How To Write An Essay: Thesis Statements
Summary
TLDRIn this educational video, Arielle discusses the importance of crafting a strong thesis statement for an essay. She explains that a thesis statement is the anchor of a paper, typically placed at the end of the introduction, and serves as a compass guiding the writer and reader through the essay. Arielle emphasizes that a thesis should be an arguable claim rather than a fact, and it's a tool for the writer to stay on track. She also shares a helpful exercise for creating an argumentative thesis and notes that thesis statements can evolve as the essay develops. The video is sponsored by Squarespace, which Arielle recommends for website building.
Takeaways
- 📝 A thesis statement is the anchor of an essay, summarizing the main point or claim and guiding the writing process.
- 📍 It is typically placed at the end of the introduction, serving as a roadmap for both the writer and the reader.
- 🧭 The thesis statement acts as a compass, helping to keep the writer on track and ensuring the essay stays focused on the argument.
- 🚫 A topic is not a thesis statement; the thesis should be a specific, arguable point rather than a fact.
- 💡 It's important for the thesis statement to be an argumentative claim that the writer can defend with evidence and examples.
- 🔄 Thesis statements are not set in stone and can evolve as the essay is being written, reflecting the actual argument being made.
- 🖋️ Writing 'This essay will argue that...' can be a helpful exercise to craft an argumentative thesis statement.
- 📈 As research progresses, the thesis statement may need to be adjusted to align with the emerging arguments and findings.
- 👤 The thesis statement is a tool for the writer to ensure their argument is clear, unique, and connected to their research.
- 🌐 Squarespace is highlighted as a sponsor and is praised for its all-in-one website building platform, offering ease of use and domain purchasing.
Q & A
What is the primary purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?
-A thesis statement serves as the anchor of an essay, summarizing the main point or claim that is developed, supported, and explained through the text with examples and evidence.
Where is the thesis statement typically placed in an essay?
-The thesis statement is typically placed at the end of the introduction, although it's not a steadfast rule and can be positioned differently depending on the writer's approach.
How does a thesis statement function as a tool for the writer?
-A thesis statement acts as a compass for the writer, helping to keep the essay on track by providing a constant reference point to ensure that the argument remains focused and relevant.
What is the difference between a topic and a thesis statement?
-A topic is a general subject area, while a thesis statement is a specific, arguable point about that topic that presents an opinion or argument the writer aims to defend.
Why should a thesis statement not state a fact?
-A thesis statement should be an argument, not a fact, because it's meant to present a unique perspective or claim that the writer will prove and develop throughout the essay.
What practice is suggested for creating an argumentative thesis statement?
-The practice suggested is to write 'This essay I will be arguing that...' and then fill in the blank, which forces the creation of an argumentative statement.
Is a thesis statement fixed or can it change during the writing process?
-A thesis statement is not fixed and can change throughout the essay writing process as the writer's argument evolves or becomes clearer.
Why is it beneficial for the reader to have a clear thesis statement?
-A clear thesis statement helps the reader understand the writer's argument, follow the logic of the essay, and know what to expect in terms of the discussion and evidence presented.
What is the role of Squarespace in the context of the video?
-Squarespace sponsored the video, and the speaker uses it for website building, highlighting its all-in-one platform features and offering a discount for first-time users.
How can viewers get a discount on Squarespace as mentioned in the video?
-Viewers can get a free trial and 10% off their first purchase by visiting squarespace.com and using the promo code provided in the video.
What is the significance of the forest analogy used to describe a thesis statement?
-The forest analogy is used to illustrate how a thesis statement guides the writer through the essay, similar to how a compass guides a hiker through a forest, ensuring they stay on track and reach their destination.
Outlines
📝 Understanding Thesis Statements
Arielle introduces the concept of thesis statements, emphasizing their importance as the anchor of an essay. She explains that a thesis statement is a one-sentence summary of the essay's main point, supported by evidence and examples. Typically placed at the end of the introduction, it serves as a compass guiding the writer and reader through the essay. Arielle clarifies that a thesis statement is not just a fact but an arguable opinion that the writer defends. She suggests a practice to create a thesis statement and highlights that it's not fixed and can evolve as the essay develops.
🎥 Conclusion and Sponsorship Acknowledgement
In the concluding paragraph, Arielle invites viewers to share their thesis statements in the comments and expresses her hope that the video was helpful. She also thanks Squarespace for sponsoring the video, highlighting its all-in-one platform for website building without the need for coding knowledge. She provides a special offer for viewers to get a free trial and a 10% discount on their first purchase by using a provided link.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Thesis Statement
💡Introduction
💡Compass
💡Argumentative
💡Topic
💡Evidence
💡Examples
💡Essay Writing Process
💡Sponsorship
💡Revision
Highlights
A thesis statement is the anchor of your entire paper.
A thesis statement is a short statement that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay.
Thesis statements should typically be at the end of your introduction.
A helpful way to think about a thesis statement is as a compass for your essay.
Thesis statements are tools for the writer to keep on track throughout the essay.
A topic is not the same thing as a thesis statement; a thesis should be specific and arguable.
A thesis statement should be an argument, not a fact.
An example of a thesis statement: 'Small dogs make better companions than large dogs.'
A thesis statement should be unique and something that the writer is proving.
If struggling to write an argumentative thesis, practice by typing 'This essay will argue that...' and fill in the blank.
A thesis statement is never fixed and can change throughout the essay writing process.
It's important to constantly link back to the thesis statement to ensure the argument is related.
Thesis statements help the reader follow the writer's argument.
The video is sponsored by Squarespace, which is used for website building.
Squarespace is an all-in-one platform that doesn't require coding knowledge.
A special offer is provided for the first trial and purchase discount for Squarespace.
Engage with the video by sharing your thesis statement in the comments.
Transcripts
hello my name is Arielle and welcome to
how to write an essay today I'm talking
all about thesis statements and you
might think that's impossible to make an
entire video about thesis statements but
I have so much to say this series is
brought to you by Squarespace so a
thesis statement you could say it is the
anchor of your entire paper let's start
what is a thesis statement it's a short
statement usually one sentence that
summarizes the main point or claim of an
essay and is developed supported and
explained in the text by means of
examples and evidence where should it be
typically your thesis statement should
be at the end of your introduction this
is not a steadfast rule you don't always
have to put it there but honestly 99% of
the time you want to have it at the end
of your introduction a really helpful
way to think about your thesis statement
is that it's a compass imagine that
you've just been plopped in front of a
forest and someone gives you an
introductory ramble about this forest
your thesis statement is the compass
right before you're gonna go and journey
into the forest for a hike you need a
compass you need something that you're
constantly checking back to to lead you
and direct you through the essay and
forest a lot of my students felt that
pistas statements were something they
were simply doing for me because I
wanted them because I loved thesis
statements and I do love thesis
statements but they're actually a tool
for you the writer of the essay as well
it's a way for you to keep on track
constantly throughout your essay you
should be referring back to your thesis
statement looking at that compass to
remind yourself what it is you're
arguing a lot of the times research can
get out of control you find yourself on
fun but random tangents and it's
important to constantly be linking back
to your thesis statement it's a tool for
you also so how do you make a thesis
statement it's really important to
realize that a topic is not the same
thing as a thesis statement your topic
could be dogs
Pisa statement will be a specific and
arguable point about dogs you could for
example make your thesis statement small
dogs make better companions than large
dogs there you have a specific statement
it's not a fact it's an opinion it's an
argument that you are making and trying
to defend remember that your thesis
statement should be an argument not a
fact I have marked a lot of essays where
the thesis statement is simply a fact
something like windows are made of glass
that's not something that you can argue
that's just fact you're just giving me a
research paper what we're going for is
an argumentative statement something
unique to you something that you are
proving something that you're making
connections about that nobody else has
if you're struggling to write an
argumentative thesis statement I find it
incredibly helpful to do this practice
write down on your computer go ahead and
type in this essay I will be arguing
that and then fill in the blank that
literally forces you to create an
argument you can end up leaving that as
your final thesis statement especially
in lower years of university just having
a clear argument is what a marker is
looking for but you can then once you
have a solid thesis foundation change
that so that it isn't as obvious another
thing to keep in mind is that a thesis
statement is never fixed you can always
change it and thesis statements often do
change throughout the essay writing
process you may have a thesis statement
you write your first paragraph and
you're like oh wow I actually am arguing
something else or like seven paragraphs
into the paper you realize wow I'm not
actually arguing what my thesis
statement is go ahead and change it
adjust course to whatever you're
actually writing about you might think
that my passion for thesis statements is
insane and out of control but these
statements could help to anchor your
paper
it can help you to link back and
constantly make sure that what you're
arguing is related to what you said
you'd be arguing and it's helpful to the
reader to make sure that they know what
you're talking about and can follow your
argument I really hope that you have
found this helpful make sure to check
out my other episodes on how to write an
essay and thank you so much to
Squarespace for sponsoring this video I
use Squarespace for all of my website
building and I genuinely find it an
incredible tool it's an all-in-one
platform you never have to like try and
figure out coding or anything it's a
place where you can buy domains it's
great and if you visit squarespace.com
forward slash arial you can get your
first trial for free and you can get the
first thing you purchase 10% off so
check them out in the description let me
know down in the comments what is your
thesis statement what are you arguing
and I hope you enjoyed this video bye
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