Creating a Thesis Statement

Just like the topic sentences state the main idea of a paragraph, a thesis statement
states the main idea of a composition. A thesis statement is usually a single sentence, but
it may be two or more sentences. It is almost always located in the introduction.

Thesis Statements……
A successful thesis statement should…
 tell the subject of your composition
 show your point of view on the
subject
 be a statement that can be supported 
A thesis statement should not….
 Be simply a statement of fact: “Mount
Everest is popular with mountain
climbers.
Be stated as an announcement: “In this
paper I will show that….”
 Be an opinion that can’t be supported
with facts: “Mountain climbing is the
greatest sport.”

The following statements express different ideas about mountain climbing. Each
statement is successful because it clearly states a subject and can be supported with facts
and reasons.
 Many climbers have perished on Mount Everest as a result of poor planning, lack
of experience, and bad weather.
 Different climbing routes on a mountain require different kinds of climbing skills.
 To prepare for a trip up Mount Everest, climbers need money, training, and
experienced guides.