Thesis Statements 101: How to Start Strong in Argumentative Writing
Introduction
Ever written an essay where you felt lost? Like your ideas were scattered everywhere? That’s where a thesis statement comes in! It’s like the superhero of your essay, holding everything together.
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is a sentence that states the topic and purpose of your paper. A good thesis statement will direct the structure of your essay and will allow your reader to understand the ideas you will discuss within your paper.
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Think of it as the main point of your argument, all wrapped up in one clear sentence. It tells your reader exactly what you’re trying to convince them of.
How to write a winning thesis statement:
- Pick a Side: Don’t just say video games are good or bad. Take a stand! Maybe you think they hurt kids’ social skills, or maybe you think they can actually help learning.
- Weak: Video games can be fun.
- Strong: While video games can be educational, excessive playing can make it harder for teens to develop strong social skills.
- Get Specific: Don’t say “Homework is bad.” Can you pinpoint why? Maybe it’s too repetitive, or maybe it doesn’t match each student’s needs.
- Weak: Homework is a waste of time.
- Strong: The current one-size-fits-all approach to homework often fails to consider individual learning styles and can hinder true understanding.
- Don’t State the Obvious: Everyone knows vegetables are healthy. Your thesis should be something people might argue about, or offer a new twist on an old idea.
- Weak: Recycling is good for the environment.
- Strong: While recycling is important, a more effective solution to plastic pollution might lie in finding sustainable alternatives altogether.
- Show, Don’t Tell: Hint at the evidence you’ll use to back up your claim. Maybe you’ll talk about research on video games, or studies on different homework styles.
- Keep it Short: Your thesis should be like a superhero’s catchphrase – short, catchy, and to the point!
Conclusion
Remember: Your thesis statement is a promise to your reader. It tells them what you’re going to argue and how you’ll prove it. So write a thesis that packs a punch and sets the stage for an awesome essay!
If you want to know how to write a good paragraph, read this post!