• Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements

The following video offers a definition of thesis statements, and guidance for finding thesis statements as you read.

Pay attention to the difference between explicit thesis statements and implicit (or implied ) thesis statements .

(This video was made for a specific class, so it will make references to assignments that won’t apply to you. You can also stop watching at 6:00, since the video then proceeds to writing thesis statements, which is not our focus at the moment.)

  • Video: Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
  • Locating, Evaluating, & Writing Thesis Statements. Authored by : H Ortiz. Located at : https://youtu.be/8a0T_ySxda8 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
  • Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (available upon sign-in)

  • Overview of Instructor Resources
  • Quiz Survey

Reading: Types of Reading Material

  • Introduction to Reading
  • Outcome: Types of Reading Material
  • Characteristics of Texts, Part 1
  • Characteristics of Texts, Part 2
  • Characteristics of Texts, Part 3
  • Characteristics of Texts, Conclusion
  • Self Check: Types of Writing

Reading: Reading Strategies

  • Outcome: Reading Strategies
  • The Rhetorical Situation
  • Academic Reading Strategies
  • Self Check: Reading Strategies

Reading: Specialized Reading Strategies

  • Outcome: Specialized Reading Strategies
  • Online Reading Comprehension
  • How to Read Effectively in Math
  • How to Read Effectively in the Social Sciences
  • How to Read Effectively in the Sciences
  • 5 Step Approach for Reading Charts and Graphs
  • Self Check: Specialized Reading Strategies

Reading: Vocabulary

  • Outcome: Vocabulary
  • Strategies to Improve Your Vocabulary
  • Using Context Clues
  • The Relationship Between Reading and Vocabulary
  • Self Check: Vocabulary

Reading: Thesis

  • Outcome: Thesis
  • The Organizational Statement
  • Self Check: Thesis

Reading: Supporting Claims

  • Outcome: Supporting Claims
  • Types of Support
  • Supporting Claims
  • Self Check: Supporting Claims

Reading: Logic and Structure

  • Outcome: Logic and Structure
  • Rhetorical Modes
  • Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
  • Diagramming and Evaluating Arguments
  • Logical Fallacies
  • Evaluating Appeals to Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
  • Self Check: Logic and Structure

Reading: Summary Skills

  • Outcome: Summary Skills
  • How to Annotate
  • Paraphrasing
  • Quote Bombs
  • Summary Writing
  • Self Check: Summary Skills
  • Conclusion to Reading

Writing Process: Topic Selection

  • Introduction to Writing Process
  • Outcome: Topic Selection
  • Starting a Paper
  • Choosing and Developing Topics
  • Back to the Future of Topics
  • Developing Your Topic
  • Self Check: Topic Selection

Writing Process: Prewriting

  • Outcome: Prewriting
  • Prewriting Strategies for Diverse Learners
  • Rhetorical Context
  • Working Thesis Statements
  • Self Check: Prewriting

Writing Process: Finding Evidence

  • Outcome: Finding Evidence
  • Using Personal Examples
  • Performing Background Research
  • Listening to Sources, Talking to Sources
  • Self Check: Finding Evidence

Writing Process: Organizing

  • Outcome: Organizing
  • Moving Beyond the Five-Paragraph Theme
  • Introduction to Argument
  • The Three-Story Thesis
  • Organically Structured Arguments
  • Logic and Structure
  • The Perfect Paragraph
  • Introductions and Conclusions
  • Self Check: Organizing

Writing Process: Drafting

  • Outcome: Drafting
  • From Outlining to Drafting
  • Flash Drafts
  • Self Check: Drafting

Writing Process: Revising

  • Outcome: Revising
  • Seeking Input from Others
  • Responding to Input from Others
  • The Art of Re-Seeing
  • Higher Order Concerns
  • Self Check: Revising

Writing Process: Proofreading

  • Outcome: Proofreading
  • Lower Order Concerns
  • Proofreading Advice
  • "Correctness" in Writing
  • The Importance of Spelling
  • Punctuation Concerns
  • Self Check: Proofreading
  • Conclusion to Writing Process

Research Process: Finding Sources

  • Introduction to Research Process
  • Outcome: Finding Sources
  • The Research Process
  • Finding Sources
  • What are Scholarly Articles?
  • Finding Scholarly Articles and Using Databases
  • Database Searching
  • Advanced Search Strategies
  • Preliminary Research Strategies
  • Reading and Using Scholarly Sources
  • Self Check: Finding Sources

Research Process: Source Analysis

  • Outcome: Source Analysis
  • Evaluating Sources
  • CRAAP Analysis
  • Evaluating Websites
  • Synthesizing Sources
  • Self Check: Source Analysis

Research Process: Writing Ethically

  • Outcome: Writing Ethically
  • Academic Integrity
  • Defining Plagiarism
  • Avoiding Plagiarism
  • Using Sources in Your Writing
  • Self Check: Writing Ethically

Research Process: MLA Documentation

  • Introduction to MLA Documentation
  • Outcome: MLA Documentation
  • MLA Document Formatting
  • MLA Works Cited
  • Creating MLA Citations
  • MLA In-Text Citations
  • Self Check: MLA Documentation
  • Conclusion to Research Process

Grammar: Nouns and Pronouns

  • Introduction to Grammar
  • Outcome: Nouns and Pronouns
  • Pronoun Cases and Types
  • Pronoun Antecedents
  • Try It: Nouns and Pronouns
  • Self Check: Nouns and Pronouns

Grammar: Verbs

  • Outcome: Verbs
  • Verb Tenses and Agreement
  • Non-Finite Verbs
  • Complex Verb Tenses
  • Try It: Verbs
  • Self Check: Verbs

Grammar: Other Parts of Speech

  • Outcome: Other Parts of Speech
  • Comparing Adjectives and Adverbs
  • Adjectives and Adverbs
  • Conjunctions
  • Prepositions
  • Try It: Other Parts of Speech
  • Self Check: Other Parts of Speech

Grammar: Punctuation

  • Outcome: Punctuation
  • End Punctuation
  • Hyphens and Dashes
  • Apostrophes and Quotation Marks
  • Brackets, Parentheses, and Ellipses
  • Semicolons and Colons
  • Try It: Punctuation
  • Self Check: Punctuation

Grammar: Sentence Structure

  • Outcome: Sentence Structure
  • Parts of a Sentence
  • Common Sentence Structures
  • Run-on Sentences
  • Sentence Fragments
  • Parallel Structure
  • Try It: Sentence Structure
  • Self Check: Sentence Structure

Grammar: Voice

  • Outcome: Voice
  • Active and Passive Voice
  • Using the Passive Voice
  • Conclusion to Grammar
  • Try It: Voice
  • Self Check: Voice

Success Skills

  • Introduction to Success Skills
  • Habits for Success
  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management
  • Writing in College
  • Computer-Based Writing
  • Conclusion to Success Skills

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  • Knowledge Base
  • How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

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.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

  • Start with a question
  • Write your initial answer
  • Develop your answer
  • Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

  • Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
  • Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
  • Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

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.

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?

For example, you might ask:

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 research process and writing process .

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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.

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

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

  • Why you hold this position
  • What they’ll learn from your essay
  • The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

  • In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
  • In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

  • Ad hominem fallacy
  • Post hoc fallacy
  • Appeal to authority fallacy
  • False cause fallacy
  • Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

  • Choosing Essay Topic
  • Write a College Essay
  • Write a Diversity Essay
  • College Essay Format & Structure
  • Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

  • It gives your writing direction and focus.
  • It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

  • Ask a question about your topic .
  • Write your initial answer.
  • Develop your answer by including reasons.
  • Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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Stating and Using a Thesis

Most pieces of effective writing are unified around one main point. That is, all the subpoints and supporting details are relevant to that point. Generally, after you have read an essay, you can sum up the writer’s main point in a sentence, even if the author has not stated it explicitly. We call this summary statement a thesis .

Explicit Thesis. Often a thesis will be explicit, plainly stated, in the selection itself. In “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named María” from The Latin Deli (University of Georgia Press, 1993), Judith Ortiz Cofer states her thesis at the end of the first paragraph: “You can leave the Island, master the English language, and travel as far as you can, but if you are a Latina, especially one like me who so obviously belongs to Rita Moreno’s gene pool, the Island travels with you.” This clear statement, strategically placed, helps readers see her point.

Implicit Thesis. Sometimes a thesis is implicit, indirectly suggested rather than directly stated. In “The Niceness Solution,” a selection from Bruce Bawer’s Beyond Queer (Free Press, 1996), Paul Varnell describes an ordinance “banning rude behavior, including rude speech,” passed in Raritan, New Jersey. After discussing a 1580 code of conduct, he identifies four objections to such attempts to limit free speech. He concludes with this sentence: “Sensibly, Raritan Police Chief Joseph Sferro said he would not enforce the new ordinance.” Although Varnell does not state his main point in one concise sentence, readers know that he opposes the Raritan law and any other attempts to legislate “niceness.”

The purpose of most academic and workplace writing is to inform, to explain, or to convince. To achieve any of these purposes, you must make your main point crystal clear. A thesis sentence helps you clarify your idea and stay on track as you write. It also helps your readers see your point and follow your discussion. Sometimes you may want to imply your thesis, but if you state it explicitly, you ensure that readers cannot miss it.

If you select the essays yourself, choose them from Chs. 4–12.

Learning by Doing Identifying Theses

image

Working in a small group, select and read five essays from this book (or read those your instructor has chosen). Then, individually, write out thesis for each essay. Some thesis statements are stated outright (explicit), but others are indirect (implicit). Compare and contrast thesis statements you identified with those your classmates found. How do you account for differences? Try to agree on a thesis statement for each essay.

How to Discover a Working Thesis

In Chs. 4–12, look for specific advice under headings that mention a thesis and for thesis Checklists. Also, watch for the red labels that identify thesis examples.

It’s rare for a writer to develop a perfect thesis statement early in the writing process and then to write an effective essay that fits it exactly. What you should aim for is a working thesi s—a statement that can guide you but that you will ultimately refine. Ideas for a working thesis are probably all around you.

Your topic identifies the area you want to explore. To convert a topic to a thesis, you need to add your own slant, attitude, or point. A useful thesis contains not only the key words that identify your topic but also the point you want to make or the attitude you intend to express.

Topic + Slant or Attitude or Point = Working Thesis

Suppose you want to identify and write about a specific societal change.

TOPIC IDEA old-fashioned formal courtesy

image

Now you experiment, testing ideas to make the topic your own.

TRIAL Old-fashioned formal courtesy is a thing of the past.

Although your trial sentence emphasizes change, it’s still circular, repeating rather than advancing a workable point. It doesn’t say anything new about ol d- fashioned formal courtesy; it simply defines ol d- fashioned . You still need to state your own slant—maybe why things have changed.

TOPIC IDEA + SLANT old-fashioned formal courtesy + its decline as gender roles have changed
WORKING THESIS As the roles of men and women have changed in our society, old-fashioned formal courtesy has declined.

For advice about revising a thesis, see R e- viewing and Revising in Ch. 23.

With this working thesis, you could focus on how changing societal attitudes toward gender roles have caused changes in courtesy. Later, when you revise, you may refine your thesis further—perhaps restricting it to courtesy toward the elderly, toward women, or, despite stereotypes, toward men. The chart under "How to State a Thesis" suggests ways to develop a working thesis.

Once you have a working thesis, be sure its point accomplishes the purpose of your assignment. Suppose your assignment asks you to compare and contrast two local newspapers’ coverage of a Senate election. Ask yourself what the point of that comparison and contrast is. Simply noting a difference won’t be enough to satisfy most readers.

NO SPECIFIC POINT The ’s coverage of the Senate elections was different from the ’s.
WORKING THESIS The ’s coverage of the Senate elections was more thorough than the ’s.

Learning by Doing Discovering a Thesis

Write a sentence, a working thesis, that unifies each of the following groups of details. Then compare and contrast your theses with those of your classmates. What other information would you need to write a good paper on each topic? How might thesis statement change as you write the paper?

Recycling reduces waste and saves space in landfills.

Recycling reduces air and water pollution.

Recycling reduces our impact on forests, wetlands, and other homes for wildlife.

Manufacturing with recycled material saves energy.

Recycling programs create jobs.

Voter turnout among 1 8- to 2 5- yea r- olds is relatively low.

Because of this low turnout, young people’s interests may be underrepresented.

Voting, and other political involvement, can make a difference.

Young people who vote for civic leaders can help make sure that government truly represents their interests.

Young people who vote on policy issues can help shape a better future for themselves and others.

How to State a Thesis

Once you have a notion of a topic and main point, use these pointers to state or improve a thesis to guide your planning and drafting.

State thesis sentence exactly. Replace vague or general wording with concise, detailed, and dow n- t o- earth language.

TOO GENERAL There are a lot of troubles with chemical wastes.

Are you going to deal with all chemical wastes, throughout all of history, all over the world? Will you list all the troubles they can cause?

MORE SPECIFIC Careless dumping of leftover paint is to blame for a recent outbreak of skin rashes in Atlanta.

For an argument, you need to take a stand on a debatable issue that would allow others to take different positions. State yours exactly.

SPECIFIC STAND The recent health consequences of carelessly dumping leftover paint require Atlanta officials both to regulate and to educate.

State just one central idea in thesis sentence. If your paper is to focus on one point, your thesis should state only one main idea.

TOO MANY IDEAS Careless dumping of leftover paint has caused a serious problem in Atlanta, and a new kind of biodegradable paint has been developed, and it offers a promising solution to one chemical waste dilemma.
ONE CENTRAL IDEA Careless dumping of leftover paint has caused a serious problem in Atlanta.
OR A new kind of biodegradable paint offers a promising solution to one chemical waste dilemma.

image

State your thesis positively. You can usually find evidence to support a positive statement, but you’d have to rule out every possible exception in order to prove a negative one. Negative statements also may sound halfhearted and seem to lead nowhere.

NEGATIVE Researchers do not know what causes breast cancer.
POSITIVE The causes of breast cancer still challenge researchers.

Presenting the topic positively as a “challenge” might lead to a paper about an exciting quest. Besides, to show that researchers are working on the problem would be relatively easy, given an hour of online research.

Limit your thesis to a statement that you can demonstrate. A workable thesis is limited so that you can support it with sufficient convincing evidence. It should stake out just the territory that you can cover thoroughly within the length assigned and the time available, and no more. The shorter the essay, the less development your thesis should promise or require. Likewise, the longer the essay, the more development and complexity your thesis should suggest.

DIFFICULT TO SHOW For centuries, popular music has announced vital trends in Western society.
DIFFICULT TO SHOW My favorite piece of music is Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

The first thesis above could inform a whole encyclopedia of music; the second would require that you explain why that symphony is your favorite, contrasting it with all the other musical compositions you know. The following thesis sounds far more workable for a brief essay.

POSSIBLE TO SHOW In the past two years, a rise in the number of preteenagers has resulted in a comeback for heavy metal on the local concert scene.

Unlike a vague statement or a broad, unrestricted claim, a limited thesis narrows and refines a topic, restricting your essay to a reasonable scope.

TOO VAGUE Native American blankets are very beautiful.
TOO BROAD Native Americans have adapted to cultural shifts.
POSSIBLE TO SHOW For some members of the Apache tribe, working in high-rise construction has allowed both economic stability and cultural integrity.

For more on revising a thesis, see R e- viewing and Revising in Ch. 23.

If the suggestions in this chapter have helped you draft a working thesis—even an awkward or feeble one—you’ll find plenty of advice about improving it in the next few pages and more later about revising it. But what if you’re freezing up because your thesis simply won’t take shape? First, relax. Your thesis will emerge later on—as your thinking matures and you figure out your paper’s true direction, as peer readers spot the idea in your paper you’re too close to see, as you talk with your instructor and suddenly grasp how to take your paper where you want it to go. In the meantime, plan and write so that you create a rich environment that will encourage your thesis to emerge.

Learning by Doing Examining Thesis Statements

You have been assigned an essay of one thousand words (approximately four doubl e- spaced pages). Review the following thesis statements:

Violence in television shows or movies can be harmful to children.

Students have developed a variety of techniques to conceal inadequate study from their instructors.

I don’t know how to cook.

Volunteering at a women’s shelter gave me an inside look at the consequences of domestic abuse, and I learned how to incorporate volunteer work into my busy schedule.

Trophy hunting of animals should be outlawed.

No war is a just war.

The government’s “war on drugs” is a failure.

With your classmates, discuss each thesis statement and answer the following questions:

Is thesis stated clearly?

Does thesis state just one idea?

Is thesis stated positively?

Is thesis sufficiently limited for an essay of this size?

Is thesis too broad or too narrow?

Is thesis debatable?

How might thesis be improved?

How to Improve a Thesis

Simply knowing what a solid working thesis should do may not help you improve your thesis. Whether yours is a first effort or a refined version, turn to the Take Action chart to help you figure out how to improve your thesis. Skim down the lef t- hand column to identify questions you might ask about your working thesis. When you answer a question with “Yes” or “Maybe,” move straight across to Locate Specifics for that question. Use the activities there to pinpoint gaps, problems, or weaknesses. Then move across to Take Action. Use the advice that suits your problem as you revise.

Take Action Building a Stronger Thesis

Ask each question listed in the lef t- hand column of the chart to consider whether your draft might need work on that issue. If so, follow the ASK—LOCATE SPECIFICS—TAKE ACTION sequence to revise.

ASK LOCATE SPECIFICS TAKE ACTION
Could I define or state my more clearly? in it that .

Adaptability is essential for World Action volunteers. [What, exactly, does the topic mean?]

, and specify what it .

and the likely interests of your .

An ability to adjust to, even thrive under, challenging circumstances is essential for World Action volunteers.

Could I define or state my more clearly? , attitude, or point about your topic.

Volunteering is an invaluable experience. [Why or in what ways is volunteering invaluable?]

it and express an to your topic.

and appeal to your .

Volunteering builds practical skills while connecting volunteers more fully to their communities.

Could I to develop it more successfully? given the and the .

Rock and roll has evolved dramatically since the 1950s. [Tracing this history in a few pages would be impossible.]

, not the whole pie.

, not several. Break it apart, and pick only a chunk.

, or .

The music of the alternative-rock band Wilco continues to evolve as members experiment with vocal moods and instrumentation.

How to Use a Thesis to Organize

For more on using a thesis to develop an outline, see Organizing Your Ideas .

Often a good, clear thesis will suggest an organization for your ideas.

WORKING THESIS Despite the disadvantages of living in a downtown business district, I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
FIRST ¶S Disadvantages of living in the business district
NEXT ¶S Advantages of living there
LAST ¶ Affirmation of your preference for downtown life

Just putting your working thesis into words can help organize you and keep you on track. A clear thesis can guide you as you select details and connect sections of the essay.

For more on key terms in college assignments, see A Process of Critical Thinking in Ch. 3 and Learning from Another Writer: Essay Exam in Ch. 16.

In addition, your thesis can prepare your readers for the pattern of development or sequence of ideas that you plan to present. As a writer, you look for key words (such as compare, propose, or evaluate ) when you size up an assignment. Such words alert you to what’s expected. When you write or revise your thesis, you can use such terms or their equivalents (such as benefit or consequence instead of effect ) to preview for readers the likely direction of your paper. Then they, too, will know what to expect.

WORKING THESIS Expanding the campus program for energy conservation would bring welcome financial and environmental benefits.
FIRST ¶S Explanation of the campus energy situation
NEXT ¶S Justification of the need for the proposed expansion
NEXT ¶S Financial benefits for the college and students
NEXT ¶S Environmental benefits for the region and beyond
LAST ¶ Concluding assertion of the value of the expansion

As you write, however, you don’t have to cling to a thesis for dear life. If further investigation changes your thinking, you can change your thesis.

WORKING THESIS Because wolves are a menace to people and farm animals, they ought to be exterminated.
REVISED THESIS The wolf, a relatively peaceful animal useful in nature’s scheme of things, ought to be protected.

You can restate a thesis any time: as you write, revise, or revise again.

Learning by Doing Using a Thesis to Preview

Each of the following thesis statements is from a student paper in a different field. With your classmates, consider how each one previews the essay to come and how you would expect the essay to be organized into sections.

Although the intent of inclusion is to provide the best care for all children by treating both specia l- and genera l- education students equally, some people in the field believe that the full inclusion of disabled children in mainstream classrooms may not be in the best interest of either type of student. (From “Is Inclusion the Answer?” by Sarah E. Goers)

With ancient Asian roots and contemporary European influences, the Japanese language has continued to change and to reflect cultural change as well. (From “Japanese: Linguistic Diversity” by Stephanie Hawkins)

Manifest destiny was an expression by leaders and politicians in the 1840s to clarify continental extension and expansion and in a sense revitalize the mission and national destiny for Americans. (From ethnic studies examination answer by Angela Mendy)

By comparing the Aeneid with Troilus and Criseyde , one can easily see the effects of the code of courtly love on literature. (From “The Effect of the Code of Courtly Love: A Comparison of Virgil’s Aeneid and Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde ” by Cindy Keeler)

The effects of pollutants on the endangered Least Tern entering the Upper Newport Bay should be quantified so that necessary action can be taken to further protect and encourage the species. (From “Contaminant Residues in Least Tern [ Sterna antillarum ] Eggs Nesting in Upper Newport Bay” by Susanna Olsen)

Reading: Thesis

Locating and evaluating thesis statements.

The following video offers a definition of thesis statements, and guidance for finding thesis statements as you read.

Pay attention to the difference between explicit thesis statements and implicit (or implied ) thesis statements .

(This video was made for a specific class, so it will make references to assignments that won’t apply to you. You can also stop watching at 6:00, since the video then proceeds to writing thesis statements, which is not our focus at the moment.)

  • Video: Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
  • Locating, Evaluating, & Writing Thesis Statements. Authored by : H Ortiz. Retrieved from : https://youtu.be/8a0T_ySxda8. License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License

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Free Thesis Statement Finder

Take your academic writing to the next level with our unique thesis statement builder. Complete the form below and get the claim statement in a flash.

Result for thesis statement

Even though some studies show that school uniform’s adoption improves students’ performance, school uniform should not be adopted at schools because it limits students’ individuality, it is a burden for low-income families, and it restricts students’ physical activity.

Whereas some studies show that school uniform’s adoption improves students’ performance, school uniform should not be adopted at schools given that it limits students’ individuality, it is a burden for low-income families, and it restricts students’ physical activity.

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If you’re looking for a realiable and easy-to-use thesis creator—you’ve found it! Just follow these simple steps to get the perfect thesis statement for your paper:

Who Is this Thesis Statement Finder for?

You may use the thesis statement creator literally for any type of text: academic articles, essays, analytical reports, or research. Customize your ideas within a click!

Use our thesis statement maker for any essay type. It is free to use and can add the perfect value to your essay, research paper, or even thesis.

Writers and Journalists

Need to make a powerful article within a short time? Create a thesis statement in several clicks with the help of our online thesis maker. It will be helpful for blog writers, journalists, and everyone who creates meaningful content.

Researchers

Stuck while working on a research paper? Try our thesis writer. It will provide you with a perfect thesis statement for your article, regardless of the topic or genre.

Why Use Our Thesis Writer for an Essay?

You may find lots of free thesis statement generators online. But are they truthworthy? For an A+ paper, you need a tool that you can trust.

You don’t need to register or download any software—only complete the form above to get a thesis sentence.

Easy Access

No matter what device you use, our thesis statement generator will work hassle-free on any device.

Instant Results

Fill out the form above, and our AI-powered will generate a strong thesis statement in less than a minute.

100% Plagiarism-Free

Using our claim statement generator, you can be sure that you will get a completely unique text.

Thesis Statement Finder: The Benefits

Creating a thesis statement is often a hassle for students. You need to analyze a lot of data and conduct brainstorming to come up with workable ideas. Thus, it's always better to resort to automatic thesis generators like ours. Use this free and convenient tool whenever you need a thesis statement, as it can save you time and effort.

  • Our app generates thesis statements for different essay types.
  • Even newbies will find the tool user-friendly and simple.
  • You can look at thesis statement examples while working with the tool.
  • It's universally accessible through a browser – no downloads are needed.
  • No registration or payment is required. The instrument is 100% free.

As you can see, it's a killer combo of free, convenient use and universal accessibility, a rare find for students and researchers. With this secret weapon, you won't ever ponder how to write a thesis anymore.

Steps to Find a Thesis Statement

To locate a thesis statement in an already written work, you'll typically need to go to the end of the introduction. A rule of thumb is to place a thesis as the final sentence of the first paragraph, which is a natural transition from a context-setting intro to the subject matter.

But why is it so important to locate a thesis, you might ask? This single sentence plays a big role in any academic work. Its functions are:

  • Communicating the main idea of the paper. Whether you're writing a small essay or a lengthy dissertation, a thesis statement will wrap up the central message in a clear, readable manner.

Example: School uniform should be banned because it deprives students of diversity and fails to address students' socio-economic disparities.

  • Limiting the content's scope. By looking at the thesis statement, you can get an idea of exactly what the text will be about. Let's analyze the thesis statement provided above. We'll see that the discussion relates to the cons of school uniforms, student diversity, and strategies to address different socio-economic statuses of students.
  • Voicing the author's standpoint. The best thesis statement for an argumentative essay should offer a debatable topic. So, here we see a debatable issue – the pros and cons of urging students to wear a uniform.
  • Laying out the evidential support for the author's standpoint. It's vital to outline the main arguments you'll use to argue your stand on the chosen subject. In the example we're analyzing, the subject is school uniforms, and the arguments cover the infringement on student diversity right and ineffectively addressing socio-economic differences.

Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements

Practice shows that sometimes you will need to go at length to locate a thesis statement. Some authors don't state their intention boldly, implying their central message instead. This type of thesis statement is called implicit, unlike the traditional, explicit thesis statement type.

  • Explicit thesis statements are easy to find. They're directly formulated and located at the end of the introduction.
  • Implicit thesis statements are harder to locate. But you can spot the main idea by reading the whole text, extracting its theme, and synthesizing the main idea from topic sentences.

Reading: Thesis

Locating and evaluating thesis statements.

The following video offers a definition of thesis statements, and guidance for finding thesis statements as you read.

Pay attention to the difference between explicit thesis statements and implicit (or implied ) thesis statements .

(This video was made for a specific class, so it will make references to assignments that won’t apply to you. You can also stop watching at 6:00, since the video then proceeds to writing thesis statements, which is not our focus at the moment.)

  • Video: Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
  • Locating, Evaluating, & Writing Thesis Statements. Authored by : H Ortiz. Located at : https://youtu.be/8a0T_ySxda8 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License

IMAGES

  1. Implicit vs Explicit Thesis statements.

    locating explicit and implicit thesis statement

  2. Implicit vs Explicit Thesis statements.

    locating explicit and implicit thesis statement

  3. PPT

    locating explicit and implicit thesis statement

  4. Explicit and Implicit Thesis by Jacqueline Bolden on Prezi

    locating explicit and implicit thesis statement

  5. 25 Thesis Statement Examples (2024)

    locating explicit and implicit thesis statement

  6. Implied thesis statement. how to identify a thesis statement. 2022-10-21

    locating explicit and implicit thesis statement

VIDEO

  1. Correlated Matrix Factorization for Recommendation with Implicit Feedback

  2. IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT STATEMENTS

  3. Implicit Information and Ideas

  4. Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence

  5. How To Find Bank Statement On Commbank App 2024 (Step By Step Guide)

  6. Locating the Sun using a DIY Radial Polarizer [BJC Ambrosio]

COMMENTS

  1. Identifying Thesis Statements

    Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements. In academic writing, the thesis is often explicit: it is included as a sentence as part of the text. It might be near the beginning of the work, but not always-some types of academic writing leave the thesis until the conclusion. Journalism and reporting also rely on explicit thesis statements ...

  2. Identifying the Thesis Statement

    Arguments then, can be explicit and implicit, or implied. Explicit arguments contain noticeable and definable thesis statements and lots of specific proofs. Implicit arguments, on the other hand, work by weaving together facts and narratives, logic and emotion, personal experiences and statistics. Unlike explicit arguments, implicit ones do not ...

  3. Identifying Thesis Statements

    Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements. In academic writing, the thesis is often explicit: it is included as a sentence as part of the text.It might be near the beginning of the work, but not always-some types of academic writing leave the thesis until the conclusion.

  4. Identifying Thesis Statements

    Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements In academic writing, the thesis is often explicit : it is included as a sentence as part of the text. It might be near the beginning of the work, but not always--some types of academic writing leave the thesis until the conclusion.

  5. Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements

    Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements. The following video offers a definition of thesis statements, and guidance for finding thesis statements as you read. Pay attention to the difference between explicit thesis statements and implicit (or implied) thesis statements. (This video was made for a specific class, so it will make references to ...

  6. Explicit Versus Implicit Thesis Statements

    Implicit arguments, on the other hand, work by weaving together facts and narratives, logic and emotion, personal experiences and statistics. Unlike explicit arguments, implicit ones do not have a one-sentence thesis statement. Instead, authors of implicit arguments use evidence of many different kinds in effective and creative ways to build ...

  7. Explicit Versus Implicit Thesis Statements

    Implicit arguments, on the other hand, work by weaving together facts and narratives, logic and emotion, personal experiences and statistics. Unlike explicit arguments, implicit ones do not have a one-sentence thesis statement. Instead, authors of implicit arguments use evidence of many different kinds in effective and creative ways to build ...

  8. How to Write a Thesis Statement

    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 research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.

  9. Chapter 20. Strategies for Stating a Thesis and Planning

    Implicit Thesis. Sometimes a thesis is implicit, indirectly suggested rather than directly stated. In "The Niceness Solution," a selection from Bruce Bawer's Beyond Queer (Free Press, 1996), Paul Varnell describes an ordinance "banning rude behavior, including rude speech," passed in Raritan, New Jersey. After discussing a 1580 code of conduct, he identifies four objections to such ...

  10. English Composition I

    The following video offers a definition of thesis statements, and guidance for finding thesis statements as you read. Pay attention to the difference between explicit thesis statements and implicit (or implied) thesis statements. (This video was made for a specific class, so it will make references to assignments that won't apply to you.

  11. Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements

    The following video offers a definition of thesis statements, and guidance for finding thesis statements as you read. Pay attention to the difference between explicit thesis statements and implicit (or implied) thesis statements. (This video was made for a specific class, so it will make references to assignments that won't apply to you.

  12. EAPP IM4 Thesis Statement

    Input 2: Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements A. Explicit thesis statement - It is included as a sentence as part of the text. It might be near the beginning of the work, but not always-some types of academic writing leave the thesis until conclusion. - Most academic texts have explicit thesis statements.

  13. Identifying Thesis Statements

    Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements In academic writing, the thesis is often explicit: it is included as a sentence as part of the text. It might be near the beginning of the work, but not always--some types of academic writing leave the thesis until the conclusion. ... This is what's called an implicit thesis statement: the ...

  14. Thesis Statement Finder

    Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements. Practice shows that sometimes you will need to go at length to locate a thesis statement. Some authors don't state their intention boldly, implying their central message instead. This type of thesis statement is called implicit, unlike the traditional, explicit thesis statement type.

  15. Locating and Evaluating Thesis Statements

    The following video offers a definition of thesis statements, and guidance for finding thesis statements as you read. Pay attention to the difference between explicit thesis statements and implicit (or implied) thesis statements. (This video was made for a specific class, so it will make references to assignments that won't apply to you.