how to make a thesis out of a prompt

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How to Develop Thesis Statements from the Writing Prompt

How to Dissect an Essay Writing Prompt

Students often struggle with writing effective thesis statements. Often, their difficulties result from failing to know how to dissect the essay writing prompt and formulate their purpose (for informational/explanatory) or point of view (for argumentative) thesis statements from the writing task itself. Following are a few teaching tips and a FREE Download to help your students practice.

First, Dissect the Writing Prompt

1. WHO:  Underline any words which identify the audience or the role of the writer.

2. WHAT:  Circle any words which identify the topic, context, or purpose of the writing task.

3. HOW:  Bracket any words which identify the writing format or the resources to use.

4. DO:  Box any words which identify key writing direction words.

Need more details on the WHO, WHAT, HOW, DO strategy. Check out this article .

Next, Write a One-Sentence Thesis Statement

1.  It will leave room for the WHO and HOW  introduction strategies to flow into the thesis statement as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. An essay introduction doesn’t use a hook or lead , as does a narrative introduction. An essay introduction builds reader interest and understanding of the thesis statement, but keeps a formal essay tone. So, avoid “It was a dark and stormy night.” Need help on teaching essay introduction strategies?

2. Include the key word from the  WHAT of the writing prompt in a declarative statement about that  WHAT . In essay that requires the writer to inform the reader, the thesis statement should state your specific purpose for writing. The thesis statement serves as the controlling idea throughout the essay. In an essay that requires the writer to convince the reader, the thesis statement should state your point of view . The thesis statement serves as the argument or claim to be proved throughout the essay.

3.  It will directly respond to all components of the specific writing task and nothing beyond that task .

Following are the typical response comments I use to respond to student thesis statements. No sense in re-inventing the wheel. I use the alphanumeric codes to simplify comment insertions.

• e7 Thesis Statement does not respond to writing prompt. Re-read the writing prompt and dissect according to the WHO (the audience and role of the writer), the WHAT (the context of the writing topic), the HOW (the resource text title and author), and the DO (the key writing direction word).
• e8 Thesis Statement does not state the purpose of the essay. Dissect the writing prompt, focusing on the WHAT (the context of the writing topic), the HOW (the   resource text title and author), and the DO (the key writing direction word) to specifically state the purpose of your essay.
• e9 Thesis Statement does not state the point of view of the essay. Dissect the writing prompt, focusing on to the WHO (the audience and role of the writer), the HOW (the resource text title and author), and the DO (the key writing direction word) to clearly state your specific point of view.
• e10 Thesis Statement is too general. Get more specific in your thesis statement. Example: There were lots of causes to the Civil War. Revision: Although many issues contributed to problems between the North and the South, the main cause of the Civil War was slavery.
• e11 Thesis Statement is too specific. Your thesis statement needs to be a bit broader to be able to respond to the demands of the writing prompt. A good thesis statement is like an umbrella-it must cover the whole subject to be effective. Save the specificity for the body paragraphs.
• e12 Thesis Statement is inconsequential. The thesis statement must state a purpose or point of view that can be meaningfully developed in the essay.
• Example: People in France really enjoy their cheese. Revision: The French especially enjoy four types of cheeses.
• e13 Thesis Statement cannot be argued. An essay designed to convince a reader of the author’s specific point of view must provide a thesis statement that is arguable.      Example: Blue is the best color. Revision: Blue is the best color to complement a bright white background.
• e14 Split Thesis Statement Don’t write a split (divided) thesis. A split thesis includes two purposes or two points of view. Focus on only one purpose of point of view       throughout the essay. It may be necessary to reference or refute another purpose or point of view in the body paragraphs or conclusion.
• e15 Thesis Statement responds to only part of the writing prompt. Dissect the writing prompt according to the WHO (the audience and role of the writer), the WHAT (the context of the writing topic), the HOW (the resource text title and author), and the DO (the key writing direction word) and include each part.

Interested in more of these Essay e-Comments? Check out this video to get all 438 comments.

TEACHING ESSAYS BUNDLE

For more thesis statement and essay practice, check out the author’s TEACHING ESSAYS BUNDLE .  This curriculum includes 42 essay strategy worksheets corresponding to teach the Common Core State Writing Standards,  an e-comment bank of 438 prescriptive writing responses with an link to insert into Microsoft Word® for easy e-grading (works great with Google Docs) , 8 on-demand   writing fluencies, 8 writing process essays (4 argumentative and 4 informative/explanatory), 64  sentence revision   and 64 rhetorical stance   “openers,”   remedial writing lessons , writing posters, and   editing resources   to differentiate essay writing instruction in   this comprehensive writing curriculum.

Check out the FREE Download teaching summary of the WHO, WHAT, HOW, and DO strategy for dissecting writing prompts for display and practice.

Literacy Centers , Study Skills , Writing analyze a writing task , dissect a writing prompt , Mark Pennington , teach essay , Teaching Essay Strategies , thesis statement , thesis statement practice , writing a claim , writing prompt

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Developing a Thesis Statement

Many papers you write require developing a thesis statement. In this section you’ll learn what a thesis statement is and how to write one.

Keep in mind that not all papers require thesis statements . If in doubt, please consult your instructor for assistance.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement . . .

• Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic.
• Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper.
• Is focused and specific enough to be “proven” within the boundaries of your paper.
• Is generally located near the end of the introduction ; sometimes, in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or in an entire paragraph.
• Identifies the relationships between the pieces of evidence that you are using to support your argument.

Not all papers require thesis statements! Ask your instructor if you’re in doubt whether you need one.

Identify a topic

Your topic is the subject about which you will write. Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic; or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper.

Consider what your assignment asks you to do

Inform yourself about your topic, focus on one aspect of your topic, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts, generate a topic from an assignment.

Below are some possible topics based on sample assignments.

Sample assignment 1

Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II.

Identified topic

Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis

This topic avoids generalities such as “Spain” and “World War II,” addressing instead on Franco’s role (a specific aspect of “Spain”) and the diplomatic relations between the Allies and Axis (a specific aspect of World War II).

Sample assignment 2

Analyze one of Homer’s epic similes in the Iliad.

The relationship between the portrayal of warfare and the epic simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64.

This topic focuses on a single simile and relates it to a single aspect of the Iliad ( warfare being a major theme in that work).

Developing a Thesis Statement–Additional information

Your assignment may suggest several ways of looking at a topic, or it may name a fairly general concept that you will explore or analyze in your paper. You’ll want to read your assignment carefully, looking for key terms that you can use to focus your topic.

Sample assignment: Analyze Spain’s neutrality in World War II Key terms: analyze, Spain’s neutrality, World War II

After you’ve identified the key words in your topic, the next step is to read about them in several sources, or generate as much information as possible through an analysis of your topic. Obviously, the more material or knowledge you have, the more possibilities will be available for a strong argument. For the sample assignment above, you’ll want to look at books and articles on World War II in general, and Spain’s neutrality in particular.

As you consider your options, you must decide to focus on one aspect of your topic. This means that you cannot include everything you’ve learned about your topic, nor should you go off in several directions. If you end up covering too many different aspects of a topic, your paper will sprawl and be unconvincing in its argument, and it most likely will not fulfull the assignment requirements.

For the sample assignment above, both Spain’s neutrality and World War II are topics far too broad to explore in a paper. You may instead decide to focus on Franco’s role in the diplomatic relationships between the Allies and the Axis , which narrows down what aspects of Spain’s neutrality and World War II you want to discuss, as well as establishes a specific link between those two aspects.

Before you go too far, however, ask yourself whether your topic is worthy of your efforts. Try to avoid topics that already have too much written about them (i.e., “eating disorders and body image among adolescent women”) or that simply are not important (i.e. “why I like ice cream”). These topics may lead to a thesis that is either dry fact or a weird claim that cannot be supported. A good thesis falls somewhere between the two extremes. To arrive at this point, ask yourself what is new, interesting, contestable, or controversial about your topic.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times . Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Derive a main point from topic

Once you have a topic, you will have to decide what the main point of your paper will be. This point, the “controlling idea,” becomes the core of your argument (thesis statement) and it is the unifying idea to which you will relate all your sub-theses. You can then turn this “controlling idea” into a purpose statement about what you intend to do in your paper.

Look for patterns in your evidence

Compose a purpose statement.

Consult the examples below for suggestions on how to look for patterns in your evidence and construct a purpose statement.

• Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis
• Franco turned to the Allies when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from the Axis

Possible conclusion:

Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: Franco’s desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power.

Purpose statement

This paper will analyze Franco’s diplomacy during World War II to see how it contributed to Spain’s neutrality.

• The simile compares Simoisius to a tree, which is a peaceful, natural image.
• The tree in the simile is chopped down to make wheels for a chariot, which is an object used in warfare.

At first, the simile seems to take the reader away from the world of warfare, but we end up back in that world by the end.

This paper will analyze the way the simile about Simoisius at 4.547-64 moves in and out of the world of warfare.

Derive purpose statement from topic

To find out what your “controlling idea” is, you have to examine and evaluate your evidence . As you consider your evidence, you may notice patterns emerging, data repeated in more than one source, or facts that favor one view more than another. These patterns or data may then lead you to some conclusions about your topic and suggest that you can successfully argue for one idea better than another.

For instance, you might find out that Franco first tried to negotiate with the Axis, but when he couldn’t get some concessions that he wanted from them, he turned to the Allies. As you read more about Franco’s decisions, you may conclude that Spain’s neutrality in WWII occurred for an entirely personal reason: his desire to preserve his own (and Spain’s) power. Based on this conclusion, you can then write a trial thesis statement to help you decide what material belongs in your paper.

Sometimes you won’t be able to find a focus or identify your “spin” or specific argument immediately. Like some writers, you might begin with a purpose statement just to get yourself going. A purpose statement is one or more sentences that announce your topic and indicate the structure of the paper but do not state the conclusions you have drawn . Thus, you might begin with something like this:

• This paper will look at modern language to see if it reflects male dominance or female oppression.
• I plan to analyze anger and derision in offensive language to see if they represent a challenge of society’s authority.

At some point, you can turn a purpose statement into a thesis statement. As you think and write about your topic, you can restrict, clarify, and refine your argument, crafting your thesis statement to reflect your thinking.

As you work on your thesis, remember to keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Sometimes your thesis needs to evolve as you develop new insights, find new evidence, or take a different approach to your topic.

Compose a draft thesis statement

If you are writing a paper that will have an argumentative thesis and are having trouble getting started, the techniques in the table below may help you develop a temporary or “working” thesis statement.

Begin with a purpose statement that you will later turn into a thesis statement.

Assignment: Discuss the history of the Reform Party and explain its influence on the 1990 presidential and Congressional election.

Purpose Statement: This paper briefly sketches the history of the grassroots, conservative, Perot-led Reform Party and analyzes how it influenced the economic and social ideologies of the two mainstream parties.

Question-to-Assertion

If your assignment asks a specific question(s), turn the question(s) into an assertion and give reasons why it is true or reasons for your opinion.

Assignment : What do Aylmer and Rappaccini have to be proud of? Why aren’t they satisfied with these things? How does pride, as demonstrated in “The Birthmark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” lead to unexpected problems?

Beginning thesis statement: Alymer and Rappaccinni are proud of their great knowledge; however, they are also very greedy and are driven to use their knowledge to alter some aspect of nature as a test of their ability. Evil results when they try to “play God.”

Write a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the essay you plan to write.

Main idea: The reason some toys succeed in the market is that they appeal to the consumers’ sense of the ridiculous and their basic desire to laugh at themselves.

Make a list of the ideas that you want to include; consider the ideas and try to group them.

• nature = peaceful
• war matériel = violent (competes with 1?)
• need for time and space to mourn the dead
• war is inescapable (competes with 3?)

Use a formula to arrive at a working thesis statement (you will revise this later).

• although most readers of _______ have argued that _______, closer examination shows that _______.
• _______ uses _______ and _____ to prove that ________.
• phenomenon x is a result of the combination of __________, __________, and _________.

What to keep in mind as you draft an initial thesis statement

Beginning statements obtained through the methods illustrated above can serve as a framework for planning or drafting your paper, but remember they’re not yet the specific, argumentative thesis you want for the final version of your paper. In fact, in its first stages, a thesis statement usually is ill-formed or rough and serves only as a planning tool.

As you write, you may discover evidence that does not fit your temporary or “working” thesis. Or you may reach deeper insights about your topic as you do more research, and you will find that your thesis statement has to be more complicated to match the evidence that you want to use.

You must be willing to reject or omit some evidence in order to keep your paper cohesive and your reader focused. Or you may have to revise your thesis to match the evidence and insights that you want to discuss. Read your draft carefully, noting the conclusions you have drawn and the major ideas which support or prove those conclusions. These will be the elements of your final thesis statement.

Sometimes you will not be able to identify these elements in your early drafts, but as you consider how your argument is developing and how your evidence supports your main idea, ask yourself, “ What is the main point that I want to prove/discuss? ” and “ How will I convince the reader that this is true? ” When you can answer these questions, then you can begin to refine the thesis statement.

Refine and polish the thesis statement

To get to your final thesis, you’ll need to refine your draft thesis so that it’s specific and arguable.

• Ask if your draft thesis addresses the assignment
• Question each part of your draft thesis
• Clarify vague phrases and assertions
• Investigate alternatives to your draft thesis

Consult the example below for suggestions on how to refine your draft thesis statement.

Sample Assignment

Choose an activity and define it as a symbol of American culture. Your essay should cause the reader to think critically about the society which produces and enjoys that activity.

• Ask The phenomenon of drive-in facilities is an interesting symbol of american culture, and these facilities demonstrate significant characteristics of our society.This statement does not fulfill the assignment because it does not require the reader to think critically about society.

Drive-ins are an interesting symbol of American culture because they represent Americans’ significant creativity and business ingenuity.

Among the types of drive-in facilities familiar during the twentieth century, drive-in movie theaters best represent American creativity, not merely because they were the forerunner of later drive-ins and drive-throughs, but because of their impact on our culture: they changed our relationship to the automobile, changed the way people experienced movies, and changed movie-going into a family activity.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast-food establishments, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize America’s economic ingenuity, they also have affected our personal standards.

While drive-in facilities such as those at fast- food restaurants, banks, pharmacies, and dry cleaners symbolize (1) Americans’ business ingenuity, they also have contributed (2) to an increasing homogenization of our culture, (3) a willingness to depersonalize relationships with others, and (4) a tendency to sacrifice quality for convenience.

This statement is now specific and fulfills all parts of the assignment. This version, like any good thesis, is not self-evident; its points, 1-4, will have to be proven with evidence in the body of the paper. The numbers in this statement indicate the order in which the points will be presented. Depending on the length of the paper, there could be one paragraph for each numbered item or there could be blocks of paragraph for even pages for each one.

Complete the final thesis statement

The bottom line.

As you move through the process of crafting a thesis, you’ll need to remember four things:

• Context matters! Think about your course materials and lectures. Try to relate your thesis to the ideas your instructor is discussing.
• As you go through the process described in this section, always keep your assignment in mind . You will be more successful when your thesis (and paper) responds to the assignment than if it argues a semi-related idea.
• Your thesis statement should be precise, focused, and contestable ; it should predict the sub-theses or blocks of information that you will use to prove your argument.
• Make sure that you keep the rest of your paper in mind at all times. Change your thesis as your paper evolves, because you do not want your thesis to promise more than your paper actually delivers.

In the beginning, the thesis statement was a tool to help you sharpen your focus, limit material and establish the paper’s purpose. When your paper is finished, however, the thesis statement becomes a tool for your reader. It tells the reader what you have learned about your topic and what evidence led you to your conclusion. It keeps the reader on track–well able to understand and appreciate your argument.

Writing Process and Structure

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Getting Started with Your Paper

Interpreting Writing Assignments from Your Courses

Generating Ideas for

Creating an Argument

Thesis vs. Purpose Statements

Architecture of Arguments

Working with Sources

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources

Using Literary Quotations

Citing Sources in Your Paper

Drafting Your Paper

Generating Ideas for Your Paper

Introductions

Paragraphing

Developing Strategic Transitions

Conclusions

Revising Your Paper

Peer Reviews

Reverse Outlines

Revising an Argumentative Paper

Revision Strategies for Longer Projects

Finishing Your Paper

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

How to Proofread your Paper

Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative and Group Writing

Reference management. Clean and simple.

How to write a thesis statement + examples

What is a thesis statement?

Is a thesis statement a question, how do you write a good thesis statement, how do i know if my thesis statement is good, examples of thesis statements, helpful resources on how to write a thesis statement, frequently asked questions about writing a thesis statement, related articles.

A thesis statement is the main argument of your paper or thesis.

The thesis statement is one of the most important elements of any piece of academic writing . It is a brief statement of your paper’s main argument. Essentially, you are stating what you will be writing about.

You can see your thesis statement as an answer to a question. While it also contains the question, it should really give an answer to the question with new information and not just restate or reiterate it.

Your thesis statement is part of your introduction. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our introduction guide .

A thesis statement is not a question. A statement must be arguable and provable through evidence and analysis. While your thesis might stem from a research question, it should be in the form of a statement.

Tip: A thesis statement is typically 1-2 sentences. For a longer project like a thesis, the statement may be several sentences or a paragraph.

A good thesis statement needs to do the following:

• Condense the main idea of your thesis into one or two sentences.
• Answer your project’s main research question.
• Clearly state your position in relation to the topic .
• Make an argument that requires support or evidence.

Once you have written down a thesis statement, check if it fulfills the following criteria:

• Your statement needs to be provable by evidence. As an argument, a thesis statement needs to be debatable.
• Your statement needs to be precise. Do not give away too much information in the thesis statement and do not load it with unnecessary information.
• Your statement cannot say that one solution is simply right or simply wrong as a matter of fact. You should draw upon verified facts to persuade the reader of your solution, but you cannot just declare something as right or wrong.

As previously mentioned, your thesis statement should answer a question.

If the question is:

What do you think the City of New York should do to reduce traffic congestion?

A good thesis statement restates the question and answers it:

In this paper, I will argue that the City of New York should focus on providing exclusive lanes for public transport and adaptive traffic signals to reduce traffic congestion by the year 2035.

Here is another example. If the question is:

How can we end poverty?

A good thesis statement should give more than one solution to the problem in question:

In this paper, I will argue that introducing universal basic income can help reduce poverty and positively impact the way we work.

• The Writing Center of the University of North Carolina has a list of questions to ask to see if your thesis is strong .

A thesis statement is part of the introduction of your paper. It is usually found in the first or second paragraph to let the reader know your research purpose from the beginning.

In general, a thesis statement should have one or two sentences. But the length really depends on the overall length of your project. Take a look at our guide about the length of thesis statements for more insight on this topic.

Here is a list of Thesis Statement Examples that will help you understand better how to write them.

Every good essay should include a thesis statement as part of its introduction, no matter the academic level. Of course, if you are a high school student you are not expected to have the same type of thesis as a PhD student.

Here is a great YouTube tutorial showing How To Write An Essay: Thesis Statements .

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How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

What’s Covered:

What is the purpose of a thesis statement, writing a good thesis statement: 4 steps, common pitfalls to avoid, where to get your essay edited for free.

When you set out to write an essay, there has to be some kind of point to it, right? Otherwise, your essay would just be a big jumble of word salad that makes absolutely no sense. An essay needs a central point that ties into everything else. That main point is called a thesis statement, and it’s the core of any essay or research paper.

You may hear about Master degree candidates writing a thesis, and that is an entire paper–not to be confused with the thesis statement, which is typically one sentence that contains your paper’s focus. 

Read on to learn more about thesis statements and how to write them. We’ve also included some solid examples for you to reference.

Typically the last sentence of your introductory paragraph, the thesis statement serves as the roadmap for your essay. When your reader gets to the thesis statement, they should have a clear outline of your main point, as well as the information you’ll be presenting in order to either prove or support your point. 

The thesis statement should not be confused for a topic sentence , which is the first sentence of every paragraph in your essay. If you need help writing topic sentences, numerous resources are available. Topic sentences should go along with your thesis statement, though.

Since the thesis statement is the most important sentence of your entire essay or paper, it’s imperative that you get this part right. Otherwise, your paper will not have a good flow and will seem disjointed. That’s why it’s vital not to rush through developing one. It’s a methodical process with steps that you need to follow in order to create the best thesis statement possible.

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

When you’re assigned an essay, there are several different types you may get. Argumentative essays are designed to get the reader to agree with you on a topic. Informative or expository essays present information to the reader. Analytical essays offer up a point and then expand on it by analyzing relevant information. Thesis statements can look and sound different based on the type of paper you’re writing. For example:

• Argumentative: The United States needs a viable third political party to decrease bipartisanship, increase options, and help reduce corruption in government.
• Informative: The Libertarian party has thrown off elections before by gaining enough support in states to get on the ballot and by taking away crucial votes from candidates.
• Analytical: An analysis of past presidential elections shows that while third party votes may have been the minority, they did affect the outcome of the elections in 2020, 2016, and beyond.

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Once you know what type of paper you’re writing, you then need to figure out the point you want to make with your thesis statement, and subsequently, your paper. In other words, you need to decide to answer a question about something, such as:

• What impact did reality TV have on American society?
• How has the musical Hamilton affected perception of American history?
• Why do I want to major in [chosen major here]?

If you have an argumentative essay, then you will be writing about an opinion. To make it easier, you may want to choose an opinion that you feel passionate about so that you’re writing about something that interests you. For example, if you have an interest in preserving the environment, you may want to choose a topic that relates to that. 

If you’re writing your college essay and they ask why you want to attend that school, you may want to have a main point and back it up with information, something along the lines of:

“Attending Harvard University would benefit me both academically and professionally, as it would give me a strong knowledge base upon which to build my career, develop my network, and hopefully give me an advantage in my chosen field.”

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Once you have the point you want to make, you need to figure out how you plan to back it up throughout the rest of your essay. Without this information, it will be hard to either prove or argue the main point of your thesis statement. If you decide to write about the Hamilton example, you may decide to address any falsehoods that the writer put into the musical, such as:

“The musical Hamilton, while accurate in many ways, leaves out key parts of American history, presents a nationalist view of founding fathers, and downplays the racism of the times.”

Once you’ve written your initial working thesis statement, you’ll then need to get information to back that up. For example, the musical completely leaves out Benjamin Franklin, portrays the founding fathers in a nationalist way that is too complimentary, and shows Hamilton as a staunch abolitionist despite the fact that his family likely did own slaves. 

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and that you feel like you can truly write a paper on the topic. Once you’ve done that, you can then begin writing your paper.

When writing a thesis statement, there are some common pitfalls you should avoid so that your paper can be as solid as possible. Make sure you always edit the thesis statement before you do anything else. You also want to ensure that the thesis statement is clear and concise. Don’t make your reader hunt for your point. Finally, put your thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph and have your introduction flow toward that statement. Your reader will expect to find your statement in its traditional spot.

If you’re having trouble getting started, or need some guidance on your essay, there are tools available that can help you. CollegeVine offers a free peer essay review tool where one of your peers can read through your essay and provide you with valuable feedback. Getting essay feedback from a peer can help you wow your instructor or college admissions officer with an impactful essay that effectively illustrates your point.

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Writing a Paper: Thesis Statements

Basics of thesis statements.

The thesis statement is the brief articulation of your paper's central argument and purpose. You might hear it referred to as simply a "thesis." Every scholarly paper should have a thesis statement, and strong thesis statements are concise, specific, and arguable. Concise means the thesis is short: perhaps one or two sentences for a shorter paper. Specific means the thesis deals with a narrow and focused topic, appropriate to the paper's length. Arguable means that a scholar in your field could disagree (or perhaps already has!).

Strong thesis statements address specific intellectual questions, have clear positions, and use a structure that reflects the overall structure of the paper. Read on to learn more about constructing a strong thesis statement.

Being Specific

This thesis statement has no specific argument:

Needs Improvement: In this essay, I will examine two scholarly articles to find similarities and differences.

This statement is concise, but it is neither specific nor arguable—a reader might wonder, "Which scholarly articles? What is the topic of this paper? What field is the author writing in?" Additionally, the purpose of the paper—to "examine…to find similarities and differences" is not of a scholarly level. Identifying similarities and differences is a good first step, but strong academic argument goes further, analyzing what those similarities and differences might mean or imply.

Better: In this essay, I will argue that Bowler's (2003) autocratic management style, when coupled with Smith's (2007) theory of social cognition, can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover.

The new revision here is still concise, as well as specific and arguable.  We can see that it is specific because the writer is mentioning (a) concrete ideas and (b) exact authors.  We can also gather the field (business) and the topic (management and employee turnover). The statement is arguable because the student goes beyond merely comparing; he or she draws conclusions from that comparison ("can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover").

Making a Unique Argument

This thesis draft repeats the language of the writing prompt without making a unique argument:

Needs Improvement: 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.

You can see here that the student has simply stated the paper's assignment, without articulating specifically how he or she will address it. The student can correct this error simply by phrasing the thesis statement as a specific answer to the assignment prompt.

Better: Through a series of student interviews, I found that Kennedy High School's antibullying program was ineffective. In order to address issues of conflict between students, I argue that Kennedy High School should embrace policies outlined by the California Department of Education (2010).

Words like "ineffective" and "argue" show here that the student has clearly thought through the assignment and analyzed the material; he or she is putting forth a specific and debatable position. The concrete information ("student interviews," "antibullying") further prepares the reader for the body of the paper and demonstrates how the student has addressed the assignment prompt without just restating that language.

Creating a Debate

This thesis statement includes only obvious fact or plot summary instead of argument:

Needs Improvement: Leadership is an important quality in nurse educators.

A good strategy to determine if your thesis statement is too broad (and therefore, not arguable) is to ask yourself, "Would a scholar in my field disagree with this point?" Here, we can see easily that no scholar is likely to argue that leadership is an unimportant quality in nurse educators.  The student 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.

Better: Roderick's (2009) theory of participatory leadership  is particularly appropriate to nurse educators working within the emergency medicine field, where students benefit most from collegial and kinesthetic learning.

Here, the student has identified a particular type of leadership ("participatory leadership"), narrowing the topic, and has made an arguable claim (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. The student's paper can now proceed, providing specific pieces of evidence to support the arguable central claim.

Choosing the Right Words

This thesis statement uses large or scholarly-sounding words that have no real substance:

Needs Improvement: 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 student's field or key terms taken from other texts, but together they do not communicate a clear, specific meaning. Sometimes students think scholarly writing means constructing complex sentences using special language, but actually it's usually a stronger choice to write clear, simple sentences. When in doubt, remember that your ideas should be complex, not your sentence structure.

Better: 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 see concretely the ideas the student is communicating.

Leaving Room for Discussion

This thesis statement is not capable of development or advancement in the paper:

Needs Improvement: There are always alternatives to illegal drug use.

This sample thesis statement makes a claim, but it is not a claim that will sustain extended discussion. This claim is the type of claim that might be appropriate for the conclusion of a paper, but in the beginning of the paper, the student is left with nowhere to go. What further points can be made? If there are "always alternatives" to the problem the student 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.

Better: The most effective treatment plan for methamphetamine addiction may be a combination of pharmacological and cognitive therapy, as argued by Baker (2008), Smith (2009), and Xavier (2011).

In the revised thesis, you can see the student make 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 a good deal more exploration.

Thesis Mad Libs

If you are having trouble getting started, try using the models below to generate a rough model of a thesis statement! These models are intended for drafting purposes only and should not appear in your final work.

• In this essay, I argue ____, using ______ to assert _____.
• While scholars have often argued ______, I argue______, because_______.
• Through an analysis of ______, I argue ______, which is important because_______.

Words to Avoid and to Embrace

When drafting your thesis statement, avoid words like explore, investigate, learn, compile, summarize , and explain to describe the main purpose of your paper. These words imply a paper that summarizes or "reports," rather than synthesizing and analyzing.

Instead of the terms above, try words like argue, critique, question , and interrogate . These more analytical words may help you begin strongly, by articulating a specific, critical, scholarly position.

Read Kayla's blog post for tips on taking a stand in a well-crafted thesis statement.

Related Resources

Didn't find what you need? Email us at [email protected] .

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Writing Tutorial Services

How to write a thesis statement, what is a thesis statement.

Almost all of us—even if we don’t do it consciously—look early in an essay for a one- or two-sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow. We refer to that condensation as a thesis statement.

Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis Statement?

• to test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two
• to better organize and develop your argument
• to provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument

In general, your thesis statement will accomplish these goals if you think of the thesis as the answer to the question your paper explores.

How Can You Write a Good Thesis Statement?

Here are some helpful hints to get you started. You can either scroll down or select a link to a specific topic.

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned

Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single question. Your first step, then, is to distill the assignment into a specific question. For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class,” turn the request into a question like, “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” After you’ve chosen the question your essay will answer, compose one or two complete sentences answering that question.

Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .”

A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .”

The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

[ Back to top ]

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned

Even if your assignment doesn’t ask a specific question, your thesis statement still needs to answer a question about the issue you’d like to explore. In this situation, your job is to figure out what question you’d like to write about.

A good thesis statement will usually include the following four attributes:

• take on a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree
• deal with a subject that can be adequately treated given the nature of the assignment
• express one main idea
• assert your conclusions about a subject

Let’s see how to generate a thesis statement for a social policy paper.

Brainstorm the topic . Let’s say that your class focuses upon the problems posed by changes in the dietary habits of Americans. You find that you are interested in the amount of sugar Americans consume.

You start out with a thesis statement like this:

Sugar consumption.

This fragment isn’t a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates a general subject. Furthermore, your reader doesn’t know what you want to say about sugar consumption.

Narrow the topic . Your readings about the topic, however, have led you to the conclusion that elementary school children are consuming far more sugar than is healthy.

You change your thesis to look like this:

Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school children.

This fragment not only announces your subject, but it focuses on one segment of the population: elementary school children. Furthermore, it raises a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree, because while most people might agree that children consume more sugar than they used to, not everyone would agree on what should be done or who should do it. You should note that this fragment is not a thesis statement because your reader doesn’t know your conclusions on the topic.

Take a position on the topic. After reflecting on the topic a little while longer, you decide that what you really want to say about this topic is that something should be done to reduce the amount of sugar these children consume.

You revise your thesis statement to look like this:

More attention should be paid to the food and beverage choices available to elementary school children.

This statement asserts your position, but the terms more attention and food and beverage choices are vague.

Use specific language . You decide to explain what you mean about food and beverage choices , so you write:

Experts estimate that half of elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar.

This statement is specific, but it isn’t a thesis. It merely reports a statistic instead of making an assertion.

Make an assertion based on clearly stated support. You finally revise your thesis statement one more time to look like this:

Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.

Notice how the thesis answers the question, “What should be done to reduce sugar consumption by children, and who should do it?” When you started thinking about the paper, you may not have had a specific question in mind, but as you became more involved in the topic, your ideas became more specific. Your thesis changed to reflect your new insights.

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

1. a strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand..

Remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject. For example, if you are writing a paper for a class on fitness, you might be asked to choose a popular weight-loss product to evaluate. Here are two thesis statements:

There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.

This is a weak thesis statement. First, it fails to take a stand. Second, the phrase negative and positive aspects is vague.

Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

This is a strong thesis because it takes a stand, and because it's specific.

2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion.

Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. If your assignment is to write a paper on kinship systems, using your own family as an example, you might come up with either of these two thesis statements:

My family is an extended family.

This is a weak thesis because it merely states an observation. Your reader won’t be able to tell the point of the statement, and will probably stop reading.

While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.

This is a strong thesis because it shows how your experience contradicts a widely-accepted view. A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial. Readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how you support your point.

3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea.

Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper. For example:

Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.

This is a weak thesis statement because the reader can’t decide whether the paper is about marketing on the Internet or Web pages. To revise the thesis, the relationship between the two ideas needs to become more clear. One way to revise the thesis would be to write:

Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.

This is a strong thesis because it shows that the two ideas are related. Hint: a great many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like because , since , so , although , unless , and however .

4. A strong thesis statement is specific.

A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic. For example, if you're writing a seven-to-ten page paper on hunger, you might say:

World hunger has many causes and effects.

This is a weak thesis statement for two major reasons. First, world hunger can’t be discussed thoroughly in seven to ten pages. Second, many causes and effects is vague. You should be able to identify specific causes and effects. A revised thesis might look like this:

Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

This is a strong thesis statement because it narrows the subject to a more specific and manageable topic, and it also identifies the specific causes for the existence of hunger.

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9.1 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement

Learning objectives.

• Develop a strong, clear thesis statement with the proper elements.
• Revise your thesis statement.

Have you ever known a person who was not very good at telling stories? You probably had trouble following his train of thought as he jumped around from point to point, either being too brief in places that needed further explanation or providing too many details on a meaningless element. Maybe he told the end of the story first, then moved to the beginning and later added details to the middle. His ideas were probably scattered, and the story did not flow very well. When the story was over, you probably had many questions.

Just as a personal anecdote can be a disorganized mess, an essay can fall into the same trap of being out of order and confusing. That is why writers need a thesis statement to provide a specific focus for their essay and to organize what they are about to discuss in the body.

Just like a topic sentence summarizes a single paragraph, the thesis statement summarizes an entire essay. It tells the reader the point you want to make in your essay, while the essay itself supports that point. It is like a signpost that signals the essay’s destination. You should form your thesis before you begin to organize an essay, but you may find that it needs revision as the essay develops.

Elements of a Thesis Statement

For every essay you write, you must focus on a central idea. This idea stems from a topic you have chosen or been assigned or from a question your teacher has asked. It is not enough merely to discuss a general topic or simply answer a question with a yes or no. You have to form a specific opinion, and then articulate that into a controlling idea —the main idea upon which you build your thesis.

Remember that a thesis is not the topic itself, but rather your interpretation of the question or subject. For whatever topic your professor gives you, you must ask yourself, “What do I want to say about it?” Asking and then answering this question is vital to forming a thesis that is precise, forceful and confident.

A thesis is one sentence long and appears toward the end of your introduction. It is specific and focuses on one to three points of a single idea—points that are able to be demonstrated in the body. It forecasts the content of the essay and suggests how you will organize your information. Remember that a thesis statement does not summarize an issue but rather dissects it.

A Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement contains the following qualities.

Specificity. A thesis statement must concentrate on a specific area of a general topic. As you may recall, the creation of a thesis statement begins when you choose a broad subject and then narrow down its parts until you pinpoint a specific aspect of that topic. For example, health care is a broad topic, but a proper thesis statement would focus on a specific area of that topic, such as options for individuals without health care coverage.

Precision. A strong thesis statement must be precise enough to allow for a coherent argument and to remain focused on the topic. If the specific topic is options for individuals without health care coverage, then your precise thesis statement must make an exact claim about it, such as that limited options exist for those who are uninsured by their employers. You must further pinpoint what you are going to discuss regarding these limited effects, such as whom they affect and what the cause is.

Ability to be argued. A thesis statement must present a relevant and specific argument. A factual statement often is not considered arguable. Be sure your thesis statement contains a point of view that can be supported with evidence.

Ability to be demonstrated. For any claim you make in your thesis, you must be able to provide reasons and examples for your opinion. You can rely on personal observations in order to do this, or you can consult outside sources to demonstrate that what you assert is valid. A worthy argument is backed by examples and details.

Forcefulness. A thesis statement that is forceful shows readers that you are, in fact, making an argument. The tone is assertive and takes a stance that others might oppose.

Confidence. In addition to using force in your thesis statement, you must also use confidence in your claim. Phrases such as I feel or I believe actually weaken the readers’ sense of your confidence because these phrases imply that you are the only person who feels the way you do. In other words, your stance has insufficient backing. Taking an authoritative stance on the matter persuades your readers to have faith in your argument and open their minds to what you have to say.

Even in a personal essay that allows the use of first person, your thesis should not contain phrases such as in my opinion or I believe . These statements reduce your credibility and weaken your argument. Your opinion is more convincing when you use a firm attitude.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a thesis statement for each of the following topics. Remember to make each statement specific, precise, demonstrable, forceful and confident.

• Texting while driving
• The legal drinking age in the United States
• Steroid use among professional athletes

Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements

Each of the following thesis statements meets several of the following requirements:

• Specificity
• Ability to be argued
• Ability to be demonstrated
• Forcefulness
• The societal and personal struggles of Troy Maxon in the play Fences symbolize the challenge of black males who lived through segregation and integration in the United States.
• Closing all American borders for a period of five years is one solution that will tackle illegal immigration.
• Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet spoils the outcome for the audience and weakens the plot.
• J. D. Salinger’s character in Catcher in the Rye , Holden Caulfield, is a confused rebel who voices his disgust with phonies, yet in an effort to protect himself, he acts like a phony on many occasions.
• Compared to an absolute divorce, no-fault divorce is less expensive, promotes fairer settlements, and reflects a more realistic view of the causes for marital breakdown.
• Exposing children from an early age to the dangers of drug abuse is a sure method of preventing future drug addicts.
• In today’s crumbling job market, a high school diploma is not significant enough education to land a stable, lucrative job.

You can find thesis statements in many places, such as in the news; in the opinions of friends, coworkers or teachers; and even in songs you hear on the radio. Become aware of thesis statements in everyday life by paying attention to people’s opinions and their reasons for those opinions. Pay attention to your own everyday thesis statements as well, as these can become material for future essays.

Now that you have read about the contents of a good thesis statement and have seen examples, take a look at the pitfalls to avoid when composing your own thesis:

A thesis is weak when it is simply a declaration of your subject or a description of what you will discuss in your essay.

Weak thesis statement: My paper will explain why imagination is more important than knowledge.

A thesis is weak when it makes an unreasonable or outrageous claim or insults the opposing side.

Weak thesis statement: Religious radicals across America are trying to legislate their Puritanical beliefs by banning required high school books.

A thesis is weak when it contains an obvious fact or something that no one can disagree with or provides a dead end.

Weak thesis statement: Advertising companies use sex to sell their products.

A thesis is weak when the statement is too broad.

Weak thesis statement: The life of Abraham Lincoln was long and challenging.

Read the following thesis statements. On a separate piece of paper, identify each as weak or strong. For those that are weak, list the reasons why. Then revise the weak statements so that they conform to the requirements of a strong thesis.

• The subject of this paper is my experience with ferrets as pets.
• The government must expand its funding for research on renewable energy resources in order to prepare for the impending end of oil.
• Edgar Allan Poe was a poet who lived in Baltimore during the nineteenth century.
• In this essay, I will give you lots of reasons why slot machines should not be legalized in Baltimore.
• Despite his promises during his campaign, President Kennedy took few executive measures to support civil rights legislation.
• Because many children’s toys have potential safety hazards that could lead to injury, it is clear that not all children’s toys are safe.
• My experience with young children has taught me that I want to be a disciplinary parent because I believe that a child without discipline can be a parent’s worst nightmare.

Writing at Work

Often in your career, you will need to ask your boss for something through an e-mail. Just as a thesis statement organizes an essay, it can also organize your e-mail request. While your e-mail will be shorter than an essay, using a thesis statement in your first paragraph quickly lets your boss know what you are asking for, why it is necessary, and what the benefits are. In short body paragraphs, you can provide the essential information needed to expand upon your request.

Thesis Statement Revision

Your thesis will probably change as you write, so you will need to modify it to reflect exactly what you have discussed in your essay. Remember from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that your thesis statement begins as a working thesis statement , an indefinite statement that you make about your topic early in the writing process for the purpose of planning and guiding your writing.

Working thesis statements often become stronger as you gather information and form new opinions and reasons for those opinions. Revision helps you strengthen your thesis so that it matches what you have expressed in the body of the paper.

The best way to revise your thesis statement is to ask questions about it and then examine the answers to those questions. By challenging your own ideas and forming definite reasons for those ideas, you grow closer to a more precise point of view, which you can then incorporate into your thesis statement.

Ways to Revise Your Thesis

You can cut down on irrelevant aspects and revise your thesis by taking the following steps:

1. Pinpoint and replace all nonspecific words, such as people , everything , society , or life , with more precise words in order to reduce any vagueness.

Working thesis: Young people have to work hard to succeed in life.

Revised thesis: Recent college graduates must have discipline and persistence in order to find and maintain a stable job in which they can use and be appreciated for their talents.

The revised thesis makes a more specific statement about success and what it means to work hard. The original includes too broad a range of people and does not define exactly what success entails. By replacing those general words like people and work hard , the writer can better focus his or her research and gain more direction in his or her writing.

2. Clarify ideas that need explanation by asking yourself questions that narrow your thesis.

Working thesis: The welfare system is a joke.

Revised thesis: The welfare system keeps a socioeconomic class from gaining employment by alluring members of that class with unearned income, instead of programs to improve their education and skill sets.

A joke means many things to many people. Readers bring all sorts of backgrounds and perspectives to the reading process and would need clarification for a word so vague. This expression may also be too informal for the selected audience. By asking questions, the writer can devise a more precise and appropriate explanation for joke . The writer should ask himself or herself questions similar to the 5WH questions. (See Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” for more information on the 5WH questions.) By incorporating the answers to these questions into a thesis statement, the writer more accurately defines his or her stance, which will better guide the writing of the essay.

3. Replace any linking verbs with action verbs. Linking verbs are forms of the verb to be , a verb that simply states that a situation exists.

Working thesis: Kansas City schoolteachers are not paid enough.

Revised thesis: The Kansas City legislature cannot afford to pay its educators, resulting in job cuts and resignations in a district that sorely needs highly qualified and dedicated teachers.

The linking verb in this working thesis statement is the word are . Linking verbs often make thesis statements weak because they do not express action. Rather, they connect words and phrases to the second half of the sentence. Readers might wonder, “Why are they not paid enough?” But this statement does not compel them to ask many more questions. The writer should ask himself or herself questions in order to replace the linking verb with an action verb, thus forming a stronger thesis statement, one that takes a more definitive stance on the issue:

• Who is not paying the teachers enough?
• What is considered “enough”?
• What is the problem?
• What are the results

4. Omit any general claims that are hard to support.

Working thesis: Today’s teenage girls are too sexualized.

Revised thesis: Teenage girls who are captivated by the sexual images on MTV are conditioned to believe that a woman’s worth depends on her sensuality, a feeling that harms their self-esteem and behavior.

It is true that some young women in today’s society are more sexualized than in the past, but that is not true for all girls. Many girls have strict parents, dress appropriately, and do not engage in sexual activity while in middle school and high school. The writer of this thesis should ask the following questions:

• Which teenage girls?
• What constitutes “too” sexualized?
• Why are they behaving that way?
• Where does this behavior show up?
• What are the repercussions?

In the first section of Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , you determined your purpose for writing and your audience. You then completed a freewriting exercise about an event you recently experienced and chose a general topic to write about. Using that general topic, you then narrowed it down by answering the 5WH questions. After you answered these questions, you chose one of the three methods of prewriting and gathered possible supporting points for your working thesis statement.

Now, on a separate sheet of paper, write down your working thesis statement. Identify any weaknesses in this sentence and revise the statement to reflect the elements of a strong thesis statement. Make sure it is specific, precise, arguable, demonstrable, forceful, and confident.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

In your career you may have to write a project proposal that focuses on a particular problem in your company, such as reinforcing the tardiness policy. The proposal would aim to fix the problem; using a thesis statement would clearly state the boundaries of the problem and tell the goals of the project. After writing the proposal, you may find that the thesis needs revision to reflect exactly what is expressed in the body. Using the techniques from this chapter would apply to revising that thesis.

Key Takeaways

• Proper essays require a thesis statement to provide a specific focus and suggest how the essay will be organized.
• A thesis statement is your interpretation of the subject, not the topic itself.
• A strong thesis is specific, precise, forceful, confident, and is able to be demonstrated.
• A strong thesis challenges readers with a point of view that can be debated and can be supported with evidence.
• A weak thesis is simply a declaration of your topic or contains an obvious fact that cannot be argued.
• Depending on your topic, it may or may not be appropriate to use first person point of view.
• Revise your thesis by ensuring all words are specific, all ideas are exact, and all verbs express action.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Get science-backed answers as you write with Paperpal's Research feature

How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)   

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading. 

Table of Contents

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

• Argumentative Essay Introduction Example: 
• Expository Essay Introduction Example 

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail. 

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction: 

• Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote. 
• Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. 
• Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay. 

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2  

• Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.  
• Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.  
• Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction: 

• Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. 
• Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic. 
• State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay. 
• Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis. 
• Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic. 
• Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument. 

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education: 

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation. 

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education). 

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.  

• Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?” 
• Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher. 
• Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.” 

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps: 

• Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.” 
• Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument. 
• Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.” 
• Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns. 
• Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.” 

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement: 

• Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.” 
• State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.” 
• Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention. 
• Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” 

Examples of essay introduction 

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays: 

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:  

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.” 

Expository Essay Introduction Example  

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise 

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.” 

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee 

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.” 

• Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic. 
• Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement. 
• Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined. 
• Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. 
• Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. 

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3  

• Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. 
• Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion. 
• Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific. 
• Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay. 
• Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis. 
• Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors. 
• Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further. 

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.  

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.  

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.   For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.” 

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.  

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness. 

References  

• Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills . 
• West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617. 
• Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242. 

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• How to Paraphrase Research Papers Effectively
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87+ ChatGPT Prompts for Thesis Writing

In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), one transformative tool stands out for its potential in the realm of academic writing: ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. This AI assistant is becoming a valuable tool for many, particularly for those engaged in thesis writing.

Thesis writing, a crucial component of advanced academic degrees, is a demanding process that requires a significant amount of time, critical thinking, and research skills. Traditionally, writing a thesis is a solitary endeavor, often leading to situations where the writer feels stuck or overwhelmed. In recent years, however, AI technologies like ChatGPT have emerged as a potential ally in this process.

ChatGPT, leveraging its advanced language processing capabilities, can assist in multiple aspects of thesis writing. From generating research questions and exploring potential thesis topics to refining thesis statements and discussing research methodologies, this AI tool can provide an array of prompts to stimulate thought and facilitate the writing process.

This blog post aims to explore the role of ChatGPT in thesis writing, focusing on the potential prompts that can aid in various stages of the process. We'll dive into how these AI-powered prompts can provide valuable insights, guide your thought process, and ultimately help you produce a well-structured, insightful thesis.

Table of Contents

Understanding Thesis Writing

Thesis writing is an integral part of advanced academic study, typically required for the completion of a Master's or Ph.D. degree. It is a comprehensive document that presents the author's research and findings in a specified field of study. The primary goal of a thesis is to contribute original knowledge to the field.

Importance of a Well-Structured Thesis

A well-structured thesis serves as a demonstration of the author's competence in their field. It showcases their ability to conduct independent research, think critically, and communicate their ideas effectively. The clarity and coherence of the thesis structure directly impact the reader's understanding and the overall persuasiveness of the argument.

Common Challenges in Thesis Writing

Despite its importance, thesis writing can be a daunting task. Common challenges include finding a suitable topic, formulating a strong thesis statement, conducting a thorough literature review, choosing the appropriate methodology, analyzing data, and discussing the results. Additionally, maintaining academic integrity and a high standard of writing throughout the thesis can be a taxing endeavor.

Example Prompts:

What are some potential topics in the field of [insert field]?

How can I refine my thesis statement to be more clear and concise?

Can you help me summarize the key points from this research article?

What is the most suitable methodology for studying [insert research question]?

Can you assist me in interpreting these data findings?

How can I discuss the implications of my results effectively?

How can I ensure the academic integrity of my thesis?

The Concept of AI-Powered Prompts

AI-powered prompts are questions or statements designed to stimulate the AI to provide a specific type of response. These prompts act as inputs that guide the AI's response, allowing users to get the most out of the system. In the context of thesis writing, AI-powered prompts can be used to generate ideas, clarify concepts, assist in structuring arguments, and much more.

How AI-Powered Prompts Can Help in Thesis Writing

The use of AI-powered prompts in thesis writing can significantly streamline the process. They can assist in brainstorming research questions, forming a strong thesis statement, synthesizing literature, choosing appropriate methodologies, interpreting results, and more. ChatGPT can provide fresh perspectives, helping to overcome writer's block and stimulate creative thinking.

Advantages of Using ChatGPT Prompts

ChatGPT prompts offer several advantages for thesis writers. They can save time by providing instant responses, offer new perspectives on complex topics, help improve writing skills by providing examples of good writing, and serve as a tool for self-reflection, helping writers understand their own thoughts more clearly.

I'm having trouble coming up with a research question on [insert topic]. Can you suggest some possibilities?

How can I make my thesis statement stronger?

I need to summarize the main findings of these research papers. Can you help me synthesize them?

I'm unsure about the best methodology to use for my research. Can you provide some guidance?

I'm struggling to interpret these results. Can you provide some insights?

How can I improve the academic writing style in my thesis?

I'm facing writer's block. Can you provide some prompts to stimulate my thinking on [insert topic]?

Using ChatGPT for Thesis Brainstorming

ChatGPT can be an excellent tool for generating research questions. By providing insights or suggesting different angles on your chosen topic, ChatGPT can help you formulate specific, researchable questions. It can help stimulate your thinking, encourage creativity, and ensure your research questions are both innovative and relevant to your field of study.

Using ChatGPT to Explore Potential Thesis Topics

ChatGPT can also be a valuable asset when it comes to exploring potential thesis topics. By discussing various topics related to your field of study, ChatGPT can help you identify areas that interest you, are worth exploring, and have the potential to contribute to your field's body of knowledge.

Prompts for Brainstorming Different Angles on a Topic

Using prompts can help you explore different perspectives or angles on a topic, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the subject. ChatGPT can assist you in thinking outside the box, pushing you to consider aspects of your topic that you might not have thought of on your own.

I am interested in the field of [insert field]. What are some current research trends or topics in this area?

I have a general idea about [insert topic]. Can we brainstorm some specific research questions related to this?

I am considering [insert topic] for my thesis. Can you suggest different perspectives or subtopics within this?

Can you help me explore the potential implications of [insert topic]?

How might [insert current event or trend] impact research in the field of [insert field]?

I want to explore the intersection of [insert two fields or topics]. Can you suggest some research questions at this intersection?

How can I approach the topic of [insert topic] from a [insert theoretical framework or perspective] perspective?

Using ChatGPT for Literature Review

The literature review is a critical part of thesis writing, requiring you to identify, evaluate, and synthesize previous research related to your topic. ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in this process, helping you understand complex studies, summarize key findings, and identify connections between different sources.

Prompts for Identifying Gaps in the Literature

Identifying gaps in the literature is crucial as it informs your research questions and contributes to the originality of your thesis. ChatGPT can assist in this task by helping you review the literature critically, pointing out areas that require further investigation.

Using ChatGPT to Explore Different Perspectives on a Topic

A comprehensive literature review should consider various perspectives on the topic. ChatGPT can aid in this by suggesting different viewpoints or theories that might not be immediately apparent, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

Can you help me summarize the key findings of this study on [insert topic]?

What are the main theories or perspectives related to [insert topic]?

Are there any conflicting views or debates in the literature on [insert topic]?

Based on the current literature, what areas of [insert topic] seem to be under-researched?

Can you help me compare and contrast these two studies on [insert topic]?

How can I relate [insert study] to my own research on [insert topic]?

What are some potential implications of [insert study's findings] for future research on [insert topic]?

Using ChatGPT for Thesis Statements

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of your thesis. It serves as the roadmap for your paper, guiding your research and writing process. It should be clear, argumentative, and well-focused, encapsulating your thesis in one or two sentences.

How ChatGPT Can Help in Forming a Strong Thesis Statement

ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in crafting a strong thesis statement. By providing feedback or suggestions, it can help ensure your thesis statement is clear, specific, and aligned with your research objectives.

Prompts for Refining and Improving a Thesis Statement

A well-crafted thesis statement can make your research more focused and your arguments more persuasive. Using prompts can help you refine and improve your thesis statement, ensuring it effectively communicates the purpose of your research.

This is my current thesis statement: [insert thesis statement]. How can I make it more specific and argumentative?

Can you suggest a way to make my thesis statement more concise without losing its main point?

I'm having trouble formulating a thesis statement for my research on [insert topic]. Can you help?

Based on my research question on [insert question], what might be a good thesis statement?

How can I better align my thesis statement with my research objectives?

I want to express the idea of [insert idea] in my thesis statement. Can you help me phrase it?

Can you help me ensure that my thesis statement is debatable and not just stating a fact?

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Using ChatGPT for Research Methodology

A well-defined research methodology is crucial for the success of any thesis. It outlines the overall research design, including data collection and analysis methods, and ensures your research is systematic, valid, and reliable.

How ChatGPT Can Assist in Discussing Research Methodology

ChatGPT can assist in discussing research methodology by providing insights into different methodological approaches, helping you choose the most suitable methods for your research, and assisting in describing your methodology in a clear and coherent manner.

Prompts for Exploring Different Methodologies and Techniques

Different research questions require different methodologies. Using prompts, you can explore various methodological approaches with ChatGPT, ensuring you choose the most appropriate methods for your research question.

I'm studying [insert topic]. What would be an appropriate methodology for this kind of research?

Can you explain the differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods?

How can I effectively describe my data collection process in my methodology section?

I'm considering using [insert method] for my research. What are its advantages and disadvantages?

Can you suggest some data analysis techniques for [insert type of data]?

How can I ensure the reliability and validity of my research using [insert method]?

I'm having trouble explaining the rationale for my chosen methodology. Can you help me articulate it?

Using ChatGPT for Data Analysis and Results Interpretation

Data analysis and interpretation are crucial stages in thesis writing. They allow you to make sense of your data, draw meaningful conclusions, and relate your findings back to your research questions. A well-executed analysis can strengthen your arguments and make your thesis more compelling.

How ChatGPT Can Assist in Data Analysis and Interpretation

ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in data analysis and interpretation. It can help explain complex statistical concepts, assist in interpreting your results, and guide you in discussing the implications of your findings in the context of your research question and the existing literature.

Prompts for Data Analysis, Results Interpretation, and Discussion

Using prompts can help you navigate the challenging process of data analysis and interpretation. They can guide your thinking, help clarify your findings, and assist in discussing the implications of your results.

I'm having trouble interpreting these results. Can you help me understand what they might mean?

Can you explain the concept of [insert statistical concept] and how it applies to my data?

How can I discuss the implications of my findings in relation to my research question?

I've found a significant correlation between [insert variables]. How can I interpret this finding?

How can I relate my findings to the existing literature on [insert topic]?

I'm struggling with the statistical analysis of my data. Can you guide me through the process?

I've encountered some unexpected results in my data. How should I address this in my thesis?

Using ChatGPT for Thesis Conclusion

A strong conclusion is vital for wrapping up your thesis effectively. It should succinctly summarize your findings, discuss the implications of your research, and suggest directions for future research. A well-written conclusion leaves a lasting impression on your readers, underscoring the value and relevance of your research.

How ChatGPT Can Help in Crafting a Compelling Conclusion

ChatGPT can assist in crafting a compelling conclusion by providing suggestions on how to summarize your findings effectively, discuss their implications, and suggest future research directions. It can help ensure your conclusion is coherent, focused, and aligns with your research objectives.

Prompts for Writing a Strong Conclusion

Using prompts can help you craft a strong conclusion that effectively summarizes your thesis, highlights its contributions, and suggests areas for future research.

How can I effectively summarize my main findings in the conclusion?

Can you help me discuss the implications of my research for the field of [insert field]?

How can I address the limitations of my study in the conclusion?

Based on my findings, what might be some directions for future research on [insert topic]?

Can you help me highlight the contributions of my research to the existing literature on [insert topic]?

How can I ensure my conclusion aligns with my research objectives and thesis statement?

I want to end my thesis on a compelling note. Can you suggest a way to do this?

Using ChatGPT for Thesis Revision and Editing

Thesis revision and editing are crucial steps in the thesis writing process. They ensure your thesis is coherent, well-structured, and free of errors. A well-edited thesis communicates your ideas more effectively and presents your research in the best possible light.

How ChatGPT Can Assist in Thesis Revision and Editing

ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in the revision and editing process. It can help identify areas of your thesis that need improvement, provide suggestions on how to enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing, and assist in checking for grammatical errors and inconsistencies.

Prompts for Thesis Revision and Editing

Using prompts can help you make the most of ChatGPT's capabilities in the revision and editing process. They can guide you in enhancing the quality of your thesis, ensuring it is well-written, coherent, and error-free.

Can you help me improve the clarity and coherence of this paragraph?

I'm concerned this section of my thesis may be too verbose. Can you suggest a way to make it more concise?

Can you check this section for grammatical errors and inconsistencies?

This paragraph doesn't seem to flow well. Can you help me improve its transition and coherence?

Can you help me ensure that my thesis maintains a consistent tone and style throughout?

I'm unsure if this section aligns well with my thesis statement. Can you provide some feedback?

How can I improve the readability of my thesis?

More Great ChatGPT Prompts for Thesis Writing

In addition to the prompts listed in the specific sections above, there are many other ways you can leverage ChatGPT to facilitate your thesis writing process. Whether you need help brainstorming ideas, outlining your thesis, generating arguments, or polishing your writing, ChatGPT can provide valuable assistance. The following are some additional unique prompt ideas that you can use:

Can you help me brainstorm some potential research questions for my thesis on [insert topic]?

I'm stuck with writer's block. Can you suggest a way to proceed with this section?

Can you provide an outline for a thesis on [insert topic]?

How can I strengthen the argument in this paragraph?

Can you suggest some reputable sources for research on [insert topic]?

How can I make the introduction of my thesis more engaging?

Can you help me formulate a hypothesis for my research on [insert topic]?

I'm having trouble structuring my literature review. Can you provide some guidance?

How can I incorporate this feedback from my advisor into my thesis?

Can you help me paraphrase this passage to avoid plagiarism?

How can I improve the transition between these two sections of my thesis?

Can you help me create a compelling title for my thesis?

What would be a suitable research design for my study on [insert topic]?

How can I present these results in a clear and understandable way?

Can you help me write an abstract for my thesis?

I'm struggling with citing sources in APA style. Can you provide some guidance?

How can I discuss the ethical considerations of my research in my methodology section?

Can you help me write a strong opening sentence for this paragraph?

How can I address potential counterarguments to my thesis?

Can you help me write a dedication for my thesis?

I need to write a thank you note to my thesis advisor. Can you help?

How can I effectively discuss the limitations of my research in the conclusion?

Can you help me prepare a presentation of my thesis findings?

How can I make my thesis more accessible to a non-specialist audience?

I'm feeling overwhelmed by the thesis writing process. Can you provide some motivation or encouragement?

Thesis writing is a challenging process that involves many different tasks, from formulating a research question and reviewing the literature, to designing a methodology, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. Fortunately, AI tools like ChatGPT can provide valuable assistance throughout this process.

By using the right prompts, you can leverage the capabilities of ChatGPT to help brainstorm ideas, clarify your thoughts, write more effectively, and ensure your thesis is well-structured and coherent. Whether you're stuck with writer's block, struggling to interpret your data, or simply need some motivation to keep going, ChatGPT is a powerful tool that can make the thesis writing process a little less daunting.

Remember, the key to using ChatGPT effectively is to ask the right questions. The prompts provided in this post are just starting points. Feel free to modify them to fit your specific needs, or come up with your own prompts based on the challenges you're facing.

Happy writing!

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About R.J. Adams

R.J. is an artificial intelligence aficionado, committed to demystifying the intricacies of this cutting-edge technology for enthusiasts and novices alike. Leveraging his comprehensive background in internet marketing, online tools, and communications, he continually ventures into the landscape of newly released AI tools, conducting thorough tests and analyses, as well as finding the best prompts to use on the latest AI tools. He can also solve Rubik's Cube in under 2 minutes.

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87+ ChatGPT Prompts for Thesis Writing | Write NOW!

• May 10, 2024

ChatGPT is an AI model developed by OpenAI, designed to generate human-like text based on the input it receives. It stands for “Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer.” Essentially, it’s a sophisticated language model that can understand and generate text in a conversational manner. ChatGPT is trained on a vast amount of text data and uses a deep learning architecture called Transformers to understand and generate responses to prompts or questions. It’s used in various applications, including chatbots, virtual assistants, content generation, and more, to simulate human-like conversation and provide useful responses to users.

The key features of ChatGPT include:

• Natural Language Understanding: ChatGPT has the ability to understand natural language input from users, allowing it to comprehend a wide range of questions, prompts, and conversational contexts.
• Contextual Responses: It generates responses based on the context of the conversation, taking into account the preceding dialogue to provide relevant and coherent answers.
• Conversational Flow: ChatGPT maintains a conversational flow by responding contextually to the user’s queries, enabling fluid and engaging interactions similar to human conversation.
• Multimodal Inputs: It can process various types of inputs, including text, images, and audio, to provide more versatile and interactive responses.
• Adaptability: ChatGPT can adapt its responses based on user feedback and the evolving context of the conversation, improving its performance over time.
• Extensibility: Developers can fine-tune ChatGPT or integrate additional modules to enhance its capabilities and customize its behavior for specific applications or use cases.
• Ethical Considerations: ChatGPT incorporates safeguards to promote ethical use, such as filtering out inappropriate content and avoiding biased or harmful responses.
• Multi-Turn Dialogue: It supports multi-turn dialogue, allowing users to engage in extended conversations with ChatGPT and maintain continuity across multiple interactions.

Table of Contents

How does ChatGPT work?

ChatGPT is based on a deep learning architecture called Transformers, which processes input text and generates output text using a sequence-to-sequence approach. It’s pre-trained on a large dataset of text from the internet and fine-tuned for specific tasks or applications.

What can I use ChatGPT for?

ChatGPT can be used for a variety of applications, including chatbots, virtual assistants, content generation, language translation, and more. It’s versatile and adaptable, making it suitable for a wide range of natural language processing tasks.

Is ChatGPT capable of understanding context?

Yes, ChatGPT is designed to understand context and generate responses that are appropriate based on the preceding dialogue. It maintains a conversational flow by considering the context of the conversation and providing relevant answers.

Can ChatGPT generate responses in multiple languages?

While ChatGPT is primarily trained on English text, it can generate responses in multiple languages with varying degrees of proficiency. There are also versions of ChatGPT trained specifically for other languages, such as Chinese, Spanish, and French.

How accurate is ChatGPT?

The accuracy of ChatGPT depends on various factors, including the quality of the training data, the complexity of the task, and the specific version of the model being used. Generally, ChatGPT performs well in generating coherent and contextually relevant responses, but it may occasionally produce errors or nonsensical output.

Is ChatGPT biased?

ChatGPT strives to be unbiased and impartial in its responses, but like any AI model, it may reflect biases present in the training data. OpenAI takes measures to mitigate bias in ChatGPT by carefully curating and filtering the training data and implementing fairness and transparency guidelines.

Can ChatGPT be used for malicious purposes?

While ChatGPT is primarily intended for positive and productive applications, there is potential for misuse by individuals or organizations seeking to generate harmful or misleading content. OpenAI encourages responsible use of ChatGPT and provides guidelines for ethical deployment to mitigate potential risks.

Also Read ➤ ➤

Think of ChatGPT as a super smart computer program that can talk to you like a human. You type something to it, like asking a question or saying something, and it responds just like a real person would. It’s like having a conversation with a friend, but instead of talking to a person, you’re chatting with this computer program. It’s really good at understanding what you’re saying and giving you helpful answers or responses. So, whether you’re asking for information, chatting for fun, or even getting advice, ChatGPT is there to chat with you, just like a friendly virtual buddy!

Using ChatGPT for thesis writing can be helpful for a few reasons. First, it can help you come up with ideas for what to write about. It’s like having a smart friend who can suggest topics based on what you’re interested in. Second, if you’re doing research, ChatGPT can summarize lots of articles and books for you, so you don’t have to read everything yourself. It’s like having a super-fast reader who can give you the main points of a bunch of stuff in no time. 

Third, it can even help you write parts of your thesis, like the beginning or the middle sections. It’s like having a writing assistant who can give you a head start on putting your thoughts into words. Finally, if you’ve written something and you’re not sure if it’s good, ChatGPT can give you feedback to help you make it better. It’s like having a writing coach who can give you tips on how to improve your work. Overall, using ChatGPT can make thesis writing easier and less stressful by giving you support and guidance along the way.

The Main Agenda – Best Chat GPT Prompts for Thesis Writing

Research thesis.

• “Generate potential research questions related to [specific field or topic] that could be explored in a research thesis.”
• “Outline the key components of a research thesis, including the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.”
• “Provide a structured outline for a research thesis, detailing the main sections and subsections.”
• “Discuss the importance of conducting original research and contributing new knowledge to the field in a research thesis.”
• “Explore different research methodologies and techniques that could be used in a research thesis, such as quantitative surveys or qualitative interviews.”
• “Outline the steps involved in conducting literature reviews and synthesizing existing research for inclusion in a research thesis.”
• “Discuss strategies for organizing and analyzing research data collected for a research thesis, such as coding qualitative data or using statistical software.”
• “Generate potential hypotheses or research objectives that could guide the focus of a research thesis.”
• “Discuss ethical considerations and guidelines for conducting research and reporting findings in a research thesis.”
• “Explore different formats for presenting research findings in a thesis, such as tables, graphs, or case studies.”
• “Discuss the significance of peer review and academic rigor in evaluating research conducted for a thesis.”
• “Provide tips for writing a compelling introduction and conclusion that frame the research questions and findings in a research thesis.”

Literature Review Thesis

• “Generate potential topics or research questions for a literature review thesis in [specific field or topic].”
• “Discuss the purpose and scope of a literature review thesis and its role in synthesizing existing research on a particular topic.”
• “Outline the structure of a literature review thesis, including the introduction, thematic sections, and conclusion.”
• “Explore strategies for conducting comprehensive literature searches and identifying relevant sources for inclusion in a literature review thesis.”
• “Discuss techniques for critically analyzing and evaluating the quality of literature reviewed in a literature review thesis.”
• “Provide examples of thematic organization and synthesis of literature in a literature review thesis, such as chronological or theoretical frameworks.”
• “Discuss the importance of identifying gaps or inconsistencies in existing literature and proposing areas for future research in a literature review thesis.”
• “Generate potential criteria for selecting and prioritizing literature to include in a literature review thesis.”
• “Explore different citation styles and formatting guidelines for referencing sources in a literature review thesis.”
• “Discuss strategies for writing concise and cohesive summaries of literature reviewed in a literature review thesis.”
• “Provide tips for integrating critical analysis and interpretation of literature into a literature review thesis.”
• “Discuss the significance of acknowledging and addressing conflicting viewpoints or controversies in a literature review thesis.”

Argumentative or Persuasive Thesis

• “Generate potential controversial topics or issues that could be addressed in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Discuss the structure of an argumentative or persuasive thesis, including the thesis statement, supporting evidence, and counterarguments.”
• “Outline strategies for developing a compelling argument and persuasive rhetoric in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Explore different types of evidence that could be used to support arguments in an argumentative or persuasive thesis, such as statistics, anecdotes, or expert testimony.”
• “Discuss techniques for anticipating and addressing potential objections or counterarguments in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Provide examples of effective thesis statements that clearly articulate the author’s position and main arguments in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Discuss the importance of logical reasoning and coherence in structuring arguments in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Generate potential strategies for engaging readers and eliciting emotional responses in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Explore ethical considerations and guidelines for presenting arguments and evidence in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Discuss the significance of audience analysis and adaptation in tailoring arguments for different readerships in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Provide tips for effectively integrating quotations and citations to support arguments in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”
• “Discuss the role of rhetorical devices, such as analogy, metaphor, or rhetorical questions, in enhancing persuasion in an argumentative or persuasive thesis.”

Analytical Thesis

• “Generate potential analytical topics or research questions that could be explored in an analytical thesis.”
• “Discuss the structure of an analytical thesis, including the thesis statement, analytical framework, and supporting evidence.”
• “Outline strategies for conducting in-depth analysis and interpretation of data, texts, or phenomena in an analytical thesis.”
• “Explore different theoretical frameworks or methodologies that could be applied to analyze topics in an analytical thesis.”
• “Discuss techniques for identifying patterns, trends, or relationships in data analyzed for an analytical thesis.”
• “Provide examples of analytical approaches, such as comparative analysis, thematic analysis, or discourse analysis, used in analytical theses.”
• “Discuss the importance of objectivity and rigor in conducting analysis and interpreting findings in an analytical thesis.”
• “Generate potential criteria for evaluating the validity and reliability of analytical findings in an analytical thesis.”
• “Explore ethical considerations and guidelines for conducting analysis and reporting results in an analytical thesis.”
• “Discuss the significance of contextualizing analysis within broader theoretical debates or disciplinary frameworks in an analytical thesis.”
• “Provide tips for effectively organizing and presenting analytical findings in an analytical thesis.”
• “Discuss strategies for drawing conclusions and making recommendations based on analysis conducted in an analytical thesis.”

Case Study Thesis

• “Generate potential case study topics or research questions that could be explored in a case study thesis.”
• “Discuss the structure of a case study thesis, including the introduction, background information, case description, analysis, and conclusion.”
• “Outline strategies for selecting and defining case study boundaries and parameters in a case study thesis.”
• “Explore different types of case studies, such as descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, or instrumental, used in case study theses.”
• “Discuss techniques for collecting and analyzing data or evidence within a specific case study context for a case study thesis.”
• “Provide examples of case study methodologies, such as interviews, observations, or document analysis, used in case study theses.”
• “Discuss the importance of triangulation and data validation in enhancing the credibility and reliability of case study findings in a case study thesis.”
• “Generate potential criteria for evaluating the relevance and significance of case study findings in a case study thesis.”
• “Explore ethical considerations and guidelines for conducting case studies and ensuring participant confidentiality in a case study thesis.”
• “Discuss the significance of theory-building and generalizability in drawing conclusions from case study findings in a case study thesis.”
• “Provide tips for effectively structuring and organizing case study narratives and analyses in a case study thesis.”
• “Discuss strategies for integrating theoretical concepts and empirical evidence within case study analyses in a case study thesis.”

Creative Thesis

• “Generate potential creative thesis topics or projects in [specific creative field or medium], such as literature, art, music, or design.”
• “Discuss the structure and format of a creative thesis, including the creative work produced and accompanying reflection or analysis.”
• “Outline strategies for generating and developing creative ideas or concepts for a creative thesis project.”
• “Explore different creative processes and techniques used in producing original works for a creative thesis.”
• “Discuss the role of inspiration, experimentation, and iteration in the creative process for a creative thesis project.”
• “Provide examples of creative thesis projects, such as novels, poems, paintings, sculptures, performances, or multimedia installations.”
• “Discuss the importance of context, audience, and intended meaning in interpreting and evaluating creative works for a creative thesis.”
• “Generate potential criteria for evaluating the quality and significance of creative works produced for a creative thesis.”
• “Explore ethical considerations and guidelines for conducting creative research and acknowledging sources of inspiration in a creative thesis.”
• “Discuss the significance of reflective analysis and self-critique in accompanying creative works with written reflections in a creative thesis.”
• “Provide tips for effectively documenting and presenting creative processes and outcomes in a creative thesis.”
• “Discuss strategies for incorporating feedback, revisions, and iterations into the development of creative works for a creative thesis.”

Professional or Practice-Based Thesis

• “Generate potential topics or research questions for a professional or practice-based thesis in [specific professional field or discipline].”
• “Discuss the structure and format of a professional or practice-based thesis, including the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical application.”
• “Outline strategies for conducting applied research or practice-based projects within professional settings for a professional or practice-based thesis.”
• “Explore different methodologies and approaches used in professional or practice-based research, such as action research, program evaluation, or needs assessment.”
• “Discuss the role of collaboration, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement in conducting research or projects for a professional or practice-based thesis.”
• “Provide examples of professional or practice-based thesis projects, such as consulting reports, policy analyses, program implementations, or intervention evaluations.”
• “Discuss the importance of context, relevance, and applicability in designing and executing research or projects for a professional or practice-based thesis.”
• “Generate potential criteria for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of professional or practice-based interventions or recommendations in a professional or practice-based thesis.”
• “Explore ethical considerations and guidelines for conducting research or projects within professional settings and ensuring integrity and confidentiality in a professional or practice-based thesis.”
• “Discuss the significance of knowledge translation and dissemination strategies in sharing research findings or project outcomes with relevant stakeholders in a professional or practice-based thesis.”
• “Provide tips for effectively documenting and presenting research processes, findings, and recommendations in a professional or practice-based thesis.”
• “Discuss strategies for integrating reflective analysis and critical self-assessment into professional or practice-based research and project implementation for a professional or practice-based thesis.”

In conclusion, the variety of ChatGPT prompts showcased here demonstrates its remarkable versatility in assisting with thesis writing across different disciplines and types. Powered by advanced deep learning algorithms, ChatGPT offers invaluable support at every stage of the research and writing process.

Whether crafting a research thesis, conducting a literature review, formulating persuasive arguments, analyzing data, exploring case studies, unleashing creativity, or engaging in professional practice-based research, ChatGPT prompts serve as invaluable tools. They provide inspiration, structure, and guidance, helping users generate ideas, refine research questions, organize thoughts, and present findings effectively.

Moreover, the emphasis on ethical usage underscores the importance of responsible AI deployment in academic endeavors. By adhering to fairness, transparency, and integrity principles, users can leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities while mitigating potential risks and biases.

In essence, ChatGPT represents a groundbreaking innovation in thesis writing, reshaping the academic landscape by offering unprecedented support and collaboration. With its ability to understand and engage in human-like conversation, ChatGPT transcends traditional writing assistance, empowering researchers, scholars, students, and professionals to explore new frontiers in knowledge creation and dissemination.

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Can ChatGPT pass college assignments? We tested it out, with help from Wisconsin professors

In the era of artificial intelligence, cheating is only getting easier for students.

Some instructors say they can easily tell when students turn in AI-generated work. Others find it far trickier and will turn to online AI detectors for confirmation when their suspicions are raised. Educators everywhere are trying to create AI-proof assignments.

"The more conventional prompt and writing you ask students to do, the more likely they can bring in a machine to do that work," said Chuck Lewis, a Beloit College English instructor and director of the writing program.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tested how well AI can complete college-level work — and whether instructors can detect it.

Where did idea come from?

A Harvard student last year asked seven professors and teaching assistants to grade essays written in response to a class assignment. To minimize response bias, the student told instructors the essays might have been written by herself or by AI, but in reality, all of the work was done by GPT-4, a version of the chatbot from OpenAI.

The AI-generated assignments received mostly A’s and B’s, along with one Pass.

"Not only can GPT-4 pass a typical social science and humanities-focused freshman year at Harvard, but it can get pretty good grades," the student wrote in an essay published by the Chronicle of Higher Education .

How did Journal Sentinel's ChatGPT experiment work?

I followed the same methodology as the Harvard student.

Professors emailed me a smaller assignment they would give their students, not an end-of-the-semester research paper. I told them some of the work would be done honestly and other assignments handled by ChatGPT. In fact, AI did all of the work.

I formulated prompts for ChatGPT from the assignments provided. In most cases, I wrote more tailored prompts to ChatGPT based on what it produced on the first try. Often, the additional requests asked the chatbot to provide more specific examples, expand on its ideas or use a less formal tone.

The experiment was far from scientific. Several professors said they approached grading more skeptically than they would have had it been a student's submission, given the circumstances.

ChatGPT earned 1 A, 2 B's and 2 incompletes.

English assignment at UW-Whitewater

Course: Critical Writing in the Field of English

Assignment: Write a three- to five-page paper examining how a poem among a selection provided draws on a specific concept discussed in class. Include analysis of specific passages in the poem and explore the use of at least five literary terms.

Was this hard for ChatGPT: At first, the chatbot analyzed a completely different poem than the title provided. I submitted the full lines of the correct poem, prompting the chatbot to apologize for the "oversight." Additional prompts providing specific literary terms for the chatbot to incorporate into the essay helped refine the work.

Comments: The instructor said the paper "fulfills the assignment admirably, and brings an admirable depth of understanding" of the poet's use of the concept. The thesis statement could have been more specific, resulting in a slight deduction.

Political science assignment at Marquette

Course: Introduction to American Politics

Assignment: Write a short paper describing the three faces of power and explaining how each constrains you in your own life.

Was this hard for ChatGPT: No. The chatbot easily put together an essay. A second prompt asking to connect the faces of power concept to my life as a reporter provided more specificity.

Grade: Incomplete

Comments: "Without question, the submission deserves an A," the instructor said. But ChatGPT made one small mistake, which immediately sparked skepticism. While the essay correctly cited the creator of the theory, the reading associated with the assignment was from a different person.

The instructor ran it through two AI detectors, both of which suggested the work was AI-generated. He said he would confront a student who submitted this work.

Library and information studies assignment at UW-Madison

Course: Information Divides and Differences in a Multicultural Society

Assignment: Daily log of media consumption with analysis of tone, evidence, expertise of each source, roughly 350 words

Was this hard for ChatGPT: No. I submitted a second prompt asking for a less formal tone. While the chatbot cited legitimate news outlets, such as the Wisconsin State Journal and New York Times, in the log, the summaries described general topics, not actual news stories.

Comments: The instructor said there were no "egregious red flags" but one sentence stood as sounding like ChatGPT. Overall, he found the discussion of each media source "thoughtful." The log as a whole was "clear and concise." In general, he tends to give students the benefit of the doubt and wouldn't have suspected this log was AI-generated had it been turned in among a stack of others.

Education assignment at Marquette

Course: Child and Adolescent Development and Learning

Assignment: Find five sources for a research paper on an education topic of your choice, cite the sources in APA formatting and summarize each source in four to six sentences. (This is one part of a longer-term research paper.)

Was this hard for ChatGPT: No. It took just one prompt to produce what was submitted.

Grade: 88 (B+)

Comments: The instructor suspected at least some of the summaries were AI-generated because many were written in general terms. However, some of the sources cited appeared to be names of researchers he recognized, making him less suspicious overall.

"It raises an interesting question to me of if students use AI at a broad level (say putting directly in the prompt) or doing a more targeted approach," the instructor said. "I think if students searched for articles and then asked AI for summaries, I might be less likely to have an alarm bell go off in my head."

English assignment at Beloit College

Course: Introductory Literary Studies

Assignment: Write a 1,000-word essay about a selected novel with your own original analysis that engages with a New Yorker review of the novel. Choose from one of three selected topics as a starting point. Include at least three direct quotations from the novel. Give your paper a thoughtful title and underline your thesis statement.

Was this hard for ChatGPT: This was the most challenging of the assignments received and required several prompts to produce. The first essay was only 600 words and included just two direct quotations from the book. It cited a line from a book review that did not actually appear anywhere in the book review.  Attempts to expand the essay's length were unsuccessful. An instruction to underline the thesis statement was not completed.

Grade: Incomplete.

Comments: "I didn't need to read more than the first sentence to know this was going to be an AI ride," the instructor said. The writing was "bland," filled with "eager-to-please and generic book blurb-speak." It reminded him of what he tells students: Don't write a thesis nobody can disagree with — there's no argument to be made. The paper also made at least one error in describing part of the book.

The instructor said he would ask the student about their process, share his suspicion, have a discussion and decide on next steps. For now, no grade was assigned.

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at  [email protected] or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at  @KellyMeyerhofer .

Google pitches its vision for AI everywhere, from search to your phone

At the company’s annual I/O developer conference, executives announced AI improvements to Android, work apps and its Gemini chatbot.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — In speeches and demonstrations at the company’s annual developer conference on Tuesday, Google executives showed off a vision for its future, where artificial intelligence helps people work, plan their lives, navigate the physical world and get answers to questions directly. It would change the way the internet works forever.

In the biggest overhaul to Google’s search engine in years, the company said it will roll out AI-generated answers to the top of everyone’s search results in the United States this week, and to a billion of its worldwide users by the end of the year.

It also pushed its new and improved voice assistant that can answer questions more skillfully than before. Instead of connecting people to the broader web, Google’s AI will now do the reading and researching for them, summarizing websites, videos and social media posts into “overviews” that include everything they need to know on any given topic.

“Google will do the searching, the researching, the planning, the brainstorming and so much more. All you need to do is just ask,” Elizabeth Reid, Google’s head of search, said onstage.

In one example, an executive asked Google’s Gemini assistant to plan a trip to Miami for her and her family. The AI searched the internet, reading reviews and travel guides written by humans, and put together an itinerary. The company showed off dozens more examples, from helping people learn how to flirt, to giving a suggestion for a last-minute gift.

The tsunami of new AI features come as the tech giant has thrown tens of billions of dollars into building AI tools to respond to competition from Meta, Microsoft, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and a host of up-and-coming AI start-ups. AI features will prominently be displayed across Google’s products, including Google Docs, Google Photos, Gmail and YouTube.

Google researchers invented many of the core technologies that kicked off the AI arms race, but over the past year the company has been on its back foot, with many in the industry seeing its tech as lagging behind that of OpenAI. On Tuesday, the company sought to prove it is still the king of the AI world, showing off improvements to its core AI model, which it calls Gemini.

Outside the conference, which takes place at an open-air amphitheater near Google’s headquarters, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to demand the company end its work with Israel’s government and military. In April, Google fired 50 workers for holding sit-ins at the company’s offices to protest its contract with Israel.

Here are the biggest announcements from the company.

AI answers take over search

Google is making the biggest changes to its search engine since it launched its core product over 20 years ago. Now, instead of showing links to other sites or snippets of those sites at the top of search results, the company will use AI to summarize websites and provide multi-paragraph answers to search queries.

The changes have been in public testing for a year, but this week Google confirmed that it would aggressively push it to its hundreds of millions of users in the United States and further abroad, whether they want to use it or not. The changes are part of a broader vision outlined by Google CEO Sundar Pichai, in which Google will be the central hub of how information is accessed for everyone. The company will ingest social media comments, online videos and news articles and remix the information using AI, spitting it out again in whatever format its users want.

Publishers are warning the changes could devastate their businesses , as more people find their answers directly on Google and don’t click through to the source of the information. Google says it doesn’t want to damage the open web and that it is still prioritizing sending traffic to websites. Users can’t turn off the AI answers, even if they want to.

AI is still far from ready to answer every question well. Even Google’s slick, highly-produced promotional video had an error where it instructed someone to fix a camera in a way that would expose and damage the film.

Google’s AI bot Gemini gets smarter

Google’s flagship AI model — its answer to OpenAI’s GPT4 — is called Gemini. The company demonstrated its capabilities, like showing it a bookshelf through a phone camera and getting it to quickly make a spreadsheet of all the books and their authors. In briefings before the event, Google showed a video of an employee walking through an office with a phone camera open, asking Gemini questions. The AI analyzed computer code on a workstation monitor, looked out the window and identified the neighborhood the person was in and even made up a clever name for a band consisting of the office golden retriever and a stuffed tiger toy — “Golden Stripes.”

The improved version of Gemini is available to all developers around the world, and to consumers who pay for an advanced version of Google’s AI app.

The day before, OpenAI had showed off a similar tool, asking its own AI chatbot to describe a room and the activities of the people in it.

Google also said that Gemini could now take in more complex instructions. For example, a student could upload an entire thesis paper and ask for feedback or ideas on how to change it.

Google’s head of AI, Demis Hassabis, also teased the company’s Project Astra. It is Google’s effort to build an AI “agent” that could do tasks for people by navigating the web on its own. Theoretically, AI agents could do things like book dentist appointments, communicate with colleagues on your behalf, and research places to eat and make a reservation.

A new AI video tool, Veo

Generative AI companies, including Google, want to revolutionize the way people create visual images, audio and movies. At I/O, Google announced a new video-generating AI tool called Veo, which aims to compete with OpenAI’s Sora . Veo generates high definition videos that can be longer than a minute, a threshold Google had yet to achieve.

Before the big speeches, DJ Marc Rebillet tried to warm up the crowd by making beats using Google’s AI tools. Rebillet bounced around the stage yelling “Google” over and over again. Google said it is working with creators including Rebillet, musician Wyclef Jean, and actor and producer Donald Glover on AI creations.

Google also showed off a new image-generation AI tool called Imagen 3, meant to compete with OpenAI’s Dall-E 3. The tech allows people to generate realistic-looking images with text prompts.

Work apps get even more AI

Google has been putting AI features into its suite of productivity apps including Gmail, Docs, Drives and Sheets over the past year. At I/O, the company announced some new tweaks, allowing users to summarize groups of emails from the same sender, adding details from a Google Doc in an email or incorporating content from a spreadsheet into a Slides presentation.

The company will also begin letting people ask Google’s AI to find specific details in a document and add them to an email. Google’s “help me write” feature, which generates text from scratch, will also soon be available in Spanish and Portuguese.

Google showed how its Gemini AI tool can also be used to teach kids about new concepts, asking it to explain the physics behind how a basketball rolls and bounces.

Android wants to catch scam calls

Google owns the Android smartphone operating system, which runs on the majority of phones worldwide. The company is trying to make Android more appealing than Apple’s iOS by putting more AI into the operating system itself. One improved feature, called Circle to Search, allows a person to circle anything they have a question about or want more information on and immediately get search results. The user can also generate images for text messages by asking Gemini.

Gemini can also help users get information from videos and PDFs. While they’re watching a video, for example, they can ask a specific question about something that happened in it. When they ask a question about a PDF, it’ll refer users to the part of the PDF where it found the answer.

Scam calls have become an even bigger problem as AI voice generators allow fraudsters to mimic real people. Android previewed a feature that will listen to and interrupt calls with a notification to the user if it thinks the call is coming from a scammer, such as if the caller asks for bank account information.

In a previous version of this article, the caption for the top photograph incorrectly said it was of the 2023 I/O conference. The photograph was taken Tuesday. The caption has been corrected.