Writing an Effective Thesis

Developing a solid opening thesis is the most crucial step in the writing process. Without a thesis, you have no direction or purpose to your writing. However, coming up with a “meaty” thesis can be difficult. Your thesis must be specific enough that you can go into intricate detail throughout your paper, but broad enough that you have enough information to even form a paper at all.

Steps to writing an effective thesis:

1. Writing a thesis begins with prewriting. Brainstorm, web, or list information about your topic. By gathering information, you are more likely to be organized in your thoughts.
2. Once you have done your prewriting, see what aspects of your topic jump out at you. Those specific aspects of the topic will more than likely become the meat of your paper.
3. Attempt to synthesize a few of the main aspects into one sentence that can cover them all. You want your thesis to make a statement about your beliefs on the topic. Therefore, it must encompass everything you’ll be talking about throughout your essay.
4. Finally, form your thesis paragraph. The thesis paragraph serves as the introduction to your paper, and will inform your audience of your intentions. The basic thesis paragraph will begin with the thesis statement itself and will go on do describe the specific aspects of your topic. However, a thesis paragraph can come in any form as long as the thesis statement is specific and clear. You do not want your audience searching for your thesis.
5. Finally, make sure that throughout your paper, you fully support your opening thesis with specific details and examples. Your paper should close by restating your thesis in a memorable and original way.

Practice: For each topic, create an effective and clear thesis. Begin by prewriting.

1. The New School Dress Code

2. Euthanasia

3. Religion in school

4. The use of atomic warfare

5. Censorship of the internet

6. Unisex bathrooms

7. Curfew