Types of Thesis Writing: Learn the Basics
Finalizing your studies or ending a graduate program, you need to learn about different types of thesis to be successful and get the highest grades. Your ticket to excellence will be your perfect knowledge and good skills that you will demonstrate in your writing. Why is it essential to know which type of thesis you have to work on? The thing is that analytical, expository, and argumentative types of theses have different requirements in terms of text included, thesis statement to be developed, and references to be used.
Writing is always a challenge, especially when it goes about a thesis statement. First of all, it is a matter of great importance to learn the definition of a thesis statement and then to check on the thesis statement examples online to see how to make it right. It is an actual presentation of the key message that links the introductory part to the body of the paper. There are three main types of thesis and each of them is known for its own distinctive characteristics. You have to take into account all the features while working on an assignment. Let us try to differentiate between the thesis types and learn how to improve the writing process.
All professional writers know a simple formula for a thesis statement. It will serve you right if you also make use of this effective approach: select a sentence that corresponds to the message and purpose of writing. You will use one of the three types of thesis statements: expository, analytical, or argumentative.
Thesis Statement: Aim and Purpose
First of all, you have to specify which aim your writing addresses. Only after that, you can decide on the preferred type of thesis statement which will present a brief summary of your paper overall. It is generally accepted to place the thesis as the final sentence of the last paragraph of the paper introduction. In fact, it is rarely longer than one sentence, but certain kinds of papers require two sentences included. A thesis statement is actually a guide that the readers use to be aware of the supporting arguments and the key aim of the written paper that will be covered later on in the body.
- Analytical Thesis Statement: Peculiar Characteristics to Take into Account
An analytical thesis statement has its focus on the analysis of a specific problem and its evaluation. It is supposed to introduce the subject to the readers and let them know what will be analyzed. Have a look at the thesis statement examples to know about the features of an analytical thesis. “Profound studies of the admission process at college reveal that the key problem that the counselors face there is how to deal with students that demonstrate either outstanding extracurricular background or high results of the tests.” The thesis introduces the topic of the college admission process with the required evaluation as the thesis mentions the issues faced by the counselors.
- Expository Thesis Statement: Peculiar Characteristics to Take into Account
An expository thesis statement is supposed to give explanations related to the subject and topic to the readers. You are supposed to sound logical and clear by specifying the ideas of the highest value and importance related to the topic with further explanations in the essay body. Mind that the body should have the arguments presented in the same order they are mentioned in the thesis statement. Have a look at the thesis statement examples to see the features of expository papers: “In the movies, the director uses the characters of high school students in their teenage years from different backgrounds to touch upon the theme of teenage anxiety and romance.”
- Argumentative Thesis Statement: Peculiar Characteristics to Take into Account
An argumentative thesis statement is naturally related to presenting arguments as it expresses a personal opinion on a particular issue. This point of view presented is known as an argumentative claim that is followed by the paper body that gives support to the claim with examples and evidence. The readers get to know what you think about the problem at once. For example, if your essay should address the concern about public libraries in cities, the thesis statement can be similar to the one presented below: “The obsolete nature of public libraries turns them into the institutions that cause waste of money that the local government could invest in other more important projects.” Thus, you present an argument and support the claim in your paper.
Thesis Statement Examples
There is a set of criteria for all thesis statements. First of all, let us check how they are illustrated with the argumentative thesis statement examples:
Debatable Nature
Argumentative thesis statements are supposed to include a certain doubt for the readers to either support or be against it.
| Example | |
|---|---|
| ✘ No relationships can accept physical abuse. This statement is too clear and everybody would agree. It is not debatable. | ✔ The unacceptability of physical abuse makes the society found third-party organizations that can ensure protection to the abused people. A debatable aspect will be whether individuals, governmental bodies or the police should address the matter. |
Assertiveness
Argumentative thesis statements are supposed to give a presentation of your personal position in a clear manner. They cannot be presented in the form of quotes, rhetorical questions, or vague paragraphs of text.
| Example | |
|---|---|
| ✘ Construction of a border that can separate the US from Mexico borders will be excessively expensive. There is no position presented as the fact in the sentence is not supposed to be argued about. | ✔ The US-Mexico border project should be either postponed or even banned as there are other burning issues, including school shootings, gun control, economic crisis, poor health care programs, lack of social care programs, etc. It is an excellent thesis statement as it gives several points of view for discussion. |
Reason and Sensibility
All thesis statements should be presented in a logical manner and based on particular situations.
| Example | |
|---|---|
| ✘ The dog-owners should be arrested for walking with the dogs. The statement makes no sense as detention cannot be a punishment for having a pet. | ✔ There should be special systems of punishments for those dog-owners who disregard restrictions implied by the federal laws. |