Choosing a Research Topic
Definition & Examples
A thesis statement is like the heart of your paper—it tells your reader what the main point or argument is. Imagine you're telling a friend what your paper is about in one clear sentence. That's your thesis! It’s the idea you’re going to explain and support throughout your essay, so make sure it’s strong and clear. Think of it as the promise you’re making to your reader about what you’ll be discussing.
Image generated by Gemini's Imagen 2.
| Weak | 💪 Strong |
|---|---|
|
❌ Churros are good with dipping sauces. Why? → Too vague, not arguable, and nothing to research. |
✅ Strawberry sauce is better for churros because it tastes fresh, makes less mess, and holds up better than chocolate. Why? → Clear claim (strawberry is better), gives 3 reasons, and can be argued with evidence. |
|
❌ People like different sauces for churros. Why? → Just states an obvious fact. |
✅ Chocolate is the most common churro sauce because it is sweet, familiar, and easy to find. Why? → Not just a fact — explains why chocolate is common with 3 simple reasons |
|
❌ Chocolate is the best churro sauce. Why? → Unqualified opinion, no evidence or angles to explore. |
✅ Chocolate sauce is not always best because it melts quickly, drips on clothes, and can hide the flavor of the churro. Why? → Turns opinion into an argument by giving 3 problems that others can agree or disagree with. |
|
❌ There are many ways to eat churros. Why? → Extremely broad and descriptive. |
✅ The churro sauce debate matters because people care about taste, tradition, and how easy it is to eat. Why? → Shows significance — why the sauce debate matters — with 3 reasons tied to people’s choices. |
|
❌ People argue about churro sauces. Why? → Generic statement, nothing fresh. |
✅ The “sauce party” idea is interesting because it shows people argue, use humor, and defend their favorite foods. Why? → Builds on the video's joke (“sauce parties”) and shows 3 reasons it’s worth studying. |
✅ Does it answer my research question?
✅ Does it clearly describe how and why I will address my topic?
✅ Does it tell my reader why my topic is important and/or interesting?
✅ Could other people argue against my position?
Make an arguable statement and support it with three (3) reasons like this:
My claim because reason 1, reason 2, and reason 3.
