How to Write a Thesis Statement | 3 Steps & Examples

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. It usually comes near the end of your introduction.

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

Table of contents

  1. Coming up with a thesis

  2. Improving your thesis statement

  3. Placement of the thesis statement

  4. What makes a good thesis statement?

  5. Frequently asked questions about thesis statements


Coming up with a thesis

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis, early in the writing process. As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic, you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

Step 1: Start with a question

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

Here’s an example of an argumentative essay question that asks you to take a side in a debate:

Has the the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?

If you have to write an expository essay about an important invention, you might ask:

How did the invention of the printing press change European society?

In a literary analysis essay about the novel Frankenstein, your question could be:

How does Mary Shelley portray the character of Victor Frankenstein?

Step 2: Write your initial answer

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the process of researching and writing.

If you’re writing an argumentative essay, the answer should pick a side and take a position on the issue.

The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.

The invention of the printing press meant more people had access to information.

Shelley portrays Victor Frankenstein in a negative light.

Step 3: Develop your answer

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you.

As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed. The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument.

In our essay about the internet and education, the thesis states our position and sketches out the key arguments we’ll use to support it.