Thesis Statements Explaining the Types

Argumentative Thesis Statement An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. Possible claims: an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

Argumentative Thesis Formula Topic/Subject+ Arguable Claim (Arguable claim IS the Narrowed Topic/Subject) + 3 Supportive Points/Reasons To Support the Arguable Claim Title IXhas significantly impacted women’s sports by creating opportunities for high school female athletes, offering equal scholarship money to female athletes, and developing a professional attitude toward women athletes.

Example-Argumentative High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness. The paper that follows should: present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Examples-Argumentative The death penalty should be abolished because it is fundamentally immoral, ineffective in preventing crime, and sometimes mistakenly enforced on innocent people. Both parents should share equally in raising their children because economic necessity usually requires both parents to work outside the home, and shared responsibility gives children the active support of both parents. When students are exposed to graphic documentaries that show the dangers of texting and driving, they become more responsible drivers.

Examples-Argumentative Although it has been proven that cigarette smoking may lead to sundry health problems in the smoker, the social acceptance of smoking in public places demonstrates that many still do not consider secondhand smoke as dangerous to one's health as firsthand smoke. Prostitution is currently illegal, yet every day thousands are arrested for the act. We could save millions of dollars every year by legalizing prostitution, additionally by legalizing prostitution we can protect the sex workers, gain additional tax revenue, and improve the health and safety of the industry.

Analytical Thesis Statement To analyze something is to ask what that something means. An analytical essay answers how something does what it does or why it is as it is. Therefore, a thesis statement in an analysis paper should be answering a HOW or WHY question.

Analytical Thesis Formula Specific Noun +Active Verb + Assertive Predicate The tax policies of the current administration threaten to reduce the tax burden on the middle class by sacrificing education and health-care programs for everyone.

Example-Analytical An analysis of the college admission process reveals two principal problems facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds. The paper that follows should: explain the analysis of the college admission process explain the two problems facing admissions counselors

Examples-Analytical An analysis of children attending day- care centers reveals two main benefits: interaction with peers and improved self-reliance.

Explanatory Thesis Statement In an explanatory essay, you are explaining something to your audience without making an argument about it.

Explanatory Thesis Formula Topic/Subject + OpinionThesis Global warming today the effects of global warming are far more severe than originally anticipated. Given the current geological status of the Earth, the effects of global warming have been far more severe than originally anticipated.

Example-Explanatory The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers. The paper that follows should: explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Examples-Explanatory Chinese labor played an important role in western railroad expansion. Research into the causes of alcoholism emphasizes both sides of the nature and nurture debate, which addresses the genetic factors as well as personal experiences that may lead to addictive personality.

Examples-Explanatory Diesel and gasoline engines have several significant differences that affect their fuel efficiency. Although much research has gone into finding a cure for the AIDS virus, we are no closer to a real cure than we were when the disease first became known.

References “Analytical Thesis Statement.” University of Arizona Writing Program Web. 25 Oct Arlow, Pamela. Wordsmith: a Guide to College Writing. New Jersey: Pearson, Print. Rosenwasser, David and Jill Stephen. Writing Analytically. New York: Cengage Learning, Print. “Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements.” OWL at Purdue Web. 25 Oct