Developed by David Finchem for the Writing Center @ CCD, Last Updated 2019 2
Things to Avoid
• Don’t announce your thesis: In this essay, I am going to tell you about vegetarianism and why everyone
should adopt this lifestyle.
Note: Some instructors may, however, encourage this type of first-person statement; always refer
to your professor’s instructions.
• Don’t confuse your readers: The thesis should be clear and focus on ONE main idea.
• Don’t write the thesis as a fact: This doesn’t allow the writer to develop their ideas or prove anything
because the statement is already factual and does not require additional explanation.
• Don’t write the thesis as a question: This allows readers, rather than the writer, to determine the meaning
of the essay. For example, Don’t you think eating meat is inhumane? may be more effectively restated as
Eating meat is inhumane because . . .
Types of Thesis Statements
The purpose and form of a thesis may depend on the genre of writing.
Argumentative Thesis
• The argumentative thesis takes a clear position on a debatable issue/topic and suggests or states the
supporting reason(s) for that stance, which will be discussed further in the body of the essay.
Example: A vegetarian diet is better than a diet that includes meat because a vegetarian diet is
healthier, less expensive, and more humane toward animals.
Try your own argumentative thesis:
CLAIM
because
ROAD MAP
1)
2)
3)
Persuasive/Proposal Thesis
• The persuasive thesis takes a clear position on a debatable issue/topic, attempting to persuade a specific
audience to enact some sort of change, and suggests or states the supporting reason(s) for that stance, which
will be discussed further in the body of the essay.
Example: We, as a society, should require a parenting license for new parents because it will
reduce infant mortality rates, improve children’s health, and create better citizens.
Try your own persuasive thesis:
AUDIENCE SUGGESTED CHANGE
should because
ROAD MAP
1)
2)
3)