A thesis statement is the main idea of a document. It is usually a single sentence that states the purpose or objective of the article and provides a brief overview of the article's content.
A good thesis statement should be logically organized, clear and concise, and easy to follow. It should also reflect your voice. So, it shouldn't sound like something you've read or heard.
The best theses must be:
- Concise: A good thesis statement is brief and precise. It should be able to be stated in one or two sentences. Additionally, it should not rely on unnecessary jargon or repetition.
- Contentious: A contentious thesis statement asserts a topic that is controversial or debatable. This means that you will have to defend your position when you present it.
- Coherent: Your thesis must be coherent with the rest of the essay or document; it must flow logically from one point to the next for your argument to make sense.
Step-by-step guide to writing a good thesis
Below is a simple process for writing a good thesis:
Step 1: Start with a question
The first step to writing a good thesis is to start with a question, not an answer. This is because the answer has already been given to you by your teacher. The question is what you need to understand, and it should be something that requires analysis and research. Your thesis will be based on your ability to answer this question.
Step 2: Write your initial response
The next step in creating a good thesis is to write a response. Your answer should be as complete as possible, even if the point you are writing about is very specific and small. You will have time to refine your ideas and develop them later. However, at this stage it is essential to move forward by putting all your ideas on paper.
Step 3: Develop your answer
The main idea of your thesis should be clear at this point. Now you need to expand it into a complete answer. This step is where you will provide all the information for your research. Likewise, your analysis is included in the body of your document. Finally, you will also state a clear position on whether or not the evidence supports the initial hypothesis.
Step 4: Refine your thesis statement
The final step in the process of writing a good thesis is refining it. Refining your thesis means making it clear, concise and compelling.
You want to make sure the reader understands what you are trying to prove in your essay and why it is important. You need to go back and revise your thesis if you are unable to explain yourself in fewer words. We recommend trying a professional dissertation writing service.
What to avoid when writing a thesis
Most students make many mistakes while writing a thesis. This is why we recommend using a professional thesis writing service. Here are common mistakes to avoid when writing your thesis:
A thesis is never a question
A thesis statement is not a question. It is a statement about the subject of your article. Therefore, a declarative sentence should answer the question: “What will this paper be about?”
You cannot ask questions in your thesis statement. You can only answer it. Indeed, your thesis should give readers an idea of what they are going to read, not what they should read.
A thesis is never a list
A thesis is not a list of things that you believe to be true, that have been said to be true, or that could be true. Likewise, a thesis should not summarize what someone else has already said. This is called an annotated bibliography.
A thesis is not just your opinion
Your opinion matters. It’s part of what makes you unique as an author. However, let's assume that all you do is state your opinion repeatedly and in different ways. In this case, you miss the opportunity to argue. Additionally, defend it with evidence from multiple sources.
A thesis should never be vague, combative or conflicting…
A vague thesis will not help you get your message across clearly. Vagueness doesn’t make the reader think about what you’re trying to say. Therefore, he will not learn anything from your work.
Additionally, a combative thesis makes the reader believe that you are attacking them. As a result, he will become defensive and not listen to what you say.
Finally, an argumentative thesis gives the reader the impression that the author is confronting them. As a result, he is more likely to feel defensive and angry about what was said.