Writing a Thesis Statement
Chapman University Writing Center
Dr. Sarah K. Robblee
Adapted from the Sheridan Baker Thesis Machine
Your thesis statement is the main argument of your paper, often placed in the introduction or the first few
paragraphs of your paper. You may have learned in high school to always place it at the end of the
introductory paragraph, which can be done as well. Your thesis should be clear, concise, and defendable,
and it should be a response to an existing issue. It should not be an obvious statement that no one would
refute. As a point of view in an existing conversation about the topic, it should be well backed up through
examples and evidence from your arguments in coherent paragraphs. But the easiest way to give your
audience a concise glimpse of these arguments in your thesis statement is by using a “because” clause.
The following steps are designed to help you get started in creating a basic thesis statement. After you
have written it, try revising it at least twice for clarity and specificity as well as smoothness so it is not too
abrupt or choppy. You may also find that you need to revise it if you change your positions after doing
more research or as you develop more sophisticated arguments in writing the body of your paper.
Step 1: Identify the subject of your thesis.
Example: “Pets”
Step 2: Identify the issue, question, or problem you want to address with your thesis.
Example: “What is the best pet?”
Step 3: Decide on your claim or stance.
Example: “Cats make the best pets.”
Step 4: Qualify your claim for specificity and context. In other words, in what situations is your
claim valid?
Example: “Most cats make fine pets.”
Example: “Cats make the best pets for elderly shut-ins.”
Step 5: Provide the basic reasoning for your claim that you will address in your paper by
previewing it in your thesis with a “because” clause.
Example: “Most cats make fine pets because they are smart, clean, and independent.”
Example: “Cats make the best pets for elderly shut-ins because they are smart, clean, and independent.”
Based on these examples, your audience can expect the body paragraphs of your paper to expound on the
issues of cats being smart, clean, and independent.
Step 6: Consider the naysayers.
There will always be people who disagree with you (on one point or more) just as you disagree with
others; we respectfully call these people “naysayers.” It’s helpful to expect some of the counterarguments