(MUET, Task 2) How to formulate a thesis statement?
This blog post will look into writing a clear thesis statement.
For MUET Task 2, a thesis statement is written at the end of your introduction. Essentially, it is the last line of your introduction. This short blog post will focus on how to write a good thesis statement.
Before writing a thesis statement, we must first know what it is. A thesis statement is a roadmap of your arguments. It presents the main arguments/ main points of your essay. And most importantly, the main arguments/ main points should be written specifically.
Now, let us look at some specific examples.
Question: Kindness is disappearing in today’s society.
Thesis Statement 1 (TS1)
Therefore, this article will explore the different reasons why kindness is disappearing in today’s society.
Thesis Statement 2 (TS2)
Therefore, this article will highlight three key reasons why kindness is disappearing today, which are people are becoming more selfish, people are less aware of their surroundings, and the negative influence of modernization.
It is obvious that TS2 is stronger than TS1. This is because TS1 is vague and does not identify any specific points. Comparatively, TS2 narrows the subject to the specific reasons why kindness is disappearing in today’s society.
So, a strong thesis answers a HOW or WHY question about your topic through specific language. To help you think through this, here is a formula to help you formulate your thesis statement.
Specific noun + verb/ adjective
people + are becoming + more selfish
people + are + less aware of their surroundings
the negative influence + of modernization
A good thesis statement is specific and precise. In some cases, it is difficult to write a thesis statement in a single sentence, you can opt to parse your thesis statement in 2-3 lines. But keep it concise - don’t make it long and winded. To strengthen your thesis statement, make sure it is coherent - supported and explained in your essay.