keywords Representations of human experiences Intricate nature of humanity

Stance To a great extent (agrees with the question)

Specific Idea Exploration of paradoxical and inconsistent human experiences of emotional and social repression within a totalitarian system.

Once you have this, you’ll then need to identify the effect of the specific idea.

To do this effectively, consider the following questions:

• “What is the author’s purpose in exploring this idea? What are they trying to achieve?”
• “What is the impact of this specific idea on individuals or society?”
• “What is the impact of the idea on you as the responder? Does it make you reflect about anything?”

Continuing the example above, the effect of the specific idea using the above prompt questions would be:

Effect of Specific Idea In order to warn contemporary audiences about the dangers of totalitarianism and government overreach.

Remember, it’s not about crafting the most flawless thesis statement on the get go. Just keep in mind that practice makes close to perfect!

Revising and refining your thesis statements is what will make you a better writer, it’ll set you up for each and every essay question that may come your way.

If you’re a NSW student studying for the HSC, try put everything you have learnt so far into practice and check out some English past papers ! You can also exercise those writing muscles with our ‘Thesis + 3′ Technique’ .

Examples of Thesis Statements

Now, let’s examine some more questions and example thesis statements produced by some of our students.

In this section, we’ll also look at how our AI English Tutor, Artie , elevated each response from “good” to great.

Thesis Statement Example #1

Question “It is difficult to maintain individual identity in the face of homogenous collectives.” How does Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice align with this statement, and how does this representation help support his authorial purpose?

Original Student Response All representations are constructs , with composers incorporating or omitting certain concepts in line with authorial purpose and position. William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice (1605) represents identity as a composite of intersecting factors shaping our understanding of the human experience, wherein those with greater privilege can invert the Christian patriarchal power relations to gain agency.

Artie Assisted Response   Studying or revising for HSC English? Check out our guide on the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences !

Thesis Statement Example #2

Question No texts are original, but some texts move beyond their origins. To what extent does this statement inform your appreciation of the textual conversations between the composers you have studied?

Original Student Response Each composition has its individual authenticity and originality however, more advanced texts such Al Pacino’s 1996 docu-drama “Looking For Richard” moves beyond the origins of it’s hypo text, William Shakespeare’s 1592 tragedy “King Richard III”, to engage in a textual conversation that highlights the inconsistencies in morals and values across their incongruous zeitgeists.

Artie Assisted Response

If you’re studying any of the two aforementioned texts (or any other of the prescribed texts!), rest assured that Artie can help level up your thesis statements and other aspects of your essay writing .

Need more thesis statement examples? We’ve got you covered!

Access more of Artie’s improved Thesis Statements!

Access our comprehensive Thesis Statement Step-by-step Template!

If you’re looking for some more help as to how to write a HSC Band 6 essay, make sure you check out this step by step guide here!

The Ultimate Exercise to Improve Your Thesis Statements

This section will cover a three step exercise to help you improve faster, making sure your thesis are as strong as can before exam time!

Step #1: Rapid Thesis Development

Writing improves with lots and lots of practice — so if you admire someone’s writing, know that it is ever rarely an inherent feat and they most likely have taken the time to improve!

One way to develop your own writing muscles, and so improve your thesis statements, is by trying this exercise:

• Find a practice question.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes and generate a thesis statement
• Then repeat this two more times

Doing these writing bursts will ensure you’re able to adapt and answer any question NESA throws at you in reading time, while also building a library of thesis statements you can remix and use in the HSC Exams.

Here are 20 practice questions for each module: Common Module Module A Module B Module C

Step #2: Is My Thesis Statement… SUP?

When writing and developing your thesis statements, ask yourself  — “is my thesis statement… SUP? ”

Sharp — each word in your thesis statement matters, don’t ramble and unnecessarily aggrandise your sentences. Use your words wisely, and cut any that don’t effectively get your argument across.

Unique — will your thesis statement get lost among the sea of repeated and unoriginal statements? Avoid this by making sure to stands out by considering a fresh take or new perspective, thus subverting reader expectations.

Purposeful — what you state now will need to be supported by the rest of your essay. Does your evidence actually align with the key arguments you have laid out? Or will the train of your essay derail from its tracks?

Struggling with writing compelling linking sentences for your essay paragraphs? Learn how to write better linking sentences with our guide !

Step #3: Seek Feedback. Again… And Again (Then One More Time After That)

The law of the lid outlines that the highest mark you get in practice will be reflected in your performance when it comes to the real exam.

If you’re goal is to achieve a Band 6, you want to lift your lid, to make sure you’re hitting Band 6 level responses even in practice.

To do this, you must accelerate your feedback loop.

Here are five ways to establish a feedback loop so you can improve faster:

• Get help from your teacher — submit your work to your teacher even if it’s thesis statement alone. They’re more likely to return it to you quickly if it’s a small piece of marking!
• Mark your own work — whether you’re practising thesis statements or full responses, make sure to actually read over and mark them using the marking criteria provided from prior HSC exam papers. 
• Peer mark – swap your essays with your friends, and get them to give you feedback on your thesis statements, while you provide feedback for theirs.
• Find a tutor or mentor — getting extra support from a mentor or tutor is a great way to receive direct one-on-one feedback.
• Get feedback from Artie — get instantly marked practice essays, giving you feedback with crystal-clear recommendations to improve.

Here’s a guide to essay drafting, editing, and refining your English essays .

Looking for some extra help with writing a Strong HSC English Thesis Statement?

We have an incredible team of hsc english tutors and mentors.

We can help you master your HSC English essay and ace your upcoming HSC English assessments with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home or at one of our state of the art campuses in Hornsby or the Hills!

Closer to Western Sydney? We provide support for K-12 English in Parramatta ! Or looking for Southern Sydney support? We have expert HSC tutors ready to help in Campbelltown and Wollongong !

We’ve supported over 8,000 students over the last 11 years , and on average our students score mark improvements of over 20%!

To find out more and get started with an inspirational HSC English tutor and mentor, get in touch today or give us a ring on 1300 267 888!

Maddison Leach  completed her HSC in 2014, achieving an ATAR of 98.00 and Band 6 in all her subjects. Having tutored privately for two years before joining Art of Smart, she enjoys helping students through the academic and other aspects of school life, even though it sometimes makes her feel old. Maddison has had a passion for writing since her early teens, having had several short stories published before joining the world of blogging. She’s currently deferring her studies until she starts her Bachelor of Communication at UTS in the spring.

• Topics: 📚 Study , ✏️ English

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Developing a Thesis Statement

Many papers you write require developing a thesis statement. In this section you’ll learn what a thesis statement is and how to write one.

Keep in mind that not all papers require thesis statements . If in doubt, please consult your instructor for assistance.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement . . .

• Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic.
• Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper.
• Is focused and specific enough to be “proven” within the boundaries of your paper.
• Is generally located near the end of the introduction ; sometimes, in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or in an entire paragraph.
• Identifies the relationships between the pieces of evidence that you are using to support your argument.

Not all papers require thesis statements! Ask your instructor if you’re in doubt whether you need one.

Identify a topic

Your topic is the subject about which you will write. Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic; or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper.

Consider what your assignment asks you to do

Inform yourself about your topic, focus on one aspect of your topic, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts, generate a topic from an assignment.

Below are some possible topics based on sample assignments.

Sample assignment 1

Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II.

Identified topic

Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis

This topic avoids generalities such as “Spain” and “World War II,” addressing instead on Franco’s role (a specific aspect of “Spain”) and the diplomatic relations between the Allies and Axis (a specific aspect of World War II).

Sample assignment 2

Analyze one of Homer’s epic similes in the Iliad.

The relationship between the portrayal of warfare and the epic simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64.

This topic focuses on a single simile and relates it to a single aspect of the Iliad ( warfare being a major theme in that work).

Developing a Thesis Statement–Additional information

Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic, or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper. You’ll want to read your assignment carefully, looking for key terms that you can use to focus your topic.

Sample assignment: Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II Key terms: analyze, Spain’s neutrality, World War II

After you’ve identified the key words in your topic, the next step is to read about them in several sources, or generate as much information as possible through an analysis of your topic. Obviously, the more material or knowledge you have, the more possibilities will be available for a strong argument. For the sample assignment above, you’ll want to look at books and articles on World War II in general, and Spain’s neutrality in particular.

As you consider your options, you must decide to focus on one aspect of your topic. This means that you cannot include everything you’ve learned about your topic, nor should you go off in several directions. If you end up covering too many different aspects of a topic, your paper will sprawl and be unconvincing in its argument, and it most likely will not fulfull the assignment requirements.

For the sample assignment above, both Spain’s neutrality and World War II are topics far too broad to explore in a paper. You may instead decide to focus on Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis , which narrows down what aspects of Spain’s neutrality and World War II you want to discuss, as well as establishes a specific link between those two aspects.

Before you go too far, however, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts. Try to avoid topics that already have too much written about them (i.e., “eating disorders and body image among adolescent women”) or that simply are not important (i.e. “why I like ice cream”). These topics may lead to a thesis that is either dry fact or a weird claim that cannot be supported. A good thesis falls somewhere between the two extremes. To arrive at this point, ask yourself what is new, interesting, contestable, or controversial about your topic.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times . Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Derive a main point from topic

Once you have a topic, you will have to decide what the main point of your paper will be. This point, the “controlling idea,” becomes the core of your argument (thesis statement) and it is the unifying idea to which you will relate all your sub-theses. You can then turn this “controlling idea” into a purpose statement about what you intend to do in your paper.

Look for patterns in your evidence

Compose a purpose statement.

Consult the examples below for suggestions on how to look for patterns in your evidence and construct a purpose statement.

• Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis
• Franco turned to the Allies when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from the Axis

Possible conclusion:

Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: Franco’s desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power.

Purpose statement

This paper will analyze Franco’s diplomacy during World War II to see how it contributed to Spain’s neutrality.

• The simile compares Simoisius to a tree, which is a peaceful, natural image.
• The tree in the simile is chopped down to make wheels for a chariot, which is an object used in warfare.

At first, the simile seems to take the reader away from the world of warfare, but we end up back in that world by the end.

This paper will analyze the way the simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64 moves in and out of the world of warfare.

Derive purpose statement from topic

To find out what your “controlling idea” is, you have to examine and evaluate your evidence . As you consider your evidence, you may notice patterns emerging, data repeated in more than one source, or facts that favor one view more than another. These patterns or data may then lead you to some conclusions about your topic and suggest that you can successfully argue for one idea better than another.

For instance, you might find out that Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis, but when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from them, he turned to the Allies. As you read more about Franco’s decisions, you may conclude that Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: his desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power. Based on this conclusion, you can then write a trial thesis statement to help you decide what material belongs in your paper.

Sometimes you won’t be able to find a focus or identify your “spin” or specific argument immediately. Like some writers, you might begin with a purpose statement just to get yourself going. A purpose statement is one or more sentences that announce your topic and indicate the structure of the paper but do not state the conclusions you have drawn . Thus, you might begin with something like this:

• This paper will look at modern language to see if it reflects male dominance or female oppression.
• I plan to analyze anger and derision in offensive language to see if they represent a challenge of society’s authority.

At some point, you can turn a purpose statement into a thesis statement. As you think and write about your topic, you can restrict, clarify, and refine your argument, crafting your thesis statement to reflect your thinking.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Compose a draft thesis statement

If you are writing a paper that will have an argumentative thesis and are having trouble getting started, the techniques in the table below may help you develop a temporary or “working” thesis statement.

Begin with a purpose statement that you will later turn into a thesis statement.

Assignment: Discuss the history of the Reform Party and explain its influence on the 1990 presidential and Congressional election.

Purpose Statement: This paper briefly sketches the history of the grassroots, conservative, Perot-led Reform Party and analyzes how it influenced the economic and social ideologies of the two mainstream parties.

Question-to-Assertion

If your assignment asks a specific question(s), turn the question(s) into an assertion and give reasons why it is true or reasons for your opinion.

Assignment : What do Aylmer and Rappaccini have to be proud of? Why aren’t they satisfied with these things? How does pride, as demonstrated in “The Birthmark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” lead to unexpected problems?

Beginning thesis statement: Alymer and Rappaccinni are proud of their great knowledge; however, they are also very greedy and are driven to use their knowledge to alter some aspect of nature as a test of their ability. Evil results when they try to “play God.”

Write a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the essay you plan to write.

Main idea: The reason some toys succeed in the market is that they appeal to the consumers’ sense of the ridiculous and their basic desire to laugh at themselves.

Make a list of the ideas that you want to include; consider the ideas and try to group them.

• nature = peaceful
• war matériel = violent (competes with 1?)
• need for time and space to mourn the dead
• war is inescapable (competes with 3?)

Use a formula to arrive at a working thesis statement (you will revise this later).

• although most readers of _______ have argued that _______, closer examination shows that _______.
• _______ uses _______ and _____ to prove that ________.
• phenomenon x is a result of the combination of __________, __________, and _________.

What to keep in mind as you draft an initial thesis statement

Beginning statements obtained through the methods illustrated above can serve as a framework for planning or drafting your paper, but remember they’re not yet the specific, argumentative thesis you want for the final version of your paper. In fact, in its first stages, a thesis statement usually is ill-formed or rough and serves only as a planning tool.

As you write, you may discover evidence that does not fit your temporary or “working” thesis. Or you may reach deeper insights about your topic as you do more research, and you will find that your thesis statement has to be more complicated to match the evidence that you want to use.

You must be willing to reject or omit some evidence in order to keep your paper cohesive and your reader focused. Or you may have to revise your thesis to match the evidence and insights that you want to discuss. Read your draft carefully, noting the conclusions you have drawn and the major ideas which support or prove those conclusions. These will be the elements of your final thesis statement.

Sometimes you will not be able to identify these elements in your early drafts, but as you consider how your argument is developing and how your evidence supports your main idea, ask yourself, “ What is the main point that I want to prove/discuss? ” and “ How will I convince the reader that this is true? ” When you can answer these questions, then you can begin to refine the thesis statement.

Refine and polish the thesis statement

To get to your final thesis, you’ll need to refine your draft thesis so that it’s specific and arguable.

• Ask if your draft thesis addresses the assignment
• Question each part of your draft thesis
• Clarify vague phrases and assertions
• Investigate alternatives to your draft thesis

Consult the example below for suggestions on how to refine your draft thesis statement.

Sample Assignment

Choose an activity and define it as a symbol of American culture. Your essay should cause the reader to think critically about the society which produces and enjoys that activity.

• Ask The phenomenon of drive-in facilities is an interesting symbol of american culture, and these facilities demonstrate significant characteristics of our society.This statement does not fulfill the assignment because it does not require the reader to think critically about society.

Drive-ins are an interesting symbol of American culture because they represent Americans’ significant creativity and business ingenuity.

Among the types of drive-in facilities familiar during the twentieth century, drive-in movie theaters best represent American creativity, not merely because they were the forerunner of later drive-ins and drive-throughs, but because of their impact on our culture: they changed our relationship to the automobile, changed the way people experienced movies, and changed movie-going into a family activity.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast-food establishments, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize America’s economic ingenuity, they also have affected our personal standards.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast- food restaurants, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize (1) Americans’ business ingenuity, they also have contributed (2) to an increasing homogenization of our culture, (3) a willingness to depersonalize relationships with others, and (4) a tendency to sacrifice quality for convenience.

This statement is now specific and fulfills all parts of the assignment. This version, like any good thesis, is not self-evident; its points, 1-4, will have to be proven with evidence in the body of the paper. The numbers in this statement indicate the order in which the points will be presented. Depending on the length of the paper, there could be one paragraph for each numbered item or there could be blocks of paragraph for even pages for each one.

Complete the final thesis statement

The bottom line.

As you move through the process of crafting a thesis, you’ll need to remember four things:

• Context matters! Think about your course materials and lectures. Try to relate your thesis to the ideas your instructor is discussing.
• As you go through the process described in this section, always keep your assignment in mind . You will be more successful when your thesis (and paper) responds to the assignment than if it argues a semi-related idea.
• Your thesis statement should be precise, focused, and contestable ; it should predict the sub-theses or blocks of information that you will use to prove your argument.
• Make sure that you keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Change your thesis as your paper evolves, because you do not want your thesis to promise more than your paper actually delivers.

In the beginning, the thesis statement was a tool to help you sharpen your focus, limit material and establish the paper’s purpose. When your paper is finished, however, the thesis statement becomes a tool for your reader. It tells the reader what you have learned about your topic and what evidence led you to your conclusion. It keeps the reader on track–well able to understand and appreciate your argument.

Writing Process and Structure

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Getting Started with Your Paper

Interpreting Writing Assignments from Your Courses

Generating Ideas for

Creating an Argument

Thesis vs. Purpose Statements

Architecture of Arguments

Working with Sources

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources

Using Literary Quotations

Citing Sources in Your Paper

Drafting Your Paper

Generating Ideas for Your Paper

Introductions

Paragraphing

Developing Strategic Transitions

Conclusions

Revising Your Paper

Peer Reviews

Reverse Outlines

Revising an Argumentative Paper

Revision Strategies for Longer Projects

Finishing Your Paper

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

How to Proofread your Paper

Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative and Group Writing