Download Writing a thesis statement for an argumentative essay

Writing a thesis statement for an argumentative essay
A thesis statement is a brief statement that coveys to the reader the main points you want to make
about your topic. In an argumentative essay, a thesis statement should be debatable, believable,
and clear.
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A debatable thesis statement is one in which readers can disagree. For example, saying
that education is good for everyone is not really very datable. However, if you say that
the cost of education should be based on how much a family earns is very debatable.
Many readers would disagree with this and say that the price of education should be
equal for everyone. Even though your goal of writing an argumentative essay is to get
readers to accept or even act on your argument, there is really no point in writing about
something that almost everyone would agree to. An argumentative essay is valuable and
useful if it makes people think and perhaps even change their opinions, beliefs, or
behaviors.
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A believable thesis statement must be reasonable and it may even have the power to be
convincing or persuasive by itself. Although your position on the topic must be
debatable, do not make it so extreme that it becomes ridiculous (silly) and unbelievable.
For example, it is one thing to argue that the price of education should be the same for
everyone, but it is another thing to say that education is something only for the wealthiest
citizens (since they can afford it). Who would believe such a ridiculous argument?

A clear thesis statement tells what your position is on an arguable topic in a way that is
easy to follow. It tells readers what they should believe or what they should do. Many
times you will see words such as should, ought, or must in a thesis statement for an
argumentative paper. It is important to remember that you are trying to convince your
readers that your position of the topic is the ‘right’ one. If you do not tell your readers
what to believe or what to do, they will not be sure of your position.

A good thesis statement will direct your readers’ understanding of the topic in the way in
which you want them to understand the topic. The thesis will guide the readers’ toward
certain aspects and away from others. For example,
1. In order for the governments to have complete control on illegal drug use and
trafficking, all drugs should be legalized.
2. People must be educated against the negative effects of illegal drugs whether or
not these drugs are legal.
3. Street gangs would lose their control over illegal drug sales if the government
would legalize and control drugs.

Notice how all 3 of thesis statements will lead to very different argumentative essays.
Read each one and decide where the readers’ attention will be direct.