Thesis Writing

What is a thesis in writing? Many people can become overwhelmed when writing a thesis. But a thesis isn’t as complicated as people believe. A strong thesis will answer the question being asked while providing strong reasons to support this argument. This doesn´t always have to be specific however.

A concrete definition of a thesis is:

A thesis statement gives your reader a preview of your paper’s content by laying out your central idea and expressing an informed, reasoned answer to your research question.

[^Expository Thesis Statements vs. Argumentative Thesis Statements]

Here are a series of thesis examples for each type of writing:

1. Historical:

Historical thesis writing can be one of the easiest ways to write a thesis. We can this CHICKEN FOOT thesis.

You answer the prompt (question) and give three reasons for your argument:

What are three ways the NEW DEAL, created by FDR during the Great Depression in the USA, helped boost morale and improve the economy in the US during the 1930´s?

The NEW DEAL improved the US economy during the Great Depression by:

  • A. employing a large portion of the country with jobs, who had been forced out of work since 1929 (20 million jobs over the course of 8 years)
  • B. creating specific jobs in each sector to improve the infrastructure of the country (ex: building dams, schools, improving roads etc)
  • C. including all ethnicities with equal opportunity for work

Below is another example of this with the physical image of the chicken foot.

https://www.plectica.com/maps/embedded/5AS4L7D6O

2. Expository:

An expository thesis statement includes:

  1. What you are going to explain
  2. The categories you are using to organize your explanation
  3. The order in which you will present your categories.

“Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.”

https://www.plectica.com/maps/embedded/5AS4L7D6O

3. Compare/Contrast:

A compare and contrast gives:

  1. the claim (answering the prompt)
  2. the reasons to support the similarities
  3. the reasons to support the differences

“Although cats and dogs are both wonderful pets in their own ways, cats provide tranquility in the home, while dogs are companions both inside and outside the home.”

4. Argumentative:

An argumentative gives:

  1. the claim or assertion
  2. the reasons and evidence to support the claim
  3. the order in which you will be presenting the reasons and evidence

“Reducing waste should be a key priority in the world in 2026. Without action, we will cease to exist.”