How Do I Write a Thesis Statement?

Writing is a deliberate act; one has to make up one's mind to do it. -JAMES BRTTTON

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.