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Writing Effective Thesis Statements

Guide for writing an effective thesis statement for an essay.

What Is a Thesis?

A thesis is a type of paper written at the end of an academic program. This is not the same as a "thesis statement."

View our Theses Services guide if you're looking for additional information to complete the thesis requirement at the end of your program.

What Is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is a short statement, usually one sentence in length, that is present at the end of your introduction paragraph. 

A thesis statement summarizes the main point of the essay and makes an argument about the topic, its importance, or its plausibility. 

A thesis statement is...

  • developed
  • supported
  • explained

... in the body of the essay through the use of examples and evidence.

Read more about thesis statements.