information essay thesis

Thesis Statement for Informative

Thesis statement generator for informative essay.

Informative Essay thesis statement examples

In the realm of informative essays, the thesis statement stands as a beacon of clarity, guiding readers to the heart of your insights. With the primary goal of educating the audience, the thesis must succinctly present the focal information you’re about to unpack. From setting the stage to presenting facts, every thesis matters. Dive deep into examples, unravel the crafting process, and learn valuable techniques to ensure your informative essay begins on the strongest note.

What is an Informative Essay Thesis Statement? – Definition

An informative essay thesis statement is a succinct declaration that outlines the primary focus or main point of the essay. Unlike argumentative essays, which make a claim and aim to persuade, an informative essay thesis seeks to educate the reader about a specific topic, providing a foundation for the detailed information that follows. The statement acts as a roadmap, giving the reader a glimpse of what to expect in the essay’s subsequent sections.

What is the Best Thesis Statement Example for Informative Essay?

While the “best” thesis statement often depends on the topic and the intent of the essay, here’s a generic example that embodies the characteristics of a strong informative thesis:

“The metamorphosis of a butterfly, from a humble caterpillar to a resplendent winged creature, is a captivating process involving four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.”

This thesis provides a clear, concise overview of the essay’s topic and what the reader can expect to learn from the ensuing paragraphs.

100 Thesis Statement Examples for Informative Essay

Crafting a robust thesis for an informative essay is essential to guide your readers through the nuances of the topic you’re exploring. Your thesis acts as a lens, focusing the reader’s attention on the key aspects you’ll delve into. Below is a collection of meticulously curated thesis statements for informative essays, designed to inspire and guide your writing process.

“The history of the printing press revolutionized human communication, transforming societal structures and information dissemination.”
“Solar energy, derived from the sun’s rays, offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly power source, with numerous applications in modern society.”
“The water cycle is a continuous process, consisting of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection, crucial to Earth’s climate and ecosystem.”
“Ancient Egyptian mummification was a detailed ritual, embodying religious beliefs, preparations for the afterlife, and sophisticated preservation techniques.”
“Quantum mechanics delves into the behavior of subatomic particles, challenging traditional physics and introducing concepts like superposition and entanglement.”
“The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, boasts biodiversity, faces environmental threats, and is crucial for global marine ecology.”
“Yoga, originating from ancient India, promotes physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, with various forms tailored to different needs.”
“The Silk Road was a vast network of trade routes connecting Asia and Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas.”
“Chocolates, beyond being a delightful treat, have a rich history, production process, and health benefits when consumed in moderation.”
“Mental health is a multifaceted topic, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social well-being, with various factors influencing one’s mental state.”
“Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance polymath, contributed to art, science, and engineering, with masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and inventions ahead of his time.”
“Pandas, native to China, play a significant role in global conservation efforts due to their endangered status and ecological importance.”
“Photography, since its inception, has evolved in techniques and styles, influencing society’s perception of reality and memory.”
“Green architecture integrates eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability.”
“Sleep is a vital physiological process, with stages like REM and deep sleep, affecting cognitive function, mood, and overall health.”
“Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has cultural significance, mathematical principles, and therapeutic benefits.”
“The evolution of human language encompasses physiological changes, societal developments, and the emergence of linguistic diversity.”
“The Internet, from ARPANET to today’s global network, has transformed communication, business, and entertainment, shaping the modern world.”
“Black holes, mysterious cosmic entities, are regions of spacetime exhibiting gravitational forces from which nothing can escape, not even light.”
“Jazz, an original American art form, draws from various music styles, influencing culture, civil rights movements, and global music scenes.”
“Vaccination, a cornerstone of modern medicine, employs weakened or inactivated germs to train the immune system against diseases.”
“Greek mythology, a rich tapestry of gods, heroes, and monsters, played a central role in ancient Greek religion and culture.”
“Artificial intelligence, the simulation of human intelligence in machines, has applications in healthcare, finance, and more, heralding a new technological age.”
“Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, has a complex geology, history of expeditions, and challenges related to climbing and environmental conservation.”
“Ballet, a classical dance form, has evolved over centuries, boasting different styles, techniques, and a profound impact on global dance culture.”
“Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, is a focus of space exploration, with studies on its atmosphere, geology, and potential for life.”
“The Amazon Rainforest, Earth’s largest tropical rainforest, houses unparalleled biodiversity and plays a pivotal role in the global climate system.”
“The human brain, a marvel of evolution, is responsible for cognition, emotion, and consciousness, with regions dedicated to specific functions.”
“The French Revolution, a tumultuous period in history, brought about political, social, and economic upheavals, shaping modern democracy.”
“The Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River, showcases layers of Earth’s history, geology, and offers a haven for biodiversity.”
“Hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil, utilizes nutrient-rich water, offering solutions for urban farming and food scarcity.”
“The Mona Lisa, beyond its fame as a painting, carries stories of its creation, theft, and cultural significance in art history.”
“Quantum computing harnesses principles of quantum mechanics, promising breakthroughs in processing speed, cryptography, and complex problem-solving.”
“The phenomenon of bioluminescence, seen in various marine creatures, is a chemical reaction that produces light, aiding in camouflage, prey attraction, and communication.”
“The pyramids of Egypt, marvels of ancient engineering, were built as tombs for pharaohs, reflecting the civilization’s religious beliefs and technological prowess.”
“Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter on an atomic scale, holds promise for medical treatments, electronics, and materials science.”
“The Roaring Twenties, a decade post-WWI, were marked by cultural shifts, economic prosperity, jazz, and the onset of the Great Depression.”
“Sushi, a staple of Japanese cuisine, has a history spanning centuries, varying styles, and a globalized presence in today’s culinary landscape.”
“Vincent van Gogh, though tormented in life, produced masterpieces like ‘Starry Night’, influencing modern art with his unique style and technique.”
“The concept of zero, integral to mathematics, originated from ancient civilizations, influencing arithmetic, algebra, and our understanding of the universe.”
“Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is vital for ecosystem stability, human survival, and indicates the planet’s health.”
“The Industrial Revolution marked a shift from agrarian societies to industrial urban centers, revolutionizing technology, society, and the global economy.”
“Volcanoes, nature’s fiery vents, have diverse types and formation processes, playing roles in Earth’s geology and influencing climates.”
“The human genome, our genetic blueprint, has been mapped, offering insights into genetics, evolution, and potentials for personalized medicine.”
“Shakespeare’s works, from tragedies to comedies, offer insights into human nature, love, power, and have profoundly influenced literature and language.”
“Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese therapy, involves inserting needles at specific points to balance energy and treat various ailments.”
“The Antarctic, a frozen frontier, is crucial for climate research, housing unique ecosystems and holding mysteries beneath its ice.”
“Meditation, a practice of focused attention, offers benefits like stress reduction, improved cognition, and greater self-awareness.”
“The Periodic Table organizes chemical elements based on atomic number, guiding our understanding of chemistry, reactions, and element properties.”
“The concept of time, from sundials to atomic clocks, has been central to human civilizations, influencing cultures, sciences, and daily life.
“Gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms living in our intestines, has profound implications on our health, mood, and disease susceptibility.”
“The Renaissance, spanning the 14th to 17th century, marked a cultural awakening in art, science, and thought, laying the foundation for the modern world.”
“Artificial neural networks, inspired by the human brain, form the basis of deep learning, propelling advancements in image recognition, language translation, and more.”
“The concept of relativity, introduced by Einstein, transformed our understanding of time, space, and the universe, challenging Newtonian physics.”
“The cultural and religious festival of Diwali, celebrated predominantly in India, signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.”
“J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ not only narrates an epic tale of heroism but delves deep into themes of friendship, power, and corruption.”
“Climate change, driven primarily by human activities, has far-reaching consequences on weather patterns, sea levels, and global ecosystems.”
“Impressionism, an art movement in the 19th century, captures fleeting moments with loose brushwork, championed by artists like Monet and Renoir.”
“Holography, the science of producing three-dimensional images, has applications in medicine, art, and data storage, promising future advancements.”
“The discovery of DNA’s double helix structure by Watson and Crick revolutionized biology, paving the way for genetic research and biotechnological innovations.”
“Coffee, beyond a popular beverage, has a rich history of cultivation, trade, and cultural significance across continents.”
“Migration patterns of monarch butterflies, traveling thousands of miles, are a remarkable phenomenon of nature, influenced by environmental cues and genetic factors.”
“The Roman Empire, with its vast territories and lasting legacies, has impacted modern governance, architecture, and language.”
“Virtual reality, an immersive technology, has transcended gaming to find applications in medicine, education, and real estate.”
“Dream analysis, rooted in psychological theories of Freud and Jung, delves into the subconscious mind, interpreting symbols and emotions for insights.”
“Beekeeping, an age-old practice, supports biodiversity, provides honey, and plays a crucial role in global food production through pollination.”
“The concept of black markets, operating outside sanctioned channels, impacts global economies, ethics, and law enforcement challenges.”
“The evolution of music, from classical symphonies to contemporary genres, reflects societal changes, technological innovations, and cultural exchanges.”
“Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt, challenges previous beliefs about brain rigidity and offers hope for injury recovery.”
“Taj Mahal, an architectural marvel in India, stands as a testament to eternal love, Mughal artistry, and intricate craftsmanship.
“The Silk Road, not just a trade route, fostered cultural exchanges, spread religions, and laid the groundwork for globalization in the ancient world.”
“Telecommunication, with its evolution from telegraphs to smartphones, has reshaped society, influencing communication habits, businesses, and global connectedness.”
“Veganism, beyond a dietary choice, carries implications for animal rights, environmental sustainability, and global food resources.”
“The architecture of Gaudi, particularly in Barcelona, embodies a unique blend of nature, religion, and modernism, attracting millions of admirers worldwide.”
“Galaxies, vast cosmic structures containing billions of stars, provide insights into the universe’s formation, dark matter, and the fate of cosmic bodies.”
“Procrastination, more than just delaying tasks, is a complex psychological behavior with implications for productivity, mental health, and personal growth.”
“Jazz, birthed in New Orleans, embodies improvisation and cultural synthesis, influencing numerous other genres and reflecting societal changes.”
“The Great Wall of China, beyond a monumental feat of engineering, symbolizes the lengths to which societies will go to defend their beliefs and territories.”
“Human rights, a universal framework for dignity and equality, have evolved over centuries, shaping global policies, revolutions, and societal values.”
“Pandemics, from the Black Plague to COVID-19, have shifted the course of history, influencing medical advancements, societal structures, and global economies.”
“Cryptocurrency, decentralized digital money, challenges traditional banking systems, offering potential for financial freedom but also sparking debates on regulation.”
“The Amazon Rainforest, often termed the ‘lungs of Earth’, plays a critical role in global climate regulation, biodiversity, and indigenous cultures.”
“The Eiffel Tower, initially criticized but now an icon of France, represents engineering prowess, national pride, and the changing tides of public opinion.”
“Ballet, a disciplined art form with roots in the Italian Renaissance, conveys stories, emotions, and has evolved with cultural and societal shifts.”
“The concept of infinity, both in mathematics and philosophy, challenges human comprehension and has led to profound discoveries and existential debates.”
“The Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River, stands as a testament to nature’s power and the geological history of Earth.”
“Storytelling, intrinsic to human culture, serves various purposes, from passing down traditions to marketing brands in the modern age.”
“Yoga, beyond physical postures, is an ancient practice promoting holistic well-being, spiritual growth, and mental clarity.”
“The Louvre Museum, housing thousands of artworks, narrates a history of art, culture, and the evolution of human civilization.”
“Photography, from daguerreotypes to digital, captures moments in time, influencing art, journalism, and how society perceives reality.”
“Mount Everest, standing as the highest peak, isn’t just a mountaineer’s challenge but a symbol of human perseverance and our relationship with nature.”
“Mars exploration, beyond the realm of science fiction, provides insights into planetary evolution, life beyond Earth, and the future of human space colonization.”
“Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the sea, are vibrant ecosystems, vital to marine life, coastal economies, and indicate global climate health.”
“Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ doesn’t merely tell a tale of revenge but delves deep into themes of existentialism, morality, and the human psyche.”
“Quantum mechanics, a foundation of modern physics, challenges classical notions, introducing concepts like superposition and entanglement, reshaping our understanding of reality.”
“The Pyramids of Giza, not just architectural marvels, offer insights into ancient Egyptian beliefs, astronomical knowledge, and societal organization.”
“Hydrogen as an energy source, while in its infancy, holds potential to revolutionize the energy sector, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.”
“The cultural phenomenon of Anime, originating in Japan, transcends entertainment, reflecting societal issues, personal identities, and diverse genres of storytelling.”
“Meditation, rooted in ancient traditions, serves as a tool for mental well-being, stress relief, and cognitive enhancement in our fast-paced modern world.”
“The French Revolution, while a bloody period, led to the overthrow of monarchy, shaping modern political ideologies, rights, and global democratic movements.

An informative essay thesis statement is a condensed form of your essay’s primary argument, serving as a roadmap for your readers. The process of developing such a statement requires synthesizing the main idea of your topic and presenting it in a concise manner to captivate and inform your audience from the beginning.

How do you write a thesis for an informative essay? – Step by Step Guide

Understand the Prompt : Before you can create a thesis, understand the prompt or the topic you’re addressing. This ensures your thesis aligns with what you are expected to write about.
Research Thoroughly : Dive deep into your topic. Gather all necessary details, facts, and data that will help you get a comprehensive view of the subject.
Identify the Main Idea : What is the primary message or insight you want your readers to grasp? This will form the core of your thesis.
Keep it Specific : Your thesis should not be overly broad. Instead, focus on a specific aspect of the topic that your essay will explore.
Make it Clear and Concise : Your thesis statement shouldn’t be a complex sentence. It should be clear, direct, and easy for the reader to understand.
Avoid Opinions : An informative essay provides information and insight. It doesn’t try to persuade the reader or present the writer’s personal opinion.
Review and Refine : After drafting your thesis, read it aloud. Does it flow? Is it clear? Make necessary revisions until it fits your essay’s scope and direction perfectly.

Tips for Writing an Informative Essay Thesis Statement

Stay Neutral : Your thesis shouldn’t convey bias or opinion. Stick to facts and neutral language.
Position it Right : Traditionally, the thesis statement is positioned at the end of the introduction to guide the reader into the main body.
Stay Focused : Your thesis should be specific to the points you’ll be making in your essay. If a point doesn’t support your thesis, consider removing it from your essay.
Seek Feedback : Before finalizing your thesis, seek feedback. Fresh eyes can offer valuable insights and catch inconsistencies.
Revisit After Writing : Once your essay is complete, revisit your thesis. Does your essay deliver what your thesis promises? If not, tweak it so that it aligns with your essay’s content.

Crafting a compelling thesis for an informative essay is a balancing act between providing clear, concise information and sparking curiosity in readers. By following the aforementioned steps and tips, writers can guide their audience seamlessly through the information while ensuring comprehension and interest.

Text prompt

Instructive
Professional

Write a Thesis Statement for Informative Essay on the process of recycling plastics.

Create a Thesis Statement for Informative Essay about the history of the internet.

Writing an Informative Essay

Informative essays engage readers with new, interesting, and often surprising facts and details about a subject. Informative essays are educational; readers expect to learn something new from them. In fact, much of the reading and writing done in college and the workplace is informative. From textbooks to reports to tutorials like this one, informative writing imparts important and useful information about a topic.

This tutorial refers to the sample informative outline and final essay written by fictional student Paige Turner.

Reasons to Write Informatively

Your purpose for writing and the audience for whom you are writing will impact the depth and breadth of information you provide, but all informative writing aims to present a subject without opinions or bias. Some common reasons to write informatively are to

report findings that an audience would find interesting,
present facts that an audience would find useful, and
communicate information about a person, place, event, issue, or change that would improve an audience’s understanding.

Characteristics of Informative Essays

Informative essays present factual information and do not attempt to sway readers’ opinions about it. Other types of academic and workplace writing do try to influence readers’ opinions:

Expository essays aim to expose a truth about an issue in order to influence how readers view the issue.
Persuasive essays aim to influence readers’ opinions, so they will adopt a particular position or take a certain course of action.

Expository and persuasive essays make “arguments.” The only argument an informative essay makes is that something exists, did exist, is happening, or has happened, and the point of the essay is not to convince readers of this but to tell them about it.

Informative essays seek to enlighten and educate readers, so they can make their own educated opinions and decisions about what to think and how to act.

Strategies for Writing Informatively

Informative essays provide useful information such as facts, examples, and evidence from research in order to help readers understand a topic or see it more clearly. While informative writing does not aim to appeal emotionally to readers in order to change their opinions or behaviors, informative writing should still be engaging to read. Factual information is not necessarily dry or boring. Sometimes facts can be more alarming than fiction!

Writers use various strategies to engage and educate readers. Some strategies include

introducing the topic with an alarming fact or arresting image;
asserting what is true or so about the subject in a clear thesis statement;
organizing the paragraphs logically by grouping related information;
unifying each paragraph with a topic sentence and controlling idea;
developing cohesive paragraphs with transition sentences;
using precise language and terminology appropriate for the topic, purpose, and audience; and
concluding with a final idea or example that captures the essay’s purpose and leaves a lasting impression.

Five Steps for Getting Started

1. Brainstorm and choose a topic.

Sample topic : The opioid epidemic in the United States.
The opiod epidemic or even opiod addiction would would be considered too broad for a single essay, so the next steps aim to narrow this topic down.

2. Next, write a question about the topic that you would like to answer through research.

Sample question : What major events caused the opioid crisis in the United States?
This question aims to narrow the topic down to causes of the epidemic in the US.

3. Now go to the Purdue Global Library to find the answers to your research question.

As you begin reading and collecting sources, write down the themes that emerge as common answers. Later, in step four, use the most common answers (or the ones you are most interested in writing and discussing) to construct a thesis statement.

Sample answers: aggressive marketing, loopholes in prescription drug provider programs, and economic downturn.

4. Next, provide purpose to your paper by creating a thesis statement.

The thesis attempts to frame your research question. The sample thesis below incorporates three of the more common answers for the research question from step two: What caused the opioid crisis in the United States?

Thesis Statement : Aggressive marketing, loopholes in prescription drug provider programs, and economic downturn contributed to the current opioid crisis in the United States.
Writing Tip : For additional help with thesis statements, please visit our Writing a Thesis Statement article. For help with writing in 3rd person, see our article on Formal Vs. Informal Writing .

5. Now follow each numbered step in the “Suggested Outline Format and Sample” below.

Sample answers have been provided for “I. Introduction” and “II. First Cause.” A complete sample outline can be seen here. A complete sample informative essay can be seen here.

Suggested Outline Format and Sample

I. INTRODUCTION

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the main topic: Sample topic sentence : There is a current prescription pain medication addiction and abuse epidemic possibly caused by an excessive over prescription of these medications.

B. Now provide a couple sentences with evidence to support the main topic: Sample sentence one with evidence to support the main topic : According to Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in testimony before the 115th Congress, “In 2016, over 11 million Americans misused prescription opioids … and 2.1 million had an opioid use disorder due to prescription opioids” (Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017, p. 2).

C. Sample sentence two with evidence to support the main topic : Volkow indicated “more than 300,000 Americans have died of an opioid overdose” since 2013 (Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017, p.2).

D. Sample sentence three with evidence to support the main topic : According to Perez-Pena (2017), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 25,000 people in the United States died in 2015 from overdosing on opioids Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone.

E. Toward the end of the introduction, include your thesis statement written in the 3rd-person point-of-view: Sample thesis statement : Potential solutions to the growing opioid epidemic may be illuminated by examining how opioid addiction is triggered through aggressive pharmaceutical marketing, how opioid addiction manifests among prescribed patients, and how economic downturns play a role in the increase of opioid addiction.

F. Write down the library sources you can use in this introductory paragraph to help support the main topic.

Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017
Perez-Pena, 2017
Writing Tip : For more help writing an introduction, please refer to this article on introductions and conclusions .

II. FIRST CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the first cause of the opioid epidemic: Sample topic sentence that introduces the first cause : One issue that helped contribute to the opioid epidemic is aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the first cause: Sample sentence one with evidence that supports the first cause : Perez-Pena (2017) concluded that while the healthcare industry was attempting to effectively and efficiently treat patients with chronic pain, pharmaceutical companies were providing funding to prominent doctors, medical societies, and patient advocacy groups in order to win support for a particular drug’s adoption and usage.

C. Sample sentence two with evidence to support the first cause : In fact, pharmaceutical companies continue to spend millions on promotional activities and materials that deny or trivialize any risks of opioid use while at the same time overstating each drug’s benefit (Perez-Pina, 2017).

D. Next, add more information or provide concluding or transitional sentences that foreshadows the upcoming second cause: Sample concluding and transitional sentence that foreshadow the second cause : Although aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies played a large role in opioid addiction, patients are to blame too, as many take advantage of holes in the healthcare provider system in order to remedy their addiction.

E. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the first cause:

Writing Tip : For more assistance working with sources, please visit the Using Sources page here.

III. SECOND CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the second cause.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the second cause.

C. Next, add more information or provide concluding or transitional sentences that foreshadows the upcoming third cause.

D. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the second cause:

Writing Tip : Listen to Writing Powerful Sentences for information and features of effective writing.

IV. THIRD CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the third cause.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the third cause.

C. Next, add more information or provide a concluding sentence or two.

D. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the third cause:

V. CONCLUSION: Summary of key points and evidence discussed.

Writing Tip : For more help writing a conclusion, refer to this podcast on endings .
Writing Tip : Have a question? Leave a comment below or Purdue Global students, click here to access the Purdue Global Writing Center tutoring platform and available staff.
Writing Tip : Ready to have someone look at your paper? Purdue Global students, click here to submit your assignment for feedback through our video paper review service.

See a Sample Informative Essay Outline here .

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dang bro i got an A

Having faith with all this mentioned, that i will pass my english class at a college. Thank you for posting.

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How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

What’s Covered:

What is the purpose of a thesis statement, writing a good thesis statement: 4 steps, common pitfalls to avoid, where to get your essay edited for free.

When you set out to write an essay, there has to be some kind of point to it, right? Otherwise, your essay would just be a big jumble of word salad that makes absolutely no sense. An essay needs a central point that ties into everything else. That main point is called a thesis statement, and it’s the core of any essay or research paper.

You may hear about Master degree candidates writing a thesis, and that is an entire paper–not to be confused with the thesis statement, which is typically one sentence that contains your paper’s focus.

Read on to learn more about thesis statements and how to write them. We’ve also included some solid examples for you to reference.

Typically the last sentence of your introductory paragraph, the thesis statement serves as the roadmap for your essay. When your reader gets to the thesis statement, they should have a clear outline of your main point, as well as the information you’ll be presenting in order to either prove or support your point.

The thesis statement should not be confused for a topic sentence , which is the first sentence of every paragraph in your essay. If you need help writing topic sentences, numerous resources are available. Topic sentences should go along with your thesis statement, though.

Since the thesis statement is the most important sentence of your entire essay or paper, it’s imperative that you get this part right. Otherwise, your paper will not have a good flow and will seem disjointed. That’s why it’s vital not to rush through developing one. It’s a methodical process with steps that you need to follow in order to create the best thesis statement possible.

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

When you’re assigned an essay, there are several different types you may get. Argumentative essays are designed to get the reader to agree with you on a topic. Informative or expository essays present information to the reader. Analytical essays offer up a point and then expand on it by analyzing relevant information. Thesis statements can look and sound different based on the type of paper you’re writing. For example:

Argumentative: The United States needs a viable third political party to decrease bipartisanship, increase options, and help reduce corruption in government.
Informative: The Libertarian party has thrown off elections before by gaining enough support in states to get on the ballot and by taking away crucial votes from candidates.
Analytical: An analysis of past presidential elections shows that while third party votes may have been the minority, they did affect the outcome of the elections in 2020, 2016, and beyond.

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Once you know what type of paper you’re writing, you then need to figure out the point you want to make with your thesis statement, and subsequently, your paper. In other words, you need to decide to answer a question about something, such as:

What impact did reality TV have on American society?
How has the musical Hamilton affected perception of American history?
Why do I want to major in [chosen major here]?

If you have an argumentative essay, then you will be writing about an opinion. To make it easier, you may want to choose an opinion that you feel passionate about so that you’re writing about something that interests you. For example, if you have an interest in preserving the environment, you may want to choose a topic that relates to that.

If you’re writing your college essay and they ask why you want to attend that school, you may want to have a main point and back it up with information, something along the lines of:

“Attending Harvard University would benefit me both academically and professionally, as it would give me a strong knowledge base upon which to build my career, develop my network, and hopefully give me an advantage in my chosen field.”

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Once you have the point you want to make, you need to figure out how you plan to back it up throughout the rest of your essay. Without this information, it will be hard to either prove or argue the main point of your thesis statement. If you decide to write about the Hamilton example, you may decide to address any falsehoods that the writer put into the musical, such as:

“The musical Hamilton, while accurate in many ways, leaves out key parts of American history, presents a nationalist view of founding fathers, and downplays the racism of the times.”

Once you’ve written your initial working thesis statement, you’ll then need to get information to back that up. For example, the musical completely leaves out Benjamin Franklin, portrays the founding fathers in a nationalist way that is too complimentary, and shows Hamilton as a staunch abolitionist despite the fact that his family likely did own slaves.

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and that you feel like you can truly write a paper on the topic. Once you’ve done that, you can then begin writing your paper.

When writing a thesis statement, there are some common pitfalls you should avoid so that your paper can be as solid as possible. Make sure you always edit the thesis statement before you do anything else. You also want to ensure that the thesis statement is clear and concise. Don’t make your reader hunt for your point. Finally, put your thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph and have your introduction flow toward that statement. Your reader will expect to find your statement in its traditional spot.

If you’re having trouble getting started, or need some guidance on your essay, there are tools available that can help you. CollegeVine offers a free peer essay review tool where one of your peers can read through your essay and provide you with valuable feedback. Getting essay feedback from a peer can help you wow your instructor or college admissions officer with an impactful essay that effectively illustrates your point.