Thesis

Make a Claim & List Evidence

Thesis Statement

Definition: A concise sentence that clearly articulates the main point or argument of an essay, article, or composition. The thesis statement should assert a clear position, make a debatable claim, and include a short list of evidence that will be used to prove the claim.

The thesis statement should be the last sentence of the introductory paragraph (referential, analytical, persuasive, & argumentative)
Persuasive essays that begin with a personal anecdote or similar hook, may position the thesis as the last sentence of the second paragraph.
The thesis is the essay in miniature. Taken out of the essay, it should express, indicate, or summarize the entire content of the composition.
An essay should contain no extraneous ideas or information that is not covered, indicated, or signaled by the thesis statement.

Thesis Components

(Elements of an Effective Thesis)

Clear Position: It states the writer's position or argument on the topic, making it clear what the essay will be about.
Specificity: It provides specific details that outline the main points or arguments that will be addressed in the paper, giving the reader a sense of what to expect.
Debatable Claim: A statement or assertion that expresses the main argument or point that the writer intends to prove or persuade the audience to accept. In argumentative and persuasive essays, the thesis should present a claim that can be debated or challenged, not common knowledge or matters of established fact.
- - A claim clearly states the concept or assertion to be proved with arguments, evidence, and reasoning.
  - Four Types of Claims: fact, definition, cause & effect, value, and policy.
  - See Claim for detailed information regarding the types and characteristics of rhetorical claims.
Scope & Focus: It defines the scope of the essay, indicating the boundaries of the topic and helping to focus the content on relevant information.
Evidence: List 3-5 categories of evidence that will be used to prove the overall claim of the essay.
- - Include an adjective before each article of evidence (e.g. ineffective diction, invalid arguments, and misleading evidence).
  - Items listed in the thesis should correlate to the body paragraphs of the essay. Topic sentences should contain the evidence or elements listed.

Thesis Characteristics

(Aspects of an Effective Thesis)

Clarity: An effective thesis statement should clearly convey the main point or argument of the essay without ambiguity or vagueness.
Specificity: It should be specific enough to guide the direction of the essay, outlining the main ideas and scope of the topic.
Debatable: In argumentative writing, the thesis should present a claim or argument that can be challenged or debated, rather than a simple statement of fact.
Focused: The thesis should be focused and not too broad, ensuring that the essay remains on topic and covers the subject matter in sufficient depth.
Concise: It should be concise, typically one or two sentences, effectively summarizing the central argument or point of the essay without unnecessary words.
Supportable: The thesis must be able to be supported by evidence and analysis throughout the essay, allowing the writer to provide a well-structured argument.
Positioned Early: An effective thesis statement is usually positioned at the end of the introductory paragraph, informing readers of the focus & claims without delay.
Engaging: It should engage the reader’s interest and provide insight into the writer's perspective, encouraging them to read further

Thesis Templates

(Thesis Statement Templates)

Referential (Expository or Informative)

[Main Topic], characterized by [key feature or aspect 1], [key feature or aspect 2], and [key feature or aspect 3], significantly influenced [specific area or field] by [impact or effect 1], [impact or effect 2], and [impact or effect 3].

Examples (Referential)

The Great Wall of China, a monumental feat of ancient engineering, not only served as a military defense mechanism but also played a crucial role in shaping China's cultural identity, facilitating trade along the Silk Road, and influencing architectural advancements in later centuries.
The development of renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, offers a viable solution to global energy challenges by reducing carbon emissions, creating sustainable energy sources, and fostering economic growth through green job creation.
The Renaissance period, characterized by a revival of classical learning and an explosion of artistic creativity, profoundly impacted European society by advancing humanism, influencing scientific exploration, and reshaping cultural and intellectual landscapes.

Rhetorical Analysis

Single Article: In "[Title of Work]," Sally Smith uses [adjective + element of rhetoric 1], [adjective + element of rhetoric 2], [adjective + element of rhetoric 3] to effectively/ineffectively persuade [target audience] that [primary claim] and to [call to action].
Multiple Articles: [Author 1], [author 2], and [author 3]'s rhetoric for/against [subject/controversy] is effective/ineffective due to [adjective + element of rhetoric 1], [adjective + element of rhetoric 2], [adjective + element of rhetoric 3].

Examples (Rhetorical Analysis)

Smith, Garza, and Appleton’s rhetoric against COVID-19 vaccinations is ineffective due to its reliance on flawed studies, emotionally charged partisan bandwagon appeals, and anecdotal exceptions claimed as evidence for all cases.
In "When the Kids Started Getting Sick," Eliza Griswold effectively persuades an audience of educated professionals that fracking poses a threat to human health by using precise language, sound reasoning, and compelling evidence linking fracking to cases of bone cancer.
In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King Jr. utilizes emotional appeals, historical references, and a strong ethical stance to effectively challenge the complacency of religious leaders and argue for the necessity of direct action in the fight against racial injustice.
Carlos Taylor’s rhetoric opposing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is ineffective due to its reliance on fear-mongering tactics, unverified health claims, and the disregard of well-established scientific research supporting GMO safety.
Johnson and Patel’s rhetoric denying climate change is ineffective because it hinges on cherry-picked data, appeals to economic fear, and ad hominem attacks on climate scientists, which undermine their credibility and logical consistency.
Miller and Thompson’s argument for mandatory school uniforms fails rhetorically due to its overreliance on false cause fallacies, emotionally manipulative appeals to discipline, and dismissal of counter-evidence regarding student individuality and performance.
Williams and Reed’s rhetoric against stricter gun control measures falters because it depends on slippery slope fallacies, fearmongering appeals to personal liberty, and the misrepresentation of statistical data, weakening their overall argument.
Simpson and Rodriguez’s pro-vegan rhetoric lacks effectiveness as it relies heavily on guilt-driven appeals to emotion, selective use of health studies, and an overgeneralization of environmental impacts, limiting its persuasive power for non-vegan audiences.
Turner and Lee’s rhetoric on social media’s harmful effects on mental health is weakened by its reliance on anecdotal horror stories, exaggeration of negative outcomes, and failure to account for nuanced or positive research, rendering their argument unbalanced and less persuasive.
Green and Cooper’s rhetoric in favor of Universal Basic Income is weakened by its overemphasis on idealistic emotional appeals, generalization of isolated case studies, and neglect of practical economic challenges, making their proposal seem unrealistic.

Argumentative

* Does not call readers to action.

[Main claim or assertion], as indicated by [adjective + evidence 1], [adjective + evidence 2], and [adjective + evidence 3], demonstrating [specific outcome or implication].
[Main subject] is [condition claim] because/due to [reason/argument 1], [reason/argument 2], and [reason/argument 3] causing [specific outcome or implication].

Examples (Argumentative)

The implementation of a carbon tax will effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, as shown by the success of similar policies in other countries, economic models showing decreased emissions, and expert consensus on its impact.
Social media platforms are accountable for the spread of misinformation, as demonstrated by documented cases of public harm, expert analyses on the influence of fake news, and legal precedents for corporate responsibility.
Research on the detrimental effects of plastic pollution, successful case studies of cities reducing waste, and the availability of eco-friendly alternatives support the fact that single-use plastics are harmful to the environment.
Fossil fuel companies are responsible for accelerating climate change, as shown by decades of scientific research, internal corporate documents revealing knowledge of environmental harm, and the legal precedents of environmental liability.
The United States would benefit from a universal healthcare system, as demonstrated by successful models in other developed countries, studies showing cost savings in the long term, and the moral imperative to provide equal access to medical care for all citizens.
The federal government's cancellation of student loan debt would alleviate the economic burden felt young adults, as supported by analyses of long-term financial instability, the disproportionate impact on marginalized groups, and historical examples of government intervention in economic crises.
Stricter gun control laws are necessary to reduce gun violence in the United States, as shown by statistical correlations between lenient regulations and higher crime rates, expert recommendations from public safety organizations, and the effectiveness of gun control policies in other countries.
The Texas Legislature should develop policies to address the economic disruption caused by artificial intelligence and job automation, as indicated by labor market trends, expert forecasts on future unemployment, and successful initiatives in transitioning workers to new industries.
The use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement should be strictly regulated to protect civil liberties, as demonstrated by documented instances of privacy violations, expert concerns over racial bias in AI algorithms, and the legal precedents surrounding the Fourth Amendment.

Persuasive (Proposal Claim)

*Calls readers to action.

The [stakeholder(s)] should do [solution] to solve [problem or controversy] because of [reason/argument 1], [reason/argument 2], and [reason/argument 3].
The [stakeholder(s)] should solve [problem or controversy] by doing [solution] because of [reason/argument 1], [reason/argument 2], and [reason/argument 3].
To solve [problem or controversy], the [stakeholder(s)] should do [solution] because of [reason/argument 1], [reason/argument 2], and [reason/argument 3].

Examples (Proposal Claim)

The Austin City Council should forbid police from pursuing suspects or using lethal force unless the initial alleged crime is a felony in order to end police brutality by avoiding unnecessary escalation, preventing accidents, and reducing systemic racism.
1. - To end police brutality, the Austin City Council should forbid police from pursuing suspects or using lethal force unless the initial alleged crime is a felony thereby avoiding unnecessary escalation, preventing accidents, and reducing systemic racism.
  - To end police brutality, avoid unnecessary escalation, prevent accidents, and reduce systemic racism, the Austin City Council should forbid police from pursuing suspects or using lethal force unless the initial alleged crime is a felony.
  - The Austin City Council should forbid police from pursuing suspects or using lethal force unless the initial alleged crime is a felony in order to end police brutality, avoid unnecessary escalation, prevent accidents, and reduce systemic racism.
The U.S. federal government should implement a universal basic income to alleviate poverty, reduce income inequality, and provide economic stability as automation continues to replace traditional jobs.
Austin Independent School District should incorporate mandatory financial literacy courses into all high school curricula to empower students with essential life skills, promote responsible financial decision-making, and prepare them for economic independence.
The Texas Department of Transportation should construct dedicated bike lanes on all major city roads to reduce traffic congestion, enhance cyclist safety, and promote sustainable transportation options.
Austin Independent School District should adopt a four-day school week with extended daily hours to reduce operational costs, improve student and teacher well-being, and enhance academic focus during classroom time.
The U.S. federal government should provide universal access to affordable, high-speed internet in rural areas to bridge the digital divide, boost economic development, and ensure equitable access to educational and healthcare resources.
All U.S. employers should offer paid parental leave for at least six months to promote healthier family dynamics, improve child development outcomes, and increase workplace retention and productivity.
The Austin City Council should implement a city-wide composting program for all residential and commercial properties to reduce landfill waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create valuable resources for local agriculture.
The University of Texas at Austin should eliminate standardized test score requirements for admissions in order to provide equal opportunities for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, reduce stress, and encourage a more holistic review of applicants.
The University of Texas at Austin should require all new campus buildings to meet LEED Gold certification standards to promote energy efficiency, reduce the university’s carbon footprint, and set an example for sustainable development in higher education institutions across the state.

Literary Analysis

In "[Title of Work]," Juan Gonzales uses [adjective + element of literature 1], [adjective + element of literature 2], [adjective + element of literature 3] to show/explain/analyze/prove/illustrate [theme/meaning of work].

Examples (Literary Analysis)

In "The Grave," Katherine Ann Porter uses a highly suggestive setting, deeply affective symbols, and clever characterization to illustrate the often painful assent into femininity and womanhood that almost every young woman must eventually face.
In "Sonnet 129," William Shakespeare uses forced meter, evocative diction, and the fading distinction between humanity and beasts to illustrate the idea that humans go mad in the pursuit of—and eventually in possession of—the objects they desire.
Samuel Beckett’s Endgame reflects characteristics of the Theatre of the Absurd with its minimalist stage setting, seemingly meaningless dialogue, and apocalyptic or nihilist vision.
Through the experience of one man, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass accurately depicts the historical record of slave life in its haunting descriptions of the often brutal and quixotic relationship between master and slave and of the fragmentation of slave families.
In “A Worn Path,” Eudora Welty demonstrates the strength of the archetypal mother in Phoenix Jackson whose determination, faith, and cunning illustrate the indomitable human, female, and motherly spirit.
In "The Danger of a Single Story," Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie employs personal anecdotes, evocative imagery, and a conversational tone to effectively illustrate the power of storytelling in shaping perceptions and to warn her audience about the risks of oversimplified narratives.