What is a thesis statement?

What is a thesis statement?

• A. The list of sources used in the essay.
• B. A concise sentence or two that states the main argument or claim.
• C. A long narrative description of the topic.
• D. A question the essay seeks to answer.

Answer: (B)

A thesis statement is a concise sentence or two that states the main argument or claim you will defend in your essay. It presents a clear position that can be argued and supported with evidence, and it sets the direction and scope for the whole paper. It's not just a list of sources or a broad description of the topic, and it's not a question. The thesis is the claim you’re making about the topic—the central stance your essay will prove. For example, a strong thesis would make a specific claim you can support with reasoning and evidence, such as: investing in renewable energy standards reduces long‑term costs and emissions, provided policies are designed to address reliability and transition challenges.

A thesis statement is a concise sentence or two that states the main argument or claim you will defend in your essay. It presents a clear position that can be argued and supported with evidence, and it sets the direction and scope for the whole paper.

It's not just a list of sources or a broad description of the topic, and it's not a question. The thesis is the claim you’re making about the topic—the central stance your essay will prove. For example, a strong thesis would make a specific claim you can support with reasoning and evidence, such as: investing in renewable energy standards reduces long‑term costs and emissions, provided policies are designed to address reliability and transition challenges.