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Chapter 5: Putting the Pieces Together with a Thesis Statement

5.2 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement

Learning Objectives

Develop a strong, clear thesis statement with the proper elements
Revise your thesis statement

Have you ever known someone who was not very good at telling stories? You probably had trouble following the train of thought as the storyteller jumped from point to point, either being too brief in places that needed further explanation or providing too many details on a meaningless element. Maybe the person told the end of the story first, then moved to the beginning and later added details to the middle. The ideas were probably scattered, and the story did not flow very well. When the story was over, you probably had many questions.

Just as a personal anecdote can be a disorganized mess, an essay can fall into the same trap of being out of order and confusing. That is why writers need a thesis statement to provide a specific focus for their essay and to organize what they are about to discuss in the body.

Just like a topic sentence summarizes a single paragraph, the thesis statement summarizes an entire essay. It tells the reader the point you want to make in your essay, while the essay itself supports that point. It is like a signpost that signals the essay’s destination. You should form your thesis before you begin to organize an essay, but you may find that it needs revision as the essay develops.

Elements of a Thesis Statement

For every essay you write, you must focus on a central idea. This idea stems from a topic you have chosen or been assigned or from a question your teacher has asked. It is not enough merely to discuss a general topic or simply answer a question with a yes or no. You have to form a specific opinion, and then articulate that into a controlling idea —the main idea upon which you build your thesis.

Remember that a thesis is not the topic itself, but rather your interpretation of the question or subject. For whatever topic your instructor gives you, you must ask yourself, “What do I want to say about it?” Asking and then answering this question is vital to forming a thesis that is precise, forceful, and confident.

A thesis is one sentence long and appears toward the end of your introduction. It is specific and focuses on one to three points of a single idea—points that are able to be demonstrated in the body. It forecasts the content of the essay and suggests how you will organize your information. Remember that a thesis statement does not summarize an issue but rather dissects it.

A Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement contains the following qualities:

Specificity: A thesis statement must concentrate on a specific area of a general topic. As you may recall, the creation of a thesis statement begins when you choose a broad subject and then narrow down its parts until you pinpoint a specific aspect of that topic. For example, health care is a broad topic, but a proper thesis statement would focus on a specific area of that topic, such as options for individuals without health care coverage.

Precision: A strong thesis statement must be precise enough to allow for a coherent argument and to remain focused on the topic. If the specific topic is options for individuals without health care coverage, then your precise thesis statement must make an exact claim about it, such as that limited options exist for those who are uninsured by their employers. You must further pinpoint what you are going to discuss regarding these limited effects, such as whom they affect and what the cause is.

Arguability: A thesis statement must present a relevant and specific argument. A factual statement often is not considered arguable. Be sure your thesis statement contains a point of view that can be supported with evidence.

Demonstrability: For any claim you make in your thesis, you must be able to provide reasons and examples for your opinion. You can rely on personal observations in order to do this, or you can consult outside sources to demonstrate that what you assert is valid. A worthy argument is backed by examples and details.

Forcefulness/Assertiveness: A thesis statement that is forceful shows readers that you are, in fact, making an argument. The tone is assertive and takes a stance that others might oppose.

Confidence: In addition to using force in your thesis statement, you must also use confidence in your claim. Phrases such as I feel or I believe actually weaken the readers’ sense of your confidence because these phrases imply that you are the only person who feels the way you do. In other words, your stance has insufficient backing. Taking an authoritative stance on the matter persuades your readers to have faith in your argument and open their minds to what you have to say.

Self-Practice Exercise 5.4

H5P: Drafting Thesis StatementsWrite a clear, confident thesis statement for an essay on the following topic:

Texting while driving.
The legal drinking age in different provinces of Canada.
Steroid use among professional athletes.

Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements

Each of the following thesis statements meets several of the qualities discussed above: specificity, precision, arguability, demonstrability, forcefulness/assertiveness, and confidence.

The societal and personal struggles of Floyd in the play Where the Blood Mixes, by Kevin Loring, symbolize the challenge of First Nations people of Canada who lived through segregation and placement into residential schools.
Closing all American borders for a period of five years is one solution that will tackle illegal immigration.
Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet spoils the outcome for the audience and weakens the plot.
J. D. Salinger’s character in Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, is a confused rebel who voices his disgust with phonies, yet in an effort to protect himself, he acts like a phony on many occasions.
Compared to an absolute divorce, no-fault divorce is less expensive, promotes fairer settlements, and reflects a more realistic view of the causes for marital breakdown.
Exposing children from an early age to the dangers of drug abuse is a sure method of preventing future drug addicts.
In today’s crumbling job market, a high school diploma is not significant enough education to land a stable, lucrative job.

Now that you have read about the contents of a good thesis statement and have seen examples, take a look four pitfalls to avoid when composing your own thesis.

A thesis is weak when it is simply a declaration of your subject or a description of what you will discuss in your essay. Weak thesis statement: My paper will explain why imagination is more important than knowledge.
A thesis is weak when it makes an unreasonable or outrageous claim or insults the opposing side. Weak thesis statement: Religious radicals across the country are trying to legislate their puritanical beliefs by banning required high school books.
A thesis is weak when it contains an obvious fact or something that no one can disagree with or provides a dead end. Weak thesis statement: Advertising companies use sex to sell their products.
A thesis is weak when the statement is too broad. Weak thesis statement : The life of Pierre Trudeau was long and accomplished.

Self-Practice Exercise 5.5

H5P: Read the following thesis statements and identify each as weak or strong.

“The subject of this paper is my experience with ferrets as pets.”
“The government must expand its funding for research on renewable energy resources in order to prepare for the impending end of oil.”
“Edgar Allan Poe was a poet who lived in Baltimore during the 19th century.”
“In this essay, I will give you a lot of reasons why marijuana should not be legalized in British Columbia.”
“Because many children’s toys have potential safety hazards that could lead to injury, it is clear that not all children’s toys are safe.”
“My experience with young children has taught me that I want to be a disciplinary parent because I believe that a child without discipline can be a parent’s worst nightmare.”

Writing at Work

Often in your career, you will need to ask your boss for something through an email. Just as a thesis statement organizes an essay, it can also organize your email request. While your email will be shorter than an essay, using a thesis statement in your first paragraph quickly lets your boss know what you are asking for, why it is necessary, and what the benefits are. In short body paragraphs, you can provide the essential information needed to expand upon your request.

Writing a Thesis Statement

One legitimate question readers always ask about a piece of writing is “What is the big idea?” (You may even ask this question when you are the reader, critically reading an assignment or another document.) Every nonfiction writing task—from the short essay to the 10-page term paper to the lengthy senior thesis—needs a big idea, or a controlling idea, as the “spine” for the work. The controlling idea is the main idea that you want to present and develop.

The big idea, or controlling idea, you want to present in an essay is expressed in your thesis statement. Remember that a thesis statement is often one sentence long, and it states your point of view. The thesis statement is not the topic of the piece of writing but rather what you have to say about that topic and what is important to tell readers.

Look at Table 5.1: Topics and Thesis Statements for a comparison of topics and thesis statements.

The first thesis statement you write will be a preliminary thesis statement , or a working thesis statement . You will need it when you begin to outline your assignment as a way to organize it. As you continue to develop the arrangement, you can limit your working thesis statement if it is too broad or expand it if it proves too narrow for what you want to say.

Self-Practice Exercise 5.6

H5P: Working Toward a Working Thesis

We’re going to use that free writing strategy again. This time, try to write for ten minutes, and write down anything you know right now about your newly narrowed thesis statement. Don’t worry about looking material up or whether you’re getting everything exactly right. Instead, just focus on getting words on the screen. This is rough work to help you approach an answer to a question, not the final essay. So just keep writing.

Can you find something in your freewriting that looks like a “controlling idea”? Something that might centre your argument, something you can structure your argument around? We’ll call that your working thesis. Draft a working thesis below.

Collaboration: Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

Revising a Thesis Statement

Your thesis will probably change as you write, so you will need to modify it to reflect exactly what you have discussed in your essay. Remember, you begin with a working thesis statement, an indefinite statement that you make about your topic early in the writing process for the purpose of planning and guiding your writing.

Working thesis statements often become stronger as you gather information and form new opinions and reasons for those opinions. Revision helps you strengthen your thesis so that it matches what you have expressed in the body of the paper.

You can cut down on irrelevant aspects and revise your thesis by taking the following steps:

Working thesis: Young people have to work hard to succeed in life.
Revised thesis: Recent college graduates must have discipline and persistence in order to find and maintain a stable job in which they can use and be appreciated for their talents.
Working thesis: The welfare system is a joke.
Revised thesis: The welfare system keeps a socioeconomic class from gaining employment by alluring members of that class with unearned income, instead of programs to improve their education and skill sets.
Working thesis: British Columbian schoolteachers are not paid enough.
Revised thesis: The legislature of British Columbia cannot afford to pay its educators, resulting in job cuts and resignations in a district that sorely needs highly qualified and dedicated teachers.

The linking verb in this working thesis statement is the word are. Linking verbs often make thesis statements weak because they do not express action. Reading the original thesis statement above, readers might wonder why teachers are not paid enough, but the statement does not compel them to ask many more questions. The writer should ask him- or herself questions in order to replace the linking verb with an action verb, thus forming a stronger thesis statement, one that takes a more definitive stance on the issue. For example, the writer could ask:

Who is not paying the teachers enough?
What is considered “enough”?
What is the problem?
What are the results
Working thesis: Today’s teenage girls are too sexualized.
Which teenage girls?
What constitutes “too” sexualized?
Why are they behaving that way?
Where does this behaviour show up?
What are the repercussions?

Self-practice exercise 5.7

H5P: Polishing the Thesis Statement

A working thesis statement is always a work in progress, and we make it stronger by asking questions of it and challenging the first draft. That’s the next job you have! It takes many revisions to make your work the best it can be, so try not to get frustrated by the process.

Copy your working thesis statement for reference here.
Pinpoint and replace all nonspecific words, such as people, everything, society, or life, with more precise words in order to reduce any vagueness. Recopy the newly revised thesis below.
Replace any linking verbs with action verbs. Linking verbs gives information about the subject, such as a condition or relationship (is, appear, smell, sound), but they do not show any action. The most common linking verb is any forms of the verb to be, a verb that simply states that a situation exists. Recopy the newly revised thesis below.
Omit any general claims that are hard to support. Recopy the newly revised thesis below.

Just Asking Questions

Clarify ideas that need explanation by asking yourself questions that narrow your thesis. The most straightforward way to do this is to ask yourself the 5WHs again — who, what, where, when, why, and how — and see were you can make your thesis statement more specific. List the questions you have about your own thesis below.

Now do your best to answer those questions.

And finally, revise your thesis in relation to these points and share it below.

In your career you may have to write a project proposal that focuses on a particular problem in your company, such as reinforcing the tardiness policy. The proposal would aim to fix the problem; using a thesis statement would clearly state the boundaries of the problem and the goals of the project. After writing the proposal, you may find that the thesis needs revising to reflect exactly what is expressed in the body. The techniques from this chapter would apply to revising that thesis.

Key Takeaways

Proper essays require a thesis statement to provide a specific focus and suggest how the essay will be organized.
A thesis statement is your interpretation of the subject, not the topic itself.
A strong thesis is specific, precise, forceful, confident, and is able to be demonstrated.
A strong thesis challenges readers with a point of view that can be debated and supported with evidence.
A weak thesis is simply a declaration of your topic or contains an obvious fact that cannot be argued.
Depending on your topic, it may or may not be appropriate to use first person point of view.
Revise your thesis by ensuring all words are specific, all ideas are exact, and all verbs express action.

Writing for Success - 1st Canadian H5P Edition Copyright © 2021 by Tara Horkoff is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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topic the secret of success thesis statement

Your Personal Essay Thesis Sentence

Writing Research Papers
Writing Essays
English Grammar
M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
B.A., History, Armstrong State University

"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."- Aristotle

Why do famous quotes become famous? What is special about them? If you think about it, famous quotes are succinct statements that make a bold claim. A thesis statement should do the same thing. It should state a big idea in just a few words.

Consider this quote: " He who opens a school door, closes a prison. " - Victor Hugo

This statement manages to encapsulate an enormous argument in one terse comment, and that is your goal when writing a thesis statement. If Victor Hugo had wanted to use simpler words, he could have said:

Education is important for personal growth and awareness.
Social awareness develops from education.
Education can reform.

Notice that each of these statements, like the quote, makes a claim that can be backed up with evidence?

Here's another quote: " Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm ." - Winston Churchill

Once again, the statement sets up an argument in interesting but terse language. Churchill might have said:

Everybody fails, but successful people fail many times.
You can learn from failure if you don't give up.

A Word of Advice

When creating a thesis, you don't have to use colorful words like the ones that appear in famous quotes. But you should try to sum up a big idea or make a big claim in one sentence.

Just for fun, look over the following quotes and come up with your own versions that could work as a thesis statement. By studying these quotes and practicing in this way, you can develop your own ability to sum up your thesis in a brief but engaging sentence.

Bette Davis : "Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work."
Henry Ford : "Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success."
Carl Sagan : "In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe."

The most successful students know that practice always pays. You can read more famous quotes to get the hang of creating concise, engaging statements.

How to Help Your 4th Grader Write a Biography
Write an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for an Essay
How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
How to Start a Book Report
How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement
The Difference Between Revising and Editing
How to Narrow the Research Topic for Your Paper
An Introduction to Academic Writing
The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
The Introductory Paragraph: Start Your Paper Off Right
How To Write an Essay
Higher Level Thinking: Synthesis in Bloom's Taxonomy
What an Essay Is and How to Write One
Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition
How to Remember What You Read
How to Write a Critical Essay

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5.1: Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement

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Athena Kashyap & Erika Dyquisto
City College of San Francisco via ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative

Have you ever known a person who was not very good at telling stories? You probably had trouble following his train of thought as he jumped around from point to point, either being too brief in places that needed further explanation or providing too many details on a meaningless element. Maybe he told the end of the story first, then moved to the beginning and later added details to the middle. His ideas were probably scattered, and the story did not flow very well. When the story was over, you probably had many questions.

Elements of a Thesis Statement

Remember that a thesis is not the topic itself, but rather your interpretation of the question or subject. For whatever topic your professor gives you, you must ask yourself, “What do I want to say about it?” Asking and then answering this question is vital to forming a thesis that is precise, forceful and confident.

A Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement contains the following qualities.

Specificity. A thesis statement must concentrate on a specific area of a general topic. As you may recall, the creation of a thesis statement begins when you choose a broad subject and then narrow down its parts until you pinpoint a specific aspect of that topic. For example, health care is a broad topic, but a proper thesis statement would focus on a specific area of that topic, such as options for individuals without health care coverage.
Precision. A strong thesis statement must be precise enough to allow for a coherent argument and to remain focused on the topic. If the specific topic is options for individuals without health care coverage, then your precise thesis statement must make an exact claim about it, such as that limited options exist for those who are uninsured by their employers. You must further pinpoint what you are going to discuss regarding these limited effects, such as whom they affect and what the cause is.
Ability to be argued. A thesis statement must present a relevant and specific argument. A factual statement often is not considered arguable. Be sure your thesis statement contains a point of view that can be supported with evidence.
Ability to be demonstrated. For any claim you make in your thesis, you must be able to provide reasons and examples for your opinion. You can rely on personal observations in order to do this, or you can consult outside sources to demonstrate that what you assert is valid. A worthy argument is backed by examples and details.
Forcefulness. A thesis statement that is forceful shows readers that you are, in fact, making an argument. The tone is assertive and takes a stance that others might oppose.
Confidence. In addition to using force in your thesis statement, you must also use confidence in your claim. Phrases such as I feel or I believe actually weaken the readers’ sense of your confidence because these phrases imply that you are the only person who feels the way you do. In other words, your stance has insufficient backing. Taking an authoritative stance on the matter persuades your readers to have faith in your argument and open their minds to what you have to say.

Even in a personal essay that allows the use of first person, your thesis should not contain phrases such as in my opinion or I believe . These statements reduce your credibility and weaken your argument. Your opinion is more convincing when you use a firm attitude.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a thesis statement for each of the following topics. Remember to make each statement specific, precise, demonstrable, forceful and confident.

Texting while driving
The legal drinking age in the United States
Steroid use among professional athletes

Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements

Each of the following thesis statements meets several of the following requirements:

Specificity
Ability to be argued
Ability to be demonstrated
Forcefulness
The societal and personal struggles of Troy Maxon in the play Fences symbolize the challenge of black males who lived through segregation and integration in the United States.
Closing all American borders for a period of five years is one solution that will tackle illegal immigration.
Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet spoils the outcome for the audience and weakens the plot.
J. D. Salinger’s character in Catcher in the Rye , Holden Caulfield, is a confused rebel who voices his disgust with phonies, yet in an effort to protect himself, he acts like a phony on many occasions.
Compared to an absolute divorce, no-fault divorce is less expensive, promotes fairer settlements, and reflects a more realistic view of the causes for marital breakdown.
Exposing children from an early age to the dangers of drug abuse is a sure method of preventing future drug addicts.
In today’s crumbling job market, a high school diploma is not significant enough education to land a stable, lucrative job.

Five Ways of Looking at a Thesis

1. a thesis creates an argument that builds from one point to the next, giving the paper a direction that the audience can follow as the paper develops..

This point often separates the best theses from the pack. A good thesis can prevent the two weakest ways of organizing a critical paper: the pile of information and the plot summary with comments. A paper that presents a pile of information will frequently introduce new paragraphs with transitions that simply indicate the addition of more stuff. (“Another character who exhibits these traits is X,” for instance.) Consider these examples:

A: The Rules and Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey both tell women how to act.

B: By looking at The Rules , a modern conduct book for women, we can see how Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is itself like a conduct book, questioning the rules for social success in her society and offering a new model.

Example A would almost inevitably lead to a paper organized as a pile of information. A plot summary with comments follows the chronological development of a text while picking out the same element of every segment; a transition in such a paper might read, “In the next scene, the color blue also figures prominently.” Both of these approaches constitute too much of a good thing. Papers must compile evidence, of course, and following the chronology of a text can sometimes help a reader keep track of a paper’s argument.

The best papers, however, will develop according to a more complex logic articulated in a strong thesis. Example B above would lead a paper to organize its evidence according to the paper’s own logic.

2. A thesis fits comfortably into the Magic Thesis Sentence (MTS).

The MTS: By looking at _____, we can see _____, which most readers don’t see; it is important to look at this aspect of the text because _____.

Try it out with the examples from the first point:

A: By telling the story of Wesley and Buttercup’s triumph over evil, The Princess Bride affirms the power of true love.

B: Although the main plot of The Princess Bride rests on the natural power of true love, an examination of the way that fighting sticks–baseball bats, tree branches, and swords–link the frame story to the romance plot suggests that the narrator’s grandson is being trained in true love, that love is not natural but socialized.

Notice that the MTS adds a new dimension to point number one above. The first part of the MTS asks you to find something strange (“which most readers don’t see”), and the second part asks you to think about the importance of the strangeness. Thesis A would not work at all in the MTS; one could not reasonably state that “most readers [or viewers] don’t see” that film’s affirmation of true love, and the statement does not even attempt to explain the importance of its claim. Thesis B, on the other hand, gives us a way to complete the MTS, as in “By looking at the way fighting sticks link the plot and frame of The Princess Bride , we can see the way the narrator’s grandson is trained in true love, which most people don’t see; it is important to look at this aspect of the text because unlike the rest of the film, the fighting sticks suggest that love is not natural but socialized.” One does not need to write out the MTS in such a neat one-sentence form, of course, but thinking through the structure of the MTS can help refine thesis ideas.

3. A thesis says something about the text(s) exclusively .

If a thesis could describe many works equally well, it needs to be more specific. Let’s return to our examples from above:

Try substituting other works:

A: By telling the story of Darcy and Elizabeth’s triumph over evil, Pride and Prejudice affirms the power of true love.

Sure, that makes sense. Bad sign.

B: Although the main plot of Pride and Prejudice rests on the natural power of true love, an examination of the way that fighting sticks–baseball bats, tree branches, and swords–link the frame story to the romance plot suggests that the grandson is being trained in true love, that it is not natural but socialized.

Um, nope. Even if you have never read Pride and Prejudice , you can probably guess that such a precise thesis could hardly apply to other works. Good sign. The point here is that the thesis needs to be specific enough that its meaning relates to the specific work(s) you are writing about -- be it fiction or nonfiction.

4. A thesis makes a lot of information irrelevant.

If the thesis is specific enough, it will make a point that focuses on only a small part of the text be analyzed or a particular aspect of a larger topic. A writer should ultimately apply that point to the work as a whole, but a thesis will call attention to specific parts of it. Let’s look at those examples again. (This is the last time, I promise.)

One way of spotting the problem with Example A is to note that a simple plot summary would support its point. That is not of true example B, which tells the reader exactly what moments the paper will be discussed and why. The thesis is focused and concentrated.

5. Remember to Address the Work as a Whole: The “So What?”

As you complete your analysis, remember to think about what the effect this will have on the world of academia.

Does your thesis introduce your topic in a clear way?
Does the introduction mention what you will be addressing? Social constructs, gender issues, etc.

Writing a Thesis Statement

One legitimate question readers always ask about a piece of writing is “What is the big idea?” (You may even ask this question when you are the reader, critically reading an assignment or another document.) Every nonfiction writing task—from the short essay to the ten-page term paper to the lengthy senior thesis—needs a big idea, or a controlling idea, as the spine for the work. The controlling idea is the main idea that you want to present and develop.

For a longer piece of writing, the main idea should be broader than the main idea for a shorter piece of writing. Be sure to frame a main idea that is appropriate for the length of the assignment. Ask yourself, “How many pages will it take for me to explain and explore this main idea in detail?” Be reasonable with your estimate. Then expand or trim it to fit the required length.

Developing Thesis Statements from Topics

The big idea, or controlling idea, you want to present in an essay is expressed in a thesis statement. A thesis statement is often one sentence long, and it states your point of view. The thesis statement is not the topic of the piece of writing but rather what you have to say about that topic and what is important to tell readers.

Table 5.1 “Topics and Thesis Statements” compares topics and thesis statements.

Table 5.1 Topics and Thesis Statements

The first thesis statement you write will be a preliminary thesis statement, or a working thesis statement. You will need it when you begin to outline your assignment as a way to organize it. As you continue to develop the arrangement, you can limit your working thesis statement if it is too broad or expand it if it proves too narrow for what you want to say.

Using the topic you selected in Section 4.6 “ Prewriting Strategies ”, develop a working thesis statement that states your controlling idea for the piece of writing you are doing. On a sheet of paper, write your working thesis statement.

You will make several attempts before you devise a working thesis statement that you think is effective. Each draft of the thesis statement will bring you closer to the wording that expresses your meaning exactly. Sometimes, this refinement of the thesis statement happens after your write your first draft of the paper.

Guidelines for Drafting a Thesis Statement

It helps to understand why readers value the arguable thesis. What larger purpose does it serve? Readers will bring a set of expectations to an essay. If writers can anticipate the expectations of their readers, the better they will be able to persuade the audience to find the arguments convincing, interesting, and relevant.

Academic readers (and readers more generally) read to learn something new. They want to see the writer challenge commonplaces—either everyday assumptions about the object of study or truisms in the scholarly literature. In other words, academic readers want to be surprised so that their thinking shifts or at least becomes more complex by the time they finish reading an essay. Good essays problematize what we think we know and offer an alternative explanation in its place. They leave their reader with a fresh perspective on a problem.

We all bring important past experiences and beliefs to our interpretations of texts, objects, and problems. Writers can harness these observational powers to engage critically with what they are studying. The key is to be alert to what strikes you as strange, problematic, paradoxical, or puzzling about your topic. If writers can articulate this and a claim in response, they are well on their way to formulating an arguable thesis in the introduction.

How do I set up a “problem” and an arguable thesis in response?

All good writing has a purpose or motive for existing. The thesis is the writer’s surprising response to this problem or motive. This is why it seldom makes sense to start a writing project by articulating the thesis. The first step is to articulate the question or problem your paper addresses.

Here are some possible ways to introduce a conceptual problem in your paper’s introduction.

1. Challenge a commonplace interpretation (or your own first impressions).

How are readers likely to interpret this source or issue? What might intelligent readers think at first glance? (Or, if you’ve been given secondary sources or have been asked to conduct research to locate secondary sources, what do other writers or scholars assume is true or important about your primary source or issue?)

What does this commonplace interpretation leave out, overlook, or under-emphasize?

2. Help the reader see the complexity of your topic.

Identify and describe for the reader a paradox, puzzle, or contradiction in a primary source(s).

What larger questions does this paradox or contradiction raise for readers?

3. If research is part of the assignment, piggyback off another scholar’s research.

4. If research is part of the assignment, identify a gap in another scholar’s or a group of scholars’ research.

Summarize another scholar’s argument about your topic, primary source, or case study and explain to the reader why this claim is interesting. Or, summarize how scholars in the field tend to approach the topic.

Next, explain what important aspect this scholarly representation misses or distorts. Introduce the particular approach to the topic and its value.

5. If research is part of the assignment, bring in a new lens for investigating the case study or problem.

Summarize how a scholar or group of scholars has approached the topic.

Introduce a theoretical source (possibly from another discipline) and explain how it helps to address this issue from a new and productive angle.

Tip : your introductory paragraph will probably look like this:

Testing Your Thesis

Test a thesis statement’s arguability by asking the following questions:

1) Does the thesis only or mostly summarize a source?

If so, try some of the exercises above to articulate the paper’s conceptual problem or question.

2) Is the thesis arguable – can it be supported by evidence, and is it surprising and contentious?

If not, return to the sources and practice the exercises above.

3) Is the thesis about the primary source, or is it about the world?

If it’s about the world, revise it so that it focuses on primary source(s). Remember to include solid evidence to support the thesis.

"THREE-STORY THESIS STATEMENTS" BY AMY GUPTIL

How do you produce a good, strong thesis? And how do you know when you’ve gotten there? Many instructors and writers find useful a metaphor based on this passage by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.: 3

There are one-story intellects, two-story intellects, and three-story intellects with skylights. All fact collectors who have no aim beyond their facts are one-story men. Two-story men compare, reason, generalize using the labor of fact collectors as their own. Three-story men idealize, imagine, predict—their best illumination comes from above the skylight.

One-story theses state inarguable facts. Two-story theses bring in an arguable (interpretive or analytical) point. Three-story theses nest that point within its larger, compelling implications. 4

The biggest benefit of the three-story metaphor is that it describes a process for building a thesis. To build the first story, you first have to get familiar with the complex, relevant facts surrounding the problem or question. You have to be able to describe the situation thoroughly and accurately. Then, with that first story built, you can layer on the second story by formulating the insightful, arguable point that animates the analysis. That’s often the most effortful part: brainstorming, elaborating and comparing alternative ideas, finalizing your point. With that specified, you can frame up the third story by articulating why the point you make matters beyond its particular topic or case.

Thesis: that’s the word that pops at me whenever I write an essay. Seeing this word in the prompt scared me and made me think to myself, “Oh great, what are they really looking for?” or “How am I going to make a thesis for a college paper?” When rehearing that I would be focusing on theses again in a class, I said to myself, “Here we go again!” But after learning about the three story thesis, I never had a problem with writing another thesis. In fact, I look forward to being asked on a paper to create a thesis.

Timothée Pizarro

For example, imagine you have been assigned a paper about the impact of online learning in higher education. You would first construct an account of the origins and multiple forms of online learning and assess research findings about its use and effectiveness. If you’ve done that well, you’ll probably come up with a well considered opinion that wouldn’t be obvious to readers who haven’t looked at the issue in depth. Maybe you’ll want to argue that online learning is a threat to the academic community. Or perhaps you’ll want to make the case that online learning opens up pathways to college degrees that traditional campus-based learning does not. In the course of developing your central, argumentative point, you’ll come to recognize its larger context; in this example, you may claim that online learning can serve to better integrate higher education with the rest of society, as online learners bring their educational and career experiences together. To outline this example:

First story : Online learning is becoming more prevalent and takes many different forms.
Second story : While most observers see it as a transformation of higher education, online learning is better thought of an extension of higher education in that it reaches learners who aren’t disposed to participate in traditional campus-based education.
Third story : Online learning appears to be a promising way to better integrate higher education with other institutions in society, as online learners integrate their educational experiences with the other realms of their life, promoting the freer flow of ideas between the academy and the rest of society.

Here’s another example of a three-story thesis: 5

First story : Edith Wharton did not consider herself a modernist writer, and she didn’t write like her modernist contemporaries.
Second story : However, in her work we can see her grappling with both the questions and literary forms that fascinated modernist writers of her era. While not an avowed modernist, she did engage with modernist themes and questions.
Third story : Thus, it is more revealing to think of modernism as a conversation rather than a category or practice.

Here’s one more example:

First story : Scientists disagree about the likely impact in the U.S. of the light brown apple moth (LBAM) , an agricultural pest native to Australia.
Second story : Research findings to date suggest that the decision to spray pheromones over the skies of several southern Californian counties to combat the LBAM was poorly thought out.
Third story : Together, the scientific ambiguities and the controversial response strengthen the claim that industrial-style approaches to pest management are inherently unsustainable.

A thesis statement that stops at the first story isn’t usually considered a thesis. A two-story thesis is usually considered competent, though some two-story theses are more intriguing and ambitious than others. A thoughtfully crafted and well informed three-story thesis puts the author on a smooth path toward an excellent paper.

The concept of a three-story thesis framework was the most helpful piece of information I gained from the writing component of DCC 100. The first time I utilized it in a college paper, my professor included “good thesis” and “excellent introduction” in her notes and graded it significantly higher than my previous papers. You can expect similar results if you dig deeper to form three-story theses. More importantly, doing so will make the actual writing of your paper more straightforward as well. Arguing something specific makes the structure of your paper much easier to design.

Peter Farrell

Effective Thesis Statements

As mentioned before, a thesis statement is the controlling idea of your essay. It is the main idea that all of the other sentences in the essay relate to. After gathering information about your topic, you need to figure out what you want to say about it.

An effective thesis statement has two major characteristics.

1. An effective thesis statement makes a point about a topic. For this reason, it must do more than state a fact or announce what you plan to write about.

Statement of fact: The military recruits students in high schools.

Announcement: In this essay, I would like to discuss what’s wrong with military recruitment in high schools.

List thesis: We should not allow the military to recruit in high schools because recruiters violate privacy, manipulate naïve young people, and target low-income youth.

Effective thesis: We should end the abusive and discriminatory practice of military recruitment in high schools.

A statement of fact is not an effective thesis statement because it does not take a position, giving you nothing to develop in your essay. Likewise, an announcement of what you plan to write about in your essay does not take a position on the issue, leaving you with nothing to develop. A good thesis statement makes a claim that is arguable.

2. The most effective thesis statements do not list your main points but unite your main points into a larger, central idea. The list thesis above looks strong, but notice how the effective thesis connects the three points with the words “abusive” and “discriminatory.” Now we know how the three points relate to each other; they are more than just a list.

To turn three or four “reasons” or topic sentences into a thesis, consider what they have in common and what your overall point is.

You can find thesis statements in many places, such as in the news; in the opinions of friends, coworkers or teachers; and even in songs you hear on the radio. Become aware of thesis statements in everyday life by paying attention to people’s opinions and their reasons for those opinions. Pay attention to your own everyday thesis statements as well, as these can become material for future essays.

Now that you have read about the contents of a good thesis statement and have seen examples, take a look at the pitfalls to avoid when composing your own thesis:

Weak thesis statement: My paper will explain why imagination is more important than knowledge.

Weak thesis statement: Religious radicals across America are trying to legislate their Puritanical beliefs by banning required high school books.

Weak thesis statement: Advertising companies use sex to sell their products.

Weak thesis statement: The life of Abraham Lincoln was long and challenging.

Read the following thesis statements. On a separate piece of paper, identify each as weak or strong. For those that are weak, list the reasons why. Then revise the weak statements so that they conform to the requirements of a strong thesis.

The subject of this paper is my experience with ferrets as pets.
The government must expand its funding for research on renewable energy resources in order to prepare for the impending end of oil.
Edgar Allan Poe was a poet who lived in Baltimore during the nineteenth century.
In this essay, I will give you lots of reasons why slot machines should not be legalized in Baltimore.
Despite his promises during his campaign, President Kennedy took few executive measures to support civil rights legislation.
Because many children’s toys have potential safety hazards that could lead to injury, it is clear that not all children’s toys are safe.
My experience with young children has taught me that I want to be a disciplinary parent because I believe that a child without discipline can be a parent’s worst nightmare.

Writing at Work

Often in your career, you will need to ask your manager for something through an e-mail. Just as a thesis statement organizes an essay, it can also organize your e-mail request. While your e-mail will be shorter than an essay, using a thesis statement in your first paragraph quickly lets your manager know what you are asking for, why it is necessary, and what the benefits are. In short body paragraphs, you can provide the essential information needed to expand upon your request.

Thesis Statement Revision

Your thesis will probably change as you write, so you will need to modify it to reflect exactly what you have discussed in your essay. Remember from Chapter 4 that your thesis statement begins as a working thesis statement, an indefinite statement that you make about your topic early in the writing process for the purpose of planning and guiding your writing.

The best way to revise your thesis statement is to ask questions about it and then examine the answers to those questions. By challenging your own ideas and forming definite reasons for those ideas, you grow closer to a more precise point of view, which you can then incorporate into your thesis statement.

Ways to Revise Your Thesis

You can cut down on irrelevant aspects and revise your thesis by taking the following steps:

1. Pinpoint and replace all nonspecific words, such as people , everything , society , or life , with more precise words in order to reduce any vagueness.

Working thesis: Young people have to work hard to succeed in life.

Revised thesis: Recent college graduates must have discipline and persistence in order to find and maintain a stable job in which they can use and be appreciated for their talents.

The revised thesis makes a more specific statement about success and what it means to work hard. The original includes too broad a range of people and does not define exactly what success entails. By replacing those general words like people and work hard , the writer can better focus their research and gain more direction in their writing.

2. Clarify ideas that need explanation by asking yourself questions that narrow your thesis.

Working thesis: The welfare system is a joke.

Revised thesis: The welfare system keeps a socioeconomic class from gaining employment by alluring members of that class with unearned income instead of programs to improve their education and skill sets.

A joke means many things to many people. Readers bring all sorts of backgrounds and perspectives to the reading process and would need clarification for a word so vague. This expression may also be too informal for the selected audience. By asking questions, the writer can devise a more precise and appropriate explanation for joke . The writer should ask himself or herself questions similar to the 5WH questions. (See Chapter 4.6 " Prewriting Strategies " for more information on the 5WH questions.) By incorporating the answers to these questions into a thesis statement, the writer more accurately defines his or her stance, which will better guide the writing of the essay.

3. Replace any linking verbs with action verbs. Linking verbs are forms of the verb to be , a verb that simply states that a situation exists.

Working thesis: Kansas City schoolteachers are not paid enough.

Revised thesis: Kansas City cannot afford to pay its educators, resulting in job cuts and resignations in a district that sorely needs highly qualified and dedicated teachers.

The linking verb in this working thesis statement is the word are . Linking verbs often make thesis statements weak because they do not express action. Rather, they connect words and phrases to the second half of the sentence. Readers might wonder, “Why are they not paid enough?” But this statement does not compel them to ask many more questions. The writer should ask himself or herself questions in order to replace the linking verb with an action verb, thus forming a stronger thesis statement, one that takes a more definitive stance on the issue:

Who is not paying the teachers enough?
What is considered “enough”?
What is the problem?
What are the results

In an earlier section you determined your purpose for writing and your audience. You then completed a free writing exercise about an event you recently experienced and chose a general topic to write about. Using that general topic, you then narrowed it down by answering the 5WH questions. After you answered these questions, you chose one of the three methods of prewriting and gathered possible supporting points for your working thesis statement.

Now, on a separate sheet of paper, write down your working thesis statement. Identify any weaknesses in this sentence and revise the statement to reflect the elements of a strong thesis statement. Make sure it is specific, precise, arguable, demonstrable, forceful, and confident.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

In your career you may have to write a project proposal that focuses on a particular problem in your company, such as reinforcing the tardiness policy. The proposal would aim to fix the problem; using a thesis statement would clearly state the boundaries of the problem and tell the goals of the project. After writing the proposal, you may find that the thesis needs revision to reflect exactly what is expressed in the body. Using the techniques from this chapter would apply to revising that thesis.

Contributors

Adapted from Writing for Success . Provided by: The Saylor Foundation. License: CC-NC-SA 3.0 .
Adapted from " Five Ways of Looking at a Thesis. " Authored by: Erik Simpson. Provided by: LumenLearning. License: CC BY: Attribution
Adapted from Formulating a Thesis . Authored by: Andrea Scott. Provided by: Princeton University. Project: WritingCommons. License: CC BY-NC-ND:
Adapted from Writing in College . Authored by Amy Guptill. License: CC-NC-SA 4.0

This page most recently updated on June 8, 2020.

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How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

What’s Covered:

What is the purpose of a thesis statement, writing a good thesis statement: 4 steps, common pitfalls to avoid, where to get your essay edited for free.

When you set out to write an essay, there has to be some kind of point to it, right? Otherwise, your essay would just be a big jumble of word salad that makes absolutely no sense. An essay needs a central point that ties into everything else. That main point is called a thesis statement, and it’s the core of any essay or research paper.

You may hear about Master degree candidates writing a thesis, and that is an entire paper–not to be confused with the thesis statement, which is typically one sentence that contains your paper’s focus.

Read on to learn more about thesis statements and how to write them. We’ve also included some solid examples for you to reference.

Typically the last sentence of your introductory paragraph, the thesis statement serves as the roadmap for your essay. When your reader gets to the thesis statement, they should have a clear outline of your main point, as well as the information you’ll be presenting in order to either prove or support your point.

The thesis statement should not be confused for a topic sentence , which is the first sentence of every paragraph in your essay. If you need help writing topic sentences, numerous resources are available. Topic sentences should go along with your thesis statement, though.

Since the thesis statement is the most important sentence of your entire essay or paper, it’s imperative that you get this part right. Otherwise, your paper will not have a good flow and will seem disjointed. That’s why it’s vital not to rush through developing one. It’s a methodical process with steps that you need to follow in order to create the best thesis statement possible.

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

When you’re assigned an essay, there are several different types you may get. Argumentative essays are designed to get the reader to agree with you on a topic. Informative or expository essays present information to the reader. Analytical essays offer up a point and then expand on it by analyzing relevant information. Thesis statements can look and sound different based on the type of paper you’re writing. For example:

Argumentative: The United States needs a viable third political party to decrease bipartisanship, increase options, and help reduce corruption in government.
Informative: The Libertarian party has thrown off elections before by gaining enough support in states to get on the ballot and by taking away crucial votes from candidates.
Analytical: An analysis of past presidential elections shows that while third party votes may have been the minority, they did affect the outcome of the elections in 2020, 2016, and beyond.

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Once you know what type of paper you’re writing, you then need to figure out the point you want to make with your thesis statement, and subsequently, your paper. In other words, you need to decide to answer a question about something, such as:

What impact did reality TV have on American society?
How has the musical Hamilton affected perception of American history?
Why do I want to major in [chosen major here]?

If you have an argumentative essay, then you will be writing about an opinion. To make it easier, you may want to choose an opinion that you feel passionate about so that you’re writing about something that interests you. For example, if you have an interest in preserving the environment, you may want to choose a topic that relates to that.

If you’re writing your college essay and they ask why you want to attend that school, you may want to have a main point and back it up with information, something along the lines of:

“Attending Harvard University would benefit me both academically and professionally, as it would give me a strong knowledge base upon which to build my career, develop my network, and hopefully give me an advantage in my chosen field.”

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Once you have the point you want to make, you need to figure out how you plan to back it up throughout the rest of your essay. Without this information, it will be hard to either prove or argue the main point of your thesis statement. If you decide to write about the Hamilton example, you may decide to address any falsehoods that the writer put into the musical, such as:

“The musical Hamilton, while accurate in many ways, leaves out key parts of American history, presents a nationalist view of founding fathers, and downplays the racism of the times.”

Once you’ve written your initial working thesis statement, you’ll then need to get information to back that up. For example, the musical completely leaves out Benjamin Franklin, portrays the founding fathers in a nationalist way that is too complimentary, and shows Hamilton as a staunch abolitionist despite the fact that his family likely did own slaves.

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and that you feel like you can truly write a paper on the topic. Once you’ve done that, you can then begin writing your paper.

When writing a thesis statement, there are some common pitfalls you should avoid so that your paper can be as solid as possible. Make sure you always edit the thesis statement before you do anything else. You also want to ensure that the thesis statement is clear and concise. Don’t make your reader hunt for your point. Finally, put your thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph and have your introduction flow toward that statement. Your reader will expect to find your statement in its traditional spot.

If you’re having trouble getting started, or need some guidance on your essay, there are tools available that can help you. CollegeVine offers a free peer essay review tool where one of your peers can read through your essay and provide you with valuable feedback. Getting essay feedback from a peer can help you wow your instructor or college admissions officer with an impactful essay that effectively illustrates your point.

Writing a Paper: Thesis Statements

Basics of thesis statements.

The thesis statement is the brief articulation of your paper's central argument and purpose. You might hear it referred to as simply a "thesis." Every scholarly paper should have a thesis statement, and strong thesis statements are concise, specific, and arguable. Concise means the thesis is short: perhaps one or two sentences for a shorter paper. Specific means the thesis deals with a narrow and focused topic, appropriate to the paper's length. Arguable means that a scholar in your field could disagree (or perhaps already has!).

Strong thesis statements address specific intellectual questions, have clear positions, and use a structure that reflects the overall structure of the paper. Read on to learn more about constructing a strong thesis statement.

Being Specific

This thesis statement has no specific argument:

Needs Improvement: In this essay, I will examine two scholarly articles to find similarities and differences.

This statement is concise, but it is neither specific nor arguable—a reader might wonder, "Which scholarly articles? What is the topic of this paper? What field is the author writing in?" Additionally, the purpose of the paper—to "examine…to find similarities and differences" is not of a scholarly level. Identifying similarities and differences is a good first step, but strong academic argument goes further, analyzing what those similarities and differences might mean or imply.

Better: In this essay, I will argue that Bowler's (2003) autocratic management style, when coupled with Smith's (2007) theory of social cognition, can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover.

The new revision here is still concise, as well as specific and arguable. We can see that it is specific because the writer is mentioning (a) concrete ideas and (b) exact authors. We can also gather the field (business) and the topic (management and employee turnover). The statement is arguable because the student goes beyond merely comparing; he or she draws conclusions from that comparison ("can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover").

Making a Unique Argument

This thesis draft repeats the language of the writing prompt without making a unique argument:

Needs Improvement: The purpose of this essay is to monitor, assess, and evaluate an educational program for its strengths and weaknesses. Then, I will provide suggestions for improvement.

You can see here that the student has simply stated the paper's assignment, without articulating specifically how he or she will address it. The student can correct this error simply by phrasing the thesis statement as a specific answer to the assignment prompt.

Better: Through a series of student interviews, I found that Kennedy High School's antibullying program was ineffective. In order to address issues of conflict between students, I argue that Kennedy High School should embrace policies outlined by the California Department of Education (2010).

Words like "ineffective" and "argue" show here that the student has clearly thought through the assignment and analyzed the material; he or she is putting forth a specific and debatable position. The concrete information ("student interviews," "antibullying") further prepares the reader for the body of the paper and demonstrates how the student has addressed the assignment prompt without just restating that language.

Creating a Debate

This thesis statement includes only obvious fact or plot summary instead of argument:

Needs Improvement: Leadership is an important quality in nurse educators.

A good strategy to determine if your thesis statement is too broad (and therefore, not arguable) is to ask yourself, "Would a scholar in my field disagree with this point?" Here, we can see easily that no scholar is likely to argue that leadership is an unimportant quality in nurse educators. The student needs to come up with a more arguable claim, and probably a narrower one; remember that a short paper needs a more focused topic than a dissertation.

Better: Roderick's (2009) theory of participatory leadership is particularly appropriate to nurse educators working within the emergency medicine field, where students benefit most from collegial and kinesthetic learning.

Here, the student has identified a particular type of leadership ("participatory leadership"), narrowing the topic, and has made an arguable claim (this type of leadership is "appropriate" to a specific type of nurse educator). Conceivably, a scholar in the nursing field might disagree with this approach. The student's paper can now proceed, providing specific pieces of evidence to support the arguable central claim.

Choosing the Right Words

This thesis statement uses large or scholarly-sounding words that have no real substance:

Needs Improvement: Scholars should work to seize metacognitive outcomes by harnessing discipline-based networks to empower collaborative infrastructures.

There are many words in this sentence that may be buzzwords in the student's field or key terms taken from other texts, but together they do not communicate a clear, specific meaning. Sometimes students think scholarly writing means constructing complex sentences using special language, but actually it's usually a stronger choice to write clear, simple sentences. When in doubt, remember that your ideas should be complex, not your sentence structure.

Better: Ecologists should work to educate the U.S. public on conservation methods by making use of local and national green organizations to create a widespread communication plan.

Notice in the revision that the field is now clear (ecology), and the language has been made much more field-specific ("conservation methods," "green organizations"), so the reader is able to see concretely the ideas the student is communicating.

Leaving Room for Discussion

This thesis statement is not capable of development or advancement in the paper:

Needs Improvement: There are always alternatives to illegal drug use.

This sample thesis statement makes a claim, but it is not a claim that will sustain extended discussion. This claim is the type of claim that might be appropriate for the conclusion of a paper, but in the beginning of the paper, the student is left with nowhere to go. What further points can be made? If there are "always alternatives" to the problem the student is identifying, then why bother developing a paper around that claim? Ideally, a thesis statement should be complex enough to explore over the length of the entire paper.

Better: The most effective treatment plan for methamphetamine addiction may be a combination of pharmacological and cognitive therapy, as argued by Baker (2008), Smith (2009), and Xavier (2011).

In the revised thesis, you can see the student make a specific, debatable claim that has the potential to generate several pages' worth of discussion. When drafting a thesis statement, think about the questions your thesis statement will generate: What follow-up inquiries might a reader have? In the first example, there are almost no additional questions implied, but the revised example allows for a good deal more exploration.

Thesis Mad Libs

If you are having trouble getting started, try using the models below to generate a rough model of a thesis statement! These models are intended for drafting purposes only and should not appear in your final work.

In this essay, I argue ____, using ______ to assert _____.
While scholars have often argued ______, I argue______, because_______.
Through an analysis of ______, I argue ______, which is important because_______.

Words to Avoid and to Embrace

When drafting your thesis statement, avoid words like explore, investigate, learn, compile, summarize , and explain to describe the main purpose of your paper. These words imply a paper that summarizes or "reports," rather than synthesizing and analyzing.

Instead of the terms above, try words like argue, critique, question , and interrogate . These more analytical words may help you begin strongly, by articulating a specific, critical, scholarly position.

Read Kayla's blog post for tips on taking a stand in a well-crafted thesis statement.

Related Resources

Didn't find what you need? Email us at [email protected] .

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9.1 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement

Learning objectives.

Develop a strong, clear thesis statement with the proper elements.
Revise your thesis statement.

Elements of a Thesis Statement

A Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement contains the following qualities.

Specificity. A thesis statement must concentrate on a specific area of a general topic. As you may recall, the creation of a thesis statement begins when you choose a broad subject and then narrow down its parts until you pinpoint a specific aspect of that topic. For example, health care is a broad topic, but a proper thesis statement would focus on a specific area of that topic, such as options for individuals without health care coverage.

Precision. A strong thesis statement must be precise enough to allow for a coherent argument and to remain focused on the topic. If the specific topic is options for individuals without health care coverage, then your precise thesis statement must make an exact claim about it, such as that limited options exist for those who are uninsured by their employers. You must further pinpoint what you are going to discuss regarding these limited effects, such as whom they affect and what the cause is.

Ability to be argued. A thesis statement must present a relevant and specific argument. A factual statement often is not considered arguable. Be sure your thesis statement contains a point of view that can be supported with evidence.

Ability to be demonstrated. For any claim you make in your thesis, you must be able to provide reasons and examples for your opinion. You can rely on personal observations in order to do this, or you can consult outside sources to demonstrate that what you assert is valid. A worthy argument is backed by examples and details.

Forcefulness. A thesis statement that is forceful shows readers that you are, in fact, making an argument. The tone is assertive and takes a stance that others might oppose.

Confidence. In addition to using force in your thesis statement, you must also use confidence in your claim. Phrases such as I feel or I believe actually weaken the readers’ sense of your confidence because these phrases imply that you are the only person who feels the way you do. In other words, your stance has insufficient backing. Taking an authoritative stance on the matter persuades your readers to have faith in your argument and open their minds to what you have to say.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a thesis statement for each of the following topics. Remember to make each statement specific, precise, demonstrable, forceful and confident.

Texting while driving
The legal drinking age in the United States
Steroid use among professional athletes

Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements

Each of the following thesis statements meets several of the following requirements:

Specificity
Ability to be argued
Ability to be demonstrated
Forcefulness
The societal and personal struggles of Troy Maxon in the play Fences symbolize the challenge of black males who lived through segregation and integration in the United States.
Closing all American borders for a period of five years is one solution that will tackle illegal immigration.
Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet spoils the outcome for the audience and weakens the plot.
J. D. Salinger’s character in Catcher in the Rye , Holden Caulfield, is a confused rebel who voices his disgust with phonies, yet in an effort to protect himself, he acts like a phony on many occasions.
Compared to an absolute divorce, no-fault divorce is less expensive, promotes fairer settlements, and reflects a more realistic view of the causes for marital breakdown.
Exposing children from an early age to the dangers of drug abuse is a sure method of preventing future drug addicts.
In today’s crumbling job market, a high school diploma is not significant enough education to land a stable, lucrative job.

Now that you have read about the contents of a good thesis statement and have seen examples, take a look at the pitfalls to avoid when composing your own thesis:

A thesis is weak when it is simply a declaration of your subject or a description of what you will discuss in your essay.

Weak thesis statement: My paper will explain why imagination is more important than knowledge.

A thesis is weak when it makes an unreasonable or outrageous claim or insults the opposing side.

Weak thesis statement: Religious radicals across America are trying to legislate their Puritanical beliefs by banning required high school books.

A thesis is weak when it contains an obvious fact or something that no one can disagree with or provides a dead end.

Weak thesis statement: Advertising companies use sex to sell their products.

A thesis is weak when the statement is too broad.

Weak thesis statement: The life of Abraham Lincoln was long and challenging.

The subject of this paper is my experience with ferrets as pets.
The government must expand its funding for research on renewable energy resources in order to prepare for the impending end of oil.
Edgar Allan Poe was a poet who lived in Baltimore during the nineteenth century.
In this essay, I will give you lots of reasons why slot machines should not be legalized in Baltimore.
Despite his promises during his campaign, President Kennedy took few executive measures to support civil rights legislation.
Because many children’s toys have potential safety hazards that could lead to injury, it is clear that not all children’s toys are safe.
My experience with young children has taught me that I want to be a disciplinary parent because I believe that a child without discipline can be a parent’s worst nightmare.

Writing at Work

Often in your career, you will need to ask your boss for something through an e-mail. Just as a thesis statement organizes an essay, it can also organize your e-mail request. While your e-mail will be shorter than an essay, using a thesis statement in your first paragraph quickly lets your boss know what you are asking for, why it is necessary, and what the benefits are. In short body paragraphs, you can provide the essential information needed to expand upon your request.

Thesis Statement Revision

Your thesis will probably change as you write, so you will need to modify it to reflect exactly what you have discussed in your essay. Remember from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that your thesis statement begins as a working thesis statement , an indefinite statement that you make about your topic early in the writing process for the purpose of planning and guiding your writing.

Ways to Revise Your Thesis

You can cut down on irrelevant aspects and revise your thesis by taking the following steps:

1. Pinpoint and replace all nonspecific words, such as people , everything , society , or life , with more precise words in order to reduce any vagueness.

Working thesis: Young people have to work hard to succeed in life.

Revised thesis: Recent college graduates must have discipline and persistence in order to find and maintain a stable job in which they can use and be appreciated for their talents.

The revised thesis makes a more specific statement about success and what it means to work hard. The original includes too broad a range of people and does not define exactly what success entails. By replacing those general words like people and work hard , the writer can better focus his or her research and gain more direction in his or her writing.

2. Clarify ideas that need explanation by asking yourself questions that narrow your thesis.

Working thesis: The welfare system is a joke.

Revised thesis: The welfare system keeps a socioeconomic class from gaining employment by alluring members of that class with unearned income, instead of programs to improve their education and skill sets.

A joke means many things to many people. Readers bring all sorts of backgrounds and perspectives to the reading process and would need clarification for a word so vague. This expression may also be too informal for the selected audience. By asking questions, the writer can devise a more precise and appropriate explanation for joke . The writer should ask himself or herself questions similar to the 5WH questions. (See Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” for more information on the 5WH questions.) By incorporating the answers to these questions into a thesis statement, the writer more accurately defines his or her stance, which will better guide the writing of the essay.

3. Replace any linking verbs with action verbs. Linking verbs are forms of the verb to be , a verb that simply states that a situation exists.

Working thesis: Kansas City schoolteachers are not paid enough.

Revised thesis: The Kansas City legislature cannot afford to pay its educators, resulting in job cuts and resignations in a district that sorely needs highly qualified and dedicated teachers.

Who is not paying the teachers enough?
What is considered “enough”?
What is the problem?
What are the results

4. Omit any general claims that are hard to support.

Working thesis: Today’s teenage girls are too sexualized.

Revised thesis: Teenage girls who are captivated by the sexual images on MTV are conditioned to believe that a woman’s worth depends on her sensuality, a feeling that harms their self-esteem and behavior.

It is true that some young women in today’s society are more sexualized than in the past, but that is not true for all girls. Many girls have strict parents, dress appropriately, and do not engage in sexual activity while in middle school and high school. The writer of this thesis should ask the following questions:

Which teenage girls?
What constitutes “too” sexualized?
Why are they behaving that way?
Where does this behavior show up?
What are the repercussions?

In the first section of Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , you determined your purpose for writing and your audience. You then completed a freewriting exercise about an event you recently experienced and chose a general topic to write about. Using that general topic, you then narrowed it down by answering the 5WH questions. After you answered these questions, you chose one of the three methods of prewriting and gathered possible supporting points for your working thesis statement.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

In your career you may have to write a project proposal that focuses on a particular problem in your company, such as reinforcing the tardiness policy. The proposal would aim to fix the problem; using a thesis statement would clearly state the boundaries of the problem and tell the goals of the project. After writing the proposal, you may find that the thesis needs revision to reflect exactly what is expressed in the body. Using the techniques from this chapter would apply to revising that thesis.

Key Takeaways

Proper essays require a thesis statement to provide a specific focus and suggest how the essay will be organized.
A thesis statement is your interpretation of the subject, not the topic itself.
A strong thesis is specific, precise, forceful, confident, and is able to be demonstrated.
A strong thesis challenges readers with a point of view that can be debated and can be supported with evidence.
A weak thesis is simply a declaration of your topic or contains an obvious fact that cannot be argued.
Depending on your topic, it may or may not be appropriate to use first person point of view.
Revise your thesis by ensuring all words are specific, all ideas are exact, and all verbs express action.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Think of yourself as a member of a jury, listening to a lawyer who is presenting an opening argument. You'll want to know very soon whether the lawyer believes the accused to be guilty or not guilty, and how the lawyer plans to convince you. Readers of academic essays are like jury members: before they have read too far, they want to know what the essay argues as well as how the writer plans to make the argument. After reading your thesis statement, the reader should think, "This essay is going to try to convince me of something. I'm not convinced yet, but I'm interested to see how I might be."

An effective thesis cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." A thesis is not a topic; nor is it a fact; nor is it an opinion. "Reasons for the fall of communism" is a topic. "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" is a fact known by educated people. "The fall of communism is the best thing that ever happened in Europe" is an opinion. (Superlatives like "the best" almost always lead to trouble. It's impossible to weigh every "thing" that ever happened in Europe. And what about the fall of Hitler? Couldn't that be "the best thing"?)

A good thesis has two parts. It should tell what you plan to argue, and it should "telegraph" how you plan to argue—that is, what particular support for your claim is going where in your essay.

Steps in Constructing a Thesis

First, analyze your primary sources. Look for tension, interest, ambiguity, controversy, and/or complication. Does the author contradict himself or herself? Is a point made and later reversed? What are the deeper implications of the author's argument? Figuring out the why to one or more of these questions, or to related questions, will put you on the path to developing a working thesis. (Without the why, you probably have only come up with an observation—that there are, for instance, many different metaphors in such-and-such a poem—which is not a thesis.)

Once you have a working thesis, write it down. There is nothing as frustrating as hitting on a great idea for a thesis, then forgetting it when you lose concentration. And by writing down your thesis you will be forced to think of it clearly, logically, and concisely. You probably will not be able to write out a final-draft version of your thesis the first time you try, but you'll get yourself on the right track by writing down what you have.

Keep your thesis prominent in your introduction. A good, standard place for your thesis statement is at the end of an introductory paragraph, especially in shorter (5-15 page) essays. Readers are used to finding theses there, so they automatically pay more attention when they read the last sentence of your introduction. Although this is not required in all academic essays, it is a good rule of thumb.

Anticipate the counterarguments. Once you have a working thesis, you should think about what might be said against it. This will help you to refine your thesis, and it will also make you think of the arguments that you'll need to refute later on in your essay. (Every argument has a counterargument. If yours doesn't, then it's not an argument—it may be a fact, or an opinion, but it is not an argument.)

This statement is on its way to being a thesis. However, it is too easy to imagine possible counterarguments. For example, a political observer might believe that Dukakis lost because he suffered from a "soft-on-crime" image. If you complicate your thesis by anticipating the counterargument, you'll strengthen your argument, as shown in the sentence below.

Some Caveats and Some Examples

A thesis is never a question. Readers of academic essays expect to have questions discussed, explored, or even answered. A question ("Why did communism collapse in Eastern Europe?") is not an argument, and without an argument, a thesis is dead in the water.

A thesis is never a list. "For political, economic, social and cultural reasons, communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" does a good job of "telegraphing" the reader what to expect in the essay—a section about political reasons, a section about economic reasons, a section about social reasons, and a section about cultural reasons. However, political, economic, social and cultural reasons are pretty much the only possible reasons why communism could collapse. This sentence lacks tension and doesn't advance an argument. Everyone knows that politics, economics, and culture are important.

A thesis should never be vague, combative or confrontational. An ineffective thesis would be, "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because communism is evil." This is hard to argue (evil from whose perspective? what does evil mean?) and it is likely to mark you as moralistic and judgmental rather than rational and thorough. It also may spark a defensive reaction from readers sympathetic to communism. If readers strongly disagree with you right off the bat, they may stop reading.

An effective thesis has a definable, arguable claim. "While cultural forces contributed to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, the disintegration of economies played the key role in driving its decline" is an effective thesis sentence that "telegraphs," so that the reader expects the essay to have a section about cultural forces and another about the disintegration of economies. This thesis makes a definite, arguable claim: that the disintegration of economies played a more important role than cultural forces in defeating communism in Eastern Europe. The reader would react to this statement by thinking, "Perhaps what the author says is true, but I am not convinced. I want to read further to see how the author argues this claim."

A thesis should be as clear and specific as possible. Avoid overused, general terms and abstractions. For example, "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because of the ruling elite's inability to address the economic concerns of the people" is more powerful than "Communism collapsed due to societal discontent."

TED Talk: “Secrets of Success” Speech Summary, Text, & Analysis

March 5, 2023

If you are looking for a speech summary, text, and analysis of the TED Talk: “Secrets of Success”, we have provided one for you. In Richard St. John’s 3-minute speech, he discusses a topic questioned by many: what makes someone successful?

TED Talk: “Secrets of Success” Speech Summary

We ran St. John’s TED Talk through Yoodli, the AI-powered speech coaching platform. You can get started at http://yoodli.ai and view the full results here .

The speaker was asked a simple question on a plane seven years ago by a teenager from a poor family: “What leads to success?”
The speaker came to Ted to find an answer and interviewed 500 people to find out what makes Ted tick.
Passion, hard work, focus, practice, pushing oneself through self-doubt, serving others, coming up with ideas, and persistence are the eight main things that lead to success.
Mothers can help push someone who is struggling to persist.
Paying to attend Ted is one way to learn success, but the eight things mentioned can also be used.

TED Talk: “Secrets of Success” Speech Text

Yoodli generated the following transcript for Richard St. John’s speech:

" This is really a two hour presentation I give to high school students, cut down to three minutes, and it all started one day on a plane on my way to Ted seven years ago. And then the seat next to me was a, uh, high school student, a teenager. And she came from a really poor family and she wanted to make something of her life. And she asked me a simple little question. She said, what leads to success? And I felt really badly because I couldn’t give her a good answer. So I get off the plane and I come to Ted and I think, geez, I’m in the middle of a room of successful people. So why don’t I ask them what helped them succeed and pass it on to kids. So here we are, seven years, 500 interviews later, and I’m gonna tell you what really leads to success and makes Ted tick. And the first thing is passion Freeman Thomas says, I’m driven by my passion. Ted, do it for love. They don’t do it for money. Carol Colletti says, I would pay someone to do what I do. And the interesting thing is, if you do it for love, the money comes anyway. Work. Rupert Murdoch said to me, it’s all hard work. Nothing comes easily, but I have a lot of fun. Did he say fun? Rupert? Yes. . Teds do have fun working and they work hard. I figured they’re not workaholics. They’re work of Frolics. Good. Alice Garden says, to be successful, put your nose down in something and get damn good at it. There’s no magic. It’s practice, practice, practice. And it’s focus. Norma Jewison said to me, I think it all has to do with focusing yourself on one thing and push. David Gallos says, push yourself physically, mentally. You’ve gotta push, push, push. You gotta push through shyness and self-doubt. Goldie Han says, I always had self-doubt I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t smart enough. I didn’t think I’d make it. Now, it’s not always easy to push yourself. And that’s why they invented Mothers . Frank Erie. Frank Erie said to me, my mother pushed me. serve. Sherwin Newland says it was a privilege to serve as a doctor. Now, a lot of kids tell me they want to be millionaires. And the first thing I say to them is, okay, well you can’t serve yourself. You gotta serve others something of value, because that’s the way people really get rich ideas. Ted Ster, bill Gates says, I had an idea founding the first microcomputer software company. I’d say it was a pretty good idea. And there’s no magic to creativity in coming up with ideas. It’s just doing some very simple things and I give lots of of evidence. Persist. Joe Kraus says, persistence is the number one reason for our success. You gotta persist through failure. You gotta persist through crap, which of course means criticism, rejection, assholes, and pressure . So the big an, the answer to this question is simple. Pay 4,000 bucks and come to Ted or failing that. Do the eight things. And trust me, these are the big eight things that lead to success. Thank you, Ted, for all your. "

TED Talk: “Secrets of Success” Speech Analysis

Yoodli simplifies the process of speech analysis. Through immediate feedback, you can receive ratings in the categories of Word Choice and Delivery.

Word Choice

Despite the short length of the “Secrets of Success” speech, Richard St. John ranked well in the Word Choice category. His top keywords included “says” and “push”.

Yoodli detected 2% repetition in St. John’s TED Talk as well the presence of 11 weak words. Yoodli also found the presence of non-inclusive language in the form of profanity. By prioritizing the use of inclusive language, the content of your speech will be more widely appropriate to a broader audience.

Yoodli detected that Richard St. John spoke at at average pace of 179 words per minute. With a pace faster than average, Yoodli suggests speaking slower than 170 words per minute. However, Yoodli ranked St. John’s delivery well in the subcategories of both pauses and smiles, but suggested overall improvement in eye contact, centering, and pacing

Wrapping Up

If you enjoyed this speech summary, text, and analysis of Richard St. John’s “Secrets of Success” TED Talk, you can create your own free Yoodli account here. Simply upload or record a speech of any length and topic and receive instant feedback as well as suggestions for improvement.

Start practicing with Yoodli.

Getting better at speaking is getting easier. Record or upload a speech and let our AI Speech Coach analyze your speaking and give you feedback.

The Ultimate Guide to Writing Strong Thesis Statements

Introduction:.

We’ve covered hooks in “ Writing Effective Hooks: A Comprehensive for Teachers and Students ” and TAG summary statements in “ Crafting Compelling Introductions: The TAG Summary Sentence .” We are breaking down effective thesis statements in the third installment of our Writer’s Workshop. A compelling thesis statement is the cornerstone of any well-structured essay or research paper. It serves as the roadmap for your entire piece, guiding you as the writer and your readers. In this blog post, we’ll analyze the art of composing effective thesis and claim statements, exploring their similarities and differences to help you sharpen your academic writing skills.

Similarities and Differences between Claim and Thesis:

Before this journey, let’s clarify the terms “thesis” and “claim.” While they are often used interchangeably, they actually possess distinct nuances.

Similarities:

Central Argument: A claim and a thesis serve as your paper’s argument. They encapsulate the primary point you aim to make.
Debatable: Both statements should be debatable. They express an idea or stance others can challenge or question, fostering critical thinking and discussion.
Focus: Both guide the reader by providing a clear focus for the paper, ensuring that all subsequent content aligns with and supports the stated argument.

Differences:

Placement: A thesis statement typically appears at the end of the introduction, summarizing the main argument and providing an overview of the paper’s structure. On the other hand, a claim can appear anywhere within the paper, including at the end of the introduction.
Scope: While a thesis statement sets the overarching theme or purpose for the entire paper, a claim may address a specific point within a larger argument. Claims are often used within the body of the paper to support the thesis or as a rebuttal to an opposing argument – a counterclaim.
Flexibility: Claims can be more flexible in academic writing, allowing you to introduce and argue various points contributing to your thesis. A thesis statement, however, should be more precise and encompassing.

Crafting an Effective Thesis Statement:

Now that we better understand these statements, let’s explore how to create them effectively:

Be Specific: A strong thesis statement is clear and specific. Essentially, a thesis statement is a concise, one- or two-sentence summary of your paper’s central point or argument. It should be clear, specific, and debatable. It’s important to avoid vague or overly broad statements. Instead, focus on a single, well-defined idea. For example, instead of saying, “The environment is important,” you could say, “Protecting endangered species is crucial for preserving our ecosystem.”
What’s The Goal?: Tailor your thesis statement to the type of paper you’re writing. Is it an argumentative essay, a research paper, or a literary analysis? Your approach to crafting the thesis statement should vary depending on the nature of your work. That said, a thesis statement’s purpose is to present a position. It should not be a statement of fact. For instance, “Climate change is a global issue that requires immediate action” is debatable, whereas “The Earth orbits the sun” is a well-established fact and not a suitable thesis.
Provide Evidence: Your thesis statement should hint at the evidence you will use to support your argument. This gives your readers a preview of your paper’s content. If your thesis is about climate change, mention how you plan to support your claim, such as “I will argue that climate change is primarily driven by human activities, supported by recent temperature trends and scientific consensus.”
Revise and Refine: Don’t be afraid to revise your thesis statement as you write your paper. Many writers begin their research with a “working thesis” for this very reason. It’s common to refine your argument as you research and write. Your thesis can evolve and become more precise as you gain a deeper understanding of your topic.
Seek Feedback: Before finalizing your thesis statement, seek feedback from peers or professors. Fresh perspectives can help you identify weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Thesis Statement Examples:

Here are a few examples to illustrate the diverse nature of thesis statements:

Argumentative Essay: “The government should increase funding for public education to improve overall student achievement.”
Research Paper: “The impact of climate change on global food security is a pressing concern, demanding immediate policy action.”
Literary Analysis: “In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ Harper Lee uses the character of Atticus Finch to challenge societal norms and racism in the American South.”

Types of Claims:

Let’s break down the different types of claims and why they matter for your writing. Purdue’s Online Writing Lab has categorized these claims, and understanding them can spark more engaging writing:

1. Claims of Fact or Definition:

These claims revolve around debating the definition of something or whether it’s an established fact.
Example: “What some people refer to as global warming is actually nothing more than normal, long-term cycles of climate change.”
These types of claims challenge our understanding of what’s true or how we define things.

2. Claims of Cause and Effect:

These claims argue that a specific person or thing caused a particular issue.
Example: “The No Child Left Behind Act has caused more children to be left behind.”
These claims help us explore the relationships between events and their consequences.

3. Claims about Value:

Here, the focus is on arguing the worth of something or proposing a specific rating or value for it.
Example: “We should be more concerned with whether students are learning and ready for the next grade and less concerned with passing a specific test.”
These claims delve into our judgments and opinions about the importance or worth of something.

4. Claims about Solutions or Policies:

These claims advocate for or against a particular solution or policy.
Example: “Instead of drilling for oil in Alaska, we should be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources.”
These claims address practical solutions and policies for addressing issues.

Understanding these claim types can serve as a valuable tool in your writing. They help you structure your arguments effectively, whether you’re trying to challenge facts, explore cause-and-effect relationships, express opinions on value, or propose practical solutions. Using these claim types strategically can make your writing more engaging and thought-provoking, inspiring readers to think critically and engage with your ideas.

Is My Position Statement Strong Enough?

Is your thesis strong enough for your academic paper? It’s a common concern, and you’re in luck, there are a few ways that exist to evaluate it.

Seek Feedback: If you have the time, consider running your thesis by your instructor or making an appointment at the Learning Center. Their input can be invaluable in refining your thesis statement.
Self-Evaluation: If you’re on a tight schedule or prefer working independently, you can assess your thesis independently. Here are some questions to ask yourself while reviewing your thesis:
Does it Answer the Question? Take a second look at the question prompt. Does your thesis address the core of the question? If not, you may need to adjust it to align more closely.
Does it Invite Debate? A strong thesis takes a stance that others might challenge or disagree with. If your thesis merely presents uncontroversial facts, it might be more of a summary than an argument.
Is it Specific Enough? Avoid vague terms like “good” or “successful.” Try to be more precise in your thesis statement. Explain why something is “good” or what factors contribute to its “success.”
Does it Pass the “So What?” Test? Imagine a reader’s response being, “So what?” If your thesis lacks significance or relevance, consider how to make it more compelling or connect it to broader issues.
Does it Align with Your Essay? Ensure that your thesis and the content of your essay align seamlessly. If they seem disconnected, adjust your thesis or rework your essay to support it effectively. Be open to revising your working thesis as you write your paper.
Does it Pass the “How and Why?” Test? If a reader’s initial response is “How?” or “Why?” your thesis may be too open-ended. Provide more clarity and guidance upfront to help the reader understand your position.

Considering these questions, you can evaluate and strengthen your thesis statement to ensure it is a solid foundation for your academic work. Remember, revising and refining your thesis is an important part of the writing process, so don’t hesitate to make changes as needed.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, crafting an effective thesis statement is a vital skill for academic writing. Whether you’re tackling an argumentative essay, a research paper, or a literary analysis, a well-crafted thesis sets the stage for a successful piece of work. As we’ve explored the similarities and differences between claim and thesis statements, delved into the key principles of creating a strong thesis, and examined various claims, you now have a solid foundation to elevate your writing to the next level.

But remember, it’s not just about understanding the theory; it’s about putting it into practice. So, here’s your call to action:

Take the next step in your academic journey.

Practice: Start by crafting thesis statements for different types of essays. Experiment with various claims and positions to refine your skills.
Engage: Share your thesis statements with peers, professors, or online communities to gather valuable feedback and diverse perspectives.
Read Actively: Pay attention to the thesis statements in the essays and articles you read. Analyze how they contribute to the overall effectiveness of the piece.
Revise and Refine: Embrace the process of revision. Don’t settle for your first draft of a thesis statement; make it stronger with each iteration.
Explore: Keep exploring different types of claims and their applications in your writing. Challenge yourself to think critically and creatively about your topics.

By actively incorporating these steps into your writing routine, you’ll not only improve your ability to craft compelling thesis statements but also enhance your overall academic writing prowess. Your essays and research papers will become more persuasive, engaging, and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on your readers and professors alike.

So, go ahead and embark on this journey of continuous improvement in your academic writing. With dedication and practice, you’ll become a master of thesis statements and a more effective communicator in school and beyond.

If you enjoyed this or found anything useful, please join our Facebook Group , watch our content on our YouTube Channel , peruse classroom resources at our TeachersPayTeachers Store , or rep’ some merchandise from our Redbubble Store .

Mister Porter

Writing Effective Hooks: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers and Students

Crafting Compelling Introductions: The TAG Summary Sentence

25 Thesis Statement Examples

thesis statement examples and definition, explained below

A thesis statement is needed in an essay or dissertation . There are multiple types of thesis statements – but generally we can divide them into expository and argumentative. An expository statement is a statement of fact (common in expository essays and process essays) while an argumentative statement is a statement of opinion (common in argumentative essays and dissertations). Below are examples of each.

Strong Thesis Statement Examples

school uniforms and dress codes, explained below

1. School Uniforms

“Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay or Debate

Read More: School Uniforms Pros and Cons

nature vs nurture examples and definition

2. Nature vs Nurture

“This essay will explore how both genetic inheritance and environmental factors equally contribute to shaping human behavior and personality.”

Best For: Compare and Contrast Essay

3. American Dream

“The American Dream, a symbol of opportunity and success, is increasingly elusive in today’s socio-economic landscape, revealing deeper inequalities in society.”

Best For: Persuasive Essay

4. Social Media

“Social media has revolutionized communication and societal interactions, but it also presents significant challenges related to privacy, mental health, and misinformation.”

Best For: Expository Essay

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Social Media

5. Globalization

“Globalization has created a world more interconnected than ever before, yet it also amplifies economic disparities and cultural homogenization.”

6. Urbanization

“Urbanization drives economic growth and social development, but it also poses unique challenges in sustainability and quality of life.”

7. Immigration

“Immigration enriches receiving countries culturally and economically, outweighing any perceived social or economic burdens.”

8. Cultural Identity

“In a globalized world, maintaining distinct cultural identities is crucial for preserving cultural diversity and fostering global understanding, despite the challenges of assimilation and homogenization.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay

Read More: Learn about Cultural Identity

technology examples and definition explained below

9. Technology

“Medical technologies in care institutions in Toronto has increased subjcetive outcomes for patients with chronic pain.”

Best For: Research Paper

10. Capitalism vs Socialism

“The debate between capitalism and socialism centers on balancing economic freedom and inequality, each presenting distinct approaches to resource distribution and social welfare.”

cultural heritage examples and definition

11. Cultural Heritage

“The preservation of cultural heritage is essential, not only for cultural identity but also for educating future generations, outweighing the arguments for modernization and commercialization.”

pseudoscience examples and definition, explained below

12. Pseudoscience

“Pseudoscience, characterized by a lack of empirical support, continues to influence public perception and decision-making, often at the expense of scientific credibility.”

13. Free Will

“The concept of free will is largely an illusion, with human behavior and decisions predominantly determined by biological and environmental factors.”

14. Gender Roles

“Traditional gender roles are outdated and harmful, restricting individual freedoms and perpetuating gender inequalities in modern society.”

Read More: What are Traditional Gender Roles?

work-life balance examples and definition, explained below

15. Work-Life Ballance

“The trend to online and distance work in the 2020s led to improved subjective feelings of work-life balance but simultaneously increased self-reported loneliness.”

16. Universal Healthcare

“Universal healthcare is a fundamental human right and the most effective system for ensuring health equity and societal well-being, outweighing concerns about government involvement and costs.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Universal Healthcare

17. Minimum Wage

“The implementation of a fair minimum wage is vital for reducing economic inequality, yet it is often contentious due to its potential impact on businesses and employment rates.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage

18. Homework

“The homework provided throughout this semester has enabled me to achieve greater self-reflection, identify gaps in my knowledge, and reinforce those gaps through spaced repetition.”

Best For: Reflective Essay

Read More: Reasons Homework Should be Banned

charter schools vs public schools, explained below

19. Charter Schools

“Charter schools offer alternatives to traditional public education, promising innovation and choice but also raising questions about accountability and educational equity.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Charter Schools

20. Effects of the Internet

“The Internet has drastically reshaped human communication, access to information, and societal dynamics, generally with a net positive effect on society.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of the Internet

affirmative action example and definition, explained below

21. Affirmative Action

“Affirmative action is essential for rectifying historical injustices and achieving true meritocracy in education and employment, contrary to claims of reverse discrimination.”

Best For: Essay

Read More: Affirmative Action Pros and Cons

soft skills examples and definition, explained below

22. Soft Skills

“Soft skills, such as communication and empathy, are increasingly recognized as essential for success in the modern workforce, and therefore should be a strong focus at school and university level.”

23. Moral Panic

“Moral panic, often fueled by media and cultural anxieties, can lead to exaggerated societal responses that sometimes overlook rational analysis and evidence.”

24. Freedom of the Press

“Freedom of the press is critical for democracy and informed citizenship, yet it faces challenges from censorship, media bias, and the proliferation of misinformation.”

Read More: Freedom of the Press Examples

25. Mass Media

“Mass media shapes public opinion and cultural norms, but its concentration of ownership and commercial interests raise concerns about bias and the quality of information.”

Best For: Critical Analysis

Checklist: How to use your Thesis Statement

✅ Position: If your statement is for an argumentative or persuasive essay, or a dissertation, ensure it takes a clear stance on the topic. ✅ Specificity: It addresses a specific aspect of the topic, providing focus for the essay. ✅ Conciseness: Typically, a thesis statement is one to two sentences long. It should be concise, clear, and easily identifiable. ✅ Direction: The thesis statement guides the direction of the essay, providing a roadmap for the argument, narrative, or explanation. ✅ Evidence-based: While the thesis statement itself doesn’t include evidence, it sets up an argument that can be supported with evidence in the body of the essay. ✅ Placement: Generally, the thesis statement is placed at the end of the introduction of an essay.

Try These AI Prompts – Thesis Statement Generator!

One way to brainstorm thesis statements is to get AI to brainstorm some for you! Try this AI prompt:

💡 AI PROMPT FOR EXPOSITORY THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTUCTIONS]. I want you to create an expository thesis statement that doesn’t argue a position, but demonstrates depth of knowledge about the topic.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR ARGUMENTATIVE THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTRUCTIONS]. I want you to create an argumentative thesis statement that clearly takes a position on this issue.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR COMPARE AND CONTRAST THESIS STATEMENT I am writing a compare and contrast essay that compares [Concept 1] and [Concept2]. Give me 5 potential single-sentence thesis statements that remain objective.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

551 Success Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Looking for exciting success topics for an essay? Success is a concept that is definitely worth exploring!

🔝 Top 10 Success Topics to Write About

📑 aspects to cover in a success essay, 🏆 best success topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on success, 🎓 simple & easy success essay titles, 🥇 most interesting success topics to write about, 📌 writing prompts about success, 💡 easy success essay topics, ❓ questions about success.

There is a range of topics to focus on here. You might want to tell your readers about the life of a successful person, study the role of education in a successful career, elaborate on the most colorful examples of success and failure, etc. In this article, we’ve gathered a list of top success topic ideas to write about. You’ll also find here a collection of success essay examples to inspire you even more.

Natural selection as a form of biological success
Adaptiveness as the key to biological and social success
Success in education: is the grading system fair?
How to measure success in life?
How to define “a successful company”?
The American Dream: is the ideal of success realistic?
Does success bring happiness?
Self-made man: is it a myth?
Compare and contrast the life trajectories of two successful people
Success in education and in career: is there a correlation?

What do we perceive as success? Why are some people more successful than others? These are some of the questions you can answer in your essay on success.

Success essays are engaging assignments that allow you to analyze personal stories and define qualifications for success. The purpose of these papers is to find the true meaning of success.

Before starting to work on an essay, think of the topic you want to discuss. Here are some examples of success essay topics and ideas we can suggest:

How one’s personal philosophy allows them to succeed
Do you need to work hard to succeed?
Self-confidence as a significant factor of success
Can success be harmful?
Overcoming personal challenges in life to achieve success
The differences between individuals’ perspectives on success
The link between success and wealth
Education is the key for success

Remember that you can choose from many other successful essay titles, as the topic is broad. You can also ask your professor or peers about possible success essay ideas. Once you have selected one of the topics and titles for your essay, you can start working on your paper. Here are some important aspects you need to cover:

Think of the arguments you will present and develop an outline for your paper. Remember to include an introductory paragraph, several body paragraphs (at least three), and a summary of your work. When working on an outline, think about the purpose of your paper. Do you want to motivate the reader to achieve success? Do you want to show the possible disadvantages of being successful?
Hint: If you are not sure about the issue you have selected, find success essay examples online. It will help you to see whether the problem is relevant.
A thesis is a very important part of your essay. You should state it at the end of the introductory paragraph. A thesis statement can look like this:

Money and wealth do not define success. / Hard work is the most important contributor to one’s success.

Define success. This point is especially important if you are writing an opinion piece. State what success means to you and provide a dictionary definition. Provide a comprehensive perspective on success and analyze it from different viewpoints (wealth, social status, education level, etc.).
Discuss possible parameters of success. They can include wealth, good health, or academic knowledge.
Discuss the factors that can contribute to one’s success. You can share success stories or biographies of famous people to prove your points.
You can talk about the significance of motivation and dedication in achieving success. Address the value of hard work and patience. This way, your reader can get inspiration from your paper.
Keep your reader engaged by asking questions or providing interesting facts about the issue. At the same time, stick to the formal language if your professor did not say otherwise.
It is always good to support your claims with evidence. Although success can be a subjective concept, refer to outside sources in your arguments. Ask your professor about the types of sources you can use for your paper.
Provide examples throughout your paper. This step is crucial to help the reader understand your point better.
Discuss opposing perspectives on the issue if you are working on a persuasive essay. Remember to prove that your opinion is more reliable than the alternative one.

Don’t hesitate to check out some of our essay samples on the website!

Importance of Marketing in an Organization It is through marketing that everyone in the organization gets to learn about the nature of the customers and the market that they are dealing with.
Why Is Tesco Successful: Tescos Success Factors Essay Tesco depends on the presence and dominance in the U.K.to expand its operations, as well as generate revenues. Price wars and the presence of other strong retail brands are a treat to Tesco’s dominance in […]
Perseverance Is the Mother of Success in Learning The purpose of this essay is to describe the challenges I encountered in my life in the learning process of the English language and how I overcame the challenges with my persistence and the results […]
Role of Education for Successful Careers There are also questions touching on the role of education in determining the level of success in the business world and in improving the quality of life in general.
Academic Success for Student Critical thinking is one of the major factors that one should put into consideration as a student in order to achieve academic success.
The Valve Corporation’s Success To be more precise, the company is looking to expand to the new niches of the gaming industry and add the gaming hardware and the supportive software to its line of products.
Being Rich Means Better Education and More Success This is because they managed to shake off the notion that the rich are the only ones who will have the chances of acquiring better education and being successful in life.
Qualities of Successful Marriages Faith makes great differences in marriage and this is why it is very important to share your individual beliefs and values with the partner prior to marriage in order to understand each other and plan […]
Netcare Company’s Success One of the key competencies is organizational growth that has seen Netcare utilize the expertise in the market to break through both the private and the public health markets.
IKEA: Its’ Success in the Internationalisation Process Globalization is generally understood today as the easy international movement of goods, services and information facilitated by the advances in information and communication technologies and transportation.
Is University Education Necessary for Success? One of the greatest limitations of university education, which is also the main defense for critics of university education, is the fact that university education equips graduates with problem solving skills.
The Bulgari Brand’s Diversification Success While the majority of data used to analyse the success of Bulgari’s use of diversification will be collected from secondary sources, primary research will be collected through an interview with the CEO of Bulgari, which […]
EBay’s Success Factors, Fee Structure, and Future That is how eBay manages to attract high-volume sellers, who can contribute to the company’s success and increase its revenue. If the organization needs more buyers and sellers, that is evident that it has to […]
The Role of Management in Organizational Success The first section of the report outlines the significance of management in an organizations success. Moreover, the future success and performance of organizations is subject to the competence of the organizational leaders.
The Success of Cirque du Soleil The success of this show led to the creation of other performances in a number of hotels and casinos in the region.
Netflix Company’s Global Success and Opportunities Also, there is the need to repurchase the right to distribute some products, and the costs of content production tend to increase globally.
The Impact of Goal Setting on Motivation and Success Correct goal setting is needed not only to determine the endpoint accurately but more importantly, it is to motivate and encourage an even faster and more efficient achievement of the goal by minimizing certainty and […]
Home Depot Failure and IKEA Success in China Some people regard a “do-it-yourself” character of products to be the main reason for the low popularity of The Home Depot in China.
The Grameen Bank’s Success The way the Grameen bank raised and the way it is currently operating is one of the biggest success stories to date of the micro-credit financial institute.
Airbnb Company Internationalization: Success and Challenges The paper will review case studies on Airbnb and relevant streams of literature with the aim of analysing the firm’s success as well as the challenges facing the company.
Ryanair Company: Success Factors and Strategies The purpose of this report is to analyze the case of the low-fares airline “Ryanair” and find out the answer to six specific questions from the case.
Management as a Success Factor: Hewlett-Packard Case Study Example The name and the market structure of the company is strengthened by its effective management team who are able to make intervention on products, services and the general approach of the company.
Emirates Airline: The Secrets of the Legends Success Young is of the view that one of the secrets of Emirates explosive growth in the region and in the world in general is the ability to manage both growth and service provision.
The Uber Company’s Financial Success Insights Uber’s ability to provide the desired choice to consumers at any time and meet the expectations of 10 minutes and lower has been key to its success.
Psychology: Factors of Success in Life and Career One of the most researched elements about success is the factors that drive people to pursue it. Success is often associated with a positive mental attitude, which triggers the desire to be successful in whatever […]
Starbucks’ Success: Mission and Stakeholders Lastly, although Starbucks has been accused of tax evasion in the past, the company has ensured it adheres to the regulations of the governments in the countries in which it operates.
How Companies Can Successfully Enter The French Fashion Industry Currently, the fashion industry is one of the economic sectors that are experiencing an increment in the rate of competition. This means that there is a high probability of the firms becoming established in the […]
Etisalat’s Success in the UAE In order to understand the reasons for the success of the firm, the researcher sought to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Etisalat UAE by considering a number of issues.
Success or Failure of Democracy In terms of equality in democracy, Tocpeuville observes that this becomes the form of government in a democracy since no one becomes right than the other.
Carlos Ghosn and Renault-Nissan: Leading for Global Success Nissan being the second largest company in the automobile industry in Japan recorded a significant increment in their sales profit in the year 2006.
IBM’s Success Factors, Competitors, SWOT Analysis Kotler shows that the CEO, who took up the management in the 21 century, modified IBM’s vision and strategy to correspond to the current situation by shifting it towards software rather than hardware and focusing […]
Personal Philosophy of Success In this essay, I shall define the success strategies that I have discovered and which I intend to use in the coming years to achieve success.
Factors Affecting Academic Success Self-motivation and discipline are evaluated by determining the amount of time students devote to schoolwork, levels of commitment and engagement, and their willingness to learn new things in and out of class.
Manchester United FC: Continuing Success but at What Cost? The support of Manchester United across the globe is also incredible and a contributing factor to the success of the club.
Pringles’ Successful Strategy If the previous experiences of the consumer on a flavor were unfavorable, then the possibility of buying a different flavor would be high.
Project Management: Masdar City Project Success To determine whether the Masdar City site was a success it is important to evaluate what the goals of the project were, if it succeeded at them and if it met the criteria above.
Emotional Intelligence and Its Impact on Success As for me, I would define emotional intelligence as the ability to react to the situation in a proper way, to find the appropriate way out of a situation, and to make a decision successful […]
The Success of Carrefour Hypermarkets The locations include in shopping malls, shopping centres, airports and in emerging towns, depending with the location, the products that the company stocks varies.
Blockbuster and Netflix Firms’ Failure and Success It is due to the presence of many employees of different cultures and the influx of young people into the ranks of the company’s employees.
The Success of Women’s Rights Movement They sought the equal treatment of women and men by law and fought for voting rights. The women’s rights movement was successful because they were united, had a strong ideological foundation, and organized campaigns on […]
Virgin Group’s Strategic Development and Success It identifies that a strong brand name and high quality of products and services provide the company with an opportunity to remain one of the international leaders.
Hollywood Success in the Film “Sunset Boulevard” In addition to that, the protagonists of this movie illustrate the canons of this genre. This is one of the details that can be distinguished.
Competitive Advantage and Business Success: McDonalds and Burger King The company values quality and embraces a wide variety of fast foods that are available in many outlets across the world. To do this, the company ensures that the costs of operations are at the […]
Student Empowerment Program and Its Success The main goal of the empowerment program is to inspire and educate students to be better prepared for the challenges of globalization.
Maersk Line Company’s Social Media Success Factors The company selected and communicated the most desirable message to the targeted stakeholders. The head of social media encouraged the employees at the company to support the agenda.
Google’s Corporate Culture and its Success The culture at Google fits all the needs and demands of the marketplace and the corporation itself. Through Google’s corporate architectural culture, the company has been capable of instituting individuality before the public and its […]
Success Factors and Leadership Strategies: Southwest Airlines and Emirates Airlines The comparison of Southwest Airlines and Emirates Airlines is a chance to comprehend how cultural and regional diversities may define the quality of services, improve the airline industry, and provide people with appropriate working conditions […]
Success and Money Correlation The development of the information technologies and the ongoing progress led to the reconsideration of the values and beliefs. It is significant to understand that there is no right or wrong answer for the question […]
HR Management Skills and Organisational Survival & Success A manager’s knowledge of HRM is significant to the attainment of the organisation’s goals and objectives. It is created to promote and pursue the aims and objectives of an organisation.
The Example of Success in Life If we have a successful career that allows us to make more money, we will be happier. Being successful in our career also allows us to have more opportunities because we have more choices, as […]
Success: What Is Its True Meaning? It is perhaps far simpler to explain that success is the opposite of failure a word that means unsuccessful attempts to do things in life.
Key Factors of Competitive Success in the Water Bottling Industry The introduction of enhanced or functional water products, by a number of major bottling firms such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, has provided further competition, threatening to squeeze profitability for them.
Success of Amazon These areas are all related to the design of the website and how intuitive it was to respond quickly to the needs of the customers.
The Success Behind the Coca-Cola Company The third element of the business strategy the Coca-Cola Company is revenue maximization built on the understanding that financial soundness is the measure of a good and enduring business.
Lush’s Success: Background and Distribution Channels of Lush Apart from getting products from the chain of stores, Lush made it possible for the customers to make orders and buy products online.
Success: How Do You Define It? Often we consider the word success as the binary opposite of failure, and success of a person is measured largely based on the failure of someone else.
Golden Age of Islam: Inventions and Success in Science The achievements of the Muslim technology and science contributed to the development of the Western society and helped Europe come out of the Dark Ages.
AirAsia Company and Its Success The local advertisements made people aware of the company and its pricing, and this led to acknowledgment and popularity. Factors on the macro level are the locations and length of the flights that other airlines […]
Money, Success, and Relation Between Them In particular, the modern generation attaches so much importance to money in the sense that success and money are presumed to be one and the same thing.
Management Theories and Success in Business Considering the expenses involved in scientific methods and other technical operations as well as the reluctance on the part of the workers, this theory was developed to control these two situations. Through provision of quality […]
The Idea of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for the Maritime Logistics Sector To demonstrate that IT is a CSF that is currently driving the maritime logistics sector a comparison is drawn between COSCO Group TNC and Wilh.
Hedge Fund Success Story: Renaissance Technologies LLC Whereas hedge funds have a similarity in regard to mutual funds since they both involve the collective investments of funds pooled by the investors, the two forms of funds differ because the market regulation authorities […]
Failure and Success in Human Life Success if one of the major concerns of modern society, Nowadays, it serves as the main determiner of the significance of an individual and his/her position in society.
Types of Speech Used in Everyday Life and Their Role for Achieving Academic Success As a college student with experience in making presentations and participating in various workshops, I consider the development of informative and professional speaking especially vital for my future career. In an academic setting, the most […]
Achieving Success in a Counseling Session I have experienced that the most favored solutions pertain to situations where the client is open to resourcefulness and motivation, which further depends on the competence level of the counselor or therapist and whether there […]
The Success of the Underground Railroad The establishment of this clandestine movement was not initiated only by the slaves themselves but also through the help of sympathizers and other citizens who have the capacity to help.
Persuasion, Manipulation, Survival, Success at Work in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” Since the beginning of the play edited by Roma Gill, Brutus is presented as a character who is very close to Caesar and is a “great friend” of his.
College Success Skills: Prioritizing and Flexibility Since only a fraction of individuals is able to stay organized in the long run without guidance, a written plan is recommended to maximize the efficiency and keep track of the progress.
Failure and Success in Teacher Career The utilization of these old ideas and resources in the current academic environment has also contributed to the failing of schools.
Community Policing, Its Success and Failure Factors Usually, the police officers in communities may not necessarily be members of those localities, the concept of community policing injects into the system people with hands on experience of the concerns of the immediate community.
Extent of Gazprom Company’s Success The entity has expanded the company’s markets reach from European markets to other parts of the world. The entity has also helped the company to monitor and respond to the ever-changing dynamic markets in energy […]
Spanish Conquest on Americas: Success Factors The first viewpoint regarding the Spaniards conquest of the Americas on the Aztec Empire is the idea of Jared Diamond that environmental and geographical differences made the Americas lose the battle.
The Keys to the Success of Dell Dell’s strategy of making sales directly to its clients has enabled it to acquire the position of the market leader in the US computer industry.
Chanel and the Way to Success The start of the business was very usual; the recognizable brand had grown from a small shop in the downtown of Paris which introduced Chanel to the market which was not very hard to capture […]
Successful Management in Business By doing this, one is able to do the right thing at the right time. Also one should consider the opportunities and threats he is likely to face.
Success of Nike Products As a matter of fact, this outstanding success of Nike in the global markets can be attributed to the quality of its footwear products and apparel for sports.
People’s Potential and Success Hard work implies the sacrifice of time and the associated rest and recreation, and many people will choose to avoid it.
Critical Success Factors for Entrepreneurs Consequently, the issue of entrepreneurial success factors is a significant problem because identification of these factors and their implementation by entrepreneurs is likely to increase the performance of the entrepreneurial activity and thus provide a […]
Easyjet’s Success and Challenges The company had to do things differently by eliminating the services that customers dislike; after all, the low-income earners are not interested in the unnecessary services. This is because the airline has to make many […]
International Success and Failures of Canada Goose Inc The recent agreement between Canada and the European Free Trade association is an example of how the company is succeeding in international markets. In recent years, the Japanese market has been flooded by products of […]
Delayed Gratification is a Major Factor in Professional Success Resisting the lure of an immediate pleasure in expectation of a better payoff later is the definition of delayed gratification.
Digital Technology and My Career Success The author has a positive view of the Digital Generation, as she believes that the Internet enables individuals to be “the actor, the collaborator, the initiator, the rememberer, the organizer”.
Merger & Acquisition: Critical Success Factors The importance of mergers and acquisitions in the corporate world stems from their variable advantages, which include increased economies of scale, expansion of the economy of scope, increased revenues, increased market share, development of synergy, […]
Festival of Britain, Its History and Success The rationale behind it was to point to the reconstruction of London and the incorporation of futuristic buildings in the architecture of the city.
“The Fallacy of Success” by G. K. Chesterton Chesterton, in his work The Fallacy of Success, also cogitates about this very issue, underlining the fact of uselessness of these books and outlining his own ideas connected with the issue of success.
Philosophy Ideology of Success and Failure The right to success is personal and largely depends on the determination of the individual these are the views of Alain.
Success factors in business These factors comprise of the leader, the team, the nature of the project being undertaken, the organization involved, and the external surrounding, including the administrative and socioeconomic conditions influencing their activities.
Xerox: Innovation and Success One of the ways Xerox has been able to serve a large amount of customers is by creating business partners and offering comprehensive packages that include a number of services.
Personal Responsibility as a Students Success Strategy One of the distinct characteristics of personal responsibility is the consciousness to fulfil personal promises. Students have to learn the art of personal responsibility in order to remain purposeful and focused.
Success of Zappos in National and International Markets One year down the line, the company merged with Venture Frogs, which added an additional capital to the growing capital base of the company and jointly they adopted the name Zappos.
Factors Influencing the Growth and Success of an Enterprise Although many experts indicate that as the firm ages the likelihood of it learning form its mistakes and thus succeeding are high, the multiplier effect of large business is low and this is a major […]
The Success of the Cheesecake Factory The factory provides services both to be consumed in the many outlets of the factory and take away services for customers who wish to enjoy the factory’s products at their homes.
The Concept of Leadership in Organizational Success From the definition provided it is evident that leadership is of importance not only to the individual workers but the entire organization and ultimately to all other stakeholders.
Flight Centre Success Factors However, the company was greatly affected in 1991 as a result of the Gulf War leading to the closure of the UK and US offices.
Chick-Fil-A and Its Market Success The needs of the restaurant’s customers include the need for quality food, as well as relaxation, as the company positions itself as a family-type restaurant.
Distinct Lower Class Culture: An Impediment to Success A distinct lower-class culture is the set of cultural values and prospects transmitted to the children raised in the low class and social status within the society; that further acts as an impediment to their […]
Key Success Factors of the Global Online Fashion Business This research proposal will seek to attain the following objectives at the end of the study: Identify both external and internal factors that influence fashion industry Identify ethical issues affecting the industry and its sustainability […]
The Road to Financial Success: “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki They learnt the important lesson that, the rich do not work for money; no, money works for them by employing other people to work for them In Chapter 2, the author explains the importance of […]
Einstein’s Success in “Einstein’s Dreams” by Alan Lightman The notion of the end of the world is synonymous to the notion of the end of time. The subtleties of time can be visualized: “In this world, time is a visible dimension”.
The Aspects of the Zappos’ Company Success Meanwhile, Zappos was a private company, which made its most important decision to offer free shipping in spite of the data and costs.
Marvel Entertainment’s Success Journey The purchase itself and the amount that Disney was ready to contribute indicates that its representatives recognized both the “financial viability and cultural power of the Marvel brand”.
Music Museums: Role and Success The success of the Music Museum depends on its organization. It attracts many people and makes them come several times in regard to the customer-oriented strategy.
The Arab Spring: Between Success and Failure The purpose of the proposed study is to analyze and identify the factors and approaches that explain the failure and success recorded in some of the affected countries.
Business Networking for Graduate Career Success According to Moore, networking serves as the hidden job market, considering that meaningful relationships before launching a career can provide oneself with a valuable asset for the workplace in the future.
Phenomenon of Creativity and Success This essay aims to discuss the two positions on creativity and argue that being creative is vital to achieving success in the 21st-century workplace, as creativity contributes to problem solving and effective leadership and helps […]
Assessing the Linkage Between the Success of H&M’s Organizational Performance Digital marketing strategies have gained massive popularity over the recent past. Large, mid-sized, and small firms are all using these platforms to promote their brands and products.
Happiness and Success as a Life Meaning I find meaning in my life when I help people that I encounter in my life. This means that life, when a person follows the Christian rules, is full of spirituality and thus meaning.
Tourism Business and Its Success Factors The tourism business is one of the fast-developing fields of the world economy. The way of organizing the tourism business presented in this chart corresponds to the main specifics of the company interested in becoming […]
Zara Company’s Business Model and Success Factors Zara will be able to continue expanding all over the world with an equal level of speed and fast fashion by preserving the existing business model, keeping the industrial facilities in Spain, and actively using […]
Literature Review & Critique on Project Success In his theorising on project success, Andersen rejects the self-interest of the project as the domineering viewpoint and focuses attention to the interplay between the project and the parent organisation, with the view to clarifying […]
F1 Team’s Success: Management and Strategy Main causes of the problems experienced by the Ferrari in the early 1970 and how they overcome them The company had taken motor sport as a sporting activities and had invested minimal in the research […]
Generation of Unique Idea as a Success of the New Product Development Process The success of the new product development process hinges upon the uniqueness of the ideas generated. This method focuses on the inadequacies of the organization’s product to come up with ideas for developing improved products.
Success of Socrates’ Defense Fist, he does not appear to be apologetic and to the contrary confirms the general opinion held by majority of his jury that he thinks he is the wisest.
Success Behind the Southwest Airlines Co. Integration One of the key factors that have enhanced the success of the Southwest Airline is the way the airline integrates its activities.
Human Resources Management: The Key to Strategic Success Human resource management entails the recruitment, selection, training, and development of the body of people that make up an organization in any sector of the economy.
Dynamic Designs Company’s Success Threats The meeting with the COO of the Dynamic Designs company indicated that four main problems threaten the company’s success in the market.
Procurement Function’s Role in Company’s Success It is possible to define procurement as the process of purchasing goods and services which are needed in order for the business to function; it should be pointed out that this term describes the full […]
American Values: The Pursuit of Success Nevertheless, the American mentality exists and is very different from the mentality of other countries. One of the key values of the American people is individuality: they are very proud of being self-sufficient.
Leading and Lagging Indicators of Success The primary distinction between leading and lagging indicators is that although lagging indicators will disclose performance trends, leading indicators may be utilized to monitor if specific actions really affect an organization’s performance.
Technology Strategy for Business Success In conclusion, while technology strategy can be a challenging and uncertain field, the key takeaways from the success stories of companies like Genentech, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Facebook show that it is possible to navigate […]
Alibaba’s Success: A Window Into the Future of Strategy Innovative companies also prioritize innovation and are not afraid to take chances to stay ahead of the competition. Fourth, innovative companies prioritize it and are prepared to take chances to stay ahead of the competition.
Alibaba’s Success and the Future of Strategy This trust has allowed the organization to securely occupy a major portion of the e-commerce market and further diversify into other realms, such as cloud computing and digital payments. To conclude, Alibaba’s success reveals that […]
Graduate Study Success in Nursing Self-discipline in the nursing field will provide me with the strength to remain professional with my clients, even when one is ready to give up in life.
Debenhams and ASOS Companies’ Success and Failure Following the failure of large British retailers, the obstacles that contributed to the downfall of Debenhams and the chances that Asos used to become successful should be of great interest to every investor.
The Success of Pfizer in the Context of the Intrasystem Approach The success of Pfizer in the context of the intrasystem approach shows that the business decided to establish specialized departments with distinct leaders, allowing each team to have more defined objectives and outcomes.
Elon Musk: Leadership, Financial Success, and the Future of Tesla Musk’s ability to increase Tesla’s product offerings and raise consumer expectations for the company’s goods was perhaps his biggest achievement. Financial situation of Tesla was eccentric and explosive akin to the character of its leader.
Optimization of Supply Chain Levers for Global Success When the transport and logistics system is optimized, it increases volume and the ease of movement of raw materials and finished products to and from the warehouse; this will cause inconvenience to the storage services.
Amazon’s Success: Online Shopping Psychology One of the many factors contributing to Amazon’s success is its thorough understanding of its consumers, which is shown in the layout of its website and the numerous innovations it has brought to online retail.
SIA’s Main Ingredients of Success SIA’s success in the airline industry is owed to the various unique and quality services offered by the company. Therefore, dedication to quality and excellent services and adoption of a continuous service improvement strategy are […]
How Has SIA’s Success Become Vulnerable? SIA’s success is becoming vulnerable due to the increasing customer demand, worsening business and competition environment, and internal organizational pressure. The employees lacked shared values and dedication to SIA’s quality service.
The Secret Behind Rihanna’s Brand Success Therefore, the brand mainly targets meeting women’s needs and wants first.”Fenty sells lingerie with the idea that a woman is in charge of her body, and her personal life and has the right to choose.
Social Darwinism and the Success or Failures of Individuals in the Society According to Darwin, while the fittest survive in nature, in human society such fitness is determined by the ability of people to adjust to the changing circumstances.
Unveiling Nordstrom’s Success: The Power of Customer Experience Customers on their smart phones and associates behind sales counters see the same thing the entire inventory of Nordstrom’s stores is presented as one selection, which the company refers to as perpetual inventory.”Customer service is […]
Strategies for Success in the Handbag Industry The more competitors there are and the number of similar commodities they offer, the less powerful a firm becomes. Generally, how valuable a company’s products are in the marketplace determines its ability to place a […]
A Significant Decline in Children’s Academic Success The problem to be solved in this research project is that students’ math skills in the ninth grade are inadequate for passing the minimum requirements of the FSA exam.
Scaling and Success of DevOps for Military HQDA Army G-4 is a special unit involved in the development and evaluation of logistics processes, programs, and policies for the national military sector.
Japan’s Economy Success Factors The Prime Minister of Japan is in charge of most of the government. Japan’s economy is one of the biggest and fastest in the world.
What is a Support System and How it is Integral to Success as a Nursing Student? Proper support and guidance from my classroom professor will enable me to have enough rest. In the course of my education, various support systems would help me reduce mental anguish and improve my ability to […]
Content Area Reading: Preparing America’s Students for Success The reading associated with a specific content area includes the ideas and concepts necessary for these subjects; its text is also structured according to the rules of the field practitioners.
Success of the Canadian Economy The next stage, work design, it is required managers to ensure that the success of the team is in its diversity and inclusion.
Success and Failure of South Korea In conclusion, South Korea’s remarkable rise as a prosperous economy sown the seeds of the challenges it faces because the system was primed for rapid growth without ensuring it is resilient to its current failures.
Employer Recruitment’s Role in Organizational Success This paper discusses the strategies associated with the recruitment of employers, how training and development of activities contribute to the success of an organization.
Project Management: Determining Key Success Factors The focus on contingency planning appears to be beneficial to the framework that requires making decisions under the spur of the moment for several reasons.
The Uber Firm’s Marketing Success Analysis However, Uber has found a way to adapt to the passenger transport market and is still one of the best services around the world.
Women’s Success in Late 19th-Century Europe In the early 16th century, Women in Europe engaged in private and public activities associated with the theaters. Through the years, they have proven to be some of the most progressive personalities in the film, […]
Prime Chocolate’s External Factors of Success In addition, the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic have significantly weakened precisely this positive feature of the influence of external factors on business. The inclusion of the company in the Fair Trade program reflects […]
Prime Chocolate’s Internal Factors of Success In advancing and conquering the market, a company can focus on its strengths, including a complex pattern of personnel management and the use of hired labor.
Importance of Success in Teams for Organizations With six months of operation, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for the business through shared exchanges with team members.
What Are Metrics of Company Success? One of the best ways to save excessive costs when transporting goods within the company’s activities is to optimize routes, that is, adjust them to calculations that correspond to the logic of the supply chain.
Zambia’s 2021 Elections: The Success of Opposition In the article for the Journal of Democracy titled “How Zambia’s Opposition Won,” Danielle Resnick explores the path that the population of the country had completed before the opposition finally won, symbolizing the drastic turn […]
Zoom’s Success and Washington Prime Group’s Failure: Impact of the COVID-19 By the beginning of the second quarter of 2020, the internal operations of many business organizations changed due to the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences.
Paul Tasner’s Success as an Entrepreneur This man’s example shows that regardless of an entrepreneur’s age, a successful business can be built based on a desire to change the world for the better and contribute to society.
Analysis of Aretha Franklin’s Success She was born on March 25, 1942, and succumbed on August 16, 2018; the artist was a songwriter, a pianist, and the first to introduce soul music. Franklin’s father managed the artist’s work and supported […]
Purdy Chocolatier: Reasons for Success For Purdy Chocolatier, it may be even more challenging as the company has been operating for a long period of time in Western Canada and decided to serve the customers of Eastern Canada as well. […]
Role of Causal Research in Success of ConFundrum Communication with people, online surveys, and interaction with regular customers are the elements of causal research to understand what ideas can be beneficial for new rooms.
The Relationships Between Parents and Children and Keys to Their Success The key points, which people frequently neglect, are the need for parents to be nurturers, never-ending personal development, and the risks with which the prevalence of emotional motives for parenthood is associated.
Evidence of the Success of Alcohol Prohibition in the United States in 1920 Consumption of alcoholic beverages considerably declined as a result of the enactment of prohibition in the United States. As a result, there was a considerable decrease in the number of alcohol-related diseases.
Amazon’s Success Online and Its Main Reasons The second reason for the company’s online success is its competitive advantage in terms of price and service. For example, Amazon has developed a creative solution to promoting online shopping in India, where only 35% […]
Techniques and Methods of Achieving Success A purpose is extremely important because it affords me the appropriate sense of direction, exactly where to direct my efforts and thoughts. Thus, action is a key strategy that encourages me to learn from my […]
ROI as a Tool to Understand the Success of a Particular Investment In business, the process of investing money and resources into potential marketing, advertising efforts and specific products with the expectation of increased returns is one of the primary ways of increasing revenues and growing one’s […]
The Success of the US COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign
Serial Crowdfunding, Social Capital and Project Success
Kapiolani Community College: The Factors of Success
Financial Strategies and Success of Organizational Mission
Critical Thinking. Start-Up Success and Growth
M-PESA: Critical Success Factors
The Reality TV Programs and Their Success
ViaBela: Online Business and Website Success
“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by C. Dweck
The Delayed Gratification: Fundamentals and Impact on Professional Success
Patience as a Major Factor of Professional Success
Student Success Strategies: Clinical Lesson Plan
Organizational Health and Firm’s Success
Monitoring Success of Kindergarten Students
Google’s Success: Contributions to Google’s Success
The United Arab Emirates Success in Yemen
Success in Major and Career
Does Spanish Hotel Need Intermediaries for Success?
Project Initiation Document and Measuring Project Success
Doing Business Internationally: Change and Success
The Amazon Company’s Success Reasons
Success: How to Parent?
Relative Moral Theories vs. Universal Moral Theories in Team Success
Predicting Medium-Term Success Among Alcohol and Opiate Dependents
The Success of Saudi Arabian Airlines
XCEL Study Program’s Impact on Student Success
Aspects of Success of the Healthcare Team
The American Dream and Success
Meta-Analysis: The Critical Links of Success
Employee Sharing: Problems Inhibiting Business Success
Healthcare in Cuba: Reasons for Success
A Road Map for Managed Care Success
The Critical Success Factors for IPv6 Uptake and Likely Future
Long Term Financial Success for Clubs
Trails to Success: Bank of America
Critical Success Factors for Health IT Professionals
Managing Oneself: The Key to Success
Windows vs Google. New Operating System as the Key to Success
Phenomenal Success of August Wilson’s Fences Play
7 Steps to Success in Dual Language Immersion
The Success of Homeschooling and How the Program Can Be Increased
Success and Mistakes of Barack Obama’s Foreign Policy
Success of Egypt in Yom Kippur War
Logistics: The Dell Company’s Concept of Success
The Triple Constraints: A Valid Set of Criteria to Measure IS-Project Success?” by Koen Milis
Success Sales of Playstation 4 Consoles
Learning Communities and Student Success
SharePoint: Enhancing Practices & Student’s Success
The Key Factors of Success in the Revolutionary War
Achieving Success in America: Characteristics of Options
Organizational Success: Effective Employee Engagement
Learning Environment and Student Success
Factors Influencing the Success of Insurgencies
Reasons of Success of Amateur Detective Fiction Authors
The Success of Cheesecake Factory
Supervision Change and School Success
Key to Success in Life
Fast Food Industry: Five Forces of Success
Leadership Development Plan: Challenges & Success
Company Success Due to the Organizational Concept
The Extent of GATT’s Success
How Close Is the Success of Suborbital Commercial Space Shuttles?
“Assessing E-Commerce Systems Success” by Yi-Shun Wang
Dimensions of National Culture and Formula for Business Success
Success Secrets in “They Did You Can” by Finnigan
Empires’ Success in Ancient World History
Small Business Success Survey
The RIAA Success in Filing Lawsuits Against Illegal Downloading of Music
Strategic Leadership: Ensuring Your Organization Success
Parameters of Methadone Maintenance Treatment: Usability, Success and Limitations
Cyrus and Dairus the Great’s Contribution to Persia’s Success
The Contributions of Dwight Eisenhower to America’s Success in Their Space Exploration Efforts
Costa Coffee: Quality as the Core of Success
Firm’s Success and Ethical Behaviour Relations
IKEA: People and Environment as Key Elements That Can Result Into Business Success in the Long Term
The Role of Hospitability and Customer Relations in Business Success
Success Rate of Movie Products: Product-Placement Planning
Time Management: How Developing Professional Knowledge and Abilities Impact Career Success
Issue of the Educational Success
Right Leadership and Its Impact on the Company’s Success
The Importance of Different Skills for Business Success
Mercosur: A Road Towards Success or a Failed Attempt?
Success of Vector Managed Inventory Programs
Disney Corporation’s Success Evaluation
Personal Definition of Success
Organisational Effectiveness: Approaches to Measuring Success
Toyota Motor Corp.: Reasons of Success
IKEA’s Strategy Success Analysis
E-Commerce: Analysis of Amazon Success
The Success of AXE Cologne Commercial
The Path to Success: Motivation, Business Structure
Reasons for Success in International Management
The Concept of Success From Different Aspects
Optimistic Thinking Flues Success
Success of Democracy in US: Comparative Approach for Explaining
Issues of Tesla: Despite the Worldwide Success
Individual Factors and Professional Success
Personal Rules of Success
Lifco and Spinneys Companies’ Success Histories
Effective Group Work Counseling for Academic Success
Communication Success in an Oil and Gas Company
The Success of India’s Economy
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X: Who Is Closer to Success?
Oral and Written Communication as a Success Factor
Cultural and Systemic Factors of Success
Best Buy Co.’s Success and Circuit City Firm’s Failure
Collaborative Success Plan in Nursing
Video Games: Budget and Success
Group-Think at the Workplace: Plan for Success
Business Email Writing: Plan for Success
Success Factors: Psychological Research Findings
Employee’s Personality Traits and Success
UAE Public-Private Partnerships: Success Factors
John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success and Leadership
Cognition, Motivation and Success
Success in the ENG101 Course
Culture and Characteristics of Success or Failure
Psychology: Success Strategies in Education and Life
Benefits Management Practices for Project Success
King.com’s Candy Crush Game’s Business Success
Arab Spring: Its Success and Failure Factors
“Principles of Innovation and Measuring Success” by Clay Christensen
Determination & Perseverance: Failing Before Success
Stress Management: Personal Success Plan
Vladimir Putin: President’s Success
Banking Systems Success in Canada and Australia
The Success of Taglit-Birthright Israel Program
Blue Design Management: Construction Project Success
Payday Lending Industry and Its Success Factors
Oprah Winfrey’s Success as a Leader
Project Evaluation and Program Success Measurement
Poundland Retailing Company’s Success Factors
Critical Success Factors: Boss, I Think Someone Stole Our Data
“Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell
Media: Economic Impact versus Event Success
Professor Wangari Maathai: Life and Success
Lean Supply Chains and Organisational Success
Learning Success from Professional Perspectives
Dividend as a Contribution the Business Success
Emirates Airlines’ Cross-Cultural Cooperation and Success
Tom Eyen’s “Dreamgirls”: Success and Failure
Marketing Planning as an Essential Part of a Firm’s Success
What Affects the Likelihood of Academic Success
McDonald’s Company Analysis and Success
Children’s Success Requirements in Parents’ Views
Amy’s Ice Cream Company’s Success Factors
Family Business: Success or Challenge?
Tim Hortons vs. Starbucks: Companies Success
The Role of Social Support in School’s Success
Uber Technologies Inc.’s Way to Success
LinkedIn Network’s Success and Functional Area
Creative Strategy and Success in Business Enterprise
Snapchat: Causes of Success
Ads by National Society of Leadership and Success
Student Success in Online, Mixed, Direct Courses
Zillow Company’ Strategic Steps to Success
Bill Gates’s Leadership and Success Factors
“Outliers: The Story of Success” by M. Gladwell
Jeff Bezos and Gladwell’s Success Principles
Audrey Hepburn and Gladwell’s Principle of Success
Male Mating Success and Courtship Modalities
Trulia Company’s Competencies and Success Factors
Juvenile Reentry Programs and Their Success Rate
Du Company’s Internal and External Success Factors
Entrepreneurship: Justina Bright’s Success Factors
Black Lives Matter Movement’s History and Success
National Society of Leadership and Success: Marketing
Pulse Nightclub Attack: Events and Success Factors
Emirates Airlines: Success and Highest Quality Services
Principles of Innovation and Measuring Success
Henry Kissinger’s Success in Diplomatic Negotiations
Hoopla Project’s Short-Term Gains and Success
Kiwi International Air Lines, Its Success and Failure
Dhahran Ahliyya Schools and Their Success Factors
Organisational Success and Its Elements
Madonna’s Sustainable Success
Reconstruction History: Success or Failure?
Google Company’s Success
Educational Organization’s Culture and Success
Caterpillar Inc.’s Success Factors and Future
Literary Success of “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien
What Drives Advertising Success on Facebook?
Salesperson’s & Sales Manager’s Traits for Success
BRL Hardy Company’s Post-Merger Success
Grönefeld Company’s Economic Success Factors
The Bill Shreeve Band and Its Success Factors
Project Success and Interpersonal Conflicts
Secrets for Japan’s Success
Marketing Role in Success of Victoria’s Secret
Disney California Company and Its Success
Yahoos Company’s Strategic Management’ Success
Michael Ignatieff: Success and Failure in Politics
The One Company: Key to Success
Strategic Management in the Business Organization Success
Understanding the Obstacles to TQM Success
Starbucks Company’s Reasons for Success
Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe
The War Finance Feature in Promoting Military Success
Analysis of Giglamesh’ and Job’ Success and Suffering
China’s Success in the Urbanization Process
Newark Family Success Center
Family Success Centre’s in Newark
Emotional Intelligence as a Factor of Professional Success
Project Planning and Project Success Relation
Determinants of Success in the Swedish Food and Drink Industry
WTO and Its Success in Jordan
Importance of Marketing Functions in Organizational Success
The Department of Homeland Security and its Impacts on the United States’ Emergency Preparedness: Success or Failure
How Much Does the Success of E-Learning Depend on Changing Organizational Culture?
Can Small Business Replicate Apple’s Success?
Success in Interpersonal Communication
Wal-Mart’s Extraordinary Success
A Critical Debate on Key Management Success Factors for Various Sporting Events
Success of the Chinese Economy
Corporate Social Responsibility is Integral to the Long-Term Success of Five-Star Hotels
James Dyson and His Success as an Entrepreneur
THL Company Strategy Success
The Success of Organizational Learning
Organizational Learning in Western and Chinese Regions
Critical Success Factors for the Implementation of System in the State of Qatar
Professional Development for Strategic Managers: Up the Ladder to Complete Success
Cross Cultural Negotiation and Business Success
Reflections on Achieving Career Success and Personal Fulfillment
How to Define Project Success?
Enterprise Resource Planning Integration Success
Schwarzkopf’ Leadership Style and Success as a Military General
“Jaguar Land Rover and HSBC Using CSR to Ensure Brand Success in China” by Andy Rice
Keys to Success in Cross-Border Marketing
Preparation for Academic Success at the Graduate Level
Criteria Used in Assessing the Relative Success of a Family Business
“Success Criteria and Factors for International Development Projects: A Life-Cycle-Based Framework” Khang and Moe
3 Leadership Aspects for Successful Organizational Collaboration
Successful project of the Android
Managers Roles in Determining the Organizations Success
The Reasons of Yahoo’s Success
Land Rover Project Management: Failure and Success
How do Religion, Culture and Ethnicity Affect the Success or Failure of a Global Enterprise in China?
Importance of Quality Management System for Running a Successful Company
Techniques Employed by Managers in Ensuring Success of Plans in their Firms
Success of Canadian Economy
The socioeconomic success of second generation immigrants
Diamond Bank Plc Culture And Its Impact On The Success Of Set Strategies
Phenomenon of Pixar’s Success
Methods of Measuring Campaign Success
The Balance Between Sustainable Construction and Project Success in the Current Economical Situation in the UK
Business Transformation: Innovating New Strategies for the Success
Construction Projects Success Factors
Success in the Global Business Environment
Successful Knowledge Worker Teams
Success is an Individual’s Secret
Managing Change for Competitive Success
Change Management, BPR and successful ERP implementation
Characteristics of Successful Teams
Success Factors of Implementing E-Services Project
What Makes a Successful Situation Comedy?
On the Success of Tawuniya Insurance Company
The Success International Company
Why Knowledge Management is important to the Success of Organizations
Path Towards Future Success
Images of Success and the Prefernce for Luxury Brands
How Schuman Accounts for the Success and Failures of the Asian Model of Development
The Major Obstacles to Success for College Students
The successes of Applebee’s Grill and Bar
The Way to Success in “Fifth Discipline” by Peter Senge
Book Critique: “The Intentional Church: Moving From Church Success to Community Transformation” by Randy Pope
Project Marketing to Improve Project Success
Critical Factors of Executive Success: Steve Jobs
Astonishing Success of Zara in the Fast Fashion Industry
Project Success – Leadership Management
The Reasons behind the Success of the 1949 Communist Revolution in China
Successful Strategic Human Resource Planning
Family Business and Its Governance
Factors influencing successful buyer–seller relationships
What Entrepreneurs Should Do to Become Successful
“5 Simple Tips for Successful Stock Trading” by Richard Band
LensCrafters: Achieving Organizational Success
Factors Affecting the Success of Mega-Events
McDonald’s Success
Project Success and Team Building
Dyslexic Students: Success Factors for Support in a Learning Environment
CRM Components and Success Factors
Critical Success Factors for a CRM Program: A Discussion
Corporate Branding Success
Dollar General: Retail Outlet’s Success
Intercultural Communication and Success at Work
The Components of Restaurant Concept and the Unique Selling Points that Have Driven the Success of The Cheesecake Factory
Successful Managers of Tomorrow Will Be the Ones Who Have a High Cultural Quotient
Success Indicators for Hotel Managers
EGoverment for Development: Success and Failure in eGoverment Projects
HIMSS Organization Success
The Role of Interactivity to the Success of Reality Television Shows
Cultural Aspect as the Peculiarity of the Successful Business Strategy of Multinationals in Foreign Countries
Google’s Growth Opportunities and Threats
How Characteristics of Innovation Affect Success of a Product
Making an Office Paperless: Project Progress
Strategic Management: Planning and Organisational Success
Reasons for the Success of the Jewish Yishuv in 1947
Why do Successful Companies Fail
Acts 29 Network: Small Group Success
Gym Website Design and Monetization
A Successful Step Forward in the Educational Process
Virgin Blue: Sustaining Success in Australia
Components of success business
Major in Success: Make College Easier, Fire up Your Dreams, and Get a Great Job
Human Resource Management’s Successful Strategies
Specsavers Company Success
Google Success Strategy
Five Approaches to the Successful Team Building
Wal-Mart’s Management: The Art of Resource Optimization
Successes and the Failures of the “Drug War”
Wal-Mart Company Success
Examining the critical success factors in the adoption of enterprise resource planning
The Success of Dell Company
Organization Studies as a Part of Business Success
The success of a marketing strategy
Moral Considerations: Determining the Organization’s Success
Critical success factors for a CRM program
E-Commerce in Developing Economies: Impact and Success Factors in China
Critical Success Factors in the Maritime Logistics Sector
Why Were Some Countries More Successful in Responding to the Challenge of European Imperialism Than Others?
The Malayan Emergency Counter Insurgency Success
Leadership Concepts That Are Vital Too Successful Quality Management Implementation
How Can You Explain John Quincy Adam’s Great Success as Secretary of State and His Relative Lack of Success as President?
Higher Education an Element to Success
The IBM Company’s International Success
What Are Some of the Product and Industry Characteristics Affecting EC Success?
The Success of the Second Generation Immigrants
The Role of Sheikh Mohammed in Financial Success of Dubai
Success Story of Walt Disney
McFarlane: Toying With Success
The Elements of the O’Jays’ Success
Apple Inc.: Success in the Competitive Electronic Industry
The Success of Flight Centre
The African American Rights Movement Success
The Early Success of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO)
The “Success” Term Concept
Developing Professional Knowledge to Create Professional Success
Range of Strategies and Success of the Business
The Reconstruction: Success and Failure
Teamwork as the Primary Determinant of Success
Achievement, Success and Individualism
Social Responsibility Role in the Business Success
Cultural Myth of Education as a Pathway to Success in America
US Economic Success: Rise of Capitalism
On the Success of Becwin Printing, Inc.
Nordstrom’s Success
Does the Adoption and Implementation of Strategy Guarantee an Organization’s Success?
JetBlue Airways: The Story of Success
Work-Related Stress: Impeding Organization’s Success
‘College-Ready for All: Preparing Students for Success’
Profile of Mike’s Express Car Wash Success
How Good Can Communication Skills Help a Person’s Success?
Can Team Communication Alone Drive a Team to Success?
What Factors Influence Success at Work?
Are Inclusive Classrooms More Beneficial to Academic Success?
Why Are the Arts Important for a Child’s Success?
Why Are College Students Not Successful in College?
What Explains the Success or Failure of Structural Adjustment Programmes?
Can Women Achieve Success in the Workplace?
How Does Marketing Effect the Success of a Company?
How Can Gender Affect the Success of a Negotiation?
How Can Hardship Help With Success in Life?
Are High Grades Really Synonyms for Achieving Success?
Why Are Good Communication Skills Vital for Career Success?
Does Cultural Competence Affect the Success of International Strategies?
Can Manufactured Bands Achieve Everlasting Success?
Does Higher Education Lead to Financial Success?
What Underpins Occupational Success?
Why Can Branding Make a Difference in Local Small Business Success?
Does Athletic Success Influence Persistence at Higher Education Institutions?
Which Features Will Lead To Success in Life?
Why Are Strong Writing Skills Essential to Your Success in Education?
How Can Homework Help With Your Academic Success?
Does Customer Interaction Enhance New Product Success?
How Can Information Technology Improve Lifelong Business Success?
Are Schools Pushing Students Towards Success or Distress?
How Leadership and Management Skills Demonstrate Success?
How Does Language Influence Success When Using Social Media?
Can Failure Lead to Success?
Why Are Employee Relations So Important for a Company’s Success?
Are Managers the Key to Retention Success?
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 29). 551 Success Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/success-essay-examples/

"551 Success Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 29 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/success-essay-examples/.

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IvyPanda . 2024. "551 Success Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/success-essay-examples/.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "551 Success Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/success-essay-examples/.

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Gsas students shine in 2024 three minute thesis competition.

Victoria Khaghani, Manning Zhang, Pranav Ojha, and William Dahl stand onstage holding their Three Minute Thesis prize certificates.

April 30, 2024

Ayla Cordell | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The 2024 Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) at Brandeis Graduate School of Arts & Sciences was not Will Dahl’s first rodeo. “It took me two tries,” the Molecular and Cell Biology PhD student said. “On my first attempt last year, I missed a line and stood silent for what felt like ages. To be honest, I was terrified!” This year, Will took home the first place prize for the Sciences of $1,000 and the overall win. He credits his success to careful planning, refinement, and lots of practice. He focused on formatting his talk as a story that would resonate with a wide audience: “Every sentence must be calibrated to communicate, and there is no room for asides. The talk converges from broader impacts to the actual thesis.”

Explaining your research in just three minutes is a tall order, but on April 5, the third annual 3MT Competition, founded by the University of Queensland , saw ten GSAS students meet that very task. Marika McCann, Associate Director of Professional Development at GSAS and member of the 3MT team, alongside Associate Professor of Anthropology and Faculty Director of Professional Development Jon Anjaria; Anahita Zare of MRSEC ; and Becky Prigge, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at GSAS, said this about the 2024 competitors: “Our team was very impressed with how hard our students worked and the overall enthusiasm they brought to their talks. The audience learned so much from our students in this short time, including the possibility of early detection of Parkinson’s Disease, the importance of examining circadian rhythms, patterns in Honduran ceramics, and Tamil transfeminine performance in post-war Sri Lanka.”

Under the bright white stage lights and looking out upon an audience of friends, family, members of the Brandeis community, and a panel of five judges, finalists took to the Spingold Theatre stage. While it was certainly nerve-wracking, contestants noted the benefits of presenting in this format.

Manning Zhang, who won first place in the Humanities/Creative Arts/Social Sciences category, said the best moment of the competition was standing on the stage for the final round with rushing adrenaline. Acknowledging that few friends and family know about what she researches in Sociology and Health Policy, she began sharing more with them to understand how different people would react to her research. While this helped her prepare for the competition, it ended up holding deeper meaning for Zhang: “It took me a really long time to pursue my research and say, ‘This is meaningful.’ Getting feedback from people and hearing that they understand what I’m doing is really important to me.”

Victoria Khaghani, a Master’s student in Anthropology who was Runner Up in the Humanities/Creative Arts/Social Sciences category, echoed this sentiment. “You have to push yourself pretty hard to be able to condense your research down. But being able to then present my research to my family and have them say, ‘We finally understand what you’re doing,’ where they can understand the importance of it…that was huge.”

While contestants hoped to teach their audience something about their research, some finished the competition having learned new things about themselves. “I really like speaking in front of people,” Pranav Ojha, a Molecular and Cell Biology PhD student, discovered. “Figuring out what words to say, how to communicate them to inspire care - I enjoyed that process, and I’m coming out of it with different career ideas.” His passion for public speaking was evident - Ojha finished the competition with a total $1,250, after winning both Runner Up in the Sciences and the People’s Choice Award, which is determined through audience vote.

The final round may have showcased three minutes of individual presentation, but 3MT thrives as a collective and collaborative effort. “This is one of the only opportunities GSAS students at Brandeis have to share their research with the overall Brandeis community, outside of their departments,” McCann noted. Zhang (Sociology and Health Policy) even reached out to 2022 winner Emiliano Gutierrez-Popoca (PhD English ‘23), whose talk on Master-Servant Relations in Early Modern Drama led him to the National 3MT competition. Though they come from different disciplines, 3MT provided a platform for shared experience, and Popoca helped Zhang revise her draft for the final round. “I’ve gained a lot of rapport with people I didn’t think I could have rapport with…networking is very precious,” Zhang said. The 3MT community at Brandeis continues to strengthen and grow, and we cannot wait for next year!

Special thanks to 3MT sponsors: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Mandel Center for the Humanities, Office of the Vice Provost for Research, and the Division of Sciences

This year’s winners include:

First Place - William Dahl (overall winner), Molecular and Cell Biology, Stressed Cells' Secret Weapon for Survival

Runner Up - Pranav Ojha, Molecular and Cell Biology, What Makes our Clock Tick: A Look at Where It All Starts

Humanities/Social Sciences/Creative Arts

First Place - Manning Zhang, Sociology and Health Policy, Move It or Lose It

Runner Up - Victoria Khaghani, Anthropology, The Devil’s in the Details: Neglected Patterns of Honduras

People’s Choice

Pranav Ojha

IMAGES

45 Perfect Thesis Statement Templates (+ Examples) ᐅ TemplateLab
25 Thesis Statement Examples (2024)
Mastering the Thesis Statement: Examples and Tips for Academic Success
How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
How to Write a Thesis Statement: Fill-in-the-Blank Formula
Mastering the Thesis Statement: Examples and Tips for Academic Success

VIDEO

What's the one secret behind my success?
In life there are 3 words " Don't " #thesecretofsuccess #moneytips #shorts
Secret of Success
The Secret to Success Story
Secrets to Dissertation Success:How to Create a Successful Dissertation or PhD Experience
Ted Kaczynski's PhD Thesis Explained

COMMENTS

Thesis Statement About Success
Thesis Statement About Success. 1202 Words5 Pages. INTRODUCTION Hook In life, people always continue struggling to obtain what they want, and they always crave for a successful life. In general, success is defined to be the accomplishment of an aim or a purpose, and each of us has our own aims or purposes to reach.
How to Write a Thesis Statement
Step 2: Write your initial answer. After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.
5.2 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement
Table 5.1 Topics and Thesis Statements: A Comparison; Topic Thesis Statement; ... The revised thesis makes a more specific statement about success and what it means to work hard. The original includes too broad a range of people and does not define exactly what success entails. By replacing the general words like people and work hard, the ...
Short Personal Essay Thesis Sentence
Henry Ford: "Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success." Carl Sagan: "In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." The most successful students know that practice always pays. You can read more famous quotes to get the hang of creating concise, engaging statements.
3.1: Topic + Stance + Reasons + Importance = Thesis
Working thesis: Young people have to work hard to succeed in life. Revised thesis: Recent college graduates must have discipline and persistence in order to find and maintain a stable job in which they can use and be appreciated for their talents. The revised thesis makes a more specific statement about success and what it means to work hard.
8.2: Writing for Success- Outlining
Exercise 8.2.1 8.2. 1. Using the topic you selected in "Apply Prewriting Models," develop a working thesis statement that states your controlling idea for the piece of writing you are doing. On a sheet of paper, write your working thesis statement.
5.1: Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is often one sentence long, and it states your point of view. The thesis statement is not the topic of the piece of writing but rather what you have to say about that topic and what is important to tell readers. Table 5.1 "Topics and Thesis Statements" compares topics and thesis statements.
How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples
Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing. Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and ...
Academic Guides: Writing a Paper: Thesis Statements
When drafting your thesis statement, avoid words like explore, investigate, learn, compile, summarize, and explain to describe the main purpose of your paper. These words imply a paper that summarizes or "reports," rather than synthesizing and analyzing. Instead of the terms above, try words like argue, critique, question, and interrogate.
PDF Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences
Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences A thesis driven essay is comprised of an initial thesis statement that establishes a claim or argument, and ... Thesis Statement: Andrew Carnegie's (A) contributions to U.S. manufacturing, personal financial success, and philanthropy often overshadow (B) the tense working conditions, (C) poor wages, and
Thesis
Thesis. Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is arguable, which means a thoughtful reader could disagree with it and therefore ...
Mastering the Thesis Statement: Examples and Tips for Academic Success
In the most simple terms, a thesis statement is a short statement that provides insight into what the essay is going to be about. They are used to enlighten the audience on a variety of things, including: The main argument or point to be discussed. The purpose of the essay. The point of view of the author on a specific topic.
9.1 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement
You can cut down on irrelevant aspects and revise your thesis by taking the following steps: 1. Pinpoint and replace all nonspecific words, such as people, everything, society, or life, with more precise words in order to reduce any vagueness. Working thesis: Young people have to work hard to succeed in life.
Answered: Topic: The Secret of Success Write your…
Topic: The Secret of Success Write your sentence outline here. Thesis Statement: Topic: The Secret of Success Write your sentence outline here. Thesis Statement: BUY. Social Psychology (10th Edition) 10th Edition. ISBN: 9780134641287. Author: Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers.
Developing A Thesis
An effective thesis cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." A thesis is not a topic; nor is it a fact; nor is it an opinion. "Reasons for the fall of communism" is a topic. "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" is a fact known by educated people. "The fall of communism is the best thing that ever happened in Europe" is an opinion.
PDF 9.1 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement
A Strong Thesis Statement. A . strong thesis statement contains the following qualities. Specificity. A thesis statement must concentrate on a specific area of a general topic. As you may recall, the creation of a thesis statement begins when you choose a broad subject and then narrow d. own its parts until you pinpoint a specific aspect of ...
TED Talk: "Secrets of Success" Speech Summary, Text, & Analysis
Despite the short length of the "Secrets of Success" speech, Richard St. John ranked well in the Word Choice category. His top keywords included "says" and "push". Yoodli detected 2% repetition in St. John's TED Talk as well the presence of 11 weak words. Yoodli also found the presence of non-inclusive language in the form of ...
PDF Academic Success Center Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus
Academic Success Center Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus Generating Your Thesis Statement Great thesis statements… state a position that is clear and to the point present an argument, and can be argued for OR against by a logical person are specific (specificity helps prove the relevance of the thesis to the specific
The Ultimate Guide to Writing Strong Thesis Statements
Crafting an Effective Thesis Statement: Now that we better understand these statements, let's explore how to create them effectively: Be Specific: A strong thesis statement is clear and specific. Essentially, a thesis statement is a concise, one- or two-sentence summary of your paper's central point or argument.
25 Thesis Statement Examples (2024)
Strong Thesis Statement Examples. 1. School Uniforms. "Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.". Best For: Argumentative Essay or Debate. Read More: School Uniforms Pros and Cons.
551 Success Topics to Write about + Success Essay Examples
It will help you to see whether the problem is relevant. A thesis is a very important part of your essay. You should state it at the end of the introductory paragraph. A thesis statement can look like this: Money and wealth do not define success. / Hard work is the most important contributor to one's success.
PDF HOW TO WRITE A LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY
Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence (usually the first sentence of the paragraph) which states one of the topics associated with your thesis, combined with some assertion about how the topic will support the central idea. The purpose of the topic sentence is twofold: 1. To relate the details of the paragraph to your thesis statement. 2.
GSAS Students Shine in 2024 Three Minute Thesis Competition
The 2024 Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) at Brandeis Graduate School of Arts & Sciences was not Will Dahl's first rodeo. "It took me two tries," the Molecular and Cell Biology PhD student said. "On my first attempt last year, I missed a line and stood silent for what felt like ages. To be honest, I was terrified!"

5.2 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement

Elements of a Thesis Statement

A Strong Thesis Statement

Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements

Writing at Work

Writing a Thesis Statement

Revising a Thesis Statement

Share This Book

Your Personal Essay Thesis Sentence

A Word of Advice

5.1: Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement

Elements of a Thesis Statement

A Strong Thesis Statement

Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements

Five Ways of Looking at a Thesis

2. A thesis fits comfortably into the Magic Thesis Sentence (MTS).

3. A thesis says something about the text(s) exclusively .

4. A thesis makes a lot of information irrelevant.

5. Remember to Address the Work as a Whole: The “So What?”

Writing a Thesis Statement

Developing Thesis Statements from Topics

Guidelines for Drafting a Thesis Statement

How do I set up a “problem” and an arguable thesis in response?

1. Challenge a commonplace interpretation (or your own first impressions).

2. Help the reader see the complexity of your topic.

3. If research is part of the assignment, piggyback off another scholar’s research.

4. If research is part of the assignment, identify a gap in another scholar’s or a group of scholars’ research.

5. If research is part of the assignment, bring in a new lens for investigating the case study or problem.

Testing Your Thesis

Effective Thesis Statements

Writing at Work

Thesis Statement Revision

Ways to Revise Your Thesis

Contributors

What are your chances of acceptance?

Your chancing factors

How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement: 4 Steps + Examples

What’s Covered:

Step 1: Decide what kind of paper you’re writing

Step 2: Figure out what point you want to make

Step 3: Determine what information you’ll use to back up your point

Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing

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Being Specific

Making a Unique Argument

Creating a Debate

Choosing the Right Words

Leaving Room for Discussion

Thesis Mad Libs

Words to Avoid and to Embrace

Related Resources

Walden Resources

Centers and Offices

Student Resources

9.1 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement

Elements of a Thesis Statement

A Strong Thesis Statement

Examples of Appropriate Thesis Statements

Writing at Work

Thesis Statement Revision

Ways to Revise Your Thesis

Key Takeaways

Share This Book

TED Talk: “Secrets of Success” Speech Summary, Text, & Analysis

TED Talk: “Secrets of Success” Speech Summary

TED Talk: “Secrets of Success” Speech Text

TED Talk: “Secrets of Success” Speech Analysis

Word Choice

Wrapping Up

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The Ultimate Guide to Writing Strong Thesis Statements

Similarities and Differences between Claim and Thesis:

Similarities:

Differences:

Crafting an Effective Thesis Statement:

Thesis Statement Examples:

Types of Claims:

1. Claims of Fact or Definition:

2. Claims of Cause and Effect: