A thesis statement is the one- or two-sentence claim your whole essay sets out to prove. It usually sits at the end of the introduction and tells the reader both your position and how you will support it.
A strong thesis is
- Arguable: a reasonable person could disagree.
- Specific: it names a focused claim, not a whole topic.
- Supportable: you can back it with evidence in the length you have.
A simple drafting formula
Claim + because + two or three reasons. Draft it, then cut any words that do not narrow the claim.
Weak to strong
- Weak: “Social media has pros and cons.” (Not arguable; it describes a topic.)
- Better: “Social media harms teenagers.” (Arguable but vague.)
- Strong: “Schools should limit phone use during class because constant notifications reduce attention, lower test performance, and increase cyberbullying during the school day.”
Check your thesis
- Could someone argue the opposite? If not, sharpen it.
- Does every body paragraph prove part of it? If a paragraph does not, cut it or revise the thesis.
- Would a reader know your position after one read?