Thesis Proof Edit Rewrite Services

Tips On How To Write A Thesis Statement

When you’re wondering how to write a thesis statement, consider the following points (no. 14 gives types of examples of thesis statements).

1. What Have You Been Asked To Do?

Your course, subject, supervisor, examiners, university, question paper, proposal, etc. all have specific demands. Identify and subsequently meet these by developing your thesis and thesis statement in relation to them but also your unique idea.

2. Be Flexible With Your Initial Thesis Idea

Although you begin your thesis with an initial idea, be open to tweaking or even changing it as you explore your subject area and define and refine your thesis statement. If you don’t yet have an initial idea, list possibilities then experiment with them, develop and rework them, etc. until you have your central thesis idea.

3. Understand Your Subject Area

Read views on your subject from various perspectives and different sources so you have a broad understanding of your subject area; ensure your reading generally relates to but is not confined to your initial thesis idea. Such preparatory work will help your writing of your thesis statement and your thesis as you’ll explore numerous arguments and viewpoints.

4. Clarify Your Dominant Idea

Through all your research and your analysis of your initial idea, a clear dominant idea should emerge, or you'll perhaps reinforce your initial thesis idea so much that it becomes your dominant thesis idea.

5. Identify Your Specific Perspective

Identify your specific take/perspective on your subject and make this unique or at least give it elements of uniqueness to give readers something fresh. In what way do you view this topic? How will you approach it? Why is your view unique? Your thesis statement should encapsulate such points and more.

6. Develop A Clear Purpose

Your thesis should have a clear purpose; use this to write your thesis statement. What do you want to do, and is this reflected in your thesis statement?

7. Ensure Your Topic And Specific View Contribute Much

There’s no point exploring an insignificant thesis topic for your subject area; likewise, your particular perspective should contribute much to your thesis topic and perhaps the broader context. Your thesis statement indicates or suggests all this, motivating readers to read on and find out more about your significant perspective.

8. What’s Your Thesis Argument?

This is the essence of your thesis statement and indeed your thesis. What’s the crux of your thesis? What are you and your thesis arguing? Convey your core argument in your thesis statement in relation to the rest of your thesis and all other points here.

9. Consider Your Evidence

You can’t make a groundless argument, so what evidence do you have for your thesis argument? Incorporate this into or allude to this in your thesis statement, but not in great detail (yet).

10. Make A Key Statement

If you’re not yet ready to write a thesis statement, simply write a key statement from your initial idea – the main point in your work and what your thesis does. You then have something to develop and evolve into your thesis statement.

11. Draft Your Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement develops through drafts so don’t expect to finalise it immediately. When writing your thesis, draft a thesis statement or even just a key statement (see above) then write your thesis. While writing your thesis, keep your thesis statement in mind and make notes on it, return to it, update your thesis statement draft, etc. or simply start turning your key statement into your thesis statement. Continue developing it as you write your thesis.

12. Relate Your Thesis Statement To Your Thesis Title

Your title and thesis statement should work together: the latter should not repeat the former; instead, your thesis statement should add to your title, go deeper, say more, give specifics and share your argument on the subject the title addresses. Use the title to write your thesis statement, and make sure the two complement (not contradict) each other.

13. Analyse And Compare Other Thesis Statements

Read other theses, identify their thesis statements then analyse these thesis statements. What do they contain and do? How effective are they and why? What are their limitations/weaknesses? How can they be improved? How do these thesis statements compare with yours? What can you take from them to develop your own thesis statement?

14. Writing Thesis Statements

Before writing your thesis, read What Is A Thesis Statement? and study the points in it to help you write your draft thesis statement. Many fall into various types/categories, so see some example thesis statement types below as a starter, though there are many other possibilities for thesis statements.

Thesis Statement Example Types
Various standard approaches to thesis statements can be used and tweaked accordingly, so here are thirteen sometimes-overlapping example thesis statement types.

•Thesis Declaration:
This work investigates ___________ and shows that ___________ because ___________, as is evident with ___________ …

•Broader Declaration:
The contemporary trend of ___________ indicates ___________ and/but this work ___________ (continue as above)

•Contradiction:
While ___________ says that ___________, this work …

•Counterbalance:
On the one hand ___________, but ___________…

•Thesis Methods Focus:
This work uses ___________ to demonstrate how ___________…

•Cause And Effect Plus More:
X causes ___________ and leads to ___________ so …

•Acknowledge A So-Called ‘Non-Debatable’ Fact Before A Debatable Point (unusual):
Climate change has caused much damage and ___________. Despite this, ___________ (e.g. mention an arguable positive aspect of this).

•Facts And Statistics:
Over 40% of X’s population is ___________ but if the Government ___________ then within 5 years this figure would be halved, simply because ___________…

•Defeatist Point And Alternative:
The institution of X is broken beyond repair and should not be saved. Instead, ___________ because ___________ …

•Hypotheticals:
If ___________, then ___________ …

•Personal:
Our university’s current problems with ___________ is a result of ___________ and ___________ clearly shows there is only one way to overcome this: ___________.

•Commonly Controversial:
ALL drugs should be legalised as ___________ …

•Command Then Reason And Justification:
The village of Ganwi should embrace rather than fight the local developments the Government is currently planning because ___________ …

These thesis statement examples are to generate ideas (note that every possible element for thesis statements is not in each one). Or can you even use these to generate your own type of thesis statement?

15. Reflect On And Analyse Your Thesis Statement

Once you have written your thesis statement, reflect on then analyse it. Ensure it contains all necessary aspects, complements your thesis (introduction, body and conclusion/conclusions) and your title, is specific and relates to evidence. Ultimately, it must express your core thesis argument and convince readers this is the most persuasive argument of those available on this specific subject. Make it generate critical thought and be open to debate, but also ensure it is clear, concise and precise.

16. Finalise Your Thesis Statement

Finally, finalise your thesis statement. Are you happy with your thesis statement? Does it address all concerns? Can you improve it in any way? And is the focus on the reader and their understanding, not you and yours? Once you’ve resolved all these and all other concerns, you’ve completed your thesis statement.

If you want to talk more about your thesis statement and thesis, contact me.