Thesis Statements

An essay without a thesis is like a computer without a mouse, you can still get around but doing so is tedious and frustrating. The thesis is the guide which directs and moves the reader through the essay. Two types of thesis statements are common:

1. An implicit thesis is not stated in one specific statement, rather after the reader finishes reading the report, she knows exactly what the point of it is.
2. An explicit is a specific statement which contains the subject, purpose, focus and the writer's point-of-view about those. Fact plus opinion is one way to envision the explicit thesis.

In English 131, we focus on the explicit thesis in order to gain mastery of its form. Some other common traits of the thesis are:

1. They do not contain personal opinion that cannot be argued against. Everyone has the right to her own opinion; however, the point of a thesis is start with a strong statement that will be developed throughout the report. Judgmental statements using dumb, stupid, etc., leave no room for discussion.

   Wrong: Guns are dumb and should be banned.
   Right:  Guns should be banned.

2. They do not state what you will be talking about in a direct statement.

   Wrong: In this paper, I am going to discuss the why I think computers should be banned.
   Right: Computers cause problems in the classroom and should be banned.

3. They do not contain first person pronouns.

   Wrong: I believe that we should all use computers in the classroom.
   Right:  Computers should be used in the classroom, as they are tools that help students achieve success.

4. Thesis statements should contain strong, definite language.

   Wrong:  Computers might be useful in the classroom.
   Right:  Computers must be used in the classroom to help students achieve success.

Thesis practice: Choose whether the sentences below qualify as thesis statements by clicking on either yes or no.

1. Email is a modern form of communication. Yes | No
2. Learning email can be frustrating but exciting.Yes | No
3. I am going to talk about learning email.Yes | No
4. Netscape is a browser used for online classes.Yes | No
5. Students should use Netscape for online classes as it is the easiest to use of all the browsers.Yes | No
6. If students don't use Netscape in online classes, they will be sorry.Yes | No
7. Different email software causes different problems.Yes | No
8. Knowing how to use different email software will help students become more proficient in their computer abilities.Yes | No
9. Taking online classes can give a student credit.Yes | No
10. Don't take online classes as they make you upset, and you work too much.Yes | No