There is no good essay without a good thesis, which is both the good news and the bad news. It is the foundation upon which every other sentence in the essay rests upon. Moreover, it is the soul of the essay. If the reader is lucky, it may even be a tiny little glimpse into your own Wild Child heart. Here are a few tips to make the thesis statement sing.

TIP ONE: MAKE SURE THE THESIS IS ARGUABLE.

Say you were trying to write an essay on the struggle between good and evil in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “Rappaccini’s Daughter.” Consider the difference between these statements:

Giovanni brings evil and suffering into the garden.

Giovanni introduces evil and suffering into Beatrice’s relatively isolated garden, thus illustrating how society corrupts and harms the individual.

The first is an interesting topic, but few would be able to successfully argue with it. The second, on the other hand, takes a bigger leap. Perhaps this story is really a commentary on society, the writer posits, rather than any number of other interpretations one could make.

TIP TWO: MAKE SURE YOUR THESIS EXTENDS OUTSIDE THE WORLD OF THE TEXT.

Ok, same example. Again, consider the difference between these statements:

Giovanni may have had good intentions, but that doesn’t make his acts any less evil.

Through portraying characters who are by nature good and have nothing but good intentions for their bad actions, Hawthorne warns that evil contaminates everyone.

The first is arguable, certainly, but only concerns itself with the world of the text. The second takes a farther view by reflecting on the nature of good and evil not only in Rappaccini’s world, but in our own as well.

Still stuck coming up with a thesis? Try following these foolproof steps to come up with your own. I have used The Odyssey as an example for this one, because I love The Odyssey. (This translation is one of my favorites.)

1. Identify the topic you want to write about.
   • the development of Telemachus’s sense of self
2. Turn your subject into a question.
   • How does one develop a sense of self separate from one’s parents?
3. Answer your question with a statement.
   • Telemachus realizes he must set out on a journey to find his own identity.
4. Refine the statement into a thesis, using the two tips above.
   • In the absence of a father, Telemachus assumes that role himself, knowing that only challenge can transform him into the man he needs to be.

And there you have it! For more essay writing help, check out

How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay

Body Paragraphs and Evidence

My favorite Essay Rubric

Why Essays Are Worth It

Incorporating Literary Criticism

A handout to support writing an Outline