THESIS STATEMENTS

The thesis is the main idea or main point of an informational text. It serves as a
roadmap of the text you are reading. Simply, the thesis statement provides
direction or purpose to the text. It can be expressed anywhere in the selection or
passage you are reading. It can be seen at the beginning, middle or end of the
text.

If the thesis is stated at the beginning, then the reader may expect that the
following sentences support or develop it. The ideas are said to be organized in
deductive order. However, if the thesis is stated at the latter part of the text,
then the preceding statements are the details or the specifics. This follows the
inductive order. Remember that, thesis statements require proof or evidences to
make your stand more convincing and effective.

Thesis statements can also be explicit or implicit. Implicit thesis statements do

not clearly express the main idea of a text. The reader has to infer from all the
details stated in the text. On the other hand, explicit thesis statements express
the main idea clearly and directly in the text read.

1. It is not a fact.
A fact is irrefutable. Writing a fact as a thesis makes no argument.
Weak: Cats spend most of their time sleeping.
Strong: Cats are better than dogs because they keep pests at bay and
they require less work than puppies.
2. It is not a question.
A question simply does not express one’s claim or comment about a topic.
Weak: What are the advantages of keeping a pet at home?
Strong: A person who wants to live happily in life should own a pet
because of their ability to help decrease depression, stress and anxiety.
3. It is not an announcement.
Avoid saying what you will discuss in the text.
Weak: This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of owning
a pet.
Strong: Owning a pet brings good than burden because they can lower
stress levels, make one feels safe and teach their owners responsibility.
4. It is not too broad.
Avoid making vague and confusing thesis statements by making specific
and focused thesis.
Weak: Too much alcohol consumption is not good for the health.
 Strong: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk to health
problems as it may cause liver damage, stomach distress and even
cancer.
5. It is a complete sentence.
A phrase does not convey complete ideas or thought. Stating the thesis in
complete sentence makes it easier for the reader to understand the main
idea of the text.
6. It requires support.
To make your thesis statement persuasive, facts, surveys, reports etc.
should be used as proof or evidences to support your claim or opinion on
the topic.
7. It takes a stand.
The thesis should clearly show your claim about a subject/topic.
8. It is arguable.
The thesis should be contestable, debatable or argumentative. Again, the
thesis statement should never be a factual statement.
WHAT IS AN OUTLINE?
An outline is a map of your essay or a blueprint. It shows what information
each section or paragraph will contain, and in what order. Most outlines use
numbers and/or bullet points to arrange information and convey points.
It is a tool we use in the writing process to help organize our ideas,
visualize our paper’s potential structure, and to further flesh out and develop
points. It allows the writer to understand how he or she will connect information
to support the thesis statement and the claims of the paper. An outline provides
the writer with a space to consider ideas easily without needing to write
complete paragraphs or sentences.
Importance of an outline
An outline allows a writer to categorize the main points, to organize the
paragraphs into an order that makes sense, and to make sure that each
paragraph/idea can be fully developed. Essentially, an outline helps prevent a
writer from getting stuck when performing the actual writing of the essay.
Why out line?
Just like we need a road map when traveling to an unfamiliar destination,
good writers create preliminary or rough outlines after they have generated
enough ideas through prewriting to organize and develop their essays. Strong,
thorough prewriting should develop more ideas than you can actually use in your
essay so that you are able to select the most relevant and convincing ideas for
your essay.
Once you have settled on a thesis statement and your main supporting
ideas, you can write a formal outline, creating the “skeleton” of your essay.
Looking at your ideas this way can help ensure that:
✓ Your main points are on-topic and directly support your thesis
✓ Your main points are logically organized.
✓ Your most important ideas are emphasized, and your less important ideas are
subordinated.
✓ Your main points have enough and relevant supporting evidence.
Outlines also help writers:
✓ Make the writing process easier since you have a road map for your essay to
follow.
✓ Break through writer’s block—for people who struggle with writer’s block, it
helps to first set up a structure with lower stakes and less pressure.
✓ Save time writing your essay since you have a clear, focused plan to follow for
your essay.
✓ Ensure each part of your essay relates to the essay.

Parts of an Outline
Introduction (attention grabber)
An introduction of an essay prepares the reader on the contents of the
essay. The introduction of the essay is an opening of what is to come ahead.
Here, the writer introduces the topic to the reader by giving background
information and providing a thesis statement. Having mentioned the thesis
statement in your introduction, the rest of the paper should help you support the
claim.
Body (The content of the paper)
The second part of any essay is the body of the essay. Typically, the body
of the essay should contain a minimum of three paragraphs in support of the
thesis statement made in the introductory paragraph. Each paragraph should
relay an individual point or idea. Furthermore, you should always ensure that
your paragraphs contain three parts: the topic sentence, supporting statement
and the concluding paragraphs.
Conclusion (Wrap all of your arguments)
The conclusion of the essay should mark the end of your essay. Here, a
writer is supposed to summarize the ideas made in the body and also restate the
thesis statement.
How to do it?
✓ Put the thesis statement at the top: it should be polished and be a
complete sentence.
✓ Use Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, etc.) to indicate the main
points/topic sentences which should be written in specific phrases or complete
sentences (this is the “P” or Point of PIE).
 ✓ Use capital letters (A, B, C, D, E, etc.) for the major supporting details;
typically, writers should have at least two main supporting details for each
point/topic sentence (the “I” or information of PIE providing evidence and the “E”
or explanation of PIE providing analysis).
✓ Use numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) for sub-details clarifying and specifying
your main supporting details.
Thesis Statement
All outlines should begin with a thesis statement of summarizing sentence.
This thesis sentence presents the central idea of the paper. It must always be a
complete, grammatical sentence, specific and brief, which expresses the point of
view you are taking towards the subject.
Main points/ Main Idea/ Sub-Points/ Supporting Details
Main points (also known as main idea). Chief point an author is making about a
topic. It sums up the author’s primary message.
Sub-Points (also known as supporting details or idea). A paragraph contains
facts, statements, examples-specifics which guide us to a full understanding of
the main idea. They clarify, illuminate, explain, describe, expand and illustrate
the main idea and are supporting details.
Types of Outlines According to Structure
1. Topic Outline
An outline that consists of a short phrase. It provides a quick overview of
topics to be included in an essay. You are probably already familiar with this
structure. Look at a syllabus from one of your courses. It is probably the
equivalent of a topic outline, with topics listed for each unit, and readings and
assignments under each. After each heading in a topic outline for an essay, a
maximum of several words is used to identify the topic or idea that will be
discussed under the given heading.
2. Sentence Outline
An outline that is done in full sentence. It Forces part of the essay to be
written out in sentences before the first draft. Further, it expresses the specific
and complete idea that that section of the paper will cover as part of proving the
overall thesis.
Topic Outline Example
Thesis Statement: The increased use of social media has led to more suicides
among today’s youth--a result of cyberbullying.
I. Effects and Consequences of Cyber Bullying
A. Damage victims
1. depression
2. decrease academic performance
3. suicides
B. Counselling
1. legal consequences
2. academic consequences
II. Prevention
A. Monitoring your Child
1. keeping tabs on activity
2. limiting access to social media
B. Counselling
1. consulting a school counsellor
2. finding a mentor
3. discussing the issue
Sentence Outline Example
Thesis Statement: The abuse of alcohol and drugs can affect a person
economically, psychologically, and physically.

I. Alcohol and drug abuse can affect one economically.

A. The cost of alcohol abuse is high and getting higher.
1. The costs of DUIs can be enormous.
2. Alcohol costs are always rising because of rising production costs
as well as state and local taxes.
B. The cost of drug abuse can be high.
1. Even the arrest for the possession of a minute amount of drugs
can result in high bail and court cost.
2. The cost of drugs fluctuates drastically according to the type of
drug, its availability, and the amount.

II. Alcohol and drug abuse can have severe psychological effects.
A. Alcohol abuse can damage a person psychologically.
1. Alcohol is a depressant and can alter the personality of anyone.
2. The abuse of alcohol can lead to the psychological addiction to
alcohol.
B. Drug abuse can be detrimental to one psychologically.
1. Drugs impair one's ability to function normally because of the
hallucinations or numbness of "getting high."
2. Drugs can become a psychological addiction.