Page 119 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Constructing the Thesis

Statement

3 Construct an effective thesis statement.

A thesis statement, usually placed at the end of your introductory

paragraph, states the main idea of your essay, often states or implies

your attitude or opinion about the subject, and gives your essay

direction. Direction means that the thesis sets the course that the

essay will follow. In an essay, the thesis statement is the controlling
force behind every sentence and every word. Everything that you

know about your audience, the purpose of your essay, and the point of

view will be reflected in your thesis statement.

Types of Thesis Statements

A thesis statement presents the main idea of an essay. Sometimes, it

also presents the points that will be covered in the essay. When you