How to write an introduction paragraph with a thesis statement

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes. Revised on September 14, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan.

Table of Contents Show

What is a thesis statement?
Placement of the thesis statement
Receive feedback on language, structure and formatting
Step 1: Start with a question
Step 2: Write your initial answer
Step 3: Develop your answer
Step 4: Refine your thesis statement
Types of thesis statements
Frequently asked questions about thesis statements
How do you start a thesis statement for an introductory paragraph?
How do you write a good thesis statement and introduction?
Do you put your thesis statement in your introduction paragraph?
What is a intro paragraph for thesis?

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. It usually comes near the end of your introduction.

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

Example: Thesis statementDespite Oscar Wilde’s Aestheticist claims that art needs no justification or purpose, his work advocates Irish nationalism, women’s suffrage, and socialism.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

Start with a question
Write your initial answer
Develop your answer
Refine your thesis statement

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

Placement of the thesis statement

The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction.

Example of an essay introduction

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

Receive feedback on language, structure and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

Academic style
Vague sentences
Grammar
Style consistency

See an example

Step 1: Start with a question

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis, early in the writing process. As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic, you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

Has the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?

Or:

What impact did the invention of braille (the raised-dot reading system used by blind and visually impaired people) have?

Step 2: Write your initial answer

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process.

The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.The invention of braille improved the lives of blind people.

Step 3: Develop your answer

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

Argumentative thesis statement

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

Expository thesis statement

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

Step 4: Refine your thesis statement

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

Why you hold this position
What they’ll learn from your essay
The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

Example: Improved thesis statement on internet useThe negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: it facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.Example: Improved thesis statement on the invention of brailleThe invention of braille transformed the lives of blind people in the 19th century, but its success depended on mainstream acceptance by sighted teachers, and this process was shaped by debates about disabled people’s place in society.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Types of thesis statements

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

In an argumentative essay, your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
In an expository essay, you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

Example: Argumentative essay thesis statementAlthough surveillance is viewed negatively by many people, its positive social effects outweigh its downsides. Greater surveillance in public areas helps maintain public order and ensures the personal safety of citizens.Example: Expository essay thesis statementThe European Renaissance is closely linked to the economic wealth of Italy in the Middle Ages. The development of Italian port towns as major trading posts during the Crusades, along with the establishment of banking systems, made patronage of the arts and sciences possible.

Frequently asked questions about thesis statements

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

This Scribbr article

McCombes, S. (September 14, 2022). How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-statement/

Is this article helpful?

You have already voted. Thanks :-) Your vote is saved :-) Processing your vote...

How do you start a thesis statement for an introductory paragraph?

The thesis statement that is included in the introduction tells your reader the specific purpose or main argument of your paper. These can be achieved by taking your introduction from "general" to "specific."

How do you write a good thesis statement and introduction?

Effective Introductions and Thesis Statements.

Tell a brief anecdote or story..

As a series of short rhetorical questions..

Use a powerful quotation..

Refute a common belief..

Cite a dramatic fact or statistic..

Do you put your thesis statement in your introduction paragraph?

A thesis statement is usually at the end of an introductory paragraph. The sentences that precede the sentence will introduce it, and the sentences that follow will support and explain it. Just as a topic sentence introduces and organizes a paragraph, a thesis statement helps readers recognize what is to follow.

What is a intro paragraph for thesis?

The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers. In a typical essay, that first sentence leads into two or three more sentences that provide details about your subject or your process. All of these sentences build up to your thesis statement.