A thesis statement helps unify a paper. It should summarize the main point and guide the paper's development. A thesis statement can be expressed in a sentence or two; however, check with your instructor for particular requirements.

General Rules for Writing a Thesis Statement:

1. A thesis statement makes an assertion; it is not a simple statement or observation. Fact or observation: More people are attending community colleges. Thesis: Community colleges are attracting more students because they offer job training programs as well as academic courses of study.
2. A thesis statement must be arguable/debateable. This is the difference between a report and a paper with a thesis statement.

• Report:“Donatello created art in many forms.”
• Thesis:“Donatello’s many art forms influenced all artists who came after him.”
• This is debatable because some people might have a difference of opinion with this statement.

3. A thesis takes a stand; it does not make an announcement. Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving the environmental problems of the Indian River Lagoon. Thesis: Solving the environmental problems of the Indian River Lagoon will prove more difficult than many people believe.

4. A thesis statement narrows the topic. Broad: The American automobile industry has many problems. Narrow: The primary problem facing the American automobile industry is competition from foreign auto makers.

5. A thesis statement is specific.

Points to Consider When Writing a Thesis Statement

1. Do not “telegraph” your thesis. A good thesis does not need to state “This paper will show” or "I hope to show." Your point should be apparent to readers.

2. How have you explained how? Why? A good thesis statement often answers the questions how or why.

Consider, for example, the following: The lifestyle of a teenager in the 1960s was very different from the lifestyle of most modern American teenagers. So what? Why should a reader continue? In what ways are the lifestyles of the youngsters different? Better versions of this statement might be: Because of advances in technology, the lifestyle of modern American teenagers is very different from the lifestyle of teens in the 1960s. (This statement says why the difference exists) Or . . . A young person in the 1960s had fewer options concerning entertainment, education, and career opportunities than do young adults today. (The essay could go on to support what the "options" were.)

3. Use the thesis while writing. A thesis serves a useful purpose: the writer can check the body of the paper against it, since it promises a reader what will follow. If the body contains other information, such as other major reasons for the differences cited, then the thesis might need to be revised.

4. Provide clear, specific support for the thesis statement. Example: High school graduates should be required to take two years off to serve in the military or pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness. The paper that follows should present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should serve in the military or pursue community projects before entering college.

Adapted from: University of California, Irvine: Writing an Effective Thesis Statement