Writing a Thesis Statement with Jessica from Scribbr
Jul 30, 2024
Writing a Thesis Statement with Jessica from Scribbr
Introduction
Jessica from Scribbr introduces how to write an effective thesis statement.
A thesis statement sums up the main point of your paper in 1-2 sentences.
Usually appears at the end of the introduction.
Vital for maintaining focus throughout the writing process.
Three Simple Ingredients for a Thesis Statement
Main topic of your paper.
Position and argument.
Evidence to support your argument.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Research Question
Start with a research question.
Example: What were the main factors that led to the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum?
For formulating strong research questions, refer to other resources or videos.
Step 2: Tentative Answer
Provide an initial answer that takes a strong position.
Example: Brexit was driven by political frustration.
This initial thesis is developed and refined with more research and evidence.
Example of a refined thesis: The Brexit referendum result was driven by working-class frustration with the political elite, caused by austerity policies that eroded public services and fragmented communities. The referendum offered an alternative to the status quo.
Step 3: Evaluating the Thesis Statement
Conciseness: Should build up to a central argument without extraneous details.
Disputability: Must take a clear stance that requires evidence and persuasion.
Coherence: Should logically present the topic, position, and evidence.
Types of Thesis Statements
Argumentative
Should take a clear position to persuade the reader.
Example: The provided earlier example about Brexit.
Analytical
Analyzes, interprets, or evaluates different aspects of a topic.
Example: The history of the UK's relationship to the EU is complicated. From the beginning, Britain has been reluctant to fully integrate into Europe, both economically and culturally, but the politics of EU membership has changed throughout the past 50 years.
Explanatory
Summarizes the main points of a topic for explanation or discussion.
Example: Polling and surveys shed light on the demographics of the Brexit vote, which can be broken down in terms of age, ethnicity, region, and educational level.
Conclusion
Recap of the importance of a strong thesis statement.
Encouragement to subscribe and engage with questions in the comments.