It's no secret that the educational process is not a walk in the park. You will have to spend a lot of time memorizing a pile of information. Plus, all students will have to write papers. In particular, the essay is the first assignment you will have to write. But, as a rule, you have nothing to fear because the general process consists of basic steps. But how to write a thesis statement? Do I need to look for examples, and what nuances should a beginner know? Now you will find out all the details.
What Is a Thesis Statement?
First, let's talk about basic terminology. The fact is that beginners are often worried that they cannot understand the tasks entrusted to them. But don't panic. So what is a thesis statement for an essay? This is part of the concise summary, which contains your main points or claims in one way or another related to your topic. In other words, this piece of paper is the starting point to start each body paragraph correctly.
Types of Thesis Statement
For many beginners, even the basic terminology is confusing. So this is why every student should know more. There are two types of thesis statements: explanatory and argumentative. Let's look at each option to understand the fundamental differences and approaches to writing this part of your paper.
Explanatory Type
This essay thesis statement aims to explain the essence of a problem, subject, or general topic. You do not need to state your position or reasoning. All students need a basic description of the problem. For example, you might start with a sentence like, "The cultural identity of modern Americans is reflected in films, books, and songs." You don't need to explain why you think so or how you came to that conclusion. Writing a thesis statement in such a way is like a short introduction without details. Think of it as a movie trailer.
Argumentative Type
This option is aimed so that you can not only create a thesis but also provide your arguments. Start with statistics, judgments, or statements of fact. The important thing is that you must formulate a certain idea, statement, or alternative that you can argue with or take for granted. Here's a good thesis example:
- The cultural identity of Americans is manifested in cinema, books, and music, as these are key ways of conveying ideas, postulates, and national aspects.
You are now one step closer to understanding how to write a good thesis statement. So let's go ahead and touch on the most important aspects that will help you get off the ground.
How to Write a Thesis Statement?
It is always difficult for beginners to start the intro because of fear of doing something wrong. There is nothing wrong with that. Every student starts from scratch. Here's how to write a thesis statement step-by-step. Follow all the steps, and you won't have any problems. However, do not forget that you will have to practice before you achieve significant success. A theory is something like a fishing rod that will help you catch fish.
State Your Topic
The point is that your reader (professor) must clearly understand what you will write about. So this is why you should state your topic. Use keywords and phrases that will emphasize certain aspects. Here are some examples.
- Teenage delinquency
- Modern education system
- The effect of alcohol on internal organs
- The importance of oxygen for the formation of the ozone layer
As you can see, these samples are not complete thesis statements but essential ingredients to help identify your topic. Remember that this aspect is critical.
1. State Your Main Idea
What is the idea behind your assignment? What is the key element indicating the importance of your research? You can use your judgment, facts, reasons, and consequences to help you write thesis statements. For example, let's say you're writing about the impact of smartphones on the intellectual abilities of children. Then you should use some statements like, "Parents should limit their children's play sessions so that smartphones do not interfere with the educational process."
2. Give a Reason That Supports Your Main Idea
And here is the most important aspect. What is the reason for your position? The best thesis statement should always indicate causality. Use statistics, research results, or well-known facts. Let's say you are going to describe the importance of emergency help for hypothermia. For example, you might start with words like, "Knowing the correct frostbite emergency treatment is critical to avoiding death and amputation."
3. Give Another Reason
Take a look at thesis examples for essay or any other paper type. What do you see? Most likely, you have noticed at least once that an additional reason will allow you to make your words more solid. For example, if you have chosen the topic of emergency help for frostbite, then you can give reasons for providing emergency help. Write something like, "If a person gets third degree frostbite, then any delay contributes to the clogging of blood vessels and increases the risk of death." Real cases can confirm this reason for emergency assistance and practical recommendations described in books.
4. Include an Opposing Viewpoint
This aspect is critical to making your paper look perfect. An opposing viewpoint allows you to show that you are not afraid of a different opinion and are ready to consider all aspects that help to reveal your topic. Let's get back to the problem of frostbite. Point out something like, "Although emergency medical attention is important for frostbite, excessive fever or surgical procedures without prior analysis can have a negative impact on the patient."
Useful Tips for Writing a Thesis Statement
Know the Topic
It isn't easy to write about anything if you do not know your topic. So do some preliminary research and find a theoretical explanation before getting started. This advice is relevant for any paper.
Limit Your Topic
The more multifaceted your topic is, the more difficult it will be to write each paragraph and your intro. Limit yourself to a specific area or problem. Then you don't have to research a ton of scientific facts and information before you get started. Stick to this rule, and you will not have questions like, "How to write a thesis statement for an essay?" Do not create additional problems for yourself.
Brainstorm
Every beginner should know that brainstorming is the best way to achieve positive results. Let's say you don't know where to start yet. Take a piece of paper and a pen. Write down all the ideas, facts, and data you find while surfing the Internet or analyzing trusted sources. Then you can write a truly effective thesis statement and expect high grades.
Be Concise
For many people, this advice may seem obvious. However, thousands of students make the same mistake. If you can cut your offers in half without losing their value, then you are on the right track. Try to frame your thoughts and statements concisely and transparently. Then you will not need to look for answers to questions like, "How to create a thesis statement quickly?" Instead, practice and create a draft. Then it will be easier for you to train.
Thesis Statement Checklist
So it's time to talk about creating the correct checklist. First, think about what questions will be most relevant to your paper. Where should you start, and what aspects should you pay attention to? Here is a list of questions that will come in handy.
- Have you answered the question in your assignment?
- Is your statement arguable?
- Have you focused on the main topic and all the important aspects?
- Have you been able to accommodate the specifics of your topic?
- Did you rely on objective or subjective factors?
- Is your statement concise?
All of these questions are critical to polish your paper. Use this checklist when you are not sure if your actions are correct. And do not forget about the tips so as not to make primitive mistakes.
Summing up
You now have a significant advantage over other students. Use basic terminology, examples, and tips to get the results you want quickly. All you need is attentiveness and following general instructions. Then your statement will be perfect.
References
https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/developing-thesis
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