The Thesis Statement

A Road Map for Your Essay

References

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.

Introduction

Whats 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 contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.
Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized

Thesis Statement
Another Example
Psychologists have argued for decades about how a persons character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that ones 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 childs character based on my own experience growing up in a family of four children. Birth order can strongly affect ones relationship with parents, relationships with others, and how one views responsibility as an adult.

The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized

Thesis Statement

Key Features

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 doesnt 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.
Thesis Statement

The sport of cross-country running has allowed me to get in better shape and meet some interesting 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 allows me to work with students and be creative.

A Complete Sentence
Another Example
The problem of pollution in big cities.
This is not a complete sentence. Thesis Statement

The problem of pollution in major cities can be alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to 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 numerous medicinal benefits for those suffering from terminal illnesses.

Thesis Statement

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 couldnt. 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.

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.

Location

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 writers 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
I learned to play many musical instruments when I was young. Learning to play many musical instruments when I was young helped me to become a more intelligent and well-rounded person.

This would not be considered a good thesis statement because it is only expressing a fact. It doesnt give the writers opinion or attitude on playing musical instruments. This thesis statement doesnt give the writer very much to explain or prove in his/her essay.

This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about the experience of learning to play musical instruments. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why playing a musical instrument made him/her a better person.

An Opinion or Attitude
Another Example
Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico.

This would not be considered a good thesis statement, because it is only expressing a fact. It doesnt reflect the writers opinion or attitude on Cancun. This thesis statement doesnt give the writer very much to explain or prove in his/her essay. This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about Cancun. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why going to Cancun is a good choice for visitors.

Cancun is one of the best vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate and proximity to some well-known archeological sites.

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?

Another Example
Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.

Subtopics

No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.

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

subtopic #3

This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?

Key Features
Dont State the Obvious
In thesis statements, you should avoid using statements like, This essay will discuss or Im going to write about. Try to write a thesis statement that captures your readers attention without announcing your main topic and stating the obvious. Look at the examples below.

Key Features
Dont 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 ones marriage, career, and health.

Dont State the Obvious

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 doesnt just state the topic, itself.
often lists subtopics. does not directly announce your main topic.

Exercise 1- Rewrite the following statements into thesis statements

Pets need care and attention. Commuter trains and buses are essential for transportation. People who do not exercise tend to become obese. A healthy diet keeps the doctor away. Racial harmony is important in a country.

Answers
1.

2.

Pets need care and attention so that they can be disciplined and not be a nuisance to others. In this modern era, commuter trains and buses are essential for transportation because they are fast, clean and efficient.

3. People who do not exercise because of a sedentary lifestyle tend to become obese and this can be detrimental to health. 4. A healthy diet is an asset because we do not succumb to sicknesses easily. 5. Racial harmony is important in a country as it binds the country together towards peace and prosperity.