Generating a Strong Thesis Statement

A key to any good paper is a strong thesis. A thesis drives the paper, lets the reader know what content they should expect to encounter within the paper, and help you as the writer stay on task with the research and themes of your writing. Creating a thesis that is not overly simplified and not too complex is a difficult task. It does not happen over night; it’s a skill that requires practice. Use these simple steps to help you generate a thesis for your quarter paper (or any paper).

A thesis statement is customarily the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. While the introduction may include many of the points the paper will include, the thesis statement should only be one sentence long, therefore you must fit all the components of the paper into just one sentence.

Step 1: State the general topic of the paper.

Step 2: State general topic of the paper as a question.

Step 3: Answer the question in the form of a statement.

Step 4: Generate the main points you will use to support your thesis.

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Step 5: Find a pattern or relationship between all or some of the main points you have developed to support your thesis:

Step 6: Create a sentence that combines your thesis statement, the supporting main ideas, and the patterns/relationships that you have developed.

Step 7: Reword your thesis. Do not put all the main ideas together in the same part of the thesis statement. Try to avoid the word because. Utilize phrases In order to, Although, and However.