Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a sentence that presents the central argument or claim of your essay. It appears at the end of your introduction and guides everything that follows.

Characteristics of a Strong Thesis

• Specific — clearly states what the essay will discuss
• Arguable — presents a debatable position
• Focused — addresses one main idea
• Clear — uses precise language

Placement

The thesis typically appears as the last sentence of your introduction, serving as a bridge between your hook/background and your body paragraphs.

Example

Weak: "Social media is bad for teenagers."

Strong: "Excessive social media use negatively impacts teenage sleep patterns, academic performance, and face-to-face social skills."

The strong version is specific, arguable, and previews three supporting points.

Quick Tips

• Make sure your thesis can be debated
• Avoid vague words like "good," "bad," or "interesting"
• Include a roadmap of your main points
• Revise your thesis as your essay develops