These urban legends have been around a long time, but they’re simply myths.

While touching some frogs can irritate your skin, frogs don’t cause warts. They’re caused by viruses.

And Twinkies? Well, they may not be made from the most organic ingredients, but they certainly do have a shelf life and will expire.

My point here is that myths can lead to a lot of misinformation and that it’s often a better choice to ignore them.

The same is true for myths about writing, specifically myths about creating a thesis statement.

When You Should Definitely Not Ignore Thesis Statement Myths

Let me start with a disclaimer: There are times when you should most definitely NOT ignore any thesis statement “myths.”

Case in point: A persnickety teacher who demands that you follow his or her exact guidelines for creating thesis statements, such as….

• Underline the thesis statement in your essay
• Use a three-part thesis statement
• Write a thesis statement that is no longer than one sentence
• Place the thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph

If your assignment requires you to follow a very specific format, then by all means follow it.

If your teacher is a stickler for guidelines, don’t be a rebel and break any rules.

On the other hand, if your teacher allows for a little more flexibility in your writing, here are five thesis statement myths that you can ignore (under the right circumstances, of course).

5 Thesis Statement Myths to (Sometimes) Ignore

The thesis statement is the road map to your essay. It lets readers know what to expect in your paper and helps you focus your ideas.

Most of us have learned specific “rules” for creating a thesis statement, and we generally stick with them in each essay. There are times, however, when these so-called “rules” can be broken.

Here are five examples of thesis statement myths and when it’s okay to ignore them.

Myth #1: A thesis statement can only be one sentence

After reading the above heading, you might ask, “Doesn’t a thesis statement always have to be one sentence?” And that might then prompt you to ask, “If it’s not one sentence, how long should a thesis statement be?”

While the general rule is that thesis statements should be one sentence, it’s not always necessary to limit your thesis to only one sentence.

If you’re writing a longer, more detailed paper (like a research essay or scientific report), for example, you might need two (or more) sentences to focus your ideas.

Take a look at this effective two-sentence thesis statement:

Recent research illustrates that children growing up in poverty struggle in school due to poor nutrition. The solution to this crisis is two-fold and requires schools to provide additional meals and increase education for both students and parents.

Combining these two sentences into one would muddy the meaning and create an awkwardly worded statement.

Thus, in this case, a two-sentence thesis works well. It’s clear that the paper will not only focus on the fact that children in poverty suffer academically due to poor nutrition but also address solutions to help both children and their parents.

Want to see an example of a two-sentence thesis in the context of an actual essay? Read How Does Self-Esteem Interact With Adolescent Depression? The thesis appears at the end of the second paragraph:

Although it appears that depression leads to low self-esteem, through investigating the research, it becomes clear that the opposite is true in that low self-esteem leads to depression especially in adolescence. This is specifically seen in longitudinal studies that show adolescents with low self-esteem over time developing depression, especially when they have negative relationships with their parents and low attachment with their peers.

Myth #2: A thesis statement must be the last sentence of your introduction

Did you raise your eyebrows at my last sentence? The part that says “…the thesis appears at the end of the second paragraph,” I mean.

Teachers generally suggest you place your thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph, which often means it’s placed at the end of the introduction.

Sometimes, however, an introduction is longer than one paragraph, making it perfectly acceptable to place the thesis after the second or third paragraph.

There are also instances when you might place the thesis statement at the end of your paper (in the conclusion). Placing the thesis statement at the end of the paper can allow you to highlight the moral of the story in a narrative essay, for instance.

If you feel like being a radical, you might even try placing your thesis at the end of a research paper to establish your argument and lead readers to the conclusions you’ve reached based on your research.

Myth #3: Every essay needs a thesis statement

It’s true that most essays require creating a thesis statement to help establish the goals of the paper. But in some cases, forcing a thesis statement into certain types of essays (particularly in an introduction) simply makes the writing awkward.

Narrative essays

Narrative essays generally tell a story, so a traditional thesis statement doesn’t always work.

For example, if you’ve written a great hook that leaves readers on the edge of their seats as you describe the time you were attacked by a shark, you don’t want to ruin it with a forced thesis statement.

The focus or moral of the story will be evident as you develop your paper, so don’t ruin a great introduction just to insert a clunky transition to an equally clunky thesis.

To see an example of a successful narrative that doesn’t use a thesis statement, read The Story of How I Adopted My Cat Oliver.

Short essays

Most of us would agree that thesis statements work well (and are usually necessary) in longer essays, but what about short essays?

Short essays, of course, require a focus. But depending on your actual assignment, you may not need to include a traditional thesis statement in a short essay.

Op-eds, for example, provide a clear and concise opinion (usually in 750–1,000 words or less), so there’s no need to remind readers of the focus and key arguments by including a formal thesis statement.

Myth #4: A thesis statement must have three “reasons” supporting the primary claim

When you first learned to write an essay, you were probably taught the basic five-paragraph essay. This meant that every essay you wrote consisted of an introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.

With each essay containing three body paragraphs, it made sense that the thesis statement needed to be written as a three-part thesis to support the main claim of the paper.

But what if you’re writing a much longer essay?

A longer essay could very well include four (or more) arguments to support the primary claim. Using a multi-pronged thesis structure for this type of essay doesn’t work well. The thesis statement becomes too long and difficult to read.

Here’s an awkwardly worded thesis statement example to illustrate:

In order to avoid gaining the “Freshman 15” during the first year of college, students should plan meals ahead of time, choose sensible meals when dining out, prepare as many meals as possible in their dorms, limit late-night snacking, and continue healthy exercise habits, and if you want to quit smoking you should use vaping products like jeeter juice cartridge which is the best choice for this.

In this case, revising the thesis statement to eliminate the list of “reasons” would create a more focused and effective thesis.

Here’s the revised thesis statement:

In order to avoid gaining the “Freshman 15,” first-year college students should make healthy meal choices and continue healthy exercise habits.

This revised thesis clearly expresses the focus of the paper without listing each reason that will be included in the essay.

TAKE NOTE

Even if you do have only three main arguments to support your claim, you don’t necessarily need to use the standard three-part thesis.

As long as the thesis statement is worded concisely and expresses the focus of your paper, you can skip the three-part structure.

To see a well-written thesis statement that doesn’t use the three-part structure, take a look at this example essay from our database.

Myth #5: A thesis statement must be flashy to grab the reader’s attention

Granted, no one wants to read a boring thesis statement, but the purpose of a well-crafted thesis statement is to be effective, not necessarily flashy.

Take, for instance, creating a thesis statement for a scientific report.

The thesis for this type of writing needs to be straightforward and to the point. There’s no need to try to be flashy. The thesis statement simply needs to get the job done.

Here’s an example of an effective thesis statement for a scientific report.

Results of the Carpenter study indicate that, to increase traffic in the Student Center, both additional marketing and additional student-centered activities are needed to attract students.

Notice that this thesis statement is concise and far from flashy. But it is effective and appropriate for scientific writing (which requires factual data, rather than elaborate detail).

Besides, if you want to grab readers’ attention, it’s best to rely on a strong hook or attention grabber.

Looking For More Examples?

If you’re looking for more thesis statements examples as inspiration before creating a thesis statement on your own, read the following:

• 15 Thesis Statement Examples for Research Papers to Inspire You
• 15 Thesis Statement Examples to Inspire Your Next Argumentative Essay
• 30 Persuasive Thesis Statement Examples That Are…Persuasive
• 110 Good Thesis Statements for a Better Essay

In need of a little help crafting the perfect thesis? Try our Thesis Statement Generator.

Don’t forget: Expert help is also available 24/7 from Kibin editors. We’ve reviewed tens of thousands of thesis statements and can help you with yours too.

Stuck On Your Essay?

Try the Thesis Statement Builder

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As tempting as a few tacos and a burrito sound right now, don’t rush to satisfy your cravings just yet.

Instead, continue reading as this blog post contains important information you’ll need to write that paper—in particular, how to write a thesis statement step by step.

This blog post discusses tacos too, so that alone should give you incentive to keep reading!

What Is a Thesis Statement?

The short answer

The purpose of a thesis statement is to inform readers of the following:

• the subject of your paper and
• your claim (or opinion) about the topic.

The longer answer

A thesis statement generally appears at the end of the introductory paragraph. It tells your readers what you’re writing about and tells your readers your opinion of the topic.

The thesis essentially serves as a mini-outline for the paper.

A thesis statement is necessary to focus your paper. It helps you articulate your ideas and helps readers understand the purpose of your paper.

Don’t think you really need an effective thesis? Think again!

Have you ever read the first one or two paragraphs of a paper and wondered, “What’s the point?” or, “So what?”

Has someone ever read one of your papers and said, “I don’t get it. What’s this paper about?”

If so, chances are the paper is missing a thesis statement. Without a thesis statement, readers are less likely to understand the main point (or focus) of your paper and are less likely to keep reading.

How to Write a Thesis Statement: 5 Essential Steps

No, tacos aren’t part of essay writing or thesis statement writing…though they can be. It’s always good to maintain your strength, and you shouldn’t write on an empty stomach. So feel free to make that trip for tacos after reading this post.

First, let’s go through the five essential steps of how to write a thesis statement.

How to write a thesis statement step #1: Pick a topic

To write an effective thesis statement, you first need a topic for your paper.

If you’re not yet sure what you want to write about, go check out these expository essay topics, argumentative essay topics, persuasive essay topics, and many more essay ideas. (I’ll wait.)

For the purpose of this example, though, I’ll pick.

Today’s paper topic: Taco Bell.

Now that you have a basic topic for your paper, think about what you want to say about the topic in the body paragraphs of your essay.

This is where you’ll begin to develop an effective thesis statement.

How to write a thesis statement step #2: Be specific

Let’s say you started developing your ideas with the following working thesis:

A lot of people go to Taco Bell.  

The first problem with this thesis is that it’s not specific at all. Ask yourself, “Who goes to Taco Bell?” Ask, “Why do they go to Taco Bell?”

Let’s try again:

College students often go to Taco Bell late at night because it’s open 24 hours.

This time, you’ve managed to be a bit more specific, but readers are still going to say, “So what?” You’ve included a topic, but you haven’t yet included your opinion about the topic.

Let’s move on to the third component and revise again.

How to write a thesis statement step #3: Be arguable

Our most recent revision (College students often go to Taco Bell late at night because it’s open 24 hours) doesn’t provide any form of argument. It’s merely a statement.

Think about how you could create an argument about Taco Bell. What is it you want to say about Taco Bell?

Pretend you and a group of friends are sitting around late at night trying to think of where you should go to eat. A friend mentions another fast-food restaurant, but you argue for Taco Bell. What would you say to convince your friend that you should eat there?

Let’s try thesis statement revision #2:

College students like to go to Taco Bell because it’s one of the best fast-food restaurants around.

Now we’re getting somewhere. We have a specific statement that is arguable.

But it’s still missing something. It doesn’t explain why Taco Bell is so great and doesn’t tell readers the key points of your paper.

Because the thesis statement still isn’t perfect, we’ll move on to the next essential component.

How to write a thesis statement step #4: Create a mini-outline of the paper

A basic thesis statement will provide readers with a clear outline of your paper. It will tell readers what to expect in the upcoming paragraphs.

Our thesis doesn’t do that yet.

When your readers see your current thesis, they know the subject and the stance of your paper, but they don’t yet know what they’ll be reading in the body of the paper.

Let’s revise again.

Thesis revision #3:

College students like to go to Taco Bell because it’s one of the best fast-food restaurants around and has cheap prices, good food, and is open 24 hours.

This thesis statement seems to meet all of the requirements, right? It includes a topic and offers your opinion. It’s specific and arguable, and it creates a mini-outline for your paper.

While your thesis does include all of the required elements, the wording is less than perfect, and you still need to revise for clarity and style.

How to write a thesis statement step #5: Choose your words wisely

“Are we done yet?”

Not yet. Let’s look at your current thesis statement again:

College students like to go to Taco Bell because it’s one of the best fast-food restaurants around and has cheap prices, good food, and is open 24 hours.

Ask yourself these questions to refine your wording.

• Do all college students go to Taco Bell? Clearly not all college students do, so you might revise to say “Many college students…”
• Are the words “cheap” and “good” the most effective word choices?  Probably not. These words are boring and general. Use more specific wording. You might try “inexpensive” and “delicious” instead.

Let’s try our 4th (and hopefully final) revision:

Many college students believe Taco Bell is the best fast-food restaurant because it is inexpensive, offers delicious food, and is open 24 hours.

Now this is a thesis statement!

It includes the topic and your opinion. It’s clear, specific, and arguable and provides readers with a mini-outline of your paper. And of course, it’s now worded effectively.

This is a thesis that deserves a celebration! It’s time to make that trip for tacos. You’ve earned it!

Ready to Move On? Let’s Taco ’bout What’s Next

You can use this checklist I made to make sure that your thesis statement covers all the bases:

Before you go on that taco run, I also recommend reading 15 Thesis Statements to Inspire Your Next Argumentative Essay and this quick Thesis Statement Handout. And don’t miss this handy infographic!

Or check out how other students have (or haven’t) crafted a good thesis statement by browsing some example essays.

Once your own thesis is perfected, check out these posts to ensure that the rest of your essay is just as solid as your thesis statement:

• How to Write an Essay Introduction in 3 Easy Steps
• How to Write a Paragraph That Supports Your Thesis
• How to Write a Killer Essay Conclusion

If you need additional assistance with your paper, including feedback on how effective your thesis statement is, Kibin editors are always willing to help.

Good luck!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published on February 9, 2015, but has been updated to keep things fresh and spicy.

Stuck On Your Essay?

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You read a few blog posts and watch a few videos. But instead of immediately putting your phone in a bag of rice, you click on the next article about car cleaning hacks. That leads to an article about cooking pizza with a torch. That leads to an article about new outdoor gear, and before you know it, you’re buying a pair of hiking boots.

It’s a dangerous rabbit hole.

A research paper without a strong thesis statement is a lot like the internet rabbit hole. It offers no clear direction, causing readers to wonder where they’re headed.

Wandering around and feeling a little lost is okay if you want to waste time reading random articles online. But you certainly don’t want your audience of readers to feel like they’re wasting time or wandering aimlessly while they read your paper.

Thus, you need a clear, concise thesis statement to help provide readers with that all-important direction. Not sure how to get there? Let’s talk thesis statements.

A Quick Reminder About the Research Paper Thesis Statement

Before we get to the actual list of thesis statement examples for research papers, let’s talk specifically about thesis statements for this type of paper.

As you may know, a thesis statement is a clear, concise statement that explains the purpose of your paper. It’s a roadmap to help readers understand what to expect as they read.

The thesis statement for a research paper is mostly like any other thesis statement, but it’s a good idea to develop a working thesis statement for your research paper before you actually begin the heavy research.

Keep in mind that you might still need to do some preliminary research in order to develop your ideas and a solid focus for your paper. But it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you start looking.

Knowing what you’re searching for will also help you find better sources and save you a ton of time.

Not convinced?

Consider this. If you have a general sense of your thesis, you won’t start researching technology addiction and end up reading about smartphone addiction, technology in schools, internet addiction, and a million other non-related topics before you find any useful resources about your real topic: the increasing number of teen males in the US who are addicted to video games.

In other words, developing a working thesis before you begin your research will keep you from going down that rabbit hole of information and wasting an entire afternoon.

Looking for a few more reminders about how to write a thesis statement before you start working? Check out these posts:

• How to Write a Thesis Statement in 5 Simple Steps
• How to Make a Thesis Statement the Easy Way (Infographic)
• How to Turn a Good Thesis Statement Into a Great One

Now that you’re feeling refreshed and remember exactly what you need to do to craft the perfect thesis statement, let’s take a look at 15 thesis statement examples for research papers to give you even more inspiration.

15 Thesis Statement Examples for Research Papers

The examples I’ve included here are thesis statements for research papers. Because such papers are essentially informative and objective, the thesis statements are too. They don’t necessarily take a stance or attempt to argue a position, but they can.

I’ve also added a few links to example papers to help you see how you might approach the relevant topics.

Now, let’s dive into those 15 thesis statement examples for research papers…

Topic #1: Prison overcrowding

Prison overcrowding creates significant safety risks for both inmates and employees.

Topic #2: Online dating

The advent of the internet has changed the dating scene forever.

Topic #3: Work-life balance

Working parents with young children can suffer from extreme guilt if they cannot maintain a proper work-life balance.

Topic #4: Therapy animals in nursing homes

Therapy animals have been shown to reduce loneliness, lower anxiety, and improve mental functioning in nursing home patients.

Topic #5: Adult children as parental caregivers

Adult children who become caregivers of their aging parents often suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress.

Topic #6: CTE and professional football

Professional football players suffer more than broken bones and strained muscles; they are putting their lives and brains at risk of CTE.

Topic #7: Political scandals

While round-the-clock media coverage suggests that the phenomenon is new, political scandals have been an ever-present reality of American politics.

Topic #8: Cosplay

Cosplay is more than simply dressing up as a character; it is a lifestyle that embodies a character.

Topic #9: Holistic medicine

With increasing concerns about the side effects of prescription medications, many people are turning to holistic medicine for treatment.

Topic #10: Propaganda

Governments have long used propaganda to shape opinions by convincing people to fear and hate enemies and to strengthen nationalism.

Topic #11: Hoarding

Though it can be difficult to convince individuals to seek treatment, hoarding disorder can be effectively treated through behavioral therapy.

Topic #12: Body modification

Many people mistakenly believe that tattoos are a relatively recent phenomenon; however, body modification has been popular for thousands of years.

Topic #13: Fad diets

Fad diets have been prominent in American culture for generations, but many such diets pose potential health risks.

Topic #14: Stereotypes

Generational stereotypes have a profound effect on the media’s portrayal of each group.

Topic #15: Gender discrimination

Many people associate gender discrimination with the adult workforce; however, gender discrimination begins at a much younger age and is present even in elementary schools.

Just in Case You’re Not Yet Inspired

If these topics and thesis statement examples for research papers don’t do it for you, don’t worry. There’s still hope.

The following posts contain a combined total of 167 thesis statements. While most of the thesis statements are for papers other than research papers, you can use the topics and thesis statements for ideas.

• 110 Good Thesis Statements for a Better Essay
• 15 Thesis Statements to Inspire Your Next Argumentative Essay
• 12 Argumentative Thesis Statement Examples to Help Your Next Essay
• 30 Thesis Statement Examples That Are…Persuasive

Once you have a topic, use our thesis statement builder to help craft the perfect thesis statement for your research essay.

Need a little more help with your thesis statement or any other aspect of your essay? Let us help!

Perhaps you don’t fancy yourself a creative genius at all. Maybe you’re more of a major procrastinator who’s only now inspired to write a thesis statement because the clock is ticking and by this time tomorrow, you need a complete essay.

Whatever your reason(s) for looking for help, you’ve come to the right place. Before those 13 compare and contrast thesis examples that will (hopefully) inspire you to write your next essay, though, let’s do a quick recap on this essay type.

What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

If you have to write a compare and contrast essay and are struggling to figure out how turn a set of assignment guidelines into an actual essay, here are a few tips that can put you on the right track.

The name of the essay pretty much tells you what you’ll be doing: comparing and contrasting things or ideas. Sounds easy enough, right?

It can be fairly easy to construct a compare and contrast essay. The key to writing a successful essay is to choose the right points to compare and contrast and to tie them all together with a strong thesis statement.

Need a little help with the basics of the compare and contrast essay? Take a look at these two posts:

• How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
• Compare and Contrast Essay Tips From a Kibin Editor

Now that you have a clear understanding of how to write a compare and contrast essay, let’s move on to those thesis statement examples.

13 Compare and Contrast Thesis Examples to Inspire You

The thesis statement provides a roadmap to the rest of your essay, so it’s important that you take the time to craft a thesis statement that tells readers the focus of your paper.

Remember: Readers should be able to read your thesis (without reading the rest of your paper) and understand the intended focus of your paper. If your thesis doesn’t do this, it’s time to revise.

Also, compare and contrast essays can take different approaches. Some require you to focus on primarily similarities (or differences). But others require you to focus on both. Check your assignment guidelines to see which type of compare and contrast essay you need to write.

With these points in mind, let’s take a look at 13 compare and contrast thesis statement examples to get you started with your essay.

I’ve included a broad topic for each thesis statement and divided the lists into general comparisons and literary comparisons. I’ve also linked each of the topics to a related example essay for extra inspiration.

6 compare and contrast thesis examples (general comparisons)

Topic #1 How does culture and tradition impact student achievement?

Example thesis: In both Japan and the United States, cultural expectations greatly influence academic achievement in high school students.

Topic #2 What are the differences between high school and college?

Example thesis: While there a number of differences between high school and college, one of the most important is the level of emotional maturity required for success.

Topic #3 Which parenting style is most effective?

Example thesis: While authoritative and permissive parenting are seemingly complete opposites, they have one key similarity: parents who practice both parenting styles encourage their children to make their own decisions.

Topic #4 How have gender roles changed throughout history?

Example thesis: On the surface, it may seem as though women’s roles have changed drastically throughout history; however, a comparison of various eras illustrates how women are still repressed and shamed, especially in sexual expression and behavior.

Topic #5 What are the differences between brands of soda?

Example thesis: Even though many people cannot tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi, there are distinct differences in taste, nutritional content, and advertising.

Topic #6 How do classic movie genres compare to current genres?

Example thesis: While classic musicals used musical numbers to showcase artists, current musicals rely on musical numbers to advance the plot.

Interested in a learning a few more tips for analyzing films? Read How to Analyze a Movie for Dramatic Effect.

7 compare and contrast thesis examples (literary comparisons)

Topic #7 How is the theme of oppression portrayed in literature?

Example thesis: Though the plot lines in A Doll’s House and Animal Farm differ greatly, the two share a core theme: oppression.

Topic #8 How are the themes of political and social power struggles portrayed in literature?

Example thesis: The Kite Runner and The Handmaid’s Tale both utilize political and social power struggles to advance the plot and illustrate the core themes.

Looking for more help analyzing dystopian literature, such as The Handmaid’s Tale? Check out What 4 Popular Dystopian Novels Have in Common (and How To Write About Them).

Topic #9 How do characters define fate and free will in literature?

Example thesis: Harry Potter and Never Let Me Go both examine the notion of whether characters have free will or are destined to live out their fates.

Topic #10 How does poetry explore identity?

Example thesis: The poems “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks and “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke both explore the struggles young people face while developing their identities.

Want a little more assistance analyzing poetry? Read How to Analyze a Poem and Sound Smart Doing It.

Topic #11 What role do animals play in classic children’s stories and fables?

Example thesis: While many classic children’s stories include animal characters that are helpful to the protagonist, both Alice in Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood portray animals that present a danger to the protagonist.

Topic #12 How does literature address the concept of The American Dream?

Example thesis: The failed pursuit of The American Dream is a prominent theme used to define the protagonists in both The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman.

Topic #13 In what ways is the theme of alienation portrayed in literature?

Example thesis: The negative effects of alienation are central themes of both Flowers for Algernon and Catcher in the Rye.

More Compare and Contrast Essay Help

Inspired by one of compare and contrast thesis examples to write a masterpiece but having a hard time writing your own thesis? Read How to Write a Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement.

Perhaps your muse has not yet inspired you with the perfect topic (or thesis) for your paper. That’s okay. One of these 70 compare and contrast essay topics might just spark your creative genius.

If you have a few ideas for your paper but would like to see a finished essay (complete with annotations explaining what the essays do well) check out 2 Compare and Contrast Essay Examples Worth Emulating.

Finally, have a bunch of ideas swirling around in your head but still don’t know what to do with them? Try this compare and contrast essay outline to help beat writer’s block.

Already drafted your paper and compared it to the example essays? Are you now questioning whether your writing is truly a masterpiece? Let a Kibin editor help make sure your paper reflects your true genius!

A good thesis statement will accomplish the same thing. It gives readers an idea of the most important points of an essay, shows the highlights, and makes them want to read more.

It will also help keep you, the writer, from getting lost in a convoluted and directionless argument.

Most importantly, a good thesis statement makes a statement. After all, it’s called a thesis statement for a reason!

“This is an interesting statement!” you want your reader to think. “Let’s see if this author can convince me.”

This blog post will dissect the components of a good thesis statement and give you 15 thesis statement examples that you can use to inspire your next argumentative essay.

The Thesis Statement Dissected

Before I give you a blanket list of thesis statement examples, let’s run through what makes for a good thesis statement. I’ve distilled it down to four main components.

1. A good argumentative thesis is focused and not too broad.

It’s important to stay focused! Don’t try to argue an overly broad topic in your essay, or you’re going to feel confused and unsure about your direction and purpose.

Don’t write:

“Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.”

This statement is too general and would be nearly impossible for you to defend. It leaves a lot of big questions to answer. Is all fast food bad? Why is it bad? Who should avoid it? Why should anyone care?

Do write:

“Americans should eliminate the regular consumption of fast food because a fast food diet leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.”

In this example, I’ve narrowed my argument to the health consequences related to a diet of fast food. I’ve also chosen to focus on Americans rather than everyone in the universe.

2. A good argumentative thesis is centered on a debatable topic.

Back in the ‘80s, teens loved to say “that’s debatable” about claims they didn’t agree with (such as “you should clean your room” and “you shouldn’t go to that movie”).

This age-old, neon-colored, bangle-wearing, peg-legged wisdom holds true today—in your thesis statement.

Don’t write:

“There are high numbers of homeless people living in Berkeley, California.”

No one can argue for or against this statement. It’s not debatable. It’s just a fact.

An argument over this non-debatable statement would go something like this:

“There are lots of homeless people in Berkeley.”

“Yes, there sure are a bunch of them out there.”

“Yup.”

As you can see, that’s not much of an argument.

Do write:

“Homeless people in Berkeley should be given access to services—such as regular food donations, public restrooms, and camping facilities—because it would improve life for all inhabitants of the city.”

Now that’s debatable.

Opponents could also easily argue that homeless people in Berkeley already receive adequate services (“just look at all those luxurious sidewalks!”) or perhaps that they shouldn’t be entitled to services at all (“get a job, ya lazy loafers!”).

Interested in picking up a few more tips about debating issues and perfecting the art of persuasion? Read How to Write a Persuasive Essay That’s Convincing.

3. A good argumentative thesis picks a side.

Picking a side is pretty much the whole entire point of an argumentative essay.
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Picking a side is pretty much the whole entire point of an argumentative essay. Just as you can’t root for both the Yankees and the Mets, you can’t argue both sides of a topic in your thesis statement.

Learn more about the importance of picking sides by reading the post The Secrets of a Strong Argumentative Essay.

Don’t write:

“Secondhand smoke is bad and can cause heart disease and cancer; therefore, smoking should be outlawed in public places, but outlawing smoking is unfair to smokers so maybe non-smokers can just hold their breath or wear masks around smokers instead.”

A wishy-washy statement like this will make your reader scratch his head in puzzlement. Are you for smoking laws or against them? Yankees or Mets? Mets or Yankees?

Pick a side, and stick with it!

Then stick up for it.

Do write:

“Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking and leads to a higher prevalence of cancer and heart disease; therefore, smoking in any public place should be banned.”

Pick a side, and stick with it! Then stick up for it.
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4. A good thesis makes claims that will be supported later in the paper.

As I explained in the post How to Create a Powerful Argumentative Essay Outline, your claims make up a critical part of building the roadmap to your argument.

It’s important to first include a summary of your claims in your thesis statement. During the course of your essay, you will back each of your claims with well-researched evidence.

Don’t write:

“Humans should relocate to Mars.”

This statement doesn’t include any supporting claims. Why should humans move to Mars? What are the benefits of moving to a planet without oxygen or trees?

Do write:

“It is too late to save earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars, where they can, with proper planning, avoid issues of famine, war, and global warming.”

This statement includes some thought-provoking claims. The reader will wonder how the author plans to defend them. (“Famine, war, and global warming can be easily avoided on Mars? Go on…”)

Looking for even more help understanding the key components of a strong thesis statement? Check out these posts:

• How to Write a Thesis Statement in 5 Simple Steps
• How to Turn a Good Thesis Statement Into a Great One
• How to Make a Thesis Statement the Easy Way (Infographic)
• How to Write a Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement

Now that you have a better understanding of the all things thesis statement, here are 15 more thesis statement examples to inspire your next argumentative essay.

15 Thesis Statement Examples

Below are 15 debatable, supportable, and focused thesis statements for you to learn from. Feel free to customize them for use in your own argumentative essay.

As you read the following examples, be careful not to use these thesis statements word-for-word. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble if your teacher did a copy/find Google maneuver on you!

#1. Vaccinations should be mandatory

Inspired by this sample essay on vaccinations.

Vaccinations against diseases such as polio, rubella, and mumps should be mandatory for all U.S. children who wish to attend school as these vaccinations are critical to the control and eradication of deadly infectious diseases.

#2. Government surveillance is harmful

Inspired by this sample essay on government surveillance.

Government surveillance programs, such as PRISM, should be banned because they invade civil liberties, lead innocent people to suffer unfair punishments, and ultimately fail to protect the citizens that they are designed to safeguard.

#3. Organ donors should be financially compensated

Inspired by this sample essay on organ donation.

Organ donors should be financially compensated to increase the supply of available organs and, at the same time, to decrease profitable, illegal organ-harvesting activities in the black market.

#4. Schools are too dependent on technology

Inspired by this sample essay on technology dependence.

Schools’ dependence on technology has caused students to lose the ability to think independently, leading to a greater prevalence of mood disorders, memory loss, and loneliness.

#5. School officials should fight cyberbullying

Inspired by this sample essay on cyberbullying.

In order to improve the online behavior of students and decrease cyberbullying-related suicide attempts, school officials should have the authority to discipline students who engage in cyberbullying.

#6. The U.S. media should update the depiction of traditional families

Inspired by this sample essay on families.

The U.S. media depicts the traditional family as comprising a mother, father, and children; however, this notion of the traditional family is outdated and can be harmful to children who look to this as the gold standard.

#7. Student loans should be forgiven

Inspired by this sample essay on student loans.

Crippling student debt is stifling the growth of the U.S. economy because it inhibits graduates from being able to spend money on consumer goods and home purchases.

#8. Marijuana should be legalized

Inspired by this sample essay on legalizing marijuana.

Marijuana has numerous medical applications, such as treating symptoms of epilepsy, cancer, and glaucoma. Legalizing the use of marijuana in the United States will greatly benefit the medical sector by giving physicians the ability to prescribe this life-saving drug.

#9. Foreign aid to Africa does not work

Inspired by this sample essay on foreign aid to Africa.

Sending foreign aid to African countries is doing more harm than good because the practice has caused African countries to become vulnerable to inflation, currency fluctuations, corruption, and civil unrest.

#10. China’s one-child policy led to unintended and negative consequences

Inspired by this

Inspired by this sample essay on advertising to children.

Though some argue that advertising to children is harmful, it is actually a positive marketing technique that spurs economic growth.

#12. Most teen celebrities should not be role models for children

Inspired by this sample essay on teen celebrities as role models.

Teen celebrities often engage in inappropriate and sometimes illegal activities and thus should not be considered role models for children.

#13. The current welfare system promotes dependency

Inspired by this sample essay about the abuse of welfare.

The welfare system was designed to assist those in need; however, the current system does more harm than good by promoting government dependency.

#14. Schools should start at a later time of day

Inspired by this sample essay about school start times.

Beginning the school day at a later time would stabilize students’ sleep patterns, improve students’ moods, and increase students’ academic success.

#15. Schools should distribute birth control to teens

Inspired by this sample essay about birth control distribution in schools.

Though some argue that distributing condoms to teens means that schools are encouraging sexual behavior, schools should distribute birth control to reduce teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Now…Turn Your Thesis Statement Into an Essay

Any one of these thesis statement examples will get you started on the road to writing an awesome argumentative essay, but if none of these thesis statements or topics are working for you, try one of these:

• 70 Argumentative Essay Topics That Will Put Up a Good Fight
• 30 Argumentative Essay Ideas That Will Pick a Good Fight

Have a topic and thesis but need to put all of your ideas into essay format? Try prewriting, outlining, or using a graphic organizer to help organize information.

Once your essay is finished, feel free to send it to a Kibin editor, who can check for grammar errors, sentence structure issues, and of course, the strength of your thesis.

Good luck with your essay!

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Global climate change has been debated for many years.

Do you think this is a persuasive thesis statement? (HINT: Say “no”!)    

• NO: The thesis statement is a fact. It is not persuasive and not debatable.

If you answered “yes” and felt the thesis was persuasive, or if you answered “no” but couldn’t explain why the thesis isn’t effective, you might want to take time to review the basics of a thesis statement.

If you answered “no” and understand exactly why the above thesis isn’t persuasive, it’s probably a good idea to review thesis statements anyway. (After all, a little review never hurt anyone, right?)

If you just need a brief refresher on the finer points of a thesis statement, here are a few quick facts:

30 Persuasive Thesis Statement Examples

Now that you’ve reviewed thesis statement basics, let’s look at the examples. In this post, I’ve provided 30 persuasive essay topics and corresponding persuasive thesis statement examples.

I’ve also included links to example essays to provide a bit of writing inspiration. (If you’d like to see the information in table format, click the link at the end of this list.)

As you review these topics and persuasive thesis statement examples, keep this in mind: when you’re writing a persuasive essay, your thesis statement should attempt to convince your audience of your point of view.

Trying to persuade? Your thesis statement should convince your audience of your point of view.
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In other words, it needs to be debatable. So as you write your own thesis statement, consider your stance on the subject and how you might craft a thesis statement that’s appropriate for your own essay.

Now on to those 30 persuasive thesis statement examples I promised!

1. Is a college education necessary?

A college education is not the right choice for everyone, as many students graduate with a large amount of student debt and limited job opportunities.

2. Does Facebook (or other forms of social media) create isolation?

College students who overuse Facebook may have interactive online lives, but in reality, they are more isolated than ever because they are missing out on true face-to-face interaction with their peers.

3. Should guns be permitted on college campuses?

Guns should not be permitted on college campuses due to the increased likelihood of violence and criminal activity.

4. Do kids benefit if everyone on the team receives a trophy?

Handing out trophies to everyone on a team has created a generation of children who feel entitled.

5. Is society too dependent on technology?

Due to increasing over-dependence on technology, many people struggle to think for themselves.

6. Should all high school students be required to complete parenting classes?

In order to both educate teens about life as a parent and to help prevent teenage pregnancy, high school students should be required to complete parenting classes.

7. Does the school day start too early?

Starting the school day at a later time will help increase students’ attentiveness because they will get more sleep and be more alert and focused in class.

8. Should the minimum wage be increased?

With the cost of living continually rising, minimum wage must be raised to help workers out of poverty.

9. Should elementary schools teach cursive handwriting?

Though many elementary schools no longer teach cursive handwriting, it is still an essential form of communication that should be taught in schools.

10. Should childhood vaccinations be mandatory?

Childhood vaccinations should be mandatory, as they are safe, reduce the risk of illness, and protect other people from contagious diseases.

11. Are security cameras an invasion of privacy?

Though security cameras are a necessary and valued part of society, strict regulations need to be mandated in order to maintain citizens’ rights to privacy.

12. Should citizens be allowed to keep exotic pets?

People should not be allowed to keep exotic pets, as it is unhealthy for the animal, dangerous for the owner, and dangerous for the community.

13. Should a relaxed dress code be allowed in the workplace?

A relaxed dress code is not appropriate in many business offices because it creates a relaxed and casual atmosphere that may cause customers to lose confidence in the business.

14. Is it ethical to sentence juveniles as adults?

Adolescents’ brains are not fully developed, and they are not yet capable of making adult decisions; thus, adolescents should not be sentenced as adults.

15. Should corporations be allowed to advertise in schools?  

Advertising should not be allowed in public schools as it perpetuates a perceived importance on materialism.

16. Should public transportation be free for all residents of a city?

Free public transportation is a key step in reducing unemployment rates.

17. Is professional football too dangerous for players?

Due to recent discoveries about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the rules of professional football need to change in order to protect players’ health.

18. Should minors be allowed to get tattoos (if they have parental permission)?

Even with parental permission, minors should not be allowed to get tattoos, as minors are likely to later regret the choice as adults.

19. Should fracking be banned?

Due to the environmental damage it causes, fracking should be banned.

20. Should a college education be free for everyone?

Though some argue that free college education will increase graduation rates, in actuality, free tuition will have little impact on the present rates of graduation.

21. Should all violence be banned from children’s programming?

Evidence indicates that children mimic and internalize television programming, and because viewing violence can affect their emotional health, children’s programming should not contain any form of violence.

22. Should the paparazzi be required to give celebrities some amount of privacy?

Though the paparazzi should be allowed to photograph celebrities in public places, they should respect the right of celebrities not to be filmed on private property.

23. Does the US welfare system need to be reformed?

Due to the rampant abuse of welfare benefits by recipients, welfare needs to be reformed to create temporary, rather than permanent, assistance programs for those in need.

24. Should bilingual education be implemented in more schools across the US?

In order to help children learn English yet value their native languages, bilingual education should be implemented in schools across the United States.

25. Should students be required to volunteer in their communities in order to graduate from high school?

Though some students claim they do not have time to volunteer, being a volunteer teaches students compassion, empathy, and the importance of civic engagement, and should be required for high school graduation.

26. Is the fast food industry to blame for childhood obesity?

Though fast food is often high in calories and low in nutritional content, people cannot blame obesity on the fast food industry; individuals must be responsible for their own diets.

27. Can schools prevent cyber bullying?

Even though schools can educate children and regulate technology within the school, children and teens have access to technology outside of the classroom, making it almost impossible for the education system to truly stop cyber bullying.

28. Is an online education as good as a traditional education?

An online education is just as valuable as a traditional education, as online courses include the same content as traditional classes and have the added advantage of teaching students the importance of time management.

29. Should stem cell research be permitted?

Because of the enormous potential to both treat disease and save lives, embryonic stem cell research should not only be permitted but should also receive additional funding.

30. Should pet stores be required to sell rescue animals?

In order to stop the inhumane practices of breeders and reduce overcrowding in animal shelters, pet stores should be required to sell cats and dogs from adoption centers or shelters.

Click here to download this list of persuasive thesis statements as a PDF table.

Time to Write!

You’ve reviewed thesis statements. You’ve reviewed persuasive essays and persuasive essay topics. You’ve even reviewed persuasive thesis statement examples (and maybe even read some additional thesis examples).

Now the only things left are to choose your topic, craft your thesis, and begin prewriting and drafting.

If you need additional thesis statement help before you begin writing, check out these resources:

• How to Make a Thesis Statement the Easy Way (Infographic)
• 5 Tips for Writing an Effective Thesis Statement
• How to Write an Effective Thesis Statement (video)

Remember: Kibin editors are always willing to review your paper (and your thesis statement).

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It’s the backbone of your paper.

In other words, it’s the star around which your ideas orbit, the bread crumbs in your essay meatballs, or any other metaphor that articulates the fact that your thesis is super-duper important and kind of holds the whole essay thing together.

I’m going to use the star metaphor today.

It’s not as sexy as meatballs, I know. But honestly, I just don’t have the willpower to concentrate on this blog post while visions of meatballs dance in my head.

But really, the solar system metaphor works well because today we’re going to talk about those important parts that revolve around your thesis: the body paragraphs.

So let’s take a look at how to write a paragraph that supports your thesis.

The Main Parts of an Essay

On the most basic level, your essay is made up of a few distinct parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

Of course, when you dig a little deeper, there are many more parts that are all connected to each other.

If you break down the introduction, you’ll find the all-important thesis statement tucked in nicely there at the end of your first paragraph.

This one sentence is a declaration of the main idea of your paper. In an argumentative essay, it’s your argument.

The thesis is like the sun.

Everything else in your paper orbits around it.

The thesis is like the sun. Everything else in your paper orbits around it.
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Break down the thesis and you’ll find that it’s made up of claims, the more specific and focused arguments that make up your main argument.

Each body paragraph is dedicated to one of these claims. These are like the planets in your essay solar system.

In much the same way that we’re separating the essay into parts, we can break a body paragraph down. When we do, we’ll begin to see that it’s constructed with the express purpose of supporting your thesis statement.

The Main Parts of a Body Paragraph

Galaxies and solar systems are like cosmic matryoshka dolls in that they have similar properties to the larger universe that they reside in.

Similarly, body paragraphs are like smaller essays residing inside your greater essay. They’re made up of clear parts that share properties with your essay as a whole.

According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab, there are four elements to a good paragraph: transition, topic sentence, evidence and analysis, and a brief wrap-up sentence (TTEB).

Each of these parts is important in forming a cohesive paragraph.

Let’s take a look at the roles the parts play and how you can ensure that they’re doing their part to support your thesis statement.

Transition

This aspect of a good paragraph has more to do with ensuring your paper flows well than it does with supporting your thesis. However, that doesn’t make transitions any less important.

It’s important to order your body paragraphs in a way that makes sense. If readers need a bit of information about one claim in order to fully grasp another claim, then the claims need to be in that order.

It’s important that the beginning and end of each paragraph is formulated in a way that clearly leads from the last paragraph and into the next one.

Doing this will ensure that your reader can connect the dots between your paragraphs and clearly see how, together, they support your thesis.

Topic sentence

If each body paragraph in your essay is like its own mini essay, then the topic sentence is the thesis of that paragraph.

One of your claims will become a topic sentence. As you know, your essay should always focus on your thesis without veering off into left field. The same goes for the claim in your body paragraph.

Just like you wouldn’t talk about meatballs in an essay about the solar system, you should be careful not to address other claims within a body paragraph.

Instead, focus on the claim at hand. Once that claim is stated in your topic sentence, it becomes the star of that paragraph around which everything else revolves. That means it’s important that it’s clear and concise.

If you need to add some explanation after your topic sentence for your readers to understand the gravity of it, then do it. Need some extra help with topic sentences? Read this post with examples of good topic sentences.

The evidence

It’s after the topic sentence that you will present and explain each piece of your evidence. This is your chance to delve into your claim on a deeper level.

If the thesis is the sun in your essay solar system and the claims (each with their own body paragraph) are the planets, then the pieces of evidence that support each claim are like moons.

Your evidence orbits closely around the claim while revolving around the thesis as a whole.

Your evidence should consist of concrete examples and data that you’ve gathered through your research. You should explain how this evidence supports your claim and your argument as a whole (your thesis).

Also, make sure you cite your evidence. Nothing will deflate your claim faster than unreliable evidence.

Concluding sentence

After presenting your claim in the topic sentence and your evidence in the rest of the paragraph, you should wrap up your paragraph with a concluding sentence.

The goal of this sentence is to tie all of the evidence together and clearly articulate how this claim relates to your thesis. Therefore, this is an important moment to ensure that your paragraph is supporting your thesis.

If there’s any chance that your reader will have trouble seeing the connection your paragraph has to your thesis, you must fix that here.

This part of your paragraph is also sometimes known as the “warrant.” The idea is that this is your chance to clearly articulate why this claim and the evidence are necessary to your thesis.

Now we can put it all together to complete the how-to part of how to write a paragraph that supports your thesis.

How to Write a Paragraph That Supports Your Thesis

The best way to ensure that a body paragraph is supporting your thesis is to ensure that it stays on topic. Make sure that each body paragraph is dedicated to one of the claims from your thesis.

Then make sure the evidence within each paragraph is focused on that specific claim.

The solar system and the actions of all its parts are dictated by the laws of physics. For example, planets can’t suddenly start rotating around each other or other stars. Moons can’t suddenly swap planets.

Likewise, your essay should be structured judiciously. There shouldn’t be a body paragraph that argues for a claim that isn’t found in your thesis. And there shouldn’t be evidence in a body paragraph that doesn’t clearly relate to the claim of that paragraph.

I suggest that you create an outline at the beginning of your writing process and then stick to it. Compare your essay and its paragraphs to that outline at the end of the process to ensure you’re staying focused and that your paragraphs are supporting your thesis.

Don’t have your essay written yet? Look at example essays from other students. Now that you know how to write a paragraph that supports your thesis, you can more easily see what does and doesn’t work.

If you need a fresh set of eyes to ensure that you’re accomplishing this goal in your own essay, send your paper to the editors at Kibin.

Thanks for reading, and good luck!

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For instance, it’s hard to go to school, work a job to pay for it, and then come home and study at the end of it all. It’s much easier to kick your feet up when you get home and drink a beer in front of the TV.

Moreover, it’s a lot of work to make college more affordable. It’s much easier to just keep things the way they are.

Today we’re talking about writing a thesis, and truth be told, it’s quite easy to write a good one. Maybe not at first, but once you have a bit of experience, you start to catch on to the formulaic nature of the thesis statement.

Once that happens, it’s easy to churn out a decent thesis statement for each paper you write. It is, however, much more difficult to write a great thesis.

To do so, you have to dig deeper into your subject, narrow your focus, and clearly state the direction your essay will take.

So let’s take a look at how we can turn a good thesis statement into a great one.

What Is the Point of a Thesis?

First and foremost, let’s brush up on our understanding of the thesis statement: what is it, and why do we need it?

The thesis is by far the most important sentence you will write for your paper. It’s the director, the backbone, and the glue of your essay. Without it, your paper will be sloppier than the hyponutritional fare we serve in school cafeterias.

Located at the end of your introduction, the thesis tells the reader what your paper is about. In an expository paper, the thesis will present your explanation of the topic at hand. In the case of an analytical paper, it will include your analysis.

And in the most common essay type, the argumentative essay, the thesis presents your argument.

The thesis is broken into claims. These are the various parts of your argument or analysis. Each section of the body of your essay will correspond to one of these claims.

In the case of the five-paragraph essay (which contains an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion), you will have three claims in your thesis, one for each of the body paragraphs.

So as you can see, the thesis lays out the main points that will be discussed later in the paper. Without a strong thesis statement, your reader will get lost faster than a millennial without GPS.

A good thesis statement will present your points so that the reader has a general idea of what to expect. A great thesis statement will clearly present your specific ideas in a logical order that gives your reader a strong sense of the direction your paper will take.

The Thesis Formula

Because argumentative essays are the most common essay type, we’re going to focus on them as we describe how to write a great thesis.

As we mentioned earlier, an argumentative thesis presents your argument. This is the driving force of your entire paper, so we need to get it right.

The first part of your thesis addresses the focus of your paper. This is the who or what on which your paper focuses. Who are you speaking to? For example, you could be addressing Americans, the government, or the middle class.

After addressing those who are the focus of your paper and thesis, you should state the debatable topic and your position for or against it. For example, you may be writing your paper on student loan debt. This is the debatable topic.

You may think student loans and the corresponding debt are a good thing. Or you may be against student loan debt. Either way, you must clearly choose your position in the thesis, or the debate will be off to a weird start.

Next comes the most important part of your thesis: your claims. If the thesis is the backbone of your paper, the claims are the vertebrae.

Each claim must support your stance on the issue, for or against. Claims will serve as the main reasons for your argument, and you will use them to argue your case.

Your thesis will look something like this:

The (focus of your paper) should be (for/against) (debatable topic) because it (claim 1), (claim 2), and (claim 3).

Skip to the “good” section below to see what that thesis looks like after we fill in the blanks.

The Great, the Good, and the Ugly

Let’s look at some examples of a great, a good, and an ugly thesis. We’re going to go in reverse order here so that we can see how to improve from ugly to great.

Let’s stick with our student debt theme and assume we’re writing an argumentative thesis against the current levels of student loan debt.

The ugly

Well, this can go in a lot of directions. Of course, the worst thesis is the one that your reader cannot find, either because it’s unclear or because you haven’t written one at all.

There are a couple important points to keep in mind: the thesis statement is one sentence and located at the end of your introduction. By adhering to these simple facts, you’re already over a big hurdle.

But you’re not completely in the clear. There are mistakes that even the most well-intentioned writer can make when crafting a thesis.

Check out this example of a simple thesis statement:

The current level of student loan debt that graduates face is bad for many reasons.

So here, you have stated the debatable topic and come out against it. However, that’s about where the thesis stops.

The reader is left with many questions: Why is it bad? What are the reasons? Who should take heed of this issue? Without any claims, this is an ugly thesis.

So the next step in making this a good thesis is to add claims.

The good

When we clearly address the person or entity who should be concerned with our argument and add in some claims, we start to see the makings of a good thesis statement.

The United States government should be against the current level of student debt because it hurts young professionals’ careers, it hurts the economy, and it hurts college enrollment.

This is so much better than our ugly thesis, but I wouldn’t call it great for one important reason: the claims are too vague. And like doctors, a thesis is better without ambiguity.

The reader has a general idea of where the paper is going but will still wonder about the specifics behind each claim.

Why would the debt hurt young professionals’ careers? In what way does it affect the economy? And we’re talking about graduates, so how could it affect enrollment?

It’s true that the reader could find these answers by continuing to read the rest of your paper, but it’s better for your reader to know the answers after reading the thesis and before looking to the body paragraphs for the data, the proof.

The great

So what does a great thesis look like? It has all the same aspects of a good thesis but is more focused.

The United States government should be against the current level of student debt because it prevents young professionals from pursuing lower-paying careers, it hurts their ability to buy homes and start families, and it even prevents some students from going to college at all.

Now that’s a great thesis! The reader has a great idea of precisely what the essay will address.

Before moving to the body paragraphs, the reader is already pondering your main ideas:

1. Many graduates can’t take jobs in teaching or public service because of their debt.
2. They can’t make big purchases that would boost the economy because their money goes to student loan payments.
3. Worst of all, some qualified students skip college altogether because of the exorbitant prices.

The reader knows exactly what to look for while reading the rest of your essay. Each section of the body will address one of these claims, providing evidence that it’s true.

Now, keep in mind, the claims in your thesis must correspond to the body of the paper. If they don’t, your reader will be angry, and your thesis will quickly be thrown back into the ugly category.

As you can see, the difference between a good thesis and a great thesis isn’t nearly as wide as the difference between a good and an ugly thesis.

So it’s no wonder that many people fall into the ease of writing a good thesis statement instead of pushing themselves to write a great one.

Need More Help Transforming a Good Thesis Statement Into a Great One?

While I hope this post helps make the distinctions clear for you on the strength of your thesis, there are additional resources at your disposal if you’re still struggling or just want to practice.

If you’re feeling super-ambitious, take a look at the thesis statements in our example essays to see what works—and what doesn’t.

You can also give Kibin’s thesis generator a try. It will get you going in the right direction.

If you’re still having some trouble, send your essay draft over to the wonderful editors of Kibin. They will take a look at your thesis and give you suggestions on how to make it great!

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Professor: Where is your thesis statement?

Student: …

If so, don’t worry. You’re not the first person to struggle with writing a thesis statement, and you won’t be the last. This part of essay writing has vexed many college students, but luckily, I’m here to show you the ropes.

Almost every college essay you write will require a thesis in one form or another. A compare and contrast essay is no exception.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the finer points of how to write a compare and contrast thesis statement and offer some pro tips and resources for tackling that essay like a boss.

Everything’s an Argument

Every time you sit down to write an essay, try to think of it like an argument. Yes. An argument. Always.

This is important because your thesis is the main argument—the main point—you’re trying to make in your essay.

Your thesis is the main argument—the main point—you’re trying to make in your essay.
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It’s a claim you make about your topic. Then you spend the rest of the essay backing up that claim with examples, reasoning, and sometimes professional sources that reinforce this claim.

A compare and contrast essay doesn’t always require you to cite sources, though. So let’s just focus on what you can do to write a great thesis and, thus, a great essay.

Think about it this way—if someone handed you this list…

…you would probably wonder why the heck the person just did that. Similarly, your professor wants to see how well you can identify the relationship between two things.

If you write a strong thesis, then you’ll show your professor that your compare and contrast essay has a purpose.

The Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement: Prework

If you’re going to write a strong thesis, you’ll want to make sure you know your approach before going in. Here are some pro tips to help you get started.

Pro tip #1: 

Pick topics that interest you. It’s way easier to write about something you like or care about. Need some help with picking a topic? Check out this list of compare and contrast essay topics.

Pro tip #2: 

Once you have your topics, try saying the following aloud (and maybe when you’re by yourself so that people don’t look at you funny in the campus library):

“(Topic 1) and (Topic 2) have a lot in common. They also have some differences.”

Then pretend someone just replied with, “So what?”

Repeat this exercise as you write the essay. It will help you reinforce your thesis and make sure that the point you’re making is meaningful.

Every time you start a new paragraph and write a topic sentence that reinforces your thesis, pretend that you’re being asked “so what?” again. Work on answering that question as you continue writing the paragraph.

Example

You write:

Though eccentric, both Gandalf and Dumbledore resemble kind-hearted grandfatherly figures when they first appear in the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series, respectively.

Your friend says:

So what?

You could reply:

Both characters are powerful wizards capable of terrible destruction, but showing them as kind old men humanizes and establishes them as protagonists that the reader can root for rather than fear.

Writing like this makes your essay more meaningful. Keep asking and answering “so what?” and you’ll write a strong essay that keeps reinforcing the thesis.

The Right Tool for the Job

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” thesis that works for any essay. Just like you wouldn’t use a screwdriver to hammer a nail, you’re not going to use an argumentative essay thesis for your compare and contrast essay.

If you’re going to write a solid compare and contrast thesis statement, then you’ll need to make sure you understand the anatomy of this essay. Let’s break down the compare and contrast format, bit by bit, and see how the thesis applies to each part.

Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to settle on your topics before moving forward. It’ll help you visualize how the following can be applied specifically to your topics.

1. Your approach

There are a few common approaches you could take when writing a compare and contrast essay.

Comparing/contrasting two things in the same category that are different somehow.

• Your house vs. a friend’s house
• Your favorite coffee shop vs. Starbucks
• Two types of cars

Comparing/contrasting two things that seem very different but actually have a lot in common.

• Bats and bears (both are mammals and hibernate during the winter)
• Pablo Picasso and Winston Churchill (both were painters)

Comparing/contrasting two things that appear the same but are actually very different.

• Tim Burton’s Batman vs. Christopher Nolan’s Batman
• Any movie and the book it’s based on

Applying the thesis:

Your thesis will be different depending on which approach you use. For example, if you were to compare/contrast two things that seem different, your thesis might look something like this:

While bats and bears appear to have little in common at first glance, they are remarkably similar.

And if you compared/contrasted two things that seem similar, your thesis might look like this:

While Batman is always depicted as the famous “Caped Crusader” in each Batman film, this character is wildly different depending on the film’s director.

Another pro tip: 

To create a stronger thesis, be specific! For a compare and contrast essay, use several of your main points in your thesis to show the reader where your argument is going.

While bats and bears appear to have little in common at first glance, they are remarkably similar in their species classification and hibernation habits.

2. Your method

A compare and contrast essay is usually written using one of two methods.

Method #1: Subject by subject

This method is almost like writing two smaller essays in one. One half of the body paragraphs would cover the first subject, and the other half would cover the second subject.

Thesis:

While Batman is depicted as the “Caped Crusader” in either film series, Tim Burton’s Batman of the 1990s is far more comical, wittier, and less intimidating than Christopher Nolan’s early-2000s version.

To support this thesis, you would break down the things that are different between these two “subjects,” one at a time.

Tim Burton’s Batman (first half of body):

• Comical
• Witty and less intimidating
• The style reflects 1990s-era American culture.

Christopher Nolan’s Batman (second half of body):

• Serious
• Intimidating/fierce depiction
• The style reflects early 2000s-era American culture.

Stuck on Your Essay?

Check Out These Example Compare and Contrast Essays

Yes! Show me examples.

Method #2: Point by point

This method allows you to break down your topics by each point of similarity or difference. For each body paragraph, you support the thesis by writing about each topic at the same time.

Let’s use the same thesis from above and see how this method is organized in defending that compare and contrast thesis statement:

• The tone (comical vs. serious)
  • Tim Burton’s Batman
  • Christopher Nolan’s Batman

• The character (witty vs. intimidating)
  • Tim Burton’s Batman
  • Christopher Nolan’s Batman

• Time period effect on style
  • Tim Burton’s Batman
  • Christopher Nolan’s Batman

Either one of these methods can work for your compare and contrast essay. They’re both good structures to follow when trying to support your thesis.

And remember—the thesis is only as strong as the evidence that supports it, so choosing your method before you start writing is a good idea.

3. Know the process

By now, you’re probably starting to get a good idea of how you might put together this essay, but keep in mind that strong organization is key. It’s always smart to do the following steps before you even think of sitting down to type your first draft.

Brainstorm

I know, I know—this is just something your professor tells you to do. But it really works! Many students get frustrated when writing and switch topics halfway through because they didn’t work out what they really wanted during a good old-fashioned brainstorming sesh.

My advice: Grab a snack and a cup of coffee. Stare out the window. Let the ideas start flowing in, and think about what you might have to say about them. Jot down some notes. You’re off to a good start.

Need some help with brainstorming? Read 6 Prewriting Strategies to Get Your Essay Rolling.

Outline

Really? Another step? You bet! I’ve seen a lot of students get stuck by the second paragraph because they didn’t plan ahead. Trust me—outline each paragraph of your essay. It’ll be so much easier to actually write the essay if you’re following a roadmap you’ve made for yourself.

Need some more help with outlining? Read This Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Will Help You Beat Writer’s Block.

Don’t write the compare and contrast thesis statement…yet

That’s right. Unless you’re 100% certain of what you’re going to say, your thesis could change often as you write.

Instead, jot down a few ideas of what your thesis might be. Use these as a guide, but don’t sweat it if your thesis ends up being way different than what you had originally planned.

Try writing your body paragraphs first. These are the most important parts of your essay, and when you’ve finished a draft, you can look back and see which of your main points are the strongest.

A thesis should only be one to two sentences long, so you’ll have to consolidate your ideas into this short space—this one argument.

Did you know that Kibin has a neat tool that can help you build that thesis if you get stuck? Give it a try: Kibin Thesis Builder.

The intro and conclusion can be written after you’ve hammered out the body paragraphs. Just make sure you’re following the correct organization for essay writing:

• Intro and thesis
• Body paragraphs 1, 2, 3, etc.
• Conclusion (restate thesis)

The Takeaway

Now that you know how to write a compare and contrast thesis statement, get ready to blow your professor out of the water with a rockin’ essay. Say it with me now: this essay is going to be awesome.

And it will be. Just make sure you focus on all we’ve covered in this post to get started, and you’ll do great!

• The thesis is your main argument.
• Choose a topic you’re interested in.
• Answer “So what?”
• Know your approach.
• Subject by subject or point by point?
• Brainstorm, outline, draft.

As a final bit of advice, if your professor gives you instructions for how to organize and write this essay, follow them as closely as possible. If these instructions are in a workbook, make sure you’ve read and understand them. Ask your professor for clarity if necessary.

Also make sure you read some good compare and contrast essay examples to familiarize yourself with this essay style.

And of course, when you’ve finished working on that first draft, Kibin editors are standing by to help you make it shine.

The server places the ice cream in your hands … without a flipping cone. You fumble with the cold, sloppy mess as you try to contain it or shove it quickly into your mouth, but it’s pretty hopeless.

So, uh, what does melted ice cream have to do with a thesis statement?

Well—aside from our love of both snacks and food-based metaphors—an essay without a solid thesis is a lot like that sad wreck of a dessert. It’s messy, it’s all over the place, and it has no point (ha). Without some direction, your reader is a lot like you with your drippy, ice-cream-coated elbows—confused and frustrated.

Enter your thesis statement. Your thesis statement is more than the last sentence of your introduction. It’s the road map for your entire essay.

Your thesis statement isn’t just the end of your intro. It’s the road map for your entire essay.
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As we’ve mentioned again and again and again, your thesis statement is super important, and for that reason, writing it probably has you scared out of your wits—but fear not!

I’ve created a helpful infographic that will help teach you how to make a thesis statement the quick and easy way. This graphic provides step-by-step guidance on

• choosing a topic
• narrowing your focus
• creating an argument

…and more!

Once your feel like your thesis has a fighting chance, feel free to run it (or your entire essay) past a talented Kibin editor for some helpful feedback and polishing.

How to Make a Thesis Statement the Easy Way (Infographic)