how long should your thesis be

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?
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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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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

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Writing a Paper: Thesis Statements

Basics of thesis statements.

The thesis statement is the brief articulation of your paper's central argument and purpose. You might hear it referred to as simply a "thesis." Every scholarly paper should have a thesis statement, and strong thesis statements are concise, specific, and arguable. Concise means the thesis is short: perhaps one or two sentences for a shorter paper. Specific means the thesis deals with a narrow and focused topic, appropriate to the paper's length. Arguable means that a scholar in your field could disagree (or perhaps already has!).

Strong thesis statements address specific intellectual questions, have clear positions, and use a structure that reflects the overall structure of the paper. Read on to learn more about constructing a strong thesis statement.

Being Specific

This thesis statement has no specific argument:

Needs Improvement: In this essay, I will examine two scholarly articles to find similarities and differences.

This statement is concise, but it is neither specific nor arguable—a reader might wonder, "Which scholarly articles? What is the topic of this paper? What field is the author writing in?" Additionally, the purpose of the paper—to "examine…to find similarities and differences" is not of a scholarly level. Identifying similarities and differences is a good first step, but strong academic argument goes further, analyzing what those similarities and differences might mean or imply.

Better: In this essay, I will argue that Bowler's (2003) autocratic management style, when coupled with Smith's (2007) theory of social cognition, can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover.

The new revision here is still concise, as well as specific and arguable.  We can see that it is specific because the writer is mentioning (a) concrete ideas and (b) exact authors.  We can also gather the field (business) and the topic (management and employee turnover). The statement is arguable because the student goes beyond merely comparing; he or she draws conclusions from that comparison ("can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover").

Making a Unique Argument

This thesis draft repeats the language of the writing prompt without making a unique argument:

Needs Improvement: The purpose of this essay is to monitor, assess, and evaluate an educational program for its strengths and weaknesses. Then, I will provide suggestions for improvement.

You can see here that the student has simply stated the paper's assignment, without articulating specifically how he or she will address it. The student can correct this error simply by phrasing the thesis statement as a specific answer to the assignment prompt.

Better: Through a series of student interviews, I found that Kennedy High School's antibullying program was ineffective. In order to address issues of conflict between students, I argue that Kennedy High School should embrace policies outlined by the California Department of Education (2010).

Words like "ineffective" and "argue" show here that the student has clearly thought through the assignment and analyzed the material; he or she is putting forth a specific and debatable position. The concrete information ("student interviews," "antibullying") further prepares the reader for the body of the paper and demonstrates how the student has addressed the assignment prompt without just restating that language.

Creating a Debate

This thesis statement includes only obvious fact or plot summary instead of argument:

Needs Improvement: Leadership is an important quality in nurse educators.

A good strategy to determine if your thesis statement is too broad (and therefore, not arguable) is to ask yourself, "Would a scholar in my field disagree with this point?" Here, we can see easily that no scholar is likely to argue that leadership is an unimportant quality in nurse educators.  The student needs to come up with a more arguable claim, and probably a narrower one; remember that a short paper needs a more focused topic than a dissertation.

Better: Roderick's (2009) theory of participatory leadership  is particularly appropriate to nurse educators working within the emergency medicine field, where students benefit most from collegial and kinesthetic learning.

Here, the student has identified a particular type of leadership ("participatory leadership"), narrowing the topic, and has made an arguable claim (this type of leadership is "appropriate" to a specific type of nurse educator). Conceivably, a scholar in the nursing field might disagree with this approach. The student's paper can now proceed, providing specific pieces of evidence to support the arguable central claim.

Choosing the Right Words

This thesis statement uses large or scholarly-sounding words that have no real substance:

Needs Improvement: Scholars should work to seize metacognitive outcomes by harnessing discipline-based networks to empower collaborative infrastructures.

There are many words in this sentence that may be buzzwords in the student's field or key terms taken from other texts, but together they do not communicate a clear, specific meaning. Sometimes students think scholarly writing means constructing complex sentences using special language, but actually it's usually a stronger choice to write clear, simple sentences. When in doubt, remember that your ideas should be complex, not your sentence structure.

Better: Ecologists should work to educate the U.S. public on conservation methods by making use of local and national green organizations to create a widespread communication plan.

Notice in the revision that the field is now clear (ecology), and the language has been made much more field-specific ("conservation methods," "green organizations"), so the reader is able to see concretely the ideas the student is communicating.

Leaving Room for Discussion

This thesis statement is not capable of development or advancement in the paper:

Needs Improvement: There are always alternatives to illegal drug use.

This sample thesis statement makes a claim, but it is not a claim that will sustain extended discussion. This claim is the type of claim that might be appropriate for the conclusion of a paper, but in the beginning of the paper, the student is left with nowhere to go. What further points can be made? If there are "always alternatives" to the problem the student is identifying, then why bother developing a paper around that claim? Ideally, a thesis statement should be complex enough to explore over the length of the entire paper.

Better: The most effective treatment plan for methamphetamine addiction may be a combination of pharmacological and cognitive therapy, as argued by Baker (2008), Smith (2009), and Xavier (2011).

In the revised thesis, you can see the student make a specific, debatable claim that has the potential to generate several pages' worth of discussion. When drafting a thesis statement, think about the questions your thesis statement will generate: What follow-up inquiries might a reader have? In the first example, there are almost no additional questions implied, but the revised example allows for a good deal more exploration.

Thesis Mad Libs

If you are having trouble getting started, try using the models below to generate a rough model of a thesis statement! These models are intended for drafting purposes only and should not appear in your final work.

• In this essay, I argue ____, using ______ to assert _____.
• While scholars have often argued ______, I argue______, because_______.
• Through an analysis of ______, I argue ______, which is important because_______.

Words to Avoid and to Embrace

When drafting your thesis statement, avoid words like explore, investigate, learn, compile, summarize , and explain to describe the main purpose of your paper. These words imply a paper that summarizes or "reports," rather than synthesizing and analyzing.

Instead of the terms above, try words like argue, critique, question , and interrogate . These more analytical words may help you begin strongly, by articulating a specific, critical, scholarly position.

Read Kayla's blog post for tips on taking a stand in a well-crafted thesis statement.

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Using Thesis Statements

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When you are asked to write an essay that creates an argument, your reader will probably expect a clear statement of your position. Typically, this summary statement comes in the first paragraph of the essay, though there is no rigid rule about position. Here are some characteristics of good thesis statements, with samples of good and poor ones. Note that the better examples substitute specific argumentative points for sweeping general statements; they indicate a theoretical basis and promise substantial support. (See Some Myths About Thesis Statements, below, for a discussion of times not to use a thesis statement. See also the file General Advice on Essay Writing .)

1. It makes a definite and limited assertion that needs to be explained and supported by further discussion:

2. it shows the emphasis and indicates the methodology of your argument:, 3. it shows awareness of difficulties and disagreements:, some myths about thesis statements.

• Every paper requires one . Assignments that ask you to write personal responses or to explore a subject don’t want you to seem to pre-judge the issues. Essays of literary interpretation often want you to be aware of many effects rather than seeming to box yourself into one view of the text.
• A thesis statement must come at the end of the first paragraph. This is a natural position for a statement of focus, but it’s not the only one. Some theses can be stated in the opening sentences of an essay; others need a paragraph or two of introduction; others can’t be fully formulated until the end.
• A thesis statement must be one sentence in length, no matter how many clauses it contains . Clear writing is more important than rules like these. Use two or three sentences if you need them. A complex argument may require a whole tightly-knit paragraph to make its initial statement of position.
• You can’t start writing an essay until you have a perfect thesis statement . It may be advisable to draft a hypothesis or tentative thesis statement near the start of a big project, but changing and refining a thesis is a main task of thinking your way through your ideas as you write a paper. And some essay projects need to explore the question in depth without being locked in before they can provide even a tentative answer.
• A thesis statement must give three points of support . It should indicate that the essay will explain and give evidence for its assertion, but points don’t need to come in any specific number.

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How Long Should a Thesis Statement Be? [Plus Examples]

Answering common questions about thesis statements plus some essay writing tips!

This post is all about answering the question, “how long should a thesis statement be”.

How long should a thesis statement be? It’s a question that plagues many college students and the truth is, the answer isn’t as clear cut as you may think. I wish I could simply say, “Write 45 words!” and send you on your way, but it’s not quite that straight forward.

That being said, it’s not complicated either! There are very simple guidelines for making sure you have an effective thesis statement that is clear and concise while still driving your point forward.

Here are some guidelines for writing a good thesis statement that’s the perfect length.

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What is the correct length?

Before we dive into it, one rule of thumb I like to share whenever I blog about essay writing is that you should always ask your professor for clarification if you’re unsure. The truth is, while there are certain guidelines that are good to follow as a general statement, sometimes professors simply have their preferences.

I’ve had professors who wanted one sentence and nothing more. I’ve also had professors who have told me that it should be two to three sentences or more. If you can, it’s always best to ask your professor what they believe is best practice.

That being said, if you’re tight for time and don’t have the opportunity to ask your professor directly, let’s talk about how long your thesis statement should be!

How long should a thesis statement be?

Here’s the quick answer: A thesis statement should be concise and focused while effectively articulating the argument of your essay. Generally, keeping your thesis to one to two sentences is a safe option.

What is a thesis statement in an essay?

A thesis statement is meant to describe or summarize the main point or argument of an essay. You’re essentially answering the question, “Why are you writing this essay and what are you trying to argue?”

Your thesis statement will typically appear in the introduction par agraph of your essay. Your reader should have a clear understanding from the beginning of what your essay will be about and your position on the topic.

Think of this as the light that guides the rest of your essay. Your thesis statement sets the tone. Every word you write in your essay should tie back to your thesis statement in some clear way.

Now, make sure your thesis statement isn’t simply a factual statement. Stating a fact is not writing a thesis statement. Here are some guidelines to follow. Your thesis statement should be:

• Debatable (someone could argue an opposing viewpoint)
• And it should present a clear stance that you’ll be defending throughout the rest of the essay!

Your thesis statement is typically found at the end of your introduction after introducing the general topic of your essay and hooking your reader.

What are topic sentences?

Thesis statements often get confused with topic sentences in academic essays, so make sure you don’t make this mistake!

A topic sentence expresses the main idea or point of each paragraph in the body of your essay. Typically, a topic sentence is the start of each new point in your essay to guide the reader through the argument that you’re about to make. Every point you make in your essay should always connect back to the specific thesis statement in your introduction in order to maintain a cohesive, strong argument throughout your essay!

Thesis statement lengths for different length papers

Often, a longer paper could mean a longer thesis statement. But the most important thing to keep in mind is that regardless of the length of your paper, your focus shouldn’t be the length of your thesis statement. Your focus should simply be writing a concise but strong thesis statement.

In your thesis statement, you want to capture the main idea of your essay. Sometimes, you can do this in a single sentence, but other times, it will take multiple sentences.

When I was in university, I typically tried to keep my thesis statements between 1-3 sentences, and they usually ended up being about 2 sentences. I used this as a guideline to help me keep a concise thesis statement, which is the main focus you should have!

Thesis statement lengths for different types of essays

The type of essay you’re writing isn’t what determines the length of your thesis statement. While the type of essay might determine the structure and content of your thesis statement, the first thing you should focus on is remaining concise, direct, and writing a strong thesis statement.

If you want a reference point for how a thesis statement might be written, here are a few thesis statement examples for different types of essays. Please keep in mind that these are general examples, and there are numerous ways to write a strong thesis, so you don’t need to follow this exact structure. These serve as examples and a loose reference point.

Here are a few examples of good long vs short thesis statements for different types of essays:

Argumentative Essays

• Long Example:  “In today’s society, the accessibility of social media has led to increased concerns about privacy and security. Despite its benefits in fostering connections and communication, the unchecked proliferation of personal data on platforms like Facebook and Instagram poses significant threats to individual privacy rights and security. This essay will argue that while social media platforms offer valuable opportunities for interaction, stringent regulations and user awareness campaigns are necessary to safeguard privacy and mitigate security risks.”
• Short Example : “Social media’s unchecked proliferation of personal data poses threats to privacy and security, necessitating stringent regulations and user awareness campaigns.”

Expository Essay

• Long Example : “The Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries was a transformative period in human history, marked by significant advancements in technology, manufacturing, and societal organization. This essay will explore how the Industrial Revolution reshaped economies, labor practices, and social structures, ultimately laying the groundwork for modern industrialized societies. Through an analysis of key developments and their impact on various aspects of life, it will demonstrate the profound and lasting effects of this historical period.”
• Short Example : “The Industrial Revolution transformed economies, labor practices, and social structures, shaping modern industrialized societies.

Personal Essays

• Long Example:  “My journey to self-discovery began amidst the towering redwoods of Northern California, where I embarked on a solo camping trip seeking solace and introspection. This essay will recount the transformative experiences and profound insights gained during my retreat in nature, illustrating the power of solitude and self-reflection in fostering personal growth and resilience.”
• Short Example:  “Amidst the redwoods of Northern California, a solitary camping trip became a journey of self-discovery, proving the profound insights and resilience that result from time spent in solitude.”

Analytical Essays

• Long Example:  ​”In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become integral to how we connect and communicate with others. While these platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for staying connected and fostering new connections, they also introduce complexities and challenges to traditional forms of communication and social interaction. By examining the multifaceted effects of social media on relationship dynamics, including changes in communication patterns, privacy concerns, and the blurring of personal and public spheres, we can better understand the impacts of social media on personal relationships and create opportunities to foster healthier connections.”
• Short Example ​: “The pervasive use of social media has both positive and negative effects on personal relationships, influencing communication patterns and social dynamics.”

These are all pretty basic and random examples, but the point is, you can see how the shorter version is much more concise than the longer version while still driving the point forward.

Personally, I always prefer being concise because 9 times out of 10, the more concise you are the better your essay will turn out.

In these long examples, they contain lots of extra factual information that you may be able to spell out in the body paragraphs of your essay. 

A weak thesis statement is one that either contains too much irrelevant information, or not enough to get the main point.

Remember, in your thesis statement, you want to highlight your main argument… but don’t try to force in all the details that the rest of the paper is there to answer.

Thesis writing tips

Here are some general tips to keep in mind that will ensure you write a strong thesis statement!

• Conciseness is key. Your thesis statement should be clear and to the point, communicating the central idea and argument of your essay.
• Let your thesis dictate the rest of your paper. Think of your thesis as the guiding light throughout the rest of your paper. Everything that you write should tie back to the specific statement you made at the beginning of your essay.
• Think about placement. A good rule of thumb is to put it at the end of the first paragraph of your paper. This will give you the space to introduce your topic before diving into supporting evidence, while still sharing your argument before you get into the little details.
• Be clear and specific. If it helps, use a question prompt for your thesis so that you know exactly what question or argument you’re answering. Avoid vague language, generalized statements, or adjectives that lack description!
• Balance breadth and depth. Your thesis statement should be broad enough to encompass the central theme of your essay, but also specific enough that you can follow it with strong evidence and examples that tie back to your overall argument.
• Be flexible to revisions. Often, when I’m writing an essay, I’ll end up needing to revise my thesis statement as I go through the writing process. If your thesis statement changes slightly as you write your essay, that’s okay! Ultimately, you want a thesis that will accurately represent the arguments you’re making throughout the rest of your paper. Don’t be afraid to hand in a paper with a revised thesis, as long as those revisions ultimately gave you a stronger thesis statement.

This post was all about answering the question, “How long should a thesis statement be?”

Other posts you’ll like:.

• Best Vocabulary for Essays That Will Enhance Your Writing
• Essay Writing Tips That Will Make College a Breeze
• How to Make the Most of Your College Experience

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