A thesis statement is the main idea of a paper. It is usually a single sentence that states the purpose or goal of the paper and gives a brief overview of the paper’s contents.
A good thesis statement should be logically organized, clear and concise, and easy to follow. It should also reflect your voice. Thus, it should not sound like something you’ve read or heard.
The best thesis statements should be:
- Concise: A good thesis statement is brief and to the point. It should be able to be stated in one or two sentences. Moreover, it should not rely on unnecessary jargon or repetition.
- Contentious: A contentious thesis statement claims the subject matter that is controversial or debatable. It means that you will need to defend your position when presenting it.
- Coherent: Your thesis must be coherent with the rest of the essay or paper; it must flow logically from one point to another for your argument to make sense.
Step-by-Step Guide on Writing a Good Thesis
Below is a simple process for writing a good thesis:
Step 1: Start with a question
The first step in writing a good thesis is to start with a question, not an answer. It is because the answer has already been given to you by your professor. The question is what you need to figure out, and it should be something that will require analysis and research. Your thesis will be based on how well you answer this question.
Step 2: Write your initial answer
The next step to creating a good thesis is to write an answer. Your answer should be as thorough as possible, even if the point you are writing about is very specific and small. You will have time to refine your ideas and expand upon them later. However, at this point, it is essential to get the ball rolling by getting all of your ideas down on paper.
Step 3: Develop your answer
The main idea for your thesis should be clear at this point. Now you need to develop it into a full answer. This step is where you will ensure all the information from your research. Also, your analysis is included in the body of your paper. Finally, you will also assert a clear position on whether or not the evidence supports the original hypothesis.
Step 4: Refine your thesis statement
The final step in the process of writing a good thesis is to refine it. Refining your thesis statement means making it clear, concise, and compelling.
You want to ensure that the reader understands what you are trying to prove in your essay and why it matters. You need to go back and revise your thesis if you fail to explain yourself with fewer words. We recommend trying a professional thesis writing service.
What to Avoid When Writing a Thesis
Most students make many mistakes when writing a thesis. This is a reason why we recommend hiring a professional thesis writing service. Here are common mistakes to avoid when writing your thesis:
A thesis is never a question
A thesis statement is not a question. It is a statement of what your paper will be about. Therefore, a declarative sentence should answer the question: “What is this paper going to be about?”
You can’t ask questions in your thesis statement. You can only answer them. This is because your thesis needs to give readers an idea of what they will read, not what they should read.
A thesis is never a list
A thesis is not a list of things you think are true, have been said to be true, or might be true. Likewise, a thesis should not summarize someone else’s already said. That is called an annotated bibliography.
A thesis is not just your opinion
Your opinion matters. It is part of what makes you unique as an author. However, suppose all you are doing is stating your opinion repeatedly in different ways. In that case, you are missing out on the opportunity to argue. Moreover, defend it with evidence from multiple sources.
A thesis should never be vague, combative, or confrontational
A vague thesis will not help you to get your point across clearly. Vagueness doesn’t make the reader think about what you are trying to say. Therefore, they will not learn anything from your work.
In addition, a combative thesis makes the reader think you are attacking them. As a result, they will be defensive and will not listen to what you say.
Lastly, an argumentative thesis makes the reader feel like the writer is confronting them. Hence, they are more likely to feel defensive and angry about what has been said.
