Valid Thesis Statements

The main idea of a research paper is stated in the introduction and called a thesis statement. Dollar (1999) suggests, “Consider the thesis statement a concise version of the entire essay.” After reading the thesis statement, the reader understands the purpose of the paper and the writer’s opinion

A thesis statement is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation.

Fact or observation: Many classes in Japanese high schools have over 40 students.

Thesis: Less than 30 students in a class is important for effective English teaching in Japan.

A thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject.

Announcement:This paper is about the class size in Japanese high schools and how it affects learning.

Thesis: Class size is one of the biggest factors affecting learning in Japanese high schools.

A thesis is the main idea, not the title. It must be a complete sentence that explains in some detail what you expect to write about.

Title: Class Size and Japanese Speaking Skills

Thesis: Large class sizes in Japanese high schools prevent students from improving their speaking skills.

A thesis statement is narrow, rather than broad. If the thesis statement is sufficiently narrow, it can be fully supported.

Broad: There are many reasons Japanese students are not fluent in speaking English.

Narrow: Too many students per class is one of the main reasons Japanese students are not fluent in speaking English.

A thesis statement is specific rather than vague or general.

Vague: English education in Japan needs to be improved.

Specific: Reducing the size of classes is one way of improving English education in Japan.

A thesis statement has one main point rather than several main points.

More than one main point: For Japanese students to improve in speaking English, there need to be more opportunities for them to use the language, fluent English-speaking teachers, and fewer students per class.

One main point: For Japanese students to improve in speaking English, there need to be fewer students per class.

References

Dollar, M. (1999). Basic tips for ESL students: Writing for an American academic audience. Purdue University Online Writing Lab. [Online]: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/eslaudience.html (accessed November 5, 2005).

The Write Place. (1999). Thesis statement. Literacy Education Online. [Online] http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html (accessed June 12, 2001).

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