What do you want to discover through your research? In what order will you present your ideas? An effective thesis statement is designed to answer these questions. That's why once you have narrowed your topic, it's time to turn your attention to your thesis statement. A thesis statement is the central point you are arguing in your research paper.

A thesis statement is the central point you are arguing in your research paper.

Here are the five basic requirements for a thesis statement:
1.   It states the topic of the research paper, the main idea.
2.   It shows the purpose of your essay; in this case, to persuade your readers that your point is valid and deserves serious consideration.
3.   It shows the direction in which your argument will proceed. A good thesis statement implies (or states) the order in which your ideas will be presented.
4.   It is written in focused, specific language.
5.   It is interesting, showing a clear voice and style.

Since your thesis statement is the backbone of your paper, it's crucial to spend the time to craft exactly the thesis statement you want and need. Here's how to do that.

List Topics
What do you want to know about your subject? What questions do you want answered? Start by listing topics and possible subtopics.
Don't be afraid to make your list long, since your purpose at this point is to see how many subtopics you can generate. In addition, you don't know how much information you can get on each of these subtopics. As a result, your list will likely include specific details as well as broad topics.
Here's how one writer started writing a thesis statement for a research paper on the women's movement.

Topic   Contemporary women and work
Possible subtopics

High-quality education
Appropriate training
Pay gap between men and women
Enormous progress in workforce
Economic necessity for work Women and the "second shift"
Women's traditional roles
Women taking "men's jobs"
Personal satisfaction from work
Fight against discrimination The "glass ceiling"
Personal ambition
Restricted jobs/"women's work"
"Pink-collar jobs"
"White-collar jobs"
"Blue-collar jobs"
Sexual harassment on the job
Sexual stereotypes about women
Issue of child care
Women's movement

By developing and refining your list of subtopics while you're forming your thesis statement, you won't lose time doubling back. But keep in mind that this is a first step- nothing that you write is set in stone.
Having trouble? There are a number of computer software programs available that can help you with this step in your research paper. You may wish to try one and see if it suits your needs.

Draft a Thesis Statement

After you have narrowed your topic and drafted a list of ideas, you're ready to write a preliminary thesis statement. How can you turn this list of subtopics into a thesis statement? Follow these guidelines:
1.   Sort the ideas into categories.
2.   Select the categories that you want to use.
3.   Formulate your thesis around these categories.
4.   Write your thesis as a declarative sentence, not a question.
5. Be open to revision.
Follow this pattern: (I expect to prove that) Make an assertion about your topic.

Example
Here's how one writer did it:

Topic Contemporary women and work

Training High-quality education
                                    Appropriate training

Discrimination         The "glass ceiling"
       Pay gap between men and women
   "Pink-collar jobs"

"White-collar jobs"

"Blue-collar jobs"

Women taking "men's jobs"

Restricted jobs/"women's work"

                                   Sexual harassment on the job

Reasons women work    Personal satisfaction
                                                                Economic necessity

                                                              Ambition
Pressures                                             Women and the "second shift"
                                                                 Women's traditional roles

Sexual stereotypes about women Issue of child care

Possible Thesis Statements:

•    Women won't achieve true equality in the workforce until outmoded sexual stereotypes, discrimination, sexual harassment, and internal and external pressures are eliminated.
•    We've come a long way, baby, but women still face significant pressure and discrimination in the workforce.
•    With quality education and training, female workers can overcome the discrimination and pressure they face in many jobs. Despite pressure and discrimination, women have made great strides in the workforce.
•    The women's movement has been instrumental in eliminating much of the discrimination and harassment women face on the job.

Let's look at the first possible thesis statement developed with its main ideas:
Example
Women won't achieve true equality in the workforce until outmoded sexual stereotypes, discrimination, sexual harassment, and internal and external pressures are eliminated.
Thesis: Women have yet to achieve equality in the workforce.
Main points in order:
1.    Discrimination must be eliminated.
2.    Outmoded sexual stereotypes must be eliminated.
3.    Sexual harassment must be eliminated.
4.    Internal as well as external pressures must be eliminated.
Research may lead you to revise your thesis, even disprove it, but stating it upfront will point you in the direction
of your investigation.

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