The Thesis

Your thesis is the engine of your essay. It is the central point around which you gather, analyze, and present the relevant support and philosophical reasoning which constitutes the body of your essay. It is the center, the focal point. The thesis answers the question, “What is this essay all about?”

A strong thesis does not just state your topic but your perspective or feeling on the topic as well. And it does so in a single, focused sentence. It clearly tells the reader what the essay is all about and engages them in your big idea(s) and perspective.  Thesis statements often reveal the primary pattern of development of the essay as well.

• Consult this link for the OWL thesis statements discussion.
• Here is another link to assist with argumentative thesis statements.

BEST: A thesis is strongest when the writer uses both the specific topic, and their educated opinion on it, for writing a detailed and clear main point.

Watch this video on writing a “Killer” Thesis Statement

Watch this video on writing an effective Academic Thesis Statement.

• “The Thesis,” by Andy Gurevich, is available in Composition in Cultural Contexts, and is licensed CC BY 4.0.