Argument Thesis Statements

An argument paper’s thesis may be the easiest kind to identify.  It supplies a one-sentence condensation of the entire point that the essay seeks to prove.  The thesis states, clearly and directly, what the essay is trying to persuade its audience to do or think.   It often, but not always, also outlines the main reasons that the claim is valid.  These are called warrants.    Here’s a simple example:

Coppin State students who live on campus should not venture outside their dorms at night because of the dangerous werewolves that live near the local middle school.

The red text above shows the essential claim: that Coppin students shouldn’t go outside at night. 

The underlined text outlines the basic reason that the audience should feel that this claim is a valid one—the writer contends that werewolves live near the middle school and that they are a danger. 

Sometimes, the claim and warrants are a bit more sophisticated—again the claim is red, the warrant is underlined:

The United States should remove all military forces from Afghanistan due to the domestic opposition to the conflict and the excessive cost of maintaining a presence in that country. 

The United States should raise the retirement age by one year and raise taxes by 1% to reduce the budget deficit. 

Eating a high-fiber diet has many health-related benefits:  lowered cholesterol, less hunger, and better overall digestive health. 

The first two examples above are clear claim-warrant argument thesis statements—the action that the essay is advocating is the claim, and the reasons that the action should be taken are the warrants.   The third example, on high-fiber diets, is more indirect.  The claim is that a high fiber diet is a good thing; the warrants are the specific benefits that that kind of diet provides. 

Some other examples:

If your argument is over FACTS or DEFINITIONS, make sure your thesis states what you seek to prove or disprove or what definition you are advocating:

The American Civil war was anything but “civil”:  it was by far the bloodiest conflict in American history.

Though he lived in Indonesia for a few years of his life, Barack Obama is not a Muslim.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the evidence will show that John Smith murdered Robert Johnson in the study with the candlestick on the night of December 12, 1999.

If your argument is about CAUSE or EFFECT, make sure your thesis articulates very specific causal arguments:

The American Civil war was started by a combination of two main factors: regional disagreements over industrialization and the conflict over the moral plausibility of slavery.
  

Saving Private Ryan revolutionized filmmaking through its innovative cinematography, its groundbreaking use of special effects, and its spectacular sound.

If your argument is primarily a discussion of something's VALUE or a QUALITY that something has, articulate your assertions clearly:

 
Chocolate ice cream is superior to vanilla ice cream because it has a richer flavor, a creamier texture, and 1/3 fewer calories.

Studying for one's exams is an important and worthwhile activity; it will enable a student to pass with flying colors.
 

Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the most important American literary work because of its innovative use of "real" dialects and its biting social criticism of racism in this country. 

Barack Obama has been a very successful president: he has accomplished more in two years than most presidents do in two full terms.

If your argument argues in favor of or against a certain course of ACTION, make sure that action (and your reasons for advocating that course of action) is clearly stated:

Congress should raise corporate income tax to pay for the rising cost of Medicare.

The United States should have a presence in the Middle East indefinitely because of the political instability in the region, the presence of extremist militias, and to secure the availability of oil to American markets.

All English 101 students should go the Writing Center for help at least once per week; this will help them develop skills in generating ideas, planning their writing, drafting, and editing. 

If your argument is about someone or something's JURISDICTION or RIGHT TO DO SOMETHING, make your claims explicitly:

The United States has no right to invade sovereign countries such as Syria because it is a breach of international law.

Fathers have every right to input about how their children are raised.

Only women should decide what happens to their bodies; the government should stay out of it.

No organization should have the right to disrupt a private funeral service with a protest, even if that funeral is for a public figure.