How to Write: Constructing Stronger Thesis Statements

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How does a Thesis Statement Work?
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A thesis statement is the central concept of your research paper.  It helps the reader to understand what your research is about. It guides them to comprehend specific ideas.  It is the key to unify significant components of a research paper.  A thesis statement is important because it gives the main purpose why you wrote the paper. 

​Start with an interesting statement to catch the reader’s attention. A clear thesis statement helps the writer present a well-constructed research.  Ideally, a thesis statement is placed towards the end of the Introduction section.  By doing so, you are gradually enticing the readers to get to the main point of your paper.

The original meaning of thesis is “setting down”, similar to an occasion where you want to sit down and discuss an important matter.  Likewise, a thesis statement is important for both the writer and the reader.  It is important for the writer because it defines the direction of his paper.  A reader knows the background of the research based on the thesis statement.  A working thesis statement is important to provide dynamics that make the topic sound interesting.

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The diagram shown above shows how to dynamically present your thesis statement.  The three elements of providing a clear thesis statement are the following:

1. Context
2. Subject
3. Claim

Take note that it does not necessarily have to be always in the C-S-C order.  Notice how the context part is the broader area.  This suggests that context should include general statements that serve as a point for discussion.  Give a universal idea which can be points for consideration in your paper.  Overall, the context part is where you start the Introduction section.  

​After giving context, you may now go to the more specific part of your thesis statement which is the subject.  The subject should be clear and concise. It is the part where you establish your main idea.  The last part of your thesis statement is the claim portion.  This should present asserting your opinion.  This presents your claim on a specific topic.

A strong thesis statement is shown below:

Weak statement: 
   Pollution is bad for the environment.

Strong statement:
   Instead of giving massive tax breaks to oil and gas companies, state and federal governments should stop supporting pollution-causing industries.

No one will disagree if an idea is constructed as in the first example.  However, the second statement sounds argumentative and suggests a point for discussion.  A thesis statement should be challenging especially debatable topics.  As a writer, you must be prepared to present evidence to support your claim.

Another example of a good thesis statement is illustrated below:

Instead of giving massive tax breaks to oil and gas companies, state and federal governments should focus on decreasing carbon emissions and supporting environmentally-sound industries.

This suggests a narrow and debatable thesis statement.  It provides an opportunity to discuss your claim.  It also entices the reader to agree or disagree with the points made.  The statement calls for further evidence to be included in the paper.

Everybody feels a bit hesitant about thesis or research writing. They say that the most difficult part is where and how to start. The key is to have a clear goal of what you want to prove to your readers.  Think of your paper as a funnel.  Start from general to specific ideas.  Create dynamics by backing up ideas with significant research.
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Looking for more details on thesis statements and how to support them?  Check out the book The Simple Guide to Thesis Statements and Support HERE.

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