Eng 101 Controversial Issue- Professor Susan Courtney: Thesis

A thesis statement is a statement that presents the main idea and makes an assertion about your issue. In a controversial essay, the assertion (argument) you present in your thesis is important in guiding your supporting arguments.

 Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind for a controversial thesis statement:      

  Your thesis statement is generally one to two sentences.

  Your thesis statement should clearly present the main idea of your essay and make an assertion.   

  Your thesis should not make an “announcement” about what your essay will cover. Instead, it should present your    assertion.

For example, this thesis makes an announcement:

In this paper, I will persuade you to vote for candidates who support education reform.

Instead you might write:

Because our education system is in need of reform, we should vote for candidates who are willing to make the necessary changes.

• While there is no such thing as a “required” place for your thesis statement, most academic essays will present the thesis statement early on, usually near the end of the introduction. Readers are more likely to understand and absorb each point of your argument if the thesis is stated in the introduction. 
• Your thesis statement is the most important sentence in your essay. It’s your chance to make sure your audience really understands your point. Be sure your assertion and your writing style are clear.

“Argumentative Thesis.” Excelsior University OWL, 26 May 2022, https://owl.excelsior.edu/argument-and-critical-thinking/argumentative-thesis/#:~:text=Your%20thesis%20statement%20should%20be,what%20your%20essay%20will%20cover.