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Chapter 4
How Do I Write a Thesis Statement?
Writing is a deliberate act; one has to make up one's mind to do it.
JAMES BRITTON
What do you want to discover through your research? In what order will you present your ideas? An effective thesis statement is designed to answer these questions. That's why, once you've narrowed your topic, it's time to turn your attention to your thesis statement, which is the central point you're proving.
Requirements for a Thesis Statement
Here are the five basic requirements for a thesis statement:
1. It states the topic of the research paper, the main idea.
2. It shows the purpose of your essay; in this case, to persuade your readers that your point is valid and deserves serious consideration.
3. It shows the direction of your argument. As a result, a good thesis statement implies (or states) the order in which your ideas will be presented.

 

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4. It is written in focused, specific language.
5. It is interesting, showing a clear voice and style.
Since your thesis statement is the backbone of your paper, spend the time to craft it exactly as you want and need it to be. Here's how to do that.
List Topics
What do you want to know about your subject? What questions do you want answered? Start by listing topics and possible subtopics.
Example:
Here's how one writer started writing a thesis statement for a research paper on the women's movement.
Topic
Contemporary women and work
Possible subtopics
High-quality education
 
Appropriate training
 
Pay gap between men and women
 
Enormous progress in workforce
 
Economic necessity for work
 
Women and the "second shift"
 
Women's traditional roles
 
Women taking "men's jobs"
 
Personal satisfaction from work
 
Fight against discrimination
 
The "glass ceiling"
 
Personal ambition
 
Restricted jobs/"women's work"
 
"Pink-collar jobs"
 
"White-collar jobs"
 
"Blue-collar jobs"
 
Sexual harassment on the job
 
Sexual stereotypes about women
 
Child care
 
Women's movement

Don't be afraid to make your list too long, since your purpose at this point is to see how many subtopics you can

 

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generate. In addition, you don't know how much information you can get on each of these subtopics. As a result, this list includes specific details as well as broad topics.
By developing and refining your list of subtopics while forming your thesis statement, you won't lose time by having to double back later. But keep in mind that this is a first step; everything is carved in sand, not granite.
Having trouble? A number of computer software programs can help you with this step in your research paper. You may wish to try one and see if it suits your needs.
Draft a Thesis Statement
After you have narrowed your topic and drafted a list of ideas, you're ready to write a preliminary thesis statement. How can you turn this list of subtopics into a thesis statement?
1. Sort the ideas into categories.
2. Select the categories you want to use.
3. Formulate your thesis around these categories.
4. Write your thesis as a declarative sentence.
5. Be open to revision.
Follow this pattern:
[I expect to prove] an assertion about your topic.
Example:
Topic: Contemporary women and work
Training
Discrimination
High-quality education
The "glass ceiling"
Appropriate training
Pay gap between men and women
 
"Pink-collar jobs"
 
"White-collar jobs"
 
"Blue-collar jobs"
 
Women taking "men's jobs"
 
Restricted jobs/"women's work"
 
Sexual harassment on the job

 

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Reasons Women Work
Pressures
Personal satisfaction
Women and the "second shift"
Economic necessity
Women's traditional roles
Ambition
Sexual stereotypes about women
 
Child care

Tentative Thesis Statements
1. Women won't achieve true equality in the workforce until outmoded sexual stereotypes, discrimination, sexual harassment, and internal as well as external pressures are eliminated.
2. We've come a long way, baby, but women still face significant pressure and discrimination in the work force.
3. With quality education and training, female workers can overcome the discrimination and pressure they face in many jobs.
4. Despite pressure and discrimination, women have made great strides in the workforce.
5. The women's movement has been instrumental in eliminating much of the discrimination and harassment women face on the job.
Let's look at the first tentative thesis statement.
Example:
Women won't achieve true equality in the workforce until outmoded sexual stereotypes, discrimination, sexual harassment, and internal as well as external pressures are eliminated.
Thesis: Women have yet to achieve equality in the workforce.
Main points in order:
1. Discrimination must be eliminated.
2. Outmoded sexual stereotypes must be eliminated.
3. Sexual harassment must be eliminated.
4. Internal as well as external pressures must be eliminated.
Research may lead you to revise your thesis, even disprove it, but stating it up front points you in the direction of your investigation.
Sample Thesis Statements
Many writers use models to help them shape and evaluate their work. Here are some sample thesis statements that you

 

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can use as models for a paper of 7–10 pages. Compare these statements to the one you are writing.
Examples:
Too General
On Target
Rain forests are irreplaceable.
Rain forests must be preserved because they offer people many resources we cannot replace.
Too Narrow
On Target
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is an excellent programs
Some designed to eliminate drunk driving have been program effective, but far more efforts are needed, especially concerning teenager drunk driving.
Too General
On Target
"The Yellow Wallpaper" is a great short story.
The wallpaper in "The Yellow Wallpaper" symbolizes the narrator's suffocating life.
Too Narrow
On Target
Bilingual education helps students maintain their native language
Bilingual education should be continued because it preserves students' heritage as well as their native language.
Too General
On Target
Bilingual education isn't effective
Bilingual education should be eliminated because it limits students' success, burdens students unfairly, and isn't cost-effective.
Too Narrow
On Target
A flat tax helps tax accountants
A flat tax would benefit the government, business, and consumers.
Too General
On Target
The cafeteria isn't very good
The cafeteria could attract more business if it improved the quality of its food, its appearance, and the attitude of the staff.

 

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Check Your Work
Use this checklist to evaluate your thesis statement:
_____ 1. The thesis statement clearly states the main idea of my research paper.
_____ 2. The thesis statement indicates that I am writing a persuasive essay.
_____ 3. From the thesis statement, readers can see the order in which my ideas will be presented.
_____ 4. The thesis statement uses specific language rather than vague, general terms.
_____ 5. The thesis statement is interesting, lively, intriguing; it makes my audience want to read the entire paper.
_____ 6. If the thesis statement is in response to an assignment, it fulfills the requirements and meets the parameters.
_____ 7. The thesis statement is the appropriate scope for the assignment, neither too broad nor too general.
_____ 8. The thesis statement shows evidence of original thought and effort. The topic is fresh and worth my effort to write.
In this chapter, you found out how to write a thesis statement—and why! Stay tuned for the inside scoop on finding the information you need. It's all in Chapter 5.

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