Developing a Thesis

What is a thesis?

A thesis statement explicitly articulates the purpose of your paper.  It states what you believe and what you intend to prove.  It may also preview the main ideas or categories of support.

The preliminary thesis 

Before you begin writing, you will probably start with a topic but not a thesis.  Your preliminary thesis should be born out of your knowledge, reading and research of a subject.  The more you engage in your topic, the more you will develop an intelligent comment regarding its issues.

As you read and think about your topic, ask yourself questions.  Look for interesting contrasts or comparisons or cause and effect relationships.  Try to find patterns that emerge from the information or take note of insights you believe others could miss.  What about the topic inspires or challenges you?  Is there an expert opinion with which you disagree or information in the topic that goes against conventional wisdom? 

The list below identifies a few common approaches for drafting a thesis:

• Reveal a relationship:  Compare your topic with something else, or discuss your topic as it relates to other subjects in a similar category.  Write an extended analogy to prove your point.

• Disprove a recognized concept:  Introduce a concept in a new way or introduce new evidence on your topic.

• Think about various perspectives:  Look at a topic from a new perspective, or find an aspect of the subject that's been overlooked.  In literature, you may choose to look at the story's events through a minor character.  

• Explain:  Offer an explanation of a phenomenon, key term or character motivation that will get readers to see your topic in a new way.

• Evaluate:  Make an assessment about something's quality or utility.

• Argue cause and effect:  Predict outcomes based on a specific course of action, or explain that an existing outcome is the direct result of specific previous actions. 

• Suggest a modification:  Recommend a resolution to an issue or suggest that a course of action be taken for improvement.

Writing the thesis

To compose your thesis, refine your topic and clearly state your comment on that topic.   For example, if we look at the topic of adopting a company dress code, your comment on that topic could be stated in the following thesis:

A well-written dress code will benefit Corporation G because it will enhance the company's client image, eliminate distracting immodesty, and improve workers' professionalism on the job. 

Notice this thesis specifically refines the topic to a "well-written" dress code, highlighting the importance of drafting the code carefully.  It further points to three elements of support that will be addressed during the essay.  This particular thesis uses the "rule of three."  When appropriate, it is helpful to include the (three) main branches of support right in your thesis statement. 

An example of a thesis that is too general is: "A company dress code is a good idea."

Placing the thesis

The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis.)

Remember, your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make it clear, strong, and easy to find!