Developing a Strong Thesis Statement

The Thesis: Your Paper's Foundation

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main argument or claim of your paper. It typically appears at the end of your introduction and guides the entire essay.

Characteristics of a Strong Thesis

• Specific: Addresses a particular aspect of the topic, not everything about it


• Arguable: Makes a claim that someone could reasonably disagree with


• Evidence-based: Can be supported with research and data


• Focused: Narrow enough to cover thoroughly in your paper's length

Building a Thesis

Start with a question about your topic. Research and form an answer. Refine that answer into a clear, specific claim. Test it: Is it arguable? Is it specific? Can you support it?

Examples

Weak: "Social media affects society." (Too vague, not arguable)

Better: "Instagram's algorithm-driven content recommendations contribute to body image disorders among teenage girls, suggesting the need for platform transparency regulations." (Specific, arguable, evidence-based)