Writing a compelling essay is no easy feat.
Similar to playing the piano or soccer, it involves compounding and complex skills that take consistency, deliberate practice, and strategic guidance to master. There’s no single right answer; it’s subjective. Rather than having a set of formulae to memorize or problem sets to solve, effective writing involves a different type of analytical and critical thinking. Every essay is slightly different, and applying a method that works consistently is challenging – unless you know what you’re looking for.
One key element that can make or break your essay is your thesis statement. Writing a strong thesis statement is something many students struggle with.
Getting the thesis statement right is crucial since it plays a vital role in shaping the entire essay.
Without a solid idea of what makes a powerful thesis statement, it’s common to end up with something vague or weakly supported, thus making the rest of the essay equally ineffective.
But after over a decade of helping students gain confidence and improve their English skills, I’ve boiled down the 5 most common mistakes I see students make in their thesis statements that cause their essays to fall flat.
You can improve your essay-writing skills by understanding these 5 common thesis statement mistakes and taking steps to address them. These tips have helped our students keep their progress moving consistently in the right direction – just like Amber, Aaron, and AC.
Learning to write (and thus communicate) effectively is a lifelong success skill that will benefit students for years to come, even beyond the classroom. So without further ado, let’s get to ways to improve your essay writing.
What Is A Thesis Statement?
Before we delve into the 5 common mistakes, let’s familiarize ourselves with what a thesis statement is. A thesis statement is a central idea that acts as the main focus of your essay. Without a clear, strong thesis statement, many students end up writing scattered and confusing essays that don’t flow well.
Think of your thesis statement as a signpost declaring your essay’s destination to your readers, confidently and precisely announcing your opinion about an assigned topic or question. The rest of your essay, including your main arguments, examples, and explanations, then supports this central unifying idea.
Is your thesis statement clear, arguable, and backed by the evidence you present?
If not, it’s time to revise it.
A strong thesis statement has the following characteristics:
- Specific
- Precise
- Arguable
- Supported by evidence
- Confident
This leads us to the 5 most common thesis statement mistakes I see students make and my tips that have helped them write more compelling and effective essays.
Mistake #1: Your Thesis Statement Is Too Broad
A strong thesis statement is specific.
It focuses on a narrow aspect of a broader topic or question, allowing you to concentrate your essay on “bite-sized” ideas that can be explained within the limited word count, rather than broad issues that would demand a lifetime of intelligent discussion. A sufficiently narrow thesis means a greater likelihood of providing sufficient examples and comprehensive support for it.
Mistake #2: Your Thesis Statement Is Vague
A strong thesis makes a precise claim about a specific aspect of your broader topic or question.
For instance, if your broad topic is education, and you narrow your focus to specifically address the impact of education on job prospects, then your precise thesis statement must make a claim about this, such as stating that a post-secondary degree from a top school maximizes one’s chances at a high-paying career.
Mistake #3: Your Thesis Statement Is A Statement Of Fact
A strong thesis statement is arguable.
In other words, someone else can have a different opinion about the topic from another perspective. A factual statement does not work as a thesis statement as it is often not considered arguable. For example, “Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease” is a statement of fact that is easily proven. A strong thesis statement has a point of view that can be argued and critically analyzed.
Mistake #4: Your Thesis Statement Is Not Supported By Evidence
A solid argument, and thus a strong thesis statement, is backed by evidence.
Your evidence includes examples and details from the text, scientific literature, scholarly articles, and other reputable sources that demonstrate that your claim is valid. The evidence you present in your essay must clearly back up the claim you make in your thesis statement.
Mistake #5: Your Thesis Statement Is Not Confident
A strong thesis statement is stated confidently.
A thesis statement with a confident tone asserts that you are taking a stance that is sufficiently backed by details and examples.
Even in personal pieces such as journal entries, statements like “I feel” or “I believe” can indicate a weak argument and reduce the credibility of your writing.
BONUS – Mistake #6: Your Thesis Statement Is Not Formatted Correctly
Different schools and teachers have their own preferences when it comes to formatting thesis statements. In some cases, you’ll need to outline each of your separate arguments, while in others, a unified thesis will be required. Understand the expectations in your situation, and you’ll be headed in the right direction.
Final Takeaway Tips
To improve your next thesis statement, ask yourself a few questions:
- Is your thesis statement specific?
- Is it precise?
- Is it arguable?
- Can it be demonstrated with evidence?
- Is it stated assertively?
- Does it meet your teacher’s requirements?
- Can it be proven within the span of the essay, or is it too broad to cover within the word limit?
Writing an A+ essay requires dedication and hard work. However, following the tips we’ve shared can make the process a little less stressful. If you’re looking for some assistance with your writing efforts, my team and I at Top Class Edge are happy to help.
Whether you want to learn how to write an English essay or are working on a creative assignment, we have highly-qualified English tutors who are excited to work with you. Contact us today to learn more about our services and see if you qualify to work with us.