Ask OASIS A thesis statement tells the reader the main topic of your paper (the “what”) and the claim you will make about the topic (the “why”). In other words, it presents the main argument and purpose of your paper. Sometimes, a thesis statement may outline the general organization of your paper to prepare the reader for the structure of your argument (the “how”).
Basics
A thesis statement is the foundation of strong academic writing. It’s one of the most important sentences of your paper since it guides your writing and the reader’s understanding. Typically, a thesis statement appears at the end of your introduction. A thesis statement should be concise, specific, and arguable.
Concise
A thesis statement is short, usually just one or two sentences for a shorter paper. A longer, complex paper, such as a dissertation, may have a longer thesis statement (but no more than a paragraph).
Specific
A thesis statement deals with a narrow and focused topic, appropriate to the paper's length.
Arguable
A thesis statement establishes your stance on a topic, and that stance should be arguable. In other words, scholars in your field could disagree (or perhaps already have!). After presenting your stance in the thesis statement, you will support that claim with evidence throughout the body of your paper.
Example: Establishing a universal healthcare system in the United States could improve public health outcomes by reducing overall medical costs, ensuring equitable access to services, and lowering rates of chronic disease.
In just one sentence, this thesis statement concisely presents the specific topic of establishing a universal healthcare system in the United States and its impact on public health (the “what”). The writer argues that such an establishment would improve public health outcomes (the “why”). The key supporting evidence of reducing medical costs, ensuring equitable access, and lowering disease rates likely outlines the structure of this writer’s argument (the “how”).Thesis Statements vs. Purpose Statements
At Walden, you’re likely to encounter different kinds of writing tasks in your courses. Many of these tasks will be argument-based in which case a thesis statement is needed. However, some other writing tasks may not require you to make an academic argument; in these situations, it is appropriate to use a purpose statement.
A thesis statement presents the main topic of your paper and the claim you will make about that topic. It should be concise, specific, and arguable. Thesis statements are used in argumentative writing.
Argumentative Writing
Argumentative writing is a common form of scholarly writing that allows writers to engage with existing research and contribute their own knowledge to the field. By making a claim and supporting it with evidence and reasoning, writers enter academic conversations, challenge ideas, put forth new ideas, and advance discussions in their discipline. Argumentative writing might present topics through cause and effect, problem and solution, or a comparison of viewpoints.
Example Argumentative Thesis Statement
While cognitive, behavioral, and emotional psychological approaches each provide valuable insights into human behavior, cognitive approaches are the most effective methods for addressing anxiety and stress since they help individuals identify and challenge maladaptive thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and promote healthier thinking.
This thesis statement presents the specific topic (psychological approaches for addressing anxiety and stress), the writer’s arguable stance on the topic (that cognitive approaches are most effective), and key supporting evidence that may outline the structure of the argument (cognitive approaches can help identify and challenge maladaptive thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and promote healthier thinking).
Some of your assignments may not explicitly ask you to take a stance on a topic but still require an arguable thesis statement. These assignments often involve analysis, evaluation, or interpretation where you develop a perspective based on evidence rather than simply summarizing information.
A purpose statement is similar to a thesis statement since both share the main topic with the reader in a specific and concise manner. As the name suggests, a purpose statement outlines the intent or focus of a paper but doesn’t necessarily make an argument. Instead of making a well-supported claim about a topic, a purpose statement clarifies what a writer wants to explore, explain, or analyze. Purpose statements are used in writing that is not argument-based, like expository and analytical writing.
Expository Writing
Expository writing explains or describes a topic to readers using facts and evidence. Expository writing might present topics through definition, classification, compare and contrast, or description of a process.
An expository purpose statement should explain what the reader will learn in the paper, and it often previews the organization of the paper by listing topics and sub-topics in the order they will be discussed.
Example Expository Purpose Statement
Psychologists study human behavior through various lenses, such as cognitive, behavioral, and emotional approaches, to gain insight into how people think, feel, and interact with others.
In this purpose statement, the writer has clearly stated their focus on explaining how and why psychologists study human behavior. The reader can expect that the paper will include information about the kinds of lenses used by psychologists and the types of insights gained by using those lenses. It’s likely that the writer will discuss the lenses and the insights gained in the order each are listed.
Analytical Writing
Analytical writing critically analyzes, evaluates, and draws conclusions about a topic to provide insight and deepen readers’ understanding of a subject. Analytical writing might present topics through compare and contrast, cause and effect, problem and solution, or process analysis.
An analytical purpose statement should identify what is being analyzed, explain how it is being evaluated, and summarize the conclusions drawn from that analysis.
Example Analytical Purpose Statement
Based on my interview with a clinical psychologist, I examine the strengths and limitations of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional approaches in explaining human behavior, ultimately identifying cognitive-behavioral strategies as the most effective for addressing anxiety and stress in my future clients.
In this purpose statement, the writer identifies that an interview transcript will be analyzed to evaluate the strengths of three psychological approaches. The writer summarizes their conclusion that cognitive-behavioral strategies will best serve their future clients who have anxiety and stress. Although the writer is taking a stance that cognitive-behavioral approaches are best for their future clients, it is not as robust as an argument made in a thesis statement. This claim is based on an analysis of a single interview rather than a variety of peer-reviewed sources.
Advice for Writing a Strong Thesis Statement
Writing a thesis statement is not an easy task. Before writing, it’s important to research and read about your topic. This process will help you determine what has already been said about your topic and where you can make a claim to push the conversation forward. Here are some things to remember as you draft your thesis statement.
Make a Claim (Not a “Blueprint”)
A thesis statement needs to make a claim. It can be tempting to share a “blueprint” with the reader by telling them what you will do in your paper without actually making your argument clear.
The purpose of this essay is to monitor, assess, and evaluate an educational program for its strengths and weaknesses. Then, I will provide suggestions for improvement.
In this example, the writer has simply stated the assignment guidelines, without making a claim about the topic. The writer has shared “the how” by outlining what they will do in the paper, but they have not clearly stated “the what” (the specific topic) and “the why” (the claim about the topic).
To improve Kennedy High School’s antibullying program, administrators should implement evidence-based training and recruit community sponsors.
In this revision, the writer makes a claim (“to improve” and “should implement”) about a specific topic (“Kennedy High School’s antibullying program”). It is clear that the writer has thought through the assignment and analyzed the material rather than just restating the assignment prompt.
Create a “Healthy” Debate
A thesis statement should create a “healthy” debate, meaning there are people who agree and others who disagree with the claim. If a claim states an obvious fact or summary, it is not arguable, since no one would disagree.
Leadership is an important quality in nurse educators.
A good strategy to determine if your thesis statement is arguable is to ask yourself, "Would a scholar in my field disagree with this point?" Here, we can see that no scholar is likely to argue that leadership is an unimportant quality in nurse educators. The writer needs to come up with a more arguable claim, and probably a narrower one; remember that a short paper needs a more focused topic than a dissertation.
Roderick's (2021) theory of participatory leadership is particularly appropriate for nurse educators working within the emergency medicine field, where students benefit most from collegial and kinesthetic learning.
Here, the writer has identified a specific type of leadership ("participatory leadership"), narrowing the topic, and has made an arguable claim (that this type of leadership is "appropriate" to a specific type of nurse educator). Conceivably, a scholar in the nursing field might disagree with this approach.
Leave Room for Discussion
In addition to being arguable, a thesis statement should leave room for discussion. This means avoiding “all-or-nothing” claims. Strong language, such as “always,” “never,” “must,” and “only” should be used carefully to ensure that the thesis statement does not shut out other opinions and perspectives.
There are always alternatives to illegal drug use.
This thesis statement makes a claim that someone could disagree with, but it is not a claim that will sustain extended discussion. What further points can be made? If there are "always alternatives" to the problem the writer is identifying, then why bother developing a paper around that claim? Ideally, a thesis statement should be complex enough to explore over the length of the entire paper.
The most effective treatment plan for methamphetamine addiction may be a combination of pharmacological and cognitive therapy.
In this revision, the writer makes a specific, debatable claim that has the potential to generate several pages' worth of discussion. When drafting a thesis statement, think about the questions your thesis statement will generate. What follow-up inquiries might a reader have? In the first example, there are almost no additional questions implied, but the revised example allows for much more exploration and discussion.
Choose the Right Words
A concise, specific, and arguable thesis statement should be clearly communicated to the reader. This means avoiding informal language and excessive jargon. Choosing precise, field-specific terms that are accessible to the reader will help you develop a strong scholarly voice.
Scholars should work to seize metacognitive outcomes by harnessing discipline-based networks to empower collaborative infrastructures.
There are many words in this sentence that may be buzzwords in the writer's field or key terms from other texts, but together they do not communicate a clear, specific meaning. Scholarly writing does not require complex sentences using special language—it’s often more effective to write clear, simple sentences. When in doubt, remember that your ideas should be complex, not your sentence structure.
Ecologists should work to educate the U.S. public on conservation methods by making use of local and national green organizations to create a widespread communication plan.
Notice in the revision that the field is now clear (ecology), and the language has been made much more field-specific ("conservation methods," "green organizations"), so the reader is able to concretely see the ideas the writer is communicating.
Getting Started
If you’re not sure how to begin writing your thesis statement, try using one of these sentence frames to get your ideas flowing. These models are intended for drafting purposes, helping you create a “working thesis.” As you write and refine your argument, this draft of your thesis statement usually evolves.
Sentence Frame 1
In this essay, I argue _________, using ___________ to assert ___________.
Sentence Frame 2
While scholars have often argued _________,
I argue __________, because __________.
Sentence Frame 3
Through an analysis of _________, I argue ___________, which is important because ___________.
Thesis Statement Checklist
After you write the first draft of your thesis statement, ask yourself the following questions or ask an instructor, classmate, or friend to give you feedback. If your thesis statement is strong, the answer to each of these questions should be “Yes.”
Remember, if you answer “No” to any of the questions, it doesn’t mean you need to start over. A “working thesis” is meant to evolve as you research, write, and receive feedback.
- Is my thesis statement focused on a specific topic?
- Is my argument debatable? Would others disagree?
- Is my topic complex enough that I can develop a paper around it?
- Is my thesis statement concise (1-2 sentences)?
- Did I use clear and field-specific language?
Key Takeaways
- A strong thesis statement has a specific topic, makes an arguable claim, and is written in a concise manner.
- The language used in a thesis statement is clear and field-specific rather than complex and full of jargon.
- A “working thesis” evolves into a strong thesis statement through drafting and revision as your ideas develop.