How to Write a Thesis Statement

How to Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a single sentence, so it has to be easy to write. Or at least, that’s what people think. Even though a thesis statement takes seconds to read, it can take hours, if not days to write. You basically have to make sure that it contains all important data in it, which is hard to narrow down to few words. Moreover, your job is to write a statement for a thesis that is interesting, engaging, and unique instead of too general and repetitive.

It definitely sounds easier than it is. Most students find the thesis statement to be the hardest thing to write. You can go through writing an entire thesis without big troubles, but get stuck when you have to write a single sentence that is the thesis statement.

Ways to Write a Thesis Statement

In this article, you will learn about the most effective tips that will help you write a thesis statement. Let’s begin.

1. Start with a question

Most thesis statements come in the same form – declarative. To spice things up and make it more effective, why not start your thesis statement with a question? No one says that you need to limit it to a single sentence, which is why you can start your statement with a question, and write an answer that follows it.

2. Fit it to the topic or idea of the thesis

Write your thesis statement in a way that it fits the type of thesis you are creating. You are probably thinking – how can a thesis be different? However, even though there aren’t different thesis types as there are, for example, essay types; every thesis will have a different idea or purpose.

Your goal here is to write a statement that fits the thesis idea you are pursuing. For example, if your idea is to write a thesis that persuades, that’s the idea you should use to write the statement. If your thesis goal is to argument a point, your thesis statement should also have an argumentative tone.

3. Be more specific and detailed

Instead of grasping the overall idea of the thesis when you write the statement, address the key issue or take a more unique and specific approach. The goal is to attract and entice the reader, so when you write a thesis statement, you don’t literally have to write the thesis story in a sentence or two.

4. Use the most surprising argument from your thesis

When you chose a thesis topic to write on, you probably came across new and surprising information. There’s always an argument that surprises us and we haven’t heard before. Give the readers of the thesis statement an interesting peak into what your thesis research is all about. When you write your thesis statement, use the most unique and surprising argument or fact you found while you researched what to write about.

5. Make sure that you selected a provable thesis to write

A thesis is a big deal, so rushing into choosing the topic to write on is the biggest mistake you can make. If you dedicate a lot of time to write a great statement only to learn that your thesis isn’t provable afterward, you’ll lose valuable time and probably a grade or two.

So, before you start to write a thesis or a statement for it, do some research. This will also help you use the trick we discussed above – to write a statement by using the most surprising finding you’ll discuss in the thesis.

6. State it as accurately as possible

The name ‘statement’ tells you everything you need to know. Even so, many don’t use this sentence to write about the points of the thesis, or the direction of the thesis arguments.

The purpose of the thesis statement is to write what you’ll speak about in the thesis. Don’t forget it. If it helps, you can use this list below to check:

  • It isn’t an observation or a fact, but an assertion
  • It explains your stand and announces what you think about the thesis topic
  • It presents the main thesis idea and what you plan to write about
  • It is specific and debatable

7. Make sure it looks like it

When you state something, it should be obvious. Once you write the sentence that describes your thesis, check if it is obvious what it is when people read it. Will people know that this is a statement for a thesis when they see it?

To make this obvious, write by using a firm, definitive language and share explicitly what the content is for.

8. Find the right spot for it

The thesis statement should have its own, right spot in your thesis. Don’t write it just anywhere. In most cases, it will go in the introduction, at the end of the first paragraph or the thesis introduction itself. You can find a different place for it, but it should definitely write it into your thesis introduction.

9. Limit it to maximum two sentences

A statement can’t be a paragraph long. It’s just a part of your thesis introduction, even though it’s one of the most important parts. So, make sure to write a statement that is one or two sentences long.

10. Choose a thesis topic that you’ll enjoy to write

When you write your paper, you’ll be motivated to do anything if you like the topic. So, pick a topic that you’ll like. This will determine the thesis direction, as well as how easy you’ll write every part of it.

11. Know your audience

In most cases, this part is the hook of the entire thesis. Therefore, you should know your audience to know how to approach them from the start. Use the information you have about them to write a statement that will appeal to the audience.

12. Brainstorm different ideas

You can’t expect your first attempt at it to be a great one. A thesis will require much more than a single draft of idea. So, whatever part of it you write, take a note of several ideas and brainstorm. If you can’t decide on one, read your ideas to someone else to see which one works best.

13. Analyze a working version and tweak the details

When you have a version you like, it is time to write it in a way that is flawless and best describes your thesis. Here are some tips you can use in the process:

  • Don’t leave a question unanswered. If you choose to present the thesis with a question, make sure to create an answer to it.
  • Your thesis isn’t a list, so don’t use too many variables in it. Keep it brief and concise.
  • Don’t use the first person to write it.
  • Don’t use combative language that will annoy or enrage the reader.

14. Don’t think of it as the final version

The first attempt at a statement for your thesis does not have to be the last one. In fact, when it comes to thesis writing, most of them aren’t. So, when you write it, don’t look at it as something absolute and final. You’ll have to do an entire thesis after this part and chances are, you’ll feel differently about the thesis once you’re done.


Do you feel more confident about writing the statement for your thesis now? These tricks should help you make the process easier. Remember – you’ll need this to write the actual thesis. Even if it isn’t the final version, you can always go back to it afterward. However, it is an essential part of the paper seeing how it informs and introduces the reader to your topic.

This part doesn’t necessarily have to be so hard and complex. Just use this guide and you should finish your thesis in no time!

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