A thesis statement is the backbone of an essay. It should be arguable (someone could disagree), specific and preview your main reasons or methods.
For a persuasive essay: “Modern zoos are justified only when they focus on conservation and education rather than entertainment.” For a literature essay, the thesis should make a claim about how the writer achieves an effect: “The writer builds tension through short sentences, the ticking clock and Tunde's internal conflict.”
Avoid announcing (“In this essay I will…”) or stating facts that no one would dispute.
Worked example
Improve: “There are many zoos in the world.”
- It is a fact, not an argument.
- Take a clear, specific position on zoos.
Answer:Zoos should exist only if they put conservation before entertainment.
Key words
- thesis
- the main argument of an essay
- arguable
- something people could disagree with
- specific
- precise and detailed
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: W.7.1a