How to Write an Effective Thesis Statement

An effective thesis statement is necessary for any good essay. Without an effective thesis statement, your essay is likely to be unfocused and ineffective at conveying the information you are trying to present. The thesis statement describes the main point of the essay and the author's position on the topic. An effective thesis statement will include the purpose of the essay and act as a guide for both the reader and the writer.

Before writing a thesis statement, you should be familiar with your topic and your opinions on the topic. The topic you have chosen should be narrow and focused. For instance, "Underage Drinking" is probably too general of a topic for a 3-4 page essay, while "Ways to Prevent Underage Drinking on College Campuses" is more focused, and is better suited for an essay of that length. Before writing a thesis statement, you should also be aware of the organizational structure of your essay. Identify your main points and the order in which you will address them.

An effective thesis statement will be 1-2 sentences long, depending on the length of your essay. If you find your thesis statement is over 2 sentences long, consider whether or not all the information you've included is necessary. Evaluate your word choices and sentence structure, weeding out any unnecessary words or phrases.

An effective thesis statement will make an assertion--that is, an expression of your viewpoint or position on the topic. Your thesis statement should not just be a statement of facts, but should express your opinion of those facts.

An effective thesis statement will not include phrases such as, "My topic is..." "The main idea is..." or "I will discuss...". Your topic should be stated directly, without qualification.

An effective thesis statement will offer an original perspective. Include unique information that will set your essay apart from others on the same topic.

An effective thesis statement will be detailed and specific. Avoid generalizations. Provide the best information--that is the information that will convey your intentions most effectively.

An effective thesis statement will be focused. It should address a narrowed topic, allowing you to provide the highest quality of information.

An effective thesis statement will reflect the organization of the essay. If you are addressing three main topics, include those in your thesis statement.

Writing an effective thesis statement takes time and practice. Following these simple steps will send in you in the right direction towards a better and more effective thesis statement.