How do I create the right thesis statement for my expository essay?

Imagine this: you're hiking in the woods and think you made a wrong turn. Fortunately, you packed a map and compass, which helped you find your way back on the right path.

A thesis statement is like your map and compass for an essay.

Everything in the essay should connect back to this clear and specific statement. A solid thesis statement for your expository essay guides you and the reader through your topic by providing a direction for the essay content.

Expository Essay

An expository essay explains a subject but doesn't argue for one side or another. It gives equal weight to both sides. For example, if your topic was organic farming practices, you'd explain the process without going into whether organic produce is worth its higher price.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the main point or point to be proved in an essay. For a five-paragraph essay, the thesis statement will be a sentence or two in length. It appears in the middle or end of the introductory paragraph.

Your reader should know what the essay is about by reading the thesis statement. Though the essay prompt may be a question, the thesis is always a statement, not a question.

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A thesis statement is concise and focused. Since it guides the rest of the paper, a first draft thesis statement should be written when you outline the essay. The statement's wording could change as the paper develops, but the main ideas should be there.

Statement Guidelines

1. Present the topic.

2. Add details about the topic.

Make sure your expository thesis statement uses key words from the essay prompt and includes only the ideas that you'll discuss in the paper.

Example Thesis Statement

The core components of a healthy lifestyle include a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.

Topic: healthy lifestyle

Details: diet, exercise, and sleep

While this example statement is good as it is, you could expand on it by being more specific about certain details. For example, mention the customization of an exercise program or focus on how these components support overall health.

Revised Statement

The core components of a healthy lifestyle include a nutritious diet, regular exercise [that meets individual needs], and adequate sleep [to support physical and mental well-being].

After the initial statement is written, the refining process begins. The example below follows the process of an expository thesis statement from initial to refined. The topic is memory techniques.

Initial statement: My thesis is that there are many memory techniques that are helpful for studying.

The topic is identified, and it's clearly not an argumentative essay. However, the statement is vague. What specific techniques will the author write about?

Revised statement 1: My thesis is that techniques including spaced repetition and mnemonics help with memorizing content.

This version is better since it's specific. A few more tweaks and cutting some unnecessary words ("my thesis is") would make it stronger.

Revised statement 2: Memory techniques, such as mnemonics and spaced repetition, offer practical ways for students and professionals to improve learning.

This version is stronger because it outlines the direction of the essay and includes reasons why the reader should care about the topic. This one could be good enough for the paper or be further refined.

Which thesis statement below is best for an expository essay on mobile device use?

A. How has the use of mobile devices impacted communication?

B. While mobile devices have opened more avenues of communication, their overuse hinders in-person connection.

C. The use of mobile devices has impacted communication in many ways, including the ability to communicate almost instantly with others separated by long distances.

D. Mobile devices have influenced communication in many ways.