The MTS narrows in on the specific evidence you’ll be analyzing, the argument you’re making from that evidence, and why that argument matters.
The phrase “which most people don’t see” shouldn’t appear in your final thesis statement, but it reminds you to make an original argument, one that isn’t self-evident; “this is important” can be reworded in many ways, but it tells you that your argument should have high stakes.
Thesis Test
To make sure your thesis can stand on its own legs, evaluate it for the following criteria. Is your thesis:
- ARGUABLE — does your thesis make a claim that a reasonable person could argue against? Your thesis shouldn’t state a fact, summarize the text, or say something that can be understood at first glance.
- MANAGEABLE — does your thesis make a claim that you can reasonably prove with the evidence you have and the scope/length of your paper? You can only prove so much in five pages or by looking at one study as evidence.
- INTERESTING — does your thesis address a clear question/puzzle/contradiction and push beyond the obvious?
- IMPORTANT — does your thesis have some significance in the context of existing scholarship/the field?
- SPECIFIC — does your thesis say something specific about your topic and require you to focus on specific pieces of evidence to prove it?
For more help on writing a thesis, see our guide to writing a thesis statement.
Support your position with evidence
Unlike a lawyer, you’re not paid to represent a certain side of the argument. You should not choose your argument arbitrarily, based on what you think sounds good, or what you think will be easy to prove. As a writer, you’re like a third-party detective presenting the research and evidence you’ve compiled: your argument should be drawn from the evidence you’ve analyzed.
Now, to convince your readers, you have to present that evidence to them. Presenting and analyzing evidence is what makes up the bulk of your paper; topic sentences and paragraph breaks help guide your reader through the evidence.
Don’t just introduce evidence and expect it to speak for itself. Analyze it for your reader, explaining how you understand what you’re looking at and how it connects to your larger argument.
TIP: While analyzing evidence, it may help to address potential counterarguments. Consider the weak spots in your argument or the leaps in reasoning that seem least intuitive. If you were to argue against yourself, what might you point to as evidence against you or in support of another perspective? You don’t have to address every counterargument, but considering other perspectives can make your argument stronger.
Poking holes in the existing assumptions that you’re challenging is just as important as providing evidence in support of your takes. Have scholars interpreted a certain passage one way, and you have a different reading? Does a quick glance at a certain scene make it seem like one character is in charge, but actually a closer look reveals that’s not the case? Showing that you’ve thought deeply about the text and how your evidence relates to existing theories makes your argument more persuasive and interesting.
Reiterate your argument, and why it matters
Throughout the essay, the reader should never forget your argument. There is no need to repeat your full thesis over and over again, but with each new point, tell the reader how it connects to your larger argument. This shouldn’t feel like you’re rehashing the same point; instead, think of yourself as cumulatively building your argument, each piece of evidence like a puzzle piece snapping into place. . Rather than feeling repetitive, weaving your larger argument throughout your essay helps your reader envision the picture you’re working toward and understand how each point fits into it.
Stick the landing in the conclusion of your essay by reiterating your full argument. Having read all the evidence, your reader should now be persuaded. To leave them especially convinced, remind them of the significance, the “so what?” of your essay (see our article on conclusions for how to do this). An effective argument doesn’t just say something; it says something that matters.
HAVE YOU WRITTEN AN EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT? Ask yourself:
- Do I clearly state my argument in the introduction?
- Does my main body content provide evidence of this argument?
- In my conclusion, do I reiterate and build upon my argument?
- Are the stakes of my argument clear (throughout the essay, but especially in the introduction and conclusion)?
- Do I use an authoritative, clear, and persuasive tone?
If so, congratulations! It sounds like you’ve written a persuasive essay.