The Thesis Statement
Lesson 1 - Master the Academic Essay
In this first lesson on essay writing, I want to introduce you to the thesis statement.
We won’t try to write a thesis statement, yet. Learning to write the thesis statement comes later, just as it often comes later in the writing process; and depending on the kind of essay you’re planning to write, it may not be determined until the end of your research.
An Aim
Even though the thesis statement is not the first thing that should be written, it is the first thing a writer should be aware of. As a wise man once said, successful builders begin with the end in mind. If your essay is an edifice, then your thesis is the foundational guide for your architectural blueprint. It sets the trajectory for your entire paper and is the single statement that all other arguments support. It is the anchor for each part of the whole, the spine on which all the ribs and flesh of your paper hang.
A Position
Additionally, a thesis is a proposition that argues a position about a topic. Heather Hoover, in her book, Composition as Conversation, maintains that “a thesis should clearly and concisely indicate the writer’s direction and position the writer in the conversation” (emphasis mine, 46). More than a flippant opinion or detached impression about a given topic, it is a clear claim within the greater conversation about that topic that can be analyzed and refuted (or affirmed) by other readers.
For example: While Party A believes the current policy about X is ineffective and too expensive for the city’s budget, Party B disagrees and affirms the benefit of the policy is worth the price tag. I maintain (thesis) the newly proposed policy is the best suggestion offered so far because it would save the city money, offer an increased net benefit to the taxpayers, and lower taxes for the foreseeable future.
Although a thesis statement can be a complex set of claims in more advanced or sophisticated writing, typically, the thesis is a single declarative sentence set forth at or near the conclusion of the paper’s introduction. The thesis, or propositio as it is called in classical rhetoric, typically follows the exordium.
A Scope
Finally, Scott Crider, in his book The Office of Assertion, states the thesis is the distilled essence of the entire paper. And, a well-written thesis will make its proposition in such a way as to ensure the scope of the assertion is properly limited to the size of the essay. Crider suggests that writers think in terms of a map. A world map will be no good for helping a student navigate his school campus. And a map of the U.S. will not help a traveler explore the continents of the world. A good thesis is focused and homes in on the writer’s assertion the same way a map will be most useful when it is scaled to the area being studied.
Example Theses
Example #1
Bad thesis: I like the craft of writing.
Improved thesis: Mastering the craft of writing is essential to a quality liberal arts education.
Good thesis: Students who hope to succeed in life and work must master the craft of writing before graduating high school so their college education is not compromised.
Example #2
Bad thesis: Though the mountains and lakes are beautiful in the summer, fishing on vacation is boring.
Improved thesis: Fishing is a favorite activity for many vacationers, but hiking is a more desirable alternative.
Good thesis: Hiking is the preferred alternative to fishing because it will keep vacationers in top physical shape during the summer, is more affordable than fishing, and can be done almost anywhere.
In the next lesson, we’ll discuss conducive ways of formulating a good thesis statement.