THESIS STATEMENT sure that each paragraph/idea can be fully developed.

Essentially, an
The thesis is the main idea or main point of an informational text. outline helps prevent a writer from getting stuck when performing the
It serves as a roadmap of the text you are reading. Simply, the thesis actual writing of the essay.
statement provides direction or purpose to the text. It can be expressed
anywhere in the selection or passage you are reading. It can be seen at the Why outline?
beginning, middle or end of the text. Just like we need a road map when traveling to an unfamiliar
If the thesis is stated at the beginning, then the reader may expect destination, good writers create preliminary or rough outlines after they
that the following sentences support or develop it. The ideas are said to be have generated enough ideas through prewriting to organize and
organized in deductive order. However, if the thesis is stated at the latter develop their essays. Strong, thorough prewriting should develop more
part of the text, then the preceding statements are the details or the specifics. ideas than you can actually use in your essay so that you are able to
This follows the inductive order. Remember that, thesis statements require select the most relevant and convincing ideas for your essay.
proof or evidences to make your stand more convincing and effective. Once you have settled on a thesis statement and your main
Thesis statements can also be explicit or implicit. Implicit thesis supporting ideas, you can write a formal outline, creating the
statements do not clearly express the main idea of a text. The reader has to “skeleton” of your essay. Looking at your ideas this way can help
infer from all the details stated in the text. On the other hand, explicit thesis ensure that:
statements express the main idea clearly and directly in the text read. ✓ Your main points are on-topic and directly support your thesis
✓ Your main points are logically organized.
The following are the key elements for a strong thesis statement:
✓ Your most important ideas are emphasized, and your less
important ideas are subordinated.
1. It is not a fact. A fact is irrefutable. Writing a fact as a thesis
✓ Your main points have enough and relevant supporting
makes no argument.
Weak: Cats spend most of their time sleeping. evidence.
Strong: Cats are better than dogs because they keep pests at bay
and they require less work than puppies. Outlines also help writers:
2. It is not a question. A question simply does not express one’s ✓ Make the writing process easier since you have a road map for
claim or comment about a topic. your essay to follow.
Weak: What are the advantages of keeping a pet at home? ✓ Break through writer’s block—for people who struggle with
Strong: A person who wants to live happily in life should own a writer’s block, it helps to first set up a structure with lower stakes and
pet because of their ability to help decrease depression, stress and less pressure.
anxiety. ✓ Save time writing your essay since you have a clear, focused
3. It is not an announcement. Avoid saying what you will discuss plan to follow for your essay.
in the text. ✓ Ensure each part of your essay relates to the essay.
Weak: This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of
owning a pet. PARTS OF AN OUTLINE
Strong: Owning a pet brings good than burden because they can Introduction (attention grabber)
lower stress levels, make one feels safe and teach their owners An introduction of an essay prepares the reader on the contents of
responsibility. the essay. The introduction of the essay is an opening of what is to
4. It is not too broad. Avoid making vague and confusing thesis come ahead. Here, the writer introduces the topic to the reader by
statements by making specific and focused thesis. Weak: Too giving background information and providing a thesis statement.
much alcohol consumption is not good for the health. Having mentioned the thesis statement in your introduction, the rest of
Strong: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk to the paper should help you support the claim.
health problems as it may cause liver damage, stomach distress Body (The content of the paper)
and even cancer. The second part of any essay is the body of the essay. Typically,
5. It is a complete sentence. A phrase does not convey complete the body of the essay should contain a minimum of three paragraphs in
ideas or thought. Stating the thesis in complete sentence makes it support of the thesis statement made in the introductory paragraph.
easier for the reader to understand the main idea of the text. Each paragraph should relay an individual point or idea. Furthermore,
6. It requires support. To make your thesis statement persuasive, you should always ensure that your paragraphs contain three parts: the
facts, surveys, reports etc. should be used as proof or evidences to topic sentence, supporting statement and the concluding paragraphs.
support your claim or opinion on the topic.
7. It takes a stand. The thesis should clearly show your claim about Conclusion (Wrap all of your arguments)
a subject/topic. The conclusion of the essay should mark the end of your essay.
8. It is arguable. The thesis should be contestable, debatable or Here, a writer is supposed to summarize the ideas made in the body
argumentative. Again, the thesis statement should never be a and also restate the thesis statement.
factual statement.
OUTLINE How to do it?
What is an outline? ✓ Put the thesis statement at the top: it should be polished and be
An outline is a map of your essay or a blueprint. It shows what
a complete sentence.
information each section or paragraph will contain, and in what order.
✓ Use Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, etc.) to indicate the main
Most outlines use numbers and/or bullet points to arrange information
and convey points. points/topic sentences which should be written in specific phrases or
It is a tool we use in the writing process to help organize our complete sentences (this is the “P” or Point of PIE).
ideas, visualize our paper’s potential structure, and to further flesh out ✓ Use capital letters (A, B, C, D, E, etc.) for the major supporting
and develop points. It allows the writer to understand how he or she details; typically, writers should have at least two main supporting
will connect information to support the thesis statement and the claims details for each point/topic sentence (the “I” or information of PIE
of the paper. An outline provides the writer with a space to consider providing evidence and the “E” or explanation of PIE providing
ideas easily without needing to write complete paragraphs or sentences. analysis).
✓ Use numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) for sub-details clarifying and
Importance of an outline specifying your main supporting details.
An outline allows a writer to categorize the main points, to
organize the paragraphs into an order that makes sense, and to make Thesis Statement
 All outlines should begin with a thesis statement of summarizing All outlines should begin with a thesis statement of summarizing
sentence. This thesis sentence presents the central idea of the paper. It sentence. This thesis sentence presents the central idea of the paper. It
must always be a complete, grammatical sentence, specific and brief, must always be a complete, grammatical sentence, specific and brief,
which expresses the point of view you are taking towards the subject which expresses the point of view you are taking towards the subject

Main points (also known as main idea). Chief point an author is Main points (also known as main idea). Chief point an author is
making about a topic. It sums up the author’s primary message. making about a topic. It sums up the author’s primary message.
Sub -Points (also known as supporting details or idea). A Sub -Points (also known as supporting details or idea). A
paragraph contains facts, statements, examples-specifics which guide paragraph contains facts, statements, examples-specifics which guide
us to a full understanding of the main idea. They clarify, illuminate, us to a full understanding of the main idea. They clarify, illuminate,
explain, describe, expand and illustrate the main idea and are explain, describe, expand and illustrate the main idea and are
supporting details. supporting details.
Types of Outlines According to Structure Types of Outlines According to Structure
TYPES DESCRIPTION TYPES DESCRIPTION
1. Topic An outline that consists of a short phrase. It provides a 3. Topic An outline that consists of a short phrase. It provides a
Outline quick overview of topics to be included in an essay. Outline quick overview of topics to be included in an essay.
You are probably already familiar with this structure. You are probably already familiar with this structure.
Look at a syllabus from one of your courses. It is Look at a syllabus from one of your courses. It is
probably the equivalent of a topic outline, with topics probably the equivalent of a topic outline, with topics
listed for each unit, and readings and assignments under listed for each unit, and readings and assignments under
each. After each heading in a topic outline for an essay, each. After each heading in a topic outline for an essay,
a maximum of several words is used to identify the a maximum of several words is used to identify the
topic or idea that will be discussed under the given topic or idea that will be discussed under the given
heading. heading.
2. Sentence An outline that is done in full sentence. It Forces part of 4. Sentence An outline that is done in full sentence. It Forces part of
Outline the essay to be written out in sentences before the first Outline the essay to be written out in sentences before the first
draft. Further, it expresses the specific and complete draft. Further, it expresses the specific and complete
idea that that section of the paper will cover as part of idea that that section of the paper will cover as part of
proving the overall thesis. proving the overall thesis.

Use numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) for sub-details clarifying and

Thesis Statement