What is a thesis statement? How to write an impressive thesis statement?

The Thesis Statement is a familiar concept for those studying English, especially those preparing for the IELTS exam. It is an essential element in every essay, ensuring that all information in the essay is directed coherently and effectively. However, many students still overlook this aspect or are unsure how to write it appropriately for different types of essays.
In the following article, Essay King will help you understand the Thesis Statement and how to write it effectively to score well in various IELTS Writing tasks.

1. What is a Thesis Statement?

A Thesis Statement (also known as a claim or main point) is a concise summary sentence that encapsulates the main idea of the writer in an essay. By crafting a Thesis Statement, you are articulating your stance on the topic and laying out the primary argument that will be elaborated upon through the analysis of supporting points throughout the essay. The Thesis Statement is typically presented in the introduction and reiterated in the conclusion.

A well-constructed Thesis Statement should meet the following three criteria:

• Conciseness: For IELTS Writing Task 2, a Thesis Statement should be succinct, typically comprising 1-2 sentences, and should directly address the issue at hand.

• Specificity: The thesis should not be vague or state a simple fact that is widely known. Instead, it should highlight your own viewpoint, outlining several aspects you intend to clarify in the body of the essay.

• Arguability: Points mentioned in the Thesis Statement should reflect the writer’s opinion or personal perspective. This opinion may be debatable or not.

2. Distinguish between Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence

Many candidates still confuse the two concepts of Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence. While they share structure and many similarities, a Thesis Statement is used to declare the main argument, whereas a Topic Sentence merely states the point of a specific paragraph within the essay.

Thesis Statement	Topic Sentence
Present the main viewpoint of the entire essay. It should be located in the introduction or may be reiterated in the conclusion. Clearly and succinctly state the main argument, thoroughly analyzed through supporting points throughout the essay.	Express the main idea of any given paragraph. This is found within the body paragraphs and serves as the opening sentence of a paragraph. State the main idea of the paragraph.

3. Steps to Writing a Thesis Statement in IELTS Writing

To help you craft a concise yet precise Thesis Statement, you can follow these 3 steps:

Step 1: Carefully read the topic, the issue discussed in the prompt. Identify the keywords and requirements specified for candidates. There are 5 types of requirements equivalent to 5 common essay types often encountered in the IELTS Writing test.

Step 2: Based on the information provided in the prompt, outline your ideas through a mind map to identify the aspects you want to analyze in your essay. If you encounter a prompt that you’re unsure how to approach, you can create an outline based on the following questions:

What is the meaning of this statement?
Is this likely true to me?
Why is this true/not true to me?
Should I agree with this statement or disagree?

Step 3: Provide concise answers to the questions and information provided in steps 1 and 2. This answer will be your Thesis Statement.

4. Things to Consider When Writing a Thesis Statement

To craft the most precise Thesis Statement, consider the following:

• Avoid using self-referential questions. A Thesis Statement is an affirmative or negative statement that demands the use of strong, clear language to convey your viewpoint. Avoid phrases like “I think” or “In my opinion” as they introduce uncertainty into your argument. Instead, employ more active verbs.

• Refrain from using personal pronouns in your work. Use neutral language to present your argument to ensure authenticity and objectivity.

• Avoid overly vague Thesis Statements such as: “This essay would like to explore reasons for this in more detail.” Avoid using vague terms like “some,” “many,” or “a lot”.

5. Example

For the Discussion type of essay, you need to paraphrase the two viewpoints presented in the prompt and then state your own perspective. Avoid presenting two conflicting viewpoints.
Below is an example Thesis Statement:

Technology has changed every aspect of life, including the method of learning and teaching. In the 21st century, it is possible to earn a degree online and pursue a professional career without going to a school or a university. However, I believe that internet based programs are influencing today’s time, but are inferior to already established classrooms.