Steps to create your Thesis Statement

Follow the steps below to help you write your own thesis.

1. The Prompt

What is the essay's prompt? Keep this prompt in mind as you go through the steps below to make sure that you properly address it.

2. The Title

The title or “topic” of your essay is the general category your essay is about. Either write the title your teacher has assigned or the title you have chosen in the space provided. What do you have an opinion about? What are some things that interest you? Topics are just general categories--school, fishing, parenting, hunting, cars, women's rights, racial issues, the law, etc…

3. The Position

What is one thing about your topic that you believe to be true, and that you wish to argue? You may already have a “position” in mind, or you may just have a general topic you know you wish to work with. If you do not yet have a position, making a cluster or a map with your topic in the center is a good way to help yourself find a position. Another good way is to begin a free write, “I'm supposed to write an essay about… ” and see where it takes you.

4. The Qualification

Is what you say always true always?
Are there exceptions?
Are there good reasons why your position may have a down side?
How can you make your position have a reality check?
What general reasons why your position may have problems can you admit up front?
To make absolute statements usually causes your essay's thesis to seem foolishly simplistic. Get real!.
Here's a trick: begin your qualification with a word like “although” or “It is true that...” Don't worry if it's not a complete sentence.

5. The Reason

In general why do you believe your position to be correct in spite of your qualification?
What is the over all good to be gained by agreeing with your position?
This is a general statement; your specific reasons will follow in the body of your essay.