About Thesis Statements
Most thesis statements do not end up the way they started. Changes are made as research is discovered and conclusions are drawn. Most writers discover a thesis almost by trial and error, refining their ideas as facts are gathered. A working thesis is a place to start, a statement of beginning ideas from which to build more detailed and refined main ideas and supporting details (Hult and Huckin 114).
A thesis statement states for the reader the “central idea that the paper will argue” or the directions a paper will take (Hult and Huckin 217).
However, a thesis statement can also reflect the reporting of information rather than taking a stand on an arguable issue (Hult and Huckin 217).
An arguable thesis or claim
- is debatable. Not everyone will agree with it;
- can be supported with evidence available to everyone;
- can be countered with arguments against it;
- is a clearly stated claim of fact, value, or policy with terms defined; and
- is not based just on personal opinion or subjective feelings inaccessible to others. (Hult & Huckin 113).
Questions to ask regarding a working thesis:
- Does the thesis define a specific topic?
- Does the thesis make a strong point about the topic?
- Does the thesis provide a blueprint for the paper’s development?
Examples
An Argumentative Thesis: “Whatever the causes, males and females have different perspectives on computers and their uses” (Hult and Huckin 217).
An Informational Thesis: “This paper will trace the evolution of computers from the first room-sized mainframes to the current hand-held notebooks” (Hult and Huckin 218).
Source: Hult, Christine A., and Thomas N. Huckin. The New Century Handbook. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1999.