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Module 8 - Thesis Statement

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Activity 1 | Activity 2 | Activity 3 | Activity 4 | Activity 5

Activity 2: Drafting a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the main idea of the research paper, so all content in the paper refers back or supports the main idea in some way. Sometimes, a thesis statement becomes the writer’s position in a persuasive argument.  In many research papers, however, the thesis statement simply presents the main observation that the research reveals and explains about the given topic. 

Here is another example--What currently is the best alternative to gasoline-powered automobiles?  A thesis statement formulated from this question and the data collected might be: The best alternative to gasoline powered automobiles is currently an electric car that can be charged via a solar panel plug-in. A qualifying statement for this thesis might be: In 30 to 40 years hydrogen powered automobiles might be the best alternative, but current technology makes the solar powered electric car practical today.

Copyright 2008, by the Contributing Authors. Cite/attribute Resource. sguy. (2007, February 26). Module 8 - Thesis Statement. Retrieved December 02, 2008, from Western Governors University Web site: http://ocw.wgu.edu/liberal-arts/research-writing-and-oral-presentation-after-11-1/8activity2.html. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Creative Commons License