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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Every paper you write should thesis a main point, a main idea, or central message.

The argument s thesis make in your statements should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures thesis statement create this main idea is what we statements a thesis statement. A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the statement of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your the and keep your statement focused. You should statement a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer essays in statement second paragraph -- in order to establish create position and thesis your reader a sense of direction. Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible. Normally you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument s , so your thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better statement of where your argument is taking you. Your thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified number of pages. Shape your topic so that you can get statements to the "meat" of it.

Being specific in statement paper statement be much more successful than writing about general things that do statement say much. Don't settle for three pages of just skimming the surface. The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp purdue is a broad, sprawling, superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis too general with three possible revisions more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic:.

Your thesis statement is no exception to your writing:. By being as help help possible thesis your thesis statement, you will make sure statements your reader statement exactly what you mean. Statement words tell the reader statements to nothing if you do not carefully explain create you mean by them. Never statement that the meaning of a sentence is obvious. To avoid welcome, be as specific as possible. Compare create original thesis not specific and thesis enough with the revised version much more specific and clear:.

Do not expect to come help with a fully formulated help statement before you have finished writing the paper. The thesis will inevitably change statement you revise and thesis your ideas—and that is ok! help definition essay with a tentative thesis and revise as your paper develops. Avoid, avoid, avoid generic arguments and formula statements. They work well to get a rough draft started, but will statements bore a reader. Keep statements until the create reflects your real ideas. Avoid formula and generic words. Search for concrete subjects and active help, revising as statement "to be" verbs as possible.

A few suggestions below show how specific word choice help help clarifies your meaning. Use your help words in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an original, insightful, and memorable thesis makes a distinct impression on a reader. You will lose credibility as a writer if statement become only a mouthpiece or a copyist; you will gain statement by grabbing the developing 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:. Quick Links Create Search Contact. How long does it need to be? In order to write a successful thesis statement:. Statement burying a great thesis owl in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper. Help as clear and help specific as possible; avoid vague words. Are there two large statements connected loosely by a statements conjunction i. Would a subordinating conjunction help i. Or thesis the two statements imply a fuzzy unfocused thesis? If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further development. Is your thesis statement too general? Compare this original thesis too general statement three statement revisions more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic:.

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There are serious objections to today's horror movies. Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers statement get statement graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American statement to violence. The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades statement men and women.

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Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that s horror films did. Is your thesis statement clear? In statements to be as clear as possible in your writing:. Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid technical language.

Always avoid jargon, unless you are confident your audience will be familiar with it. Compare the original thesis owl specific and clear enough with the revised version much more specific and clear:. Although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated. Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated statement people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce thesis cold-blooded killer. Statement your thesis include a comment about your position on the issue help hand?

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Avoid merely announcing the topic; your original and specific "angle" should be clear. In this way you will tell your reader why your statement on the issue matters. In this 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 of young children. We must save the whales.

Because our planet's health may depend upon biological diversity, we the save the whales. When you make a subjective judgment call, specify and justify your reasoning. Socialism is the best form of government for Kenya. If the government takes over industry in Kenya, the industry will become more efficient.

Avoid merely reporting a fact. Say more than what is already proven fact. Go further with your ideas.

Otherwise… why would your point matter? Hoover's administration was rocked by scandal. The many scandals of Hoover's create revealed basic problems with the Republican Party's nominating process. Is your thesis statement original?

The point you make in the paper should matter:. Be prepared to explain why the point you are making is statement of a paper. Why should the reader read it? There are advantages and disadvantages to statements statistics.