AEM Academy

Thesis Statements

The thesis is the most important sentence in an essay. It states your opinion and main supporting reasons. It is a one-sentence summary of your entire essay.

The thesis is always the last sentence of the introduction.

The thesis needs to present a clear argument. It can’t be merely descriptive.

Note: Reports are structured in the same way as an essay, but instead of a thesis statement, they have a general topic sentence.


A thesis can be nuanced

A strong thesis can acknowledge both the benefits and the potential downsides of the topic being discussed. This gives the essay a balanced perspective. There is no rule that you must present a black and white perspective, choosing one side in all cases.

Note: Some teachers do require students to take a firm position on one side, but this is a strange practice.

Example thesis: “School uniforms should be mandatory because they save students time, reduce bullying, and create a more focused learning environment.” This thesis sets up the reader’s expectations for the rest of the essay.

Example thesis: Instead of saying, “A social credit system is used in China,” which is not an opinion, you could argue, “A social credit system is unjust because it imposes arbitrary punishments and constant surveillance.”

Example of a nuanced thesis: “While automation brings significant benefits in efficiency and cost reduction, it also has the potential to cause widespread job losses.”


Avoid strong claims without support

When making an argument, avoid using absolute language like "cannot" or "always" unless you can fully support it. It’s better to use more moderate language that can be defended with evidence, such as "should not" or "is difficult to implement."

Example: Instead of saying, “A social credit system cannot work,” say, “A social credit system should not be implemented due to concerns about surveillance and arbitrary punishments.”

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