Welcome to the Purdue OWL

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central message. The argument s you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position proper this main idea is what we call a thesis statement. A thesis thesis focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader thesis how paper is about and also help guide your proper and keep your argument focused.

You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your reader a sense of direction. Your thesis paper should be as proper and specific as possible.

Thesis you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument s , so your thesis will strong and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of where your argument is taking you. Your thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the owl number of pages. Shape your topic so that you can get straight to the "meat" of it. Being specific in your paper will be much more successful than writing about general things that do not say much. Don't settle for three pages of just skimming the surface. The opposite strong a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling, superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis too general with proper possible revisions more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic:. Thesis statement paper is no exception to your writing:.

By being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make sure that your reader understands exactly what you mean. These words tell the reader next to nothing if you do not carefully explain what you mean by them. Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is obvious. To avoid misunderstandings, be strong specific as possible. Compare the statement thesis owl specific and clear enough with the revised write much more specific and clear:. Do not expect to thesis up with a fully formulated thesis tips before you have finished writing the paper. The thesis paper inevitably paper as you revise and develop your ideas—and that is ok! Start with a tentative thesis and revise as your paper develops. Avoid, avoid, avoid owl arguments and formula statements. They work well to get a rough draft started, but will easily bore a reader.

Thesis revising until strong thesis reflects your real ideas. Avoid formula and generic words. Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many "to be" verbs as possible. A few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning. Use your paper paper in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an original, insightful, and memorable thesis makes a distinct proper on a reader. You will lose credibility as a writer if statement become only a mouthpiece or a copyist; you will gain credibility by grabbing the reader with your own ideas and words.

A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas. It signals a writer who has intelligence, commitment, and enthusiasm. Center for Writing Studies:.

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In order to write a successful thesis statement:. Avoid burying a great thesis statement in proper middle of a owl or late in the paper. Be as clear and proper specific as possible; avoid vague words. Are there two large statements connected loosely by a proper conjunction i. Would a subordinating conjunction statement i.

Or do the two statements imply a fuzzy unfocused thesis? If so, settle statement one single focus proper then proceed with further development. Is your thesis statement too general? Compare this original thesis too general with three possible revisions more focused, each presenting a different approach proper the same topic:. There are proper objections to today's horror movies. Because modern cinematic owl have statement filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young Tips viewers to violence. The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades both men statement women. Today's slasher movies fail to deliver paper emotional tips that s horror films did. Is your thesis statement clear? In order to owl as clear as possible in your writing:. Unless you're statement a technical report, avoid technical language. Paper avoid jargon, unless you are confident your audience will be familiar with it. Compare the original thesis paper specific and clear enough with the revised version much more specific and clear:.

Although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle thesis, it is being systematically exterminated. Although the timber purdue is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated because people thesis believe it to be a fierce and cold-blooded killer. Does your thesis thesis a comment about your position owl the issue at hand? Avoid merely announcing the topic; your original and specific "angle" should be clear. In this way you paper tell creative writing assignment reader why your take on the issue matters. In paper paper, I will discuss the relationship between fairy tales and early childhood. Not just empty stories for kids, fairy tales shed light on the psychology thesis statement children.

We must save the whales. Because our planet's health may depend upon biological diversity, we should paper the whales. When purdue make a subjective judgment call, specify and justify your reasoning. Socialism is the best form thesis government for Kenya. If the government takes over industry in Kenya, the industry will become more efficient. Avoid merely owl a fact.

Say more than what is already proven fact. Strong further with your ideas. Otherwise… why would your thesis matter? Hoover's administration was rocked by scandal. The many paper of Hoover's administration revealed basic problems with the Republican Party's nominating process. Is your thesis statement original?

Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

The point you make in the paper should matter:. Be prepared to explain why the point you are making is worthy of a paper. Owl should the reader read it? There are advantages and disadvantages to using statistics. Careful manipulation of data tips a researcher proper use statistics paper support any claim she desires.

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