Style-WriteAThesisStatement

What is a thesis statement (TS)?

• A thesis statement gives the topic, and the main idea of your essay, or section. It’s like a topic sentence, but while the topic sentence STARTS a PARAGRAPH, a thesis statement usually ENDS an INTRO and says what you will be reading for the rest of the text.

THesis statements in first year essays

• I will give you easy copy-paste patterns. This page is for more advanced projects.
  • See your project page.
  • See the Examples
  • See the the Arrangement page on introduction paragraphs

IN general, for any thesis statement:

• name your TOPIC (penguins)
• name your MAIN IDEA (verbs saying what your essay SAYS about the topic
  • This essay gives three reasons penguins are experiencing problems
  • This essay outlines three stages in penguin evolution
  • This essay describes how to feed a penguin in three steps
  • This essay compares two types of penguin
• MAYBE give a keyword list of contents
  • in terms of X, Y, and Z.
  • : X, Y, and Z.
  • - X, Y, and Z.

A formal thesis statement is NOT:

• Not a title Study Abroad: Good or Bad?
• Not about you I will introduce Study Abroad
• Not a definition Study Abroad is learning overseas
• Not too big This essay describes ALL Study Abroad types
• Vague: This essay argues study abroad is good

Here are some patterns you can follow

Pattern 1: “This + VERB”

This	Verb	Topic phrase	Keywords (optional)
This section	clarifies	what X means for Y	, in terms of 1, 2, and 3
This essay	explores	X in detail	, in terms of
This paragraph	describes	the link between X and Y
	outlines	how X works
	investigates	how X is made	in three steps
	examines	the process of Xing your
	summarizes	the impact of X on Y	as it pertains to
	reviews	how X can cause Y
	looks at	three problems caused by X	: 1, 2, and 3.
	argues	that the best way to X is	because of 1, 2, and 3.
	proposes	that the best X is Y
	suggests	that X is better than Y	for three reasons:
	looks at	why X should Y
	OTHER VERB	why X should Y
	compares	X and Y in three ways	in three ways: 1, 2, and 3
	contrasts	X with Y in terms of	in terms of 1, 2, and 3

Pattern 2: Paragraphs are verbs (good for longer essays)

Use “first…then…and finally”

• This essay
  • first describes X
  • then examines three problems X causes
  • , and finally outlines some possible solutions.
• This essay
  • first describes how X and Y are similar,
  • then looks at how they are different
  • , and finally chooses one.

Pattern 3: This TYPE + NOUN

This TYPE	IS/OFFERS a NOUN	Main Idea	Keywords (optional)
This dissertation	is an attempt to clarify	what X means for Y	, in terms of 1, 2, and 3
This project	is an exploration of	X in detail	etc.
This study	is an attempt to outline	how X works
This article	is an investigation of	how X is made
This paper	offers an examination of	the process of Xing your Y
This essay	offers a description of	the link between X and Y
This section	is a summary of	the impact of X on Y
This paragraph	is a review of	how X can cause Y

Pattern 4: number and a colon

Don’t forget the colon! You’re introducing a list of keywords. This paragraph |reviews |three ways that X can cause Y |: 1, 2, and 3 This chapter |looks at |three problems caused by X |: 1, 2, and 3. This presentation |gives |three reasons why X is the best Y |: 1, 2, and 3.

Pattern 5: Passive

In this essay/paragraph/ X is described/clarified/explored/outlined.
In the current study it is proposed that X can be used to identify Y

Other Patterns

• “The aim” - remember to change the verb from describeS to describe
• The aim of this essay is to describe/compare/analyse

Putting limits on the Thesis Statement

Language in this section suggested by previous students

in the field of X - - - - > Xの分野で This section looks at research in the field of English language acquisition

It is beyond the scope of this paper to ~ - - - - > することはこの論文の範囲を超えている. It is beyond the scope of this paper to illustrate the influence of learning history on reading skill

Specifically, X is discussed. - - - - > 特にXが議論される。 Specifically, the impact of extensive listening is discussed with reference to how it impacts reading.

Keyword sentences

• Keywords can go in a different sentence (if they are long)
• Same sentence
  • This essay compares the approach of two car makers to the Chinese market - Mitsubishi and Suzuki.
  • This article describes how to make great muffins without butter, in three steps - preparing, cooking, and decorating.
  • This essay argues that studying abroad has both good and bad points, as while it increases level, it also interferes with study and job hunting.
• Different sentence
  • This essay compares the approach of two car makers to the Chinese market. The companies described are Mitsubishi and Suzuki.
  • This article describes how to make great muffins without butter. There are three steps - preparing, cooking, and decorating.
  • This essay argues that studying abroad has both good and bad points. While it increases level, it also interferes with study and job hunting,