English 50 & 53

See A Writer’s Reference C1-c pp. 9-13

Thesis Statement: This is the main sentence in your essay that

answers a topic question, makes a point about
the topic, argues a position or resolves an issue.
It is the most important sentence that brings the
rest of your essay together.

5 Characteristics of a Good Thesis Statement:

1) It is a complete sentence, not a fragment or a question.

2) It makes a point about a topic, expressing or arguing

your opinion or unique view often times without
moving into 1st person phrases like I feel, I think, I
believe, In my opinion, I really do honestly think…

3) It is clearly worded & specific.

4) In a shorter paper, it is usually located at the end of the
introduction and reemphasized (in different words)
again in the conclusion but IS NEVER THE FIRST
SENTENCE OF AN ESSAY.

5) It always answers these questions: Why, How, So what?

5 Things Thesis Statements Should Never Be:

1) An Announcement:

Ex: In this paper, I will explain why marijuana should be

legalized.

(Doesn’t state any reason for supporting this opinion)

2) A Question:

Ex: Do you think marijuana should be legalized?

(Doesn’t state any opinion. A thesis answers a question but is

never a question itself.)
3) A Fact:

Ex: Today, many people smoke marijuana for medicinal

reasons.

(A fact can’t be argued and leaves your reader asking

“So What?”)

4) Too vague, broad, or narrow to be argued:

Ex: Marijuana should be legalized for many reasons.

(Too vague or broad: doesn’t answer how or why)

Ex: If marijuana were legalized, some people might or

might not abuse it.

(Too narrow: can’t be argued and again…

“So What?”)

5) Unfocused by using fuzzy, hard to define words like

interesting, good, or disgusting.

Ex: Legalizing marijuana would be interesting for society.

(Too vague or broad: doesn’t answer how or why)