A thesis statement can be utilized on so many occasions and areas of writing. However using thesis statements has nearly become inappropriate, particularly in academic and corporate organizations. In general, a thesis statement has a similar structure and set of guidelines around the world. In this article, let us discuss everything about thesis statements with examples. The following five themes will be covered in the next sections of this article on thesis statements:
- What is a thesis statement?
- What is the use of a thesis statement?
- Where are thesis statements used?
- How to write a thesis statement?
- Examples of thesis statements
- FAQs on thesis statements
What Is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement, in simple words, is the very first statement that a reader observes and reads in a passage, editorial, column, or curriculum vitae. This is a statement that summarises and justifies the subsequent content given in the passage, and hence it has a strong first impression on the reader of the article.
While there is no one particular definition for what a thesis statement is, the general meaning and intent of a thesis statement are the same around the world, irrespective of whether it is used in academic circles, corporate circles, or formal or informal communications. We are going to discuss the various aspects of a thesis statement, including but not limited to how to write a thesis statement, in the subsequent sections of this article on thesis statements.
What Is the Use of a Thesis Statement?
Before diving into the topic of how to write a thesis statement and what are the things that need to be kept in mind while writing a thesis statement, let us understand why one should write a thesis statement and the different usages of the same. Below are pointers that will help students, writers, readers, and general enthusiasts understand the use of a thesis statement:
- To direct one’s ideas and content in a particular way so that the passage does not go haywire and stays intact, as intended by the writer
- A thesis statement is usually given so that the reader is empowered with an introduction or the gist of the passage beforehand.
- A thesis statement will help a writer organise and articulate the argument with proper logic and analytical conclusions.
There are plenty of other usages of a thesis statement other than the ones mentioned above, and as and when you keep using it, you will understand how handy it becomes to use a thesis statement.
Where Are Thesis Statements Used?
The following are the areas where a thesis statement are commonly used:
- Essay writing
- Copywriting
- Novels
- Resume
- Project work
- Academic papers
- Assignments
- Examination
- Tests
- Columns
- Editorials, etc.
A thesis statement has a wide array of usages, and it depends on the writer on how well he or she can make use of them. Now that we understand the significance of a thesis statement and where it is used, let us look at how to write one.
How To Write a Thesis Statement?
The following pointers will guide you in writing a well-rounded and well-articulated thesis statement:
- A thesis statement should not be more than 15 words.
- The language of the thesis statement should be as simple as possible.
- The objective of a thesis statement is to summarise and simplify the content that is ahead of it in the passage.
- A thesis statement should be grammatically correct so that it leaves a good first impression on the reader.
- It has to have a proper direction so that it can guide both the reader and the writer.
- A thesis statement should be a strong one that has an argumentative tone to it and takes a just stand on the issue at hand.
There will be two situations most likely while writing a thesis statement:
- The thesis statement when a topic is assigned
- The thesis statement when a topic is not assigned
In both cases, the articulation of the thesis statement might vary, but the objective remains the same. In most cases, essay writing topics will be given, and writing a thesis statement in such cases is much easier since the writer will have an idea of the introduction, body, and conclusion of his or her essay.
On the other hand, if the topic sentence is not given, then in such scenarios, writing a thesis statement becomes a tricky one. There are two things that a writer can do to write a thesis statement when the topic is not given:
- Write a generalised thesis statement so that it falls in line with any type of content you write further in the article.
- The other way is to write a thesis statement at the end (after completion of your article) so that you will know how to simplify the statement since the content of the essay is written well before
What Things Go in a Thesis Statement?
A good thesis statement will contain:
- Stand on the subject-right, left, or neutral.
- Articulate one’s clear-cut idea without any deviation.
- Proper conclusion and justification
- Simplify the body of the passage ahead in the article.
Examples of Thesis Statements
In the next section, we will give examples of thesis statements for which a whole essay can be written about. We will also explain how the thesis statement was intended.
- Carbon dioxide and CFCs are the main contributors to global warming.
- Democracy is a necessary evil.
- Strengthening constitutional machinery is a sign of good democracy.
- Sri Lanka has slipped into an economic depression.
- India is the largest democracy in the world.
- The Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted the food supply of the world.
- Indian foreign policy has taken a strong stance on racism in America.
If one can observe keenly, in each of the thesis statements, we have articulated them in such a way that it not only tells the subject of the essay to the reader but also focuses on one main point. For example, in the essay, the first example doesn’t just talk about global warming but it talks about specific causes of global warming, which are carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons. In the same way, Indian foreign policy talks about not just racism but also has a strong take on racism in America, which is subject-specific and focuses on the proper direction. Each of the thesis statements mentioned above also takes a strong stance.
FAQs on Thesis Statements
The frequently asked questions on Thesis statements are given below:
Q1. Where are thesis statements used?
Ans: Thesis statements are used in resumes, project reports, academic papers, editorials, and essays.
Q2. How not to write a thesis statement?
Ans: Thesis statements should not be long and highly worded. It should be as simple and crisp as possible.
Q3. When should you write a thesis statement?
Ans: A thesis statement should be written at the beginning of the passage so that the readers are given a head start on the essay or passage.
Q4. How long should a thesis statement be?
Ans: A thesis statement should not be more than 15 words.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a thesis statement is a very important aspect of a write-up that has benefits both for the reader and the writer. A well-articulated and simply-worded thesis statement that takes a stand and expresses unidirectional ideas is what is required for a good start to a passage. A passage or an essay without a thesis statement will be hanging low and does not account for a good writeup.