Thesis Statement

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See also Thesis statement and skeleton outline.

Criteria for writing a good thesis statement

• A thesis statement should be one sentence.

• A thesis statement occurs at the end of the Introduction Paragraph and at the beginning of the Conclusion Paragraph.

• A thesis statement is the main idea of your entire paper, so it should state a position, a claim, a viewpoint, a proposition, etc. that reflects a possible solution to a problem related to applied linguistics and pedagogy (if a problem-solution essay). Avoid a thesis statement that focuses on a problem unless the intention is to write a problem-only essay - always check first with your instructor to clarify what type of essay is expected. If writing a problem-solution essay, the problem will be introduced before the thesis statement (in the introduction paragraph); that is, the thesis statement provides a possible solution to the problem. When it comes to doing research about learning (e.g., those taking Thesis Seminar in 8th semester), shift your focus more towards pedagogy due to the limited time we have to research such broad subject matter during a single semester. This does not mean you ignore collecting evidence of student work and/or opinions. It simply means that this kind of evidence must support the collecting of data based on what teachers say and/or do in class.

• A problem statement/thesis statement must support a S.M.A.R.T. topic:

  • Smart

    The evidence you collect during your research project should be specific and narrow in scope.

  • Measurable

    The evidence you collect for your research project should be measurable; that is, observable.

  • Attainable

    Your research project should be attainable, feasible, or doable. Have you found similar studies that you can model or replicate yourself? Do you have access to participants with the profiles needed to conduct your research based on your research objectives (i.e., based on your Problem Statement)? Does your research contribute to the current body of literature that currently exists?

  • Relevant and meaningful

    Does your (i.e., Problem Statement) relate to applied linguistics in some way and is the topic meaningful to you? Does it relate to a problem that either you have faced or your learners have faced? Is it based on a “burning question” that you want to learn more about so to become a better English teacher?

  • Timely

    Does your Problem Statement motivate you to complete end-date tasks according to the timeframe requirement for completing the assignment (e.g., the syllabus, etc.)?

Key points

• ChatGPT test run searches

  • Search, “What are some common problems learners with learning disabilities face when trying to integrate into a mainstream classroom?

    Students with learning disabilities face several challenges when trying to integrate into a mainstream classroom. Some of the common problems include insufficient funding, inaccessible conditions, lack of individualization, troubled communication with peers, and lack of specialists¹ [^10

    In addition, students with learning disabilities may find it difficult to sit still or focus during a lesson. Classroom decorations, classmates, and other stimuli may be distracting for a student with a disability, making it nearly impossible to pay attention to the teacher⁸.

    Behavior problems related to the learning disability can be disruptive. In response to modifications, accommodations, and specific discipline approaches, students in the class might be resentful, believing that their peer with the learning disability has it easy⁶.

    I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

    • Source

      Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/21/2023(1) 5 Problems Faced by Disabled Students in the Classroom. https://www.meriahnichols.com/5-problems-faced-by-disabled-students-in-the-classroom/ Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (2) 5 Problems Faced by Disabled Students in the Classroom. https://www.meriahnichols.com/5-problems-faced-by-disabled-students-in-the-classroom/ Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (3) Challenges and Solutions for Students with Disabilities. https://covey.org/challenges-and-solutions-for-students-with-disabilities/ Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (4) How Do Students with Learning Disabilities Affect the Classroom?. https://www.healthyplace.com/parenting/learning-disabilities/how-do-students-with-learning-disabilities-affect-the-classroom Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (5) 5 Problems Faced by Disabled Students in the Classroom. https://www.meriahnichols.com/5-problems-faced-by-disabled-students-in-the-classroom/ Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (6) Resource for Teachers of Students with Learning Disabilities - GoGuardian. https://www.goguardian.com/blog/students-with-disabilities Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (7) What Are Classrooms Like for Students with Learning Disabilities … https://www.readingrockets.org/article/what-are-classrooms-students-learning-disabilities Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (8) Mainstreaming Special Education in the Classroom. https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/mainstreaming-special-education-in-the-classroom/ Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (9) What Are the Most Common Learning Problems in the Classroom Today … https://thriveworks.com/blog/common-learning-problems/ Accessed 3/21/2023.
      (10) What Are Classrooms Like for Students with Learning Disabilities … https://www.readingrockets.org/article/what-are-classrooms-students-learning-disabilities Accessed 3/21/2023.

The thesis statement is the “bridge” between a problem statement and subsequent topic sentences that being each body paragraph (see The M.E.A.L. Plan: A Comprehensive Approach to Paragraph Development:

1. Problem statement (i.e., topic, indirect question, and significance)

2. Indirect question (condition) from the problem statement

3. Direct question (from the indirect question above)

4. The thesis statement that answers the direct question

Thesis Statement

Remember that a thesis statement should have three sections:

Transition

Sentence connector, introductory phrase (e.g., prepositional phrase, participial phrase, or infinitive phrase), or subordinating clause connects what was said in the introduction paragraph (i.e., context of the problem, background information, etc.) to the thesis statement.

A topic

The thesis statement should include a topic (stated explicitly, without using a personal pronoun), which relates directly to the target audience of the essay. The topic is usually the subject of the sentence. Notice “there is/there are” is not being considered.

An opinion, claim, position, proposition, etc.

The opinion can also be considered your position, overall claim, main viewpoint, etc. The opinion is your verb phrase that might also include relevant phrases that provide additional information. The verb phrase in a thesis statement should not include a copula verb (i.e., “to be”, etc.)

The connector (subordinating conjunction), “because…” etc.

Key pointsincause…” etc.

Introduce your three key points by using the subordinating conjunction, “because”; that is, the key points are reasons that justify the “why”, as an example. The connector or conjunction directly relates to the one main question word used in your problem statement. Choose one question word for stating your key points.

For a five-paragraph essay, consider listing three key points that will be the basis for each of your topic sentences that begin each of your three body paragraphs. The key points in your thesis statement are more general while the topic sentences state the same key points but more specifically (i.e., additional adjectives, phrases, and/or clauses).

Example: Because English language learners often get distracted by technology, English language teachers should use cell phones in class because they allow learners to interact with classmates outside of class, they allow learners to connect with outside experts, and they allow teachers to provide more timely feedback.

• More examples of thesis statements

  1. Infinitive phrase
  • To help many first-year university students manage their study time more effectively, college instructors should teach explicit time-management routines because they help students plan weekly priorities, they reduce last-minute cramming, and they improve follow-through on long-term assignments.
  1. Prepositional phrase
  • In response to widespread sleep deprivation among adolescents on school nights, school administrators should start the school day later because it increases students’ alertness in morning classes, it improves mood and self-regulation, and it supports better academic performance.
  1. Sentence connector
  • Therefore, project managers should require a written meeting summary after every meeting because it clarifies next steps for each person, it prevents repeated conversations, and it improves accountability for deadlines.
  1. Subordinating clause (not “because”)
  • Although many middle-school learners feel anxious about speaking in a second language, language teachers should incorporate structured pair work in every lesson because it increases low-stakes speaking practice, it builds confidence through repeated rehearsal, and it promotes negotiation of meaning with peers.
  1. Subordinating clause (not “because”)
  • Since many households waste food without realizing it, city governments should fund community composting programs because they reduce landfill waste, they create usable soil for local gardens, and they raise public awareness about sustainable consumption.

Skeleton Outline

Based on your thesis statement, create a skeleton outline that includes 1) a thesis statement and 2) three topic sentences that later will begin your three body paragraphs.English language teachers who allow learners to use cell phones outside of class create interactive learning opportunities that are not possible in the classroom alone. (Topic sentence #1)English language learners interact with classmates outside of class…

• evidence 1

• evidence 2

Using cell phones to access online spaces, English language learners can reach outside experts to learn more about the subject matter. (Topic sentence #2)Connecting with outside experts through the use of cell phones provides…

• evidence 1

• evidence 2

English language learners receive more timely feedback by setting up social media learning spaces for one-to-one teacher-to-student engagement. (Topic sentence #3)English language teachers can assess learners throughout the learning process…

• evidence 1

• evidence 2

Summary with examples

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an academic paper. It is generally one sentence long and appears at the end of the introduction. The thesis statement serves as a roadmap for the paper, guiding the reader through the arguments which will be discussed to support this claim.

Here are the different types of thesis statements with examples:

1. Analytical Thesis Statement

   • This breaks down an idea or issue into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.

   • Example: “An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.”

2. Expository (Explanatory) Thesis Statement

   • This explains something to the audience.

   • Example: Educators characterize the life of the typical college student as spending time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.

   • Excessive screen time reduces adolescents’ sleep quality by delaying melatonin release, increasing nighttime alertness, and encouraging late-night social media habits.

   • Regular formative feedback strengthens student writing by clarifying expectations, directing revision decisions, and reinforcing transferable editing habits.

   • Peer collaboration improves second-language speaking fluency by increasing meaningful talk time, lowering affective barriers, and prompting negotiation of meaning.

   • Task-based instruction accelerates vocabulary growth by creating repeated exposure in context, requiring purposeful retrieval, and supporting deeper semantic processing.

   • Excessive screen time reduces adolescents’ sleep quality because it delays melatonin release, it increases nighttime alertness, and it encourages late-night social media habits.

   • Regular formative feedback strengthens student writing because it clarifies expectations, it guides revision decisions, and it reinforces transferable editing habits.

   • Peer collaboration improves second-language speaking fluency because it increases meaningful talk time, it lowers affective barriers, and it prompts negotiation of meaning.

   • Task-based instruction accelerates vocabulary growth because it creates repeated exposure in context, it requires purposeful retrieval, and it supports deeper semantic processing.

   • Explicit instruction in text structure improves students’ reading comprehension because it helps students predict information organization, it supports identification of main ideas, and it strengthens recall of key details.

3. Argumentative Thesis Statement

   • This makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

   • Example: “High schools should require uniforms in order to facilitate better learning environments and reduce social inequality among students.”

4. Comparative Thesis Statement

   • This compares and contrasts two or more different things, discussing how they are similar or different.

   • Example: “Although both the Baroque and the Classical periods featured instrumental and orchestral music, the role of the piano in the Classical period, unlike the dominance of the string section in the Baroque, shifted the musical focus towards a more expressive and structural clarity.”

5. Persuasive Thesis Statement

   • Similar to the argumentative thesis but often advocating for a specific action or response.

   • Example: “To reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, consumers should boycott products with excessive packaging, and governments should legislate more stringent waste management policies.”

6. Cause and Effect Thesis Statement

   • This establishes a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables or scenarios.

   • Example: “The primary reason for the extinction of the majority of the mega fauna in the Ice Age was the drastic climate change combined with unsustainable hunting practices by early humans.”

The thesis statement is critical to any academic paper as it sets the tone and direction of the argument or analysis. It should be clear, specific, and arguable, providing a clear indication of the writer’s stance on the subject and how they will approach the topic within the body of the paper.

• A thesis statement must support a S.M.A.R.T. topic

  • Smart

    The evidence you collect during your research project should be specific and narrow in scope.

  • Measurable

    The evidence you collect for your research project should be measurable; that is, observable.

  • Attainable

    Your research project should be attainable, feasible, or doable. Have you found similar studies that you can model or replicate yourself? Do you have access to participants with the profiles needed to conduct your research based on your research objectives (i.e., based on your ‣)? Does your research contribute to the current body of literature that currently exists?

  • Relevant and meaningful

    Does your (i.e., ‣) relate to applied linguistics in some way and is the topic meaningful to you? Does it relate to a problem that either you have faced or your learners have faced? Is it based on a “burning question” that you want to learn more about so to become a better English teacher?

  • Timely

    Does your ‣ motivate you to complete end-date tasks based on the syllabus calendar?

Poor examples of a thesis statement

A poor thesis statement can manifest in several ways: it might be too vague, overly broad, merely factual without being arguable, or it may not state a clear position. Here is a list of poorly constructed thesis statements to illustrate these common issues:

1. Vague Thesis Statement:

   • “There are some pros and cons to education.”
     (This statement is indecisive and does not provide a clear stance or argument.)

2. Overly Broad Thesis Statement:

   • “Pollution is bad for the environment.”
     (This statement is too broad and does not specify what aspect of pollution the paper will address or what the implications are.)

3. Merely Factual Thesis Statement:

   • “The average life expectancy is higher today than it was a century ago.”
     (This is a statement of fact that does not present an argument to be developed in the paper.)

4. Non-Debatable Thesis Statement:

   • “Many novels have characters and a plot.”
     (This statement is true for most novels and does not provide a controversial point that requires evidence and support.)

5. Too Narrow Thesis Statement:

   • “I am going to write about my camping trip.”
     (This statement is too specific and reads more like a title or announcement rather than a thesis that supports an academic argument.)

6. Opinion-Based Without Justification:

   • “Reading is a waste of time.”
     (While this is an opinion, it does not give any reason why reading might be considered unproductive, hence it does not lay groundwork for argumentation.)

7. Question Thesis Statement:

   • “Is investing in the stock market a good way to build wealth?”
     (A thesis statement should not be a question; it should be the answer to the question.)

8. Combination of Broad and Vague:

   • “There are many important elements to having a good life.”
     (This statement is both broad and vague, as it does not define what “important elements” or “a good life” means.)

9. Listing Facts:

   • “This paper will discuss the elements of earth, water, fire, and air.”
     (This reads more like a table of contents than a position or argument.)

10. Announcement Rather Than Thesis:

    • “In this essay, I will talk about the causes of financial crises.”
      (This is merely announcing what will be talked about, rather than stating a clear, analytical point of view.)

Each of these examples fails to encapsulate the qualities of a strong thesis statement: specificity, clarity, arguably, and conciseness. A good thesis statement should clearly communicate the point that the writer wishes to make and provide a sense of how the argument will be constructed.