Is the thesis statement is part of the introductory paragraph it states the topic and the purpose of your entire essay?
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. It usually comes near the end of your introduction. Show
Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea. Example: Thesis statementDespite Oscar Wilde’s Aestheticist claims that art needs no justification or purpose, his work advocates Irish nationalism, women’s suffrage, and socialism.You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:
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What is a thesis statement?A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why. The best thesis statements are:
Placement of the thesis statementThe thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction. Example of an essay introductionThe spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers. Receive feedback on language, structure and formattingProfessional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:
See an example Step 1: Start with a questionYou should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis, early in the writing process. As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic, you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure. You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic? For example, you might ask: Has the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?Or: What impact did the invention of braille (the raised-dot reading system used by blind and visually impaired people) have?Step 2: Write your initial answerAfter some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.The invention of braille improved the lives of blind people.Step 3: Develop your answerNow you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed. In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it. Argumentative thesis statementThe negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information. In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain. Expository thesis statementThe invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life. Step 4: Refine your thesis statementA strong thesis statement should tell the reader:
The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic. Example: Improved thesis statement on internet useThe negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: it facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.Example: Improved thesis statement on the invention of brailleThe invention of braille transformed the lives of blind people in the 19th century, but its success depended on mainstream acceptance by sighted teachers, and this process was shaped by debates about disabled people’s place in society.These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth. Types of thesis statementsYour thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:
Frequently asked questions about thesis statementsWhat is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. Everything else you write should relate to this key idea. Why do I need a thesis statement? The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:
Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say. How can I come up with a thesis statement? Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement:
Where does the thesis statement go in an essay? The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction. Cite this Scribbr articleIf you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
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