For starters...

Every good piece of writing has a main point, a main idea, or a central message. The argument you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement. A thesis statement, then, is a sentence located in the introduction of your paper that expresses your main point. Your thesis statement should be evident in your introduction, and it should be as clear and specific as possible. A good thesis statement has several basic features. It fits the size of the assignment. It states a single main point or position about the topic. It is specific. It is something you can show, explain, or prove. One way to write a thesis statement is to use this basic formula as a start: Narrowed topic + Author’s main point/position = Thesis statement Listening carefully can help you avoid a whole range of problems. Further points and examples A thesis statement is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation. Fact or observation: People use many lawn chemicals. Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean. A thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject. Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems. Thesis: Solving our environmental problems is more difficult than many environmentalists believe. A thesis is the main idea, not the title. It must be a complete sentence that explains in some detail what you expect to write about