English 9 / Unit 8: Writing Essays
8.2 Writing a Thesis Statement
Notes
A thesis statement is one or two sentences, usually at the end of the introduction, that state the essay's main claim.
- It must be specific, arguable (for argument and analysis essays) and supportable.
- A strong thesis often previews the main points.
- Not a thesis: a fact, a question, an announcement ("This essay is about...").
- Weak: "Social media is bad." Strong: "Social media harms teens' sleep, attention and self-esteem, so schools should teach healthy-use habits."
Practice
Which is the strongest thesis statement?
It is specific, arguable and previews three points.
Why is "In this essay I will discuss climate change" a weak thesis?
A thesis states a position, not a topic.
Where does a thesis statement usually appear?
It closes the introduction and guides the essay.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 8 test.