Appendix G

COM/156 Version 6
1
Associate Level Material
Appendix G
Thesis Statements
What Is a Thesis Statement?
If you have ever worked in an office with computers, your computer was probably connected to a network.
In a network, there is one main computer to which all the other computers send and receive information. If
that base computer shuts down, the other computers are disconnectedeverything centers on that one
computer. In the same way, every word, sentence, and paragraph in an essay must relate to or center on
the thesis statement. A thesis statement concisely informs readers of your intention in writing the paper.
o matter what type of paper you writeexpository, argumentation, compare or contrast, or research
the foundation of your paper is always your thesis statement. !rom now through the rest of your academic
career, instructors will expect your essays to contain a well"developed thesis. !or this reason, it is
important that you learn to write effective thesis statements.
#hile you work on your paper, you will have a tentative or working thesis, which most likely changes as
you find support and write your paper. $ou may write and rewrite a thesis several times while developing
an essay.
%he concept of the thesis statement can be difficult for beginning writers to understand. %he following are
some characteristics of an effective thesis statement&
A thesis statement is only one sentence consisting of '( words or fewer.
A thesis statement makes an assertion related to the topic of the essaywhat you want to
prove.
%he thesis statement should be located near the end of your introduction.
)verything in your paper must support, be related to, or point back to your thesis statement.
A thesis statement answers the *uestions +,ow-. or +#hy-.
A thesis statement passes the +/o what-. testwhat does this topic have to do with
anything- #hy should I care- #hy should others care-
0opyright 1 '213 by 4niversity of 5hoenix. All rights reserved.
Appendix G
COM/156 Version 6
'
Equation for Develoin! a Thesis Statement
!rom 5earson. +%hesis /tatement& #riting a %hesis /tatement.. 6eprinted with permission.
http&77media.pearsoncmg.com7pcp7pls81'(92:9;<;7writing8thesis8statement71.3.'1=w.html
A standard e*uation used to create a thesis statement&
>imited %opic 0ontrolling Idea %hesis
)ating a well"balanced diet >ose weight, live longer,
and feel better
)ating a well"balanced diet
may help you lose weight,
live longer, and feel better.
%o adapt this e*uation to better suit a "omare#an$#"ontrast essa%, you may consider using the
following&
/ub?ect 1 @ /ub?ect ' Indication of similarity,
difference, or both as pertains
to the controlling idea
%hesis
)ating a well"balanced diet @
exercise
/imilar positive results
emotionally, physically, and
psychologically
)ating a well"balanced diet
and exercising can have
positive results emotionally,
physically, and
psychologically.
aerobic @ anaerobic Aiffer in their physiology,
energy expenditure, and
physical impact on the body
#hile all forms of exercise
can be beneficial, aerobic and
anaerobic differ in their
physiology, energy
expenditure, and physical
impact on the body.
Appendix G
COM/156 Version 6
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Wra#&
Analytical thinking and hard work are involved when writing a thesis statement, so beginning writers can
easily become frustrated trying to incorporate all the characteristics of an effective thesis. !or this reason,
you may rewrite your thesis statement several timesB however, in the end, you will have a specific and
focused thesis that is easier to develop and support.