Thesis statement: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Statement that reflects the main idea of a thesis}}{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}A '''thesis statement''' is a statement of one's core [[argument]], the main idea(s), and/or a concise [[Abstract (summary)|summary]] of an [[essay]], [[Academic paper|research paper]], etc.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Miller |first=Ryan T. |last2=Pessoa |first2=Silvia |date=2016-04-29 |title=Where's Your Thesis Statement and What Happened to Your Topic Sentences? Identifying Organizational Challenges in Undergraduate Student Argumentative Writing |url=https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.248 |journal=TESOL Journal |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=847–873 |doi=10.1002/tesj.248 |issn=1056-7941}}</ref> It is usually expressed in one or two sentences near the beginning of a paper, and may be reiterated elsewhere, such as in the conclusion. In some contexts, such as in the [[Education in the United Kingdom|British educational system]], a thesis statement is generally considered synonymous with one's argument.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Baratta |first=Alex |date=2017 |title=Considering the Anglo Model of Writing for the Development of Critical Thinking |url=https://doi.org/10.37514/DBH-J.2017.5.1.07 |journal=Double Helix: A Journal of Critical Thinking and Writing |language=en |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=4 |doi=10.37514/dbh-j.2017.5.1.07 |issn=2372-7497}}</ref> |
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{{short description|Statement that reflects the main idea of a thesis}}{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} |
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{{manual|date=September 2018}} |
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== History == |
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A '''thesis statement''' usually appears in the introductory [[paragraph]] of a [[Scholarly paper|paper]]. It offers a concise [[Abstract (summary)|summary]] of the main point or claim of the [[essay]], [[Academic paper|research paper]], etc.<ref name="Purdue">{{cite web |title=Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements |url=https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html |website=Purdue Online Writing Lab |access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> It is usually expressed in one sentence, and the statement may be reiterated elsewhere. It contains the topic and the controlling idea. |
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The "thesis statement" comes from the concept of a thesis ({{Lang|grc|θέσῐς}}, ''thésis'') as it was articulated by [[Aristotle]] in ''[[Topics (Aristotle)|Topica]].'' Aristotle's definition of a thesis is "a conception which is contrary to accepted opinion." He also notes that this contrary view must come from an informed position; not every contrary view is a thesis.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/L391AristotlePosteriorAnalyticsTopica |title=L 391 Aristotle Posterior Analytics Topica |pages=300 |language=English}}</ref> |
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== Variations == |
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There are two types of thesis statements: direct and indirect. The indirect thesis statement does not state the explicit reasons, while the direct thesis statement does. "I love New York for three reasons" is an indirect thesis statement because it promises three rationales to support the claim but does not include the reasons in the thesis statement itself. On the other hand, "I love New York because of the food, jazz clubs, and Broadway Shows," is a direct thesis statement because it specifies three reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to Write a Thesis Statement |url=https://wts.indiana.edu//writing-guides/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University Bloomington |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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There are many different ways of writing a thesis statement depending on the context of one's writing. For example, American and British education systems frame the thesis statement differently. American schools generally encourage students to write their thesis statement so that the writer's ultimate conclusion(s) on the topic described in their paper is made clear; this opinion is then typically reiterated in the conclusion. In British schooling, the initial thesis statement describes the intended scope of the paper and the conclusion's restatement of the thesis provides the writer's point of view.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Baratta |first=Alex |date=2017 |title=Considering the Anglo Model of Writing for the Development of Critical Thinking |url=https://doi.org/10.37514/DBH-J.2017.5.1.07 |journal=Double Helix: A Journal of Critical Thinking and Writing |language=en |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=3, 5-7 |doi=10.37514/dbh-j.2017.5.1.07 |issn=2372-7497}}</ref> |
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The thesis statement is developed, supported, and explained in the course of the paper using examples and [[evidence]]. Thesis statements help organize and develop the body of the writing piece. They let readers know what the writer's statement is and what it is aiming to prove. A thesis statement does not necessarily forecast the organization of an essay, which can be more complex than its purpose. |
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== Structure == |
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The thesis statement reflects the kind of paper being written. There are three kinds of papers: [[Philosophical analysis|analytical]], [[expository]], and [[argument]]ative.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} The structure of a thesis statement depends upon the nature of determining essay type. In simple terms, first, a thesis statement has a main [[topic sentence]] formed from questioning it, then the writer's statement regarding the topic sentence, and finally ends with the specific supporting points detailing the writer's statement for justifying its relation with the topic sentence. It generally has a supportable opinion (specific/focused) and clear intent for the essay.<ref name=Purdue/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Topic sentence]] |
* [[Topic sentence]] |
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* [[Closing argument|Conclusion (writing)]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 06:41, 19 June 2024
A thesis statement is a statement of one's core argument, the main idea(s), and/or a concise summary of an essay, research paper, etc.[1] It is usually expressed in one or two sentences near the beginning of a paper, and may be reiterated elsewhere, such as in the conclusion. In some contexts, such as in the British educational system, a thesis statement is generally considered synonymous with one's argument.[2]
History
The "thesis statement" comes from the concept of a thesis (θέσῐς, thésis) as it was articulated by Aristotle in Topica. Aristotle's definition of a thesis is "a conception which is contrary to accepted opinion." He also notes that this contrary view must come from an informed position; not every contrary view is a thesis.[3]
Variations
There are many different ways of writing a thesis statement depending on the context of one's writing. For example, American and British education systems frame the thesis statement differently. American schools generally encourage students to write their thesis statement so that the writer's ultimate conclusion(s) on the topic described in their paper is made clear; this opinion is then typically reiterated in the conclusion. In British schooling, the initial thesis statement describes the intended scope of the paper and the conclusion's restatement of the thesis provides the writer's point of view.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Miller, Ryan T.; Pessoa, Silvia (2016-04-29). "Where's Your Thesis Statement and What Happened to Your Topic Sentences? Identifying Organizational Challenges in Undergraduate Student Argumentative Writing". TESOL Journal. 7 (4): 847–873. doi:10.1002/tesj.248. ISSN 1056-7941.
- ^ Baratta, Alex (2017). "Considering the Anglo Model of Writing for the Development of Critical Thinking". Double Helix: A Journal of Critical Thinking and Writing. 5 (1): 4. doi:10.37514/dbh-j.2017.5.1.07. ISSN 2372-7497.
- ^ L 391 Aristotle Posterior Analytics Topica. p. 300.
- ^ Baratta, Alex (2017). "Considering the Anglo Model of Writing for the Development of Critical Thinking". Double Helix: A Journal of Critical Thinking and Writing. 5 (1): 3, 5–7. doi:10.37514/dbh-j.2017.5.1.07. ISSN 2372-7497.
Further reading
- Jonathan Culler and Kevin Lamb. Just being difficult?: academic writing in the public arena Stanford, Calif. : Stanford University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-8047-4709-1
- William Germano. Getting It Published, 2nd Edition: A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious About Serious Books. ISBN 978-0-226-28853-6. Read a chapter.
- Wellington, J. J. Getting published a guide for lecturers and researcher London; New York Routledge Falmer, 2003. ISBN 0-415-29847-4
- John A. Goldsmith et al. "Teaching and Research" imic Keywords: A Devil's Dictionary for Higher Education. ISBN 0-415-92203-8.
- Martin Horton-Eddison. "First Class Essays" Hull, United Kingdom: Purple Peacock Press, 2012
- Carol Tenopir and Donald King. "Towards Electronic Journals: Realities for Librarians and Publishers. SLA, 2000. ISBN 0-87111-507-7.
- Björk, B-C. (2007) "A model of scientific communication as a globally distributed information system" Information Research, 12(2) paper 307.
- Furman, R. (2007). Practical tips for publishing scholarly articles: Writing and publishing in the helping professions. Chicago: Lyceum Books.
- Cargill, M. and O'Connor, P. (2013) Writing Research Articles. West Sussex, UK. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 2nd Ed. ISBN 978-1-4443-5621-2