how to write thesis for analytical essay

Module 8: Analysis and Synthesis

Analytical thesis statements, learning objective.

• Describe strategies for writing analytical thesis statements
• Identify analytical thesis statements

In order to write an analysis, you want to first have a solid understanding of the thing you are analyzing. Remember, when you are analyzing as a writer, you are:

• Breaking down information or artifacts into component parts
• Uncovering relationships among those parts
• Determining motives, causes, and underlying assumptions
• Making inferences and finding evidence to support generalizations

You may be asked to analyze a book, an essay, a poem, a movie, or even a song. For example, let’s suppose you want to analyze the lyrics to a popular song. Pretend that a rapper called Escalade has the biggest hit of the summer with a song titled “Missing You.” You listen to the song and determine that it is about the pain people feel when a loved one dies. You have already done analysis at a surface level and you want to begin writing your analysis. You start with the following thesis statement:

Escalade’s hit song “Missing You” is about grieving after a loved one dies.

There isn’t much depth or complexity to such a claim because the thesis doesn’t give much information. In order to write a better thesis statement, we need to dig deeper into the song. What is the importance of the lyrics? What are they really about? Why is the song about grieving? Why did he present it this way? Why is it a powerful song? Ask questions to lead you to further investigation. Doing so will help you better understand the work, but also help you develop a better thesis statement and stronger analytical essay.

Formulating an Analytical Thesis Statement

When formulating an analytical thesis statement in college, here are some helpful words and phrases to remember:

• What? What is the claim?
• How? How is this claim supported?
• So what? In other words, “What does this mean, what are the implications, or why is this important?”

Telling readers what the lyrics are might be a useful way to let them see what you are analyzing and/or to isolate specific parts where you are focusing your analysis. However, you need to move far beyond “what.” Instructors at the college level want to see your ability to break down material and demonstrate deep thinking. The claim in the thesis statement above said that Escalade’s song was about loss, but what evidence do we have for that, and why does that matter?

Effective analytical thesis statements require digging deeper and perhaps examining the larger context. Let’s say you do some research and learn that the rapper’s mother died not long ago, and when you examine the lyrics more closely, you see that a few of the lines seem to be specifically about a mother rather than a loved one in general.

Then you also read a recent interview with Escalade in which he mentions that he’s staying away from hardcore rap lyrics on his new album in an effort to be more mainstream and reach more potential fans. Finally, you notice that some of the lyrics in the song focus on not taking full advantage of the time we have with our loved ones.   All of these pieces give you material to write a more complex thesis statement, maybe something like this:

In the hit song “Missing You,” Escalade draws on his experience of losing his mother and raps about the importance of not taking time with family for granted in order to connect with his audience.

Such a thesis statement is focused while still allowing plenty of room for support in the body of your paper. It addresses the questions posed above:

• The claim is that Escalade connects with a broader audience by rapping about the importance of not taking time with family for granted in his hit song, “Missing You.”
• This claim is supported in the lyrics of the song and through the “experience of losing his mother.”
• The implications are that we should not take the time we have with people for granted.

Certainly, there may be many ways for you to address “what,” “how,” and “so what,” and you may want to explore other ideas, but the above example is just one way to more fully analyze the material. Note that the example above is not formulaic, but if you need help getting started, you could use this template format to help develop your thesis statement.

Through ________________(how?), we can see that __________________(what?), which is important because ___________________(so what?). [1]

Just remember to think about these questions (what? how? and so what?) as you try to determine why something is what it is or why something means what it means. Asking these questions can help you analyze a song, story, or work of art, and can also help you construct meaningful thesis sentences when you write an analytical paper.

Key Takeaways for analytical theses

Don’t be afraid to let your claim evolve organically . If you find that your thinking and writing don’t stick exactly to the thesis statement you have constructed, your options are to scrap the writing and start again to make it fit your claim (which might not always be possible) or to modify your thesis statement. The latter option can be much easier if you are okay with the changes. As with many projects in life, writing doesn’t always go in the direction we plan, and strong analysis may mean thinking about and making changes as you look more closely at your topic. Be flexible.

Use analysis to get you to the main claim. You may have heard the simile that analysis is like peeling an onion because you have to go through layers to complete your work. You can start the process of breaking down an idea or an artifact without knowing where it will lead you or without a main claim or idea to guide you. Often, careful assessment of the pieces will bring you to an interesting interpretation of the whole. In their text Writing Analytically , authors David Rosenwasser and Jill Stephen posit that being analytical doesn’t mean just breaking something down. It also means constructing understandings. Don’t assume you need to have deeper interpretations all figured out as you start your work.

When you decide upon the main claim, make sure it is reasoned . In other words, if it is very unlikely anyone else would reach the same interpretation you are making, it might be off base. Not everyone needs to see an idea the same way you do, but a reasonable person should be able to understand, if not agree, with your analysis.

Look for analytical thesis statements in the following activity.

Using Evidence

An effective analytical thesis statement (or claim) may sound smart or slick, but it requires evidence to be fully realized. Consider movie trailers and the actual full-length movies they advertise as an analogy. If you see an exciting one-minute movie trailer online and then go see the film only to leave disappointed because all the good parts were in the trailer, you feel cheated, right? You think you were promised something that didn’t deliver in its execution. A paper with a strong thesis statement but lackluster evidence feels the same way to readers.

So what does strong analytical evidence look like? Think again about “what,” “how,” and “so what.” A claim introduces these interpretations, and evidence lets you show them. Keep in mind that evidence used in writing analytically will build on itself as the piece progresses, much like a good movie builds to an interesting climax.

Key Takeaways about evidence

Be selective about evidence. Having a narrow thesis statement will help you be selective with evidence, but even then, you don’t need to include any and every piece of information related to your main claim. Consider the best points to back up your analytic thesis statement and go deeply into them. (Also, remember that you may modify your thesis statement as you think and write, so being selective about what evidence you use in an analysis may actually help you narrow down what was a broad main claim as you work.) Refer back to our movie theme in this section: You have probably seen plenty of films that would have been better with some parts cut out and more attention paid to intriguing but underdeveloped characters and/or ideas.

Be clear and explicit with your evidence. Don’t assume that readers know exactly what you are thinking. Make your points and explain them in detail, providing information and context for readers, where necessary. Remember that analysis is critical examination and interpretation, but you can’t just assume that others always share or intuit your line of thinking. Need a movie analogy? Think back on all the times you or someone you know has said something like “I’m not sure what is going on in this movie.”

Move past obvious interpretations. Analyzing requires brainpower. Writing analytically is even more difficult. Don’t, however, try to take the easy way out by using obvious evidence (or working from an obvious claim). Many times writers have a couple of great pieces of evidence to support an interesting interpretation, but they feel the need to tack on an obvious idea—often more of an observation than analysis—somewhere in their work. This tendency may stem from the conventions of the five-paragraph essay, which features three points of support. Writing analytically, though, does not mean writing a five-paragraph essay (not much writing in college does). Develop your other evidence further or modify your main idea to allow room for additional strong evidence, but avoid obvious observations as support for your main claim. One last movie comparison? Go take a look at some of the debate on predictable Hollywood scripts. Have you ever watched a movie and felt like you have seen it before? You have, in one way or another. A sharp reader will be about as interested in obvious evidence as he or she will be in seeing a tired script reworked for the thousandth time.

One type of analysis you may be asked to write is a literary analysis, in which you examine a piece of text by breaking it down and looking for common literary elements, such as character, symbolism, plot, setting, imagery, and tone.

The video below compares writing a literary analysis to analyzing a team’s chances of winning a game—just as you would look at various factors like the weather, coaching, players, their record, and their motivation for playing. Similarly, when analyzing a literary text you want to look at all of the literary elements that contribute to the work.

The video takes you through the story of Cinderalla as an example, following the simplest possible angle (or thesis statement), that “Dreams can come true if you don’t give up.” (Note that if you were really asked to analyze Cinderella for a college class, you would want to dig deeper to find a more nuanced and interesting theme, but it works well for this example.) To analyze the story with this theme in mind, you’d want to consider the literary elements such as imagery, characters, dialogue, symbolism, the setting, plot, and tone, and consider how each of these contribute to the message that “Dreams can come true if you don’t give up.”

You can view the transcript for “How to Analyze Literature” here (opens in new window) .

• UCLA Undergraduate Writing Center. "What, How and So What?" Approaching the Thesis as a Process. https://wp.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/UWC_handouts_What-How-So-What-Thesis-revised-5-4-15-RZ.pdf ↵
• Keys to Successful Analysis. Authored by : Guy Krueger. Provided by : University of Mississippi. License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Thesis Statement Activity. Authored by : Excelsior OWL. Located at : https://owl.excelsior.edu/research/thesis-or-focus/thesis-or-focus-thesis-statement-activity/ . License : CC BY: Attribution
• What is Analysis?. Authored by : Karen Forgette. Provided by : University of Mississippi. License : CC BY: Attribution
• How to Analyze Literature. Provided by : HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. Located at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr4BjZkQ5Nc . License : Other . License Terms : Standard YouTube License

• AI Essay Writer
• Paraphraser
• AI Text Summarizer
• AI Research Tool
• AI PDF Summarizer
• Outline Generator
• Essay Grader
• Essay Checker

An analytical essay is a type of writing that digs deep into a specific topic to break it down and offer a detailed examination. This type of essay goes beyond just describing something—it explores the how and why behind a subject. Analytical essays are commonly assigned in academic settings because they challenge you to think critically about literature, film, politics, science, and current events. They’re beneficial for exploring creative works, like novels or movies, because they help find underlying themes and hidden meanings of the texts.

One of the key features of an analytical essay is its focus on facts and logic. The goal isn’t to give personal opinions or feelings, but rather to analyze a subject based on solid evidence. That’s why in this type of writing you need to use a clear and structured approach to present arguments, with each point backed up by facts or examples. Analytical essays are often found in magazines and academic journals as well, offering readers a deeper understanding of topics they may not be familiar with. Practice in this style of writing helps build strong analytical skills and trains you to think more logically and present your ideas in a well-organized way.

First Step: Creating an Analytical Essay Outline

The first thing you need to do even before starting writing is create an outline. A well-organized essay typically includes three main sections: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each of these parts serves a specific purpose and needs to be structured carefully so that you can present a coherent analysis. Let’s break down each section.

• Introduction

The introduction is your chance to set the stage for your analysis. Start with a strong hook to grab the reader’s attention—this could be a rhetorical question, an intriguing fact, or a bold statement that relates to your topic. Avoid starting with something too generic, like “This essay is about…” Instead, go for something that ignites curiosity. After the hook, provide some background information that gives context to your analysis. This could be a brief overview of the topic or an explanation of why it’s important. End the introduction with a clear and specific thesis statement. This thesis should outline the main argument or point of analysis in your essay. For example, if you’re writing about a novel, your thesis might explore how the main character evolves throughout the story.

• Body Paragraphs

The body of the essay is where the real analysis happens. Typically, you’ll have several body paragraphs, each focused on a specific point that supports your thesis. Here are some tips to organize them better:

• Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. 
• From there, present evidence—such as quotes, examples, or data—that supports your point. 
• The key here is to provide a detailed analysis after the evidence, explaining how it backs up your thesis. For instance, if you’re analyzing a film, one paragraph might focus on how lighting affects the mood, while another could explore how character dialogue shapes the narrative. 

Make sure that each paragraph stays focused and directly connects back to your thesis, so your argument remains clear and organized.

The conclusion brings everything together, summarizing the main points and restating the thesis in light of the evidence you’ve provided. This is not the place to introduce new information, but rather to reinforce the analysis you’ve already made. A strong conclusion gives the reader a sense of closure and finality, helping them see the bigger picture. You might also draw connections between your analysis and broader societal or historical issues, giving your essay an additional layer of depth.

By structuring your analytical essay in this way, you set yourself up for well-organized and persuasive writing. The outline keeps you focused, helping make sure that every part of your essay works together to support your main argument.

A Simple Guide to Successfully Writing Any Analytical Essay 

You may now think that writing an analytical essay will be tiresome, considering all the details and preparatory steps you need to take. However, with the right approach and a clear plan, it’s totally manageable. This guide will walk you through how to organize your writing process and gather all the necessary information to create a well-structured and insightful essay. 

Step 1: Choose Your Topic

The first step in writing any essay is selecting an interesting topic. If you’re given the freedom to choose, try to find something specific enough to allow a focused discussion, but also slightly broad to provide plenty of material.  Analyzing “the role of technology in society” is way too broad—you’d be overwhelmed with information. Narrow it down to something like “how smartphones impact social interactions among college students.” This gives you enough focus while still leaving room for analysis. On the other hand, don’t make your topic too narrow either; analyzing a single feature of a smartphone in a specific setting may leave you without enough content.

Step 2: Research Your Topic

Once you’ve decided on your topic, start your research. You’ll want to gather as much information as possible about the subject matter. Make sure there are enough examples, critiques, and evidence to support your analysis. If you’re writing about a novel, look into critical essays or reviews to see what other writers have to say—it can provide new ideas for your essay. Keep track of your sources for later citations, and start outlining 3 or 4 main points that you’ll address in your essay.

Step 3: Create an Outline

After you are done finding all the important details, move to organizing them. Create an outline that will include an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Here, don’t be afraid to rearrange sections if you think it’ll help the flow of your essay. This is your chance to fix any potential structural issues before you start writing.

Step 4: Write Your First Draft

With your outline as a guide, you’re ready to craft the first draft. Don’t worry too much about perfect grammar or style at this point—just focus on getting your thoughts down on paper. Remember to connect each body paragraph back to your thesis and provide evidence for each claim. If you’re analyzing a film, for instance, make sure to explain how specific scenes or dialogue support your point. You can also address opposing viewpoints to strengthen your argument. The goal of the first draft is to get all your ideas out so you can refine them later.

Step 5: Revise Your Draft

Congrats, you’ve finished your first draft! Now, it’s time for revisions. During this process, try to improve the clarity, flow, and depth of your essay. Take a break before you start revising so you can approach your work with fresh eyes. As you read through your essay, check if all your points are clearly explained and if your evidence supports your thesis. If any sections seem unclear or overly complicated, simplify them. Remove any irrelevant information and make sure each paragraph transitions smoothly into the next. Your goal is to make sure your analysis is as strong and makes sense to your readers.

Step 6: Proofread Your Essay

Finally, the last step is proofreading. This is the opportunity for you to catch grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. It’s tempting to skip this step, especially after all the hard work you’ve already put in, but proofreading helps make sure your essay sounds professional. Tools like grammar checkers can help, but it’s always a good idea to read through your essay yourself or even have a friend take a look. After all, nothing ruins a well-thought-out analysis like careless mistakes.

The Key Point

Writing an analytical essay may seem challenging at first, but remember that it’s a learning process, and every mistake you make helps you improve. Don’t be discouraged if your first few essays aren’t perfect—that’s completely normal! With practice, you’ll become more comfortable with breaking down complex topics and presenting well-structured arguments. By following the steps outlined above and keeping a clear plan in mind, you’ll find that the writing process becomes much easier over time. So, keep going, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and trust that with each essay you write, you’re sharpening your analytical skills. 

What is the format of an analytical essay?

All you have to know is that an analytical essay follows a simple structure. It typically starts with an introduction that presents the topic and a thesis statement. The body paragraphs dive into the analysis, each focusing on one main point that supports the thesis. Finally, there’s a conclusion that sums up your analysis and restates the thesis in light of the evidence you’ve provided.

What are the 7 steps to writing an analytical essay?

The writing process for an analytical essay is pretty straightforward. First things first, you need to fully understand the assignment and make sure you know exactly what you’re being asked to analyze. Once you’re clear on that, choose a topic that interests you and fits the scope of the assignment. After selecting a topic, it’s important to develop a strong thesis statement , which will guide your argument or analysis throughout the essay. The next step is gathering evidence , such as quotes, examples, or data, to support your thesis. With this information in hand, create an outline to structure your essay, ensuring each body paragraph supports the main argument. Then, write the essay itself , starting with an introduction, expanding on your points in the body paragraphs, and finishing with a conclusion. Finally, edit and proofread your essay to check for clarity, grammatical issues, and areas where your argument could be improved.

What are the examples of analytical essay?

Analytical essays can be written on a variety of subjects. Some examples include:

• Literature analysis : Breaking down the themes and symbols in a novel like 1984 or To Kill a Mockingbird .
• Film analysis : Analyzing the themes, cinematography, or characters in a movie like The Matrix or Inception .
• Historical analysis : Examining the causes and effects of historical events, like the Civil Rights Movement or World War II.

How to start an analytical paragraph?

To start an analytical paragraph, begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence should relate directly to your thesis. Then, present your evidence (a quote, example, or data) that supports your point. Finally, analyze the evidence by explaining how it proves your thesis and fits into the larger argument.

Related Posts

How to Write an Evaluation Essay

• October 3, 2024
• Comments Off on How to Write an Evaluation Essay

How to Quote a Poem in an Essay

• September 27, 2024
• Comments Off on How to Quote a Poem in an Essay

How to Write a Profile Essay

• Comments Off on How to Write a Profile Essay

Are you ready to write top-quality essays?

Boost Your Essay Writing Skills and Achievements with Textero AI

• No credit card required to start
• Cancel anytime
• 4 different tools to explore

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, August 15). How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved October 4, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-statement/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, academic paragraph structure | step-by-step guide & examples, what is your plagiarism score.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.  

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence) 

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.  

Arguable thesis with analytical claim 

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.  

Arguable thesis with normative claim 

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.  

Questions to ask about your thesis 

• Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?  
• Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?  
• Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?  
• Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?  
• Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
• picture_as_pdf Thesis