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FIRST: Understand what a thesis is
A thesis is a highly condensed statement of the main point of your paper. It is often one sentence, rarely more than two. This statement:
Note that a thesis is an opinionated statement, not an announcement or a statement of fact.
Sample: The World Trade Center was destroyed on September 11, 2001.
(This is a statement of fact, NOT a thesis statement.)
(This is an announcement, NOT a thesis statement.)
Sample: The destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 had many consequences.
(This is a WEAK thesis. It does not convey a clear judgment or opinion.)
Sample: The destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001is having a long-lasting impact on United States domestic and foreign policy.
(This is a STRONG thesis. It conveys a clear opinion.)
SECOND: Try to write a trial thesis
After you have begun reading and thinking about your subject, jot down several trial thesis statements.
Go back over your notes. Decide which trial thesis seems best to express your main point.
Use the thesis as a tool to organize your ideas: keep all ideas and information that will help you support your thesis. Discard ideas and information that are irrelevant to your thesis.
THIRD: Reconsider your thesis
This is an important part of the revision process. Once your first draft is complete, check that the paper supports the thesis. If it doesn't, you either need to modify your thesis, change your thesis altogether, or alter your support of the thesis in the body of the paper.
