A good thesis statement:

• will tell the reader what you are arguing for/against
• will hint at your reasons 
• is the foundation upon which you will build your essay
• will help keep your essay focused
• usually answers a question (Is music piracy good/bad for the music industry?)
• is usually debatable

Example:

Bicycle helmets are important safety gear in Canada.

(This statement clearly states that bicycle helmets are important safety gear but doesn’t tell the reader why or identify the key ideas to be discussed in the body of the essay.)

Bicycle helmets are important safety gear in Canada because they can save lives and government regulation should make their use mandatory.

(This statement also says that bicycle helmets are important safety gear but it adds the information that they save lives and recommends that government should make their usage mandatory – both ideas that can be developed and expanded in the body of the essay.)

 

Resources to help develop a strong thesis

 (all provide additional examples of thesis statements)

• Guide to writing thesis statements. University of Washington. LSJ Writing Center
• Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements. Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Using thesis statements. University of Toronto. Writing Advice - includes links to information on writing introductions and conclusions as well as topic sentences
• Persuasive essays. Hamilton University. Writing Center - provides some good, basic tips for writing a persuasive essay, including how to create a good thesis statement 

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