Every student, at some point in school or in the academic journey, meets the responsibility of coming up with a well-written thesis. The same applies to every seasoned writer. Therefore, the skill and understanding of how to arrive at a properly written thesis is a necessary possession, if not a must, for any prospective or on-going student and experienced writer. An important lesson on developing a proper thesis is grasping the process of selecting a topic and the buildout of a thesis statement, and never forgetting your audience. Every other rule of grammatical writing also is applicable.
The concept thesis comes from the term hypothesis which means a hunch about a relationship that has no proof. This “intelligent guess” makes the work to be coherent and have some direction; and also predicts the connection between factors. The stating of the “intelligent guess” can be done either in null form (prediction that there exists no connection or major difference between factors) or alternative form (a hunch on anticipated result premised upon before-hand understanding about the topic suggesting a given particular outcome).
What is a tentative thesis? It may be defined as a major idea of any writing pointing to the approach taken by the author, describes the subject matter and contextualizes the topic. A tentative thesis statement is a crucial component of a thesis. Basically, it tells the readers about the writer’s position in as far as the topic is concerned. It also highlights main ideas that will be delved into throughout the work.
In a typical tentative thesis statement example, tentative thesis statement is always put at the tail-end of introduction paragraph. There are two main parts that form the building blocks of a tentative thesis statement: the writer’s assertion based on a generalization in a single sentence is referred to as a claim. This claim is contestable since it has no factual basis. The other part is supporting information which are details attempting to reinforce the claim made. Hence, tentative thesis statement brings together a claim plus the assisting details into one sentence and usually comes towards the tail-end of the introduction.
The steps that may guide on how to write a tentative thesis are highlighted below:
When commencing any framing of a tentative thesis, the individual writing ought to be clear on the topic or the issue to be discussed. The writer ought to reflect on whether their topic of choice is relevant, practical and can make contribution in the field the author is interested in. It is evident that settling on a topic of choice is not always easy and that some deeper thought must go into that process.
After selecting a topic, one begins have a rough idea on this topic with little knowledge they might have. The writer’s mind will not be blank as the rough idea on their topic may be founded on something they have heard, read about or practiced before. This is referred to as brainstorming.
Brainstorming in a tentative thesis topic involves the writer sorting out what he or she knows through methods such as writing freely what immediately comes to the mind. The author quickly jots down without stopping or editing what immediately come to his or her mind on the topic. This importantly helps one to be aware of what they already know, feel, and think about their topic. This activity of brainstorming does not entail evaluation of ideas, but allows the writer to pour out his or her all background information and knowledge they have on the topic. Evaluation and organization of the ideas will come later and in the course of writing.
Never forget that the essence of brainstorming is for the writer to identify a gap in their knowledge on the topic they have selected. Identification of the gap guides one to carry out research to obtain more information or knowledge. Sources of information are varied; they include books, brochures, flyers, journals, reports, conference papers, internet searches. The writer ought to evaluate the credibility of his or her sources. After obtaining the relevant information needed through the research, the writer then re-organizes his or her thoughts to evaluate whether they are clear on the topic.
It cannot be emphasized enough that when writing a tentative thesis statement, one ought to have a good grasp of the topic and the matters to be discussed in the thesis. To meet this objective, precise identification of the topic and its statement in a clear way is crucial. This also enables the readers to develop interest and easily identify with the article.
A good topic of any tentative thesis is stated as simple as possible in a plain language. When the same is done to a thesis statement from the beginning, the writer is able to comprehend the task or assignment at hand.
Tentative thesis examples contain the writer’s proposition supported by a coherent reasoning. It highlights to the reader the major ideas and points of the article, and it comes towards the tail-end of the starter paragraph. It should also be premised on the problem statement, which is a deeper explanation of the topic of the tentative thesis. A problem statement provides a detailed explanation of what the topic is really all about and what the problem is.
A well-framed tentative thesis statement has the characteristics illustrated below;
In the introduction, a tentative thesis statement ought to give the individual reading a feel of the topic in an interestingly and explains summarily how thoughts will be built out in the main paragraphs, anchored by evidence. It ought to be spot-on and clear.
Beginning of a thesis provides the one reading the overview of the forthcoming main discussions in the subsequent paragraphs. It puts forward and lays bare the topic and contains a shell of the central ideas and major points. Furthermore, it describes how these ideas will be presented in the main discussion or body of the essay.
Introductions in good tentative thesis examples are made up of three elements; a hook, background information and thesis statement. A well-framed tentative thesis contains a first sentence which is interesting and draws the attention of the audience. A hook sentence presents a tentative thesis topic interestingly to make one want to satisfy the curiosity of reading the entire essay. The background information puts to context the topic. It is a build-up to the tentative thesis statement (always comes at the tail-end of the introduction).
The most discussion in an article occurs in the main paragraphs of a tentative thesis. Sentences in this segment of the article are coherent and logical and are founded on evidence and facts. This part of the tentative thesis is usually categorized in a manner that is reflective of the topic, sentences that support it and summarizing sentences.
How are these three parts important? The topic sentence gives the major thoughts and principal notion of the paragraph. Assisting sentence discusses and develops the topic sentence. Moreover, it entails particular evidence from sources supporting the tentative thesis. Summarizing sentences becomes the ultimate idea hence helping in the switch to a new paragraph.
Finally, the conclusion is the last section of a tentative thesis. Most tentative thesis conclusions are closely structured in a similar fashion as the paragraph of the introduction. It contains a summary of the key ideas and major points of the article. Conclusion of a tentative thesis provides a review of discussions from the main paragraphs in a brief way, leaving the reader with the final thoughts of the article.
The parts comprising the conclusion of a tentative thesis are; thesis restatement, summary of the central points and concluding thought. Tentative thesis restatement comes at the beginning of the concluding paragraph; however, in a way not similar to the introduction. Summary of the central ideas from each of the body paragraphs necessarily reminds the audience; and the final thought entails the writer’s final thought, opinion, recommendation or prediction on the topic. The mark of an interesting tentative thesis is in whether it leaves the reader with a strong impression.
We have gone through the steps to writing a tentative thesis essay. The tips discussed below will guide the writer to ensure a correctly written thesis.
As a concluding remark, we may say that when going about the process on how to write a tentative thesis, certain requirements are in order for the article to correctly maintain its purpose. Answering what is a tentative thesis as observed above needs proper structuring.
From the discussion, we have gone through the guides to writing a proper tentative thesis. In the guides we have also seen ways to frame a proper tentative thesis statement. A thesis statement informs one about the writer’s position about the thesis topic. A proper tentative thesis statement example illustrates the key ideas or central points which will be considered carefully in the essay. Mostly, it is put towards the tail-end of the introduction.
When writing a tentative thesis statement one ought to remember the two main parts it comprises; a claim and the supporting information. The former is the writer’s assertion based on general information in a sentence. It is not based on fact. The latter is the information which reinforces the claim made. Essentially, a thesis is a connection between writer’s claim and details which support it into one sentence. More so, it is positioned at the tail end of the introductory paragraph.
Example 1: America and China trade wars
“Recent trade war between America and China has led immensely to low sales of Apple products in 2019. Gradually Huawei smartphone has become popular in China, a close to 2 billion people market, leaving iPhone and other Apple products doing catch-up in that part of Asia.”
Example 2: The middle tensions: America, Iran and possibility of Third world war
“The continued defiance of Iran to threats and sanctions from United States and powerful European countries is dangerous to world peace and stability. This defiance will likely cause another world war”.