A thesis statement forms the foundation of an academic paper. Simply put, it should consist of one or two sentences that briefly state the main argument of your paper giving your readers an idea of what to expect in the essay or dissertation. When you are working on your research paper or essay, you may wonder whether a thesis statement can be a question or not. Well, this is the topic, our penmypaper expert will cover in this article, along with some examples of questions to help you figure out how to write your own.
Should a Thesis Statement Be a Question?
In a nutshell, your thesis statement should not be expressed as a question. This is because it has to be an argument or claim that can be debated and with which your readers can either agree or disagree. To put it another way, rather than being inquisitive it must be assertive.
Keep in mind that the position your paper takes should be specified in your statement. The purpose of presenting your evidence and arguments should be to support your claim. You won’t have a claim to defend if your thesis argument is presented in the form of a question. Because of this, asking a question is not a good idea.
If you have ever pondered the question, “Does a thesis need to be a question?” Here is a straightforward approach to addressing the issue. The purpose of any essay is to pose a question and provide an answer to it, which your statement should do. You should explain to your reader how you arrived at that answer throughout the remainder of your research study. Show them the analytical paths you took to get to the conclusion, your ultimate goal.
For instance, incorrect: In Macbeth, are the three witches some fantastical distractions, or do they contribute to the development of the story’s themes and serve as an effective plot device?
Correct: Although the three witches in Macbeth may initially appear to be fantastical distractions from the play’s tragedy, they function as a strong narrative device, highlighting the unstoppable power of fate.
Why Can’t A Thesis be a Question?
A thesis statement, as the name suggests, must be posed as a statement and not a question. This is because, unlike a statement or claim, a question cannot be supported. It cannot be discussed, argued, or questioned. Answering a question is the entire point of your statement. Therefore, expressing it as an inquiry would completely defeat its original purpose.
In academic writing, you can ask a question in the first paragraph as long as your thesis statement doesn’t sound like an inquiry. To support your response, for instance, you could rephrase the essay question immediately prior to your statement.
The ideal length for your argument would be one sentence. However, it may be more appropriate to divide it into multiple sentences depending on the depth of the argument and the structure of your research.
Keep in mind that the foundation of your work is your thesis statement, so if you find yourself struggling with crafting a thesis or you need help with college essays, get in touch with professionals.
Writing your dissertation will be much simpler if you start with a strong claim.
For instance,
Incorrect: How does the narrative voice of J.R.R. Tolkien change between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and does this change affect how the reader experiences each book?
Correct: Tolkien takes a more somber approach in The Lord of the Rings, highlighting the seriousness of his material, whereas in The Hobbit, the narrator speaks directly to the reader.
Summing up, a thesis statement cannot be written as a question because it does not assert a position with which others can agree or disagree. It should be a sentence that backs up the author’s perspective without asking the reader a question. Based on this statement, the author defends the study. If you are looking for more information, be sure to check our other articles, as eduhelphub helps with assignments.
