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 a guide which directs and moves the reader through an essay.

Two types of thesis statements are common:

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

Some other common traits of the thesis are:

1. They do not contain personal opinions 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 essay. Judgemental statements using dumb, stupid, etc., leave no room for disscussion.

   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 are often found to be useful in the classroom.
   Right:  Computers must be used in the classroom to help students achieve success.

5. Avoid fence-sitting words such as might, seems, or can.

   Wrong:   Computers can be seen as the greatest tool for students.
   Right:  Computers are the greatest tool for students.

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

1. Chatting online is a modern form of communication. Yes | No
2. Learning to study online can be frustrating but exciting.Yes | No
3. I am going to talk about learning a chat program.Yes | No
4. Netscape is a browser used for online classes.Yes | No
5. Students should use Internet Explorer for online classes as it is the easiest to use of all the browsers.Yes | No
6. If students don't use Norton Connect in online classes, they will be sorry.Yes | No
7. Different  software causes different problems.Yes | No
8. Knowing how to use different some 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. Take online classes as they make you happy, and you work so much.Yes | No