Thesis Statement
University of Louisville
THESIS STATEMENT
Definition: A thesis statement announces the author’s argument, analysis, or explanation in an academic essay.
§ Since music piracy is a growing problem in the U. S., the government should create laws to protect copyright holders.
- Thesis statements may take different forms, depending on the purpose of the writing.
- In the digital age, the inevitable free exchange of music files should take precedence over government regulation of copyright laws.
- Since 78% of college students in Kentucky do not recognize music piracy as ethically questionable, they are likely to disregard copyright laws.
- Researchers predict that CD sales will continue to drop over the next decade because of the increase in digital music formats.
What is not a thesis statement?
- A thesis statement is different from a title, a statement of fact, or a description of the topic.
- Music Piracy and Copyright Laws
(title)
- Music industry profits dropped by 36% in 2006.
(fact)
- My essay is about the effect of piracy on the music industry.
(description of topic)
Additional characteristics of a thesis statement:
- A thesis statement should be limited and specific so that it can be sufficiently supported in an essay.
Too broad and vague:
- The music industry faces many problems.
More limited and specific:
- The music industry faces profit loss and high court costs because of digital music piracy.
- A thesis statement should stick to one main idea.
Too many main ideas:
- Due to extensive piracy, musicians lose the revenue they deserve and the pirates risk legal ramifications.
One main idea:
- Due to extensive piracy, musicians lose the revenue they deserve from their ownership of copyrights.
Note: Remember, writers may revise their thesis statements if they find their essays are developing in different directions from what they first expected.
