Developing Thesis Statements
The term "thesis" means "conclusion"
In academic writing within North American contexts, the central conclusion of an academic argument is expected to be stated clearly at the outset of the paper in an introductory paragraph. This clear statement of an overarching conclusion is referred to as a thesis statement.
When you're not accustomed to them, thesis statements can feel rude as they function as spoilers, ruining the reader's ability to discover the conclusion as the paper naturally builds towards it.
Think of readers as too impatient to wait for the conclusion at the end. They want to know the conclusion up front and use it to control their reading experience as they skim and look strategically for central arguments.
If the thesis is your major conclusion, then it will most naturally appear in the concluding paragraph of your first draft.
It's fine to write towards your conclusion. Once you discover it, though, make sure you take it from the bottom of your essay and put it on top in the introductory paragraph.
> Activity: Spot the thesis statement
A
This paper seeks to explore the psychological and emotional benefits derived from cat ownership and the underlying reasons behind their existence. It concludes with insight into the significant benefits of cat ownership.
B
In this paper, I first discuss the healing companionship offered by domesticated cats before demonstrating that responsibility for caring for them can provide a sense of fulfillment and purpose for cat owners. I then suggest that cat ownership can be a source of interest-based social connection that can further address isolation and loneliness.
C
In this paper, I demonstrate that domesticated cats have positive psychological and emotional benefits for their owners because they provide healing companionship, require caregiving responsibilities, and facilitate social connections.
D
In this paper, I ask: what are the psychological and emotional benefits derived from cat ownership and what are the underlying reasons behind their existence?
Answer:
If thesis statements are spoilers, giving away the answer to the question motivating an essay, then we have to look for the example above that offers actual answers.
We can see that D is the RESEARCH QUESTION itself. It sets out the essay prompt, but does not offer the answers.
A revises the prompt into a statement but still doesn't offer answers. A is a STATEMENT OF INTENT or PURPOSES. It looks a lot like a thesis statement, but you can tell that it isn't one because it doesn't offer answers and spoil the essay to come.
B gives more detail about what will be explored and said in the body of the paper and in what order, but it doesn't explain why these things are being said in the first place. B is a ROAD MAP for the paper, not a thesis statement.
You guessed it. That leaves C as the thesis statement here. It explains the major answers to the research question motivating the essay.
Note: Thesis statements are different from statements of purpose, research questions, and paper road maps.
Research questions are natural starting places for developing thesis statements
Research questions can help you formulate a clear thesis statement!
Sometimes the essay prompt is in the form of a question, and you can rely on it to help you formulate a thesis/answer statement.
Other times, you're given general essay topics and your first task is to do the work required to formulate a good (aka answerable) question.
Pro tip: when transforming a topic into a research question, think about the themes and major issues explored in your course.
Can you formulate a question about your topic using those themes or major issues?
Bring your argument to the next level!
Thesis statements offer a succinct description of the central conclusion that your essay unpacks. To elevate your argument, follow them up with a statement of significance, sometimes called a "so what?!" statement.
To develop a statement of significance, as yourself:
So what? Who cares? Why does it matter?
Think about these questions in relation to course themes and critical issues.
If your thesis has to do with the mental health benefits of pet ownership and the course explores urban housing policy, your essay should raise questions about how no-pet rental policies discriminate against renters...