How to write a thesis statement for a research paper.
Every good research paper begins with a thesis statement. Learn how a thesis statement supports your research and how you can create a powerful statement for your next project.
If you’re working on a college degree, you’ve most likely taken the time to learn how to write an essay. This skill is beneficial for writing other types of papers, such as a research paper, in a future graduate program or your professional career.
A thesis statement is the 1–2 sentence(s) typically at the end of your introduction paragraph that summarizes the main argument of your essay. This statement guides the entire study by defining what the paper will analyze and should compel the reader to understand why the topic is important.
How do you write a thesis statement for a research paper?
Every good essay begins with writing a thesis statement, and research papers are no exception — you need a powerful statement to support your research material. A research paper thesis statement presents a claim, with the research paper backing that claim with evidence. Your thesis statement provides the main claim that the research in your essay will answer.
A thesis statement for a research paper has some key traits that separate it from some other common thesis statement types:
- Research paper thesis. This thesis is formed through extensive research and presents a claim that is supported by research.
- Argumentative thesis. This thesis takes a firm stance on an issue and is supported by persuasive evidence.
- Analytical thesis. This thesis presents an argument on a piece of literature, art, or other work by breaking the argument down into key components.
- Expository thesis. This thesis discusses an idea without arguing for or against a certain stance.
Although opinions vary on the length of a research paper thesis statement, the statement is generally a short summary of the argument or analysis within the document, typically no longer than two sentences. All the remaining content backs up your thesis statement using supporting material. Your thesis statement provides a clear direction for your research paper. It helps inform the questions you’ll ask throughout the process to decide on research questions, methodologies, and hypotheses, and it highlights the importance of the research you’re presenting.
A thesis statement also defines the scope of your argument and tells the reader what to expect. When you can summarize your essay in a thesis statement, you are better able to focus on the rest of your paper to ensure it relates back to the thesis.
3 steps to writing a thesis statement.
A thesis statement answers a specific question about a topic. If you aren’t sure how to write a thesis statement for a research paper, follow these three steps.
1. Ask yourself a question.
A thesis statement answers a question that is explained throughout the paper. For most research projects, you won’t be given a question in advance, which means you’ll have to do some discovery work. Think about a topic that is important to you. Find a topic that isn’t too broad and look for gaps that create a problem that needs solving.
2. Form an opinion to answer the question.
Once you’ve found a question you want to answer and conducted research to educate yourself, form an opinion for the answer. Save time on your research by using tools such as the Chat with PDF tool to ask questions and get key takeaways from documents.
3. Refine your statement with research.
Gather the main analysis from your research and create a summary in one or two sentences. You’ll want to incorporate any key points that will help you frame your argument.
Best practices for writing a thesis statement.
Once you complete your draft, consider these three key qualities of a strong thesis statement for a research paper to refine it further.
Make it clear.
Write a clear statement that concisely states your point with no misunderstanding. Keep your statement to one or two sentences.
Example
- Unclear: “Social media is not a good activity for teenagers.”
- Clear: “Social media poorly affects teenagers’ mental health by causing anxiety, increasing depression, and affecting sleep patterns.”
Make it specific.
Provide a specific focus for the scope of the paper. Identify a precise issue within the larger topic and include key points that will be included in the paper.
Example
- General: “Pollution is a problem in large cities.”
- Specific: “The increase in air pollution is caused by vehicle emissions, industrial industries, and deforestation activities.”
Make it arguable.
Present an argument with a defensible position that requires evidence and discussion. Don’t list a simple statement or fact that everybody knows.
Example
- Statement: “Most schools in the United States use standardized tests.”
- Arguable: “Standardized testing in the United States must be replaced with alternative assessment tools because it does not measure critical thinking skills and creates unnecessary stress for students.”
Thesis statement for a research paper examples.
Thesis statements may be short, but they don’t have to be difficult to craft. Here are some thesis statement examples for research papers:
Topic: Remote work
“Remote work has led to increased productivity, happier employees, and minimized travel, making it a more sustainable employment model.”
Topic: Plastics and the environment
“Banning single-use plastics reduces environmental pollution and promotes positive consumer habits. This policy alleviates waste management systems, making cities cleaner and more eco-friendly.”
Topic: Visual aids and education
“The human brain can process visuals faster than text, making infographics a powerful educational tool. As a result, visual aids improve comprehension and retention, especially in learning environments.”
Now that you know how to write a thesis statement for a research paper, make sure it’s reinforced in your research conclusion. Need help wrapping up your essay? Learn how to write a strong conclusion for your research.
When you’re finished with your masterpiece, export it via Word to PDF or convert to PDF to submit it to your professor, colleague, or peer for review.
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