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How to Write a Thesis Statement

Write several trial thesis statements

You do not write a “perfect” thesis statement on your first try. Instead, you have to write and rewrite both your topic question and your thesis statement a number of times in different ways. It is important to remember that your thesis statement is not written in stone. At this stage, it is only a “working hypothesis” which allows you to gather your evidence and to organize your argument. If it does not work, change it.

If you are unsure of what to take on a controversial issue, try writing your thesis statement points of view. Then, decide which one best represents your opinion.

If you still cannot decide, try listing the facts that support each case. Then decide which argument seems more persuasive.

Example:

Topic question:

Did Tocqueville believe that other countries could adopt American-style democratic principles and institutions?

Trial thesis statement on one side of an issue:

Tocqueville believed that countries could adopt other American-style democratic principles and institutions.

Trial thesis statement on the other side of an issue:

Tocqueville believed that American democracy was unique and that other countries could not successfully adopt it.

Evaluate Your Thesis Statement

Have you merely restated the topic question without answering it?

EXAMPLE:

TOPIC QUESTION:

Did Tocqueville consider aristocracy to be the best form of government? If so, why? If not, why not?

WRONG: RESTATEMENT OF THE TOPIC QUESTION. In this essay, we examine whether or not Tocqueville thought aristocracy to be the best form of government.

CORRECT: THESIS STATEMENT.

Tocqueville thought that aristocracy was the best form of government because it provided leadership by an educated elite, it produced effective administrative centralization, and it promoted superior intellectual and artistic achievements.

Have you tried to argue both sides of a case?

EXAMPLE:

TOPIC QUESTION:

Did Tocqueville consider aristocracy to be the best form of government? If so, why? If not, why not?

WRONG: ARGUING FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE CASE.

Although Tocqueville saw some advantages to aristocratic government, he also saw some disadvantages.

CORRECT. THESIS STATEMENT.

Tocqueville saw both the advantages and disadvantages of aristocratic government, but he still maintained that it was the best form of government for France.

Have you prejudged the issue by using loaded language?

Writers use loaded language when they want to manipulate their readers’ emotions in order to keep them from paying close attention to the logical flaws in their argument. Most of the time, they do not fool anyone.

EXAMPLE:

TOPIC QUESTION:

How did Tocqueville’s social background affect his attitude toward democratic institutions?

WRONG: PREJUDGING THE ISSUE BY USING LOADED LANGUAGE.

Tocqueville was born with a silver spoon in his mouth; so he could not understand that democracy is the best form of government.

CORRECT: THESIS STATED FAIRLY.

Tocqueville’s background as a French aristocrat made him particularly critical of democratic institutions.

HAVE YOU WRITTEN A BLAND, BORING THESIS STATEMENT?

Remember, a thesis statement is always emphatic! It is never wishy-washy! Use an exclamation point to check your sentence.

EXAMPLE:

TOPIC QUESTION:

To what extent did Tocqueville undermine his own arguments in favor of aristocratic government?

WRONG: THESIS STATEMENT THAT LACKS EMPHASIS.

In some ways, Tocqueville undermined his own arguments in favor of aristocratic government by showing that democratic government generally produces good citizens.

CORRECT: THESIS STATEMENT.

Tocqueville undermined his own arguments in favor of aristocratic government by showing that democratic government produces patriotic citizens committed to the preservation of liberty and equality!