e Writing Center
The Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center
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If you are writing an argumentative, persuasive, or analytical essay, then
YES—always. However, some types of writing assignments, like lab reports,
do not require a thesis statement. If you are not sure, ask your professor.
Thesis Statement FAQ: Everything You Have Always Wanted to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Element Definition Example
Your SUBJECT/TOPIC What your paper is about Batman
Your ARGUMENT/CLAIM
What you want to persuade your
reader to believe
Batman is a bad guy
Your REASONING/EVIDENCE
Your main points, which the rest of
your essay will explain in detail
1. Basically a violent cop
2. Mean to his butler
3. Greedy billionaire
That’s okay! It’s normal for your thesis statement to evolve as you work on your paper. For your
rst draft, you might start with a very simple thesis:
Batman is a villain.
As your essay takes shape, don’t forget to return to your thesis statement and revise it to match
what you have written.
What if I haven’t figured out all my points yet?
THESIS STATEMENT
by Frankie Thomas
What is a thesis statement, anyway?
Traditionally, it is the last sentence or last few sentences of your introduction.
Its purpose is to tell your reader what your essay’s argument or claim and main points are going to be.
The rest of your essay will prove your thesis statement with detailed evidence.
Do I really need a thesis statement?
What does a thesis statement look like?
Let’s say you have done some research on Batman and decided that he is actually
a bad guy. Your thesis statement should contain three elements:
In this case, your thesis statement might look a little something like this:
Batman is a villain because he supports police violence, abuses his employees, and does not pay taxes.
Make sure your points appear in the order in which you will discuss them in your essay.
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Is it okay to change my entire thesis statement as I go along?
Yes! Changing your mind is a healthy part of the writing process. After a lot of research
and reection, you might end up in a very dierent place than where you started:
Catwoman, not Batman, is the true hero of Gotham City: she is an advocate for women’s
rights, ghts income inequality, and protects those who cannot defend themselves.
Are thesis statements always so simple?
Not at all! Thesis statements can be quite sophisticated. If you feel
comfortable with the basics, maybe you are ready to take your
thesis statement to the next level. Here are some ways to do that:
Most people think of Batman
as a hero. In fact, contrary to
popular belief, Batman is a villain
because he supports police
violence, abuses his employees,
and does not pay taxes.
Though he is not as cruel or as
violent as the Joker, Batman is
not a hero but a more subtle kind
of villain; he supports police
violence, abuses his employees,
and does not pay taxes.
Batman is considered a hero because he never
kills people, but heroism means more than
simply refraining from murder. A real hero
would never support police violence, abuse his
employees, or cheat on his taxes. Batman, who
is guilty of all three, is more a villain than a hero.
😮
Surprise your reader by
disagreeing with what
most people believe.
☺
Specify that your
claim is true only
in a certain way.
😀
Present an opposing
viewpoint, then contradict it
with your thesis statement.
Sure! If you need help getting started, take a look at the
Thesis Statement Mad Libs below, and ll in the blanks.
That looks like fun! Can I try?
Some may argue that ;
however .
Opposing viewpoint
Your argument
It is widely known that ,
but not many people realize that .
Widely known thing
Your argument
It might appear at rst glance that
but in fact, .
Misconception
Your argument
,
THESIS STATEMENT: CONTINUED
