How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement to Make Your English Essay Stand Out

Trying to write a killer English essay but can’t seem to get your thesis statement right?

You’re not alone! A common problem students run into is writing thesis statements that are too weak, vague, or just don’t stand out from the crowd.

As a HSC all rounder, I’ve written this definitive guide to outline the sacred thesis statement formula that helped me achieve a Band 6 in English.

Read on and learn exactly how to nail those thesis statements. Every. Single. Time.

Art thou ready?

What is a Thesis Statement?

How to Write a Thesis Statement in English (Step-by-step)

• Step 1: Breakdown Question Keywords
• Step 2: Brainstorm Specific Ideas on Question
• Step 3: Identify Most Sophisticated Stance
• Step 4: Link Key Context & Module Links
• Step 5: Craft Your Argument & Effect

Examples of Thesis Statements

The Ultimate Exercise to Improve Your Thesis Statements

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is a 1-2 sentence overarching argument in response to a specific essay question that you will prove throughout your essay.

Being the first sentence of an introductory paragraph on an essay, a thesis statement’s principal aim is to directly and concisely answer the question with the argument, stance, or position you are taking.

What Makes a Thesis Statement Strong?

Strong thesis statements typically have the following the components:

• Composer’s Name
• Text Name
• Text Form / Genre
• Verb/s
• Keywords from the question
• Keywords from the module
• Specific Idea
• Effect of  Specific Idea

These components can be arranged in various one and two sentence “structures” that depend upon:

1. The type of essay question you are responding to (i.e. Technique, Genre, Form, Thematic, or Critical Perspective Questions)
2. The module and text you are being assessed on.

General Thesis Statement Structure

With that said, let’s take a look at our general one-sentence thesis statement structure:

It’s important to note that there are several variations of this differentiated by the ordering of each component.

Now, let’s take a look at an example where this structure is in effect.

Question 

To what extent is Shakespeare concerned with the nature of jealousy and its interaction with power in “Othello”?

General Structure Thesis Statement Example

In our HSC English tutoring program we teach students how to effectively use these Band 6 thesis statement structures so they can level up their essays quickly for their specific texts.

How to Write a Thesis Statement in English (Step-by-step)

In this section, we’ll go through step-by-step on how to write a thesis statement with clear examples for each step.

Follow along to ensure you’re on the way to writing strong and impactful thesis statements.

Step 1: Breakdown Question Keywords

Have you ever gotten your essay back with feedback stating that you completely missed or didn’t really answer the question?

This usually happens when students don’t understand all the components of a question.

Continuing this practice could have detrimental effects to your thesis statements which risks the integrity of entire essays, both of which prevent you from achieving your goals.

Thus, the initial step to writing your thesis statement is making sure you completely understand the question.

So, grab a pencil, pen, or highlighter and identify those keywords.

To do this, ask yourself:

• What is the question focusing on?
• Is it on a specific character? or theme?
• Am I being asked to analyse a novel’s form or structure?
• Am I being asked to compare two texts side by side?

Example of Breaking Down a Question

Question

Through the telling and receiving of stories, we become more aware of ourselves and our shared human experiences

Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.

Keywords

• Telling and receiving of stories
• Aware of ourselves
• Shared human experiences.

Step 2: Brainstorm Specific Ideas on Question

Brainstorming can be actioned in a various way.

However, a fool-proof exercise we recommend practicing is that for each key term, ask each of the following mini-questions about the text:

• What / What Type?
• How?
• Why?
• So What?
• Who?

The goal of this step is to get those ideas jotted down on to paper.

Example of Brainstorming Specific Ideas on Question

Question

“Henry IV Part 1 shows the disorder and conflict that result when society’s rulers are driven by greed and ambition.”

Discuss this statement in relation to your prescribed text.

Keywords

• Conflict
• Society’s rulers
• Greed and ambition as motivations

Mini-Questions for Keyword: Conflict

Mini-Questions	Answers
What / What Type?	Political conflict
How?	Civil rebellions; infighting; power struggles
Why?	To demonstrate the difficulties associated with leadership and maintaining honour when one has seized the throne illegitimately
So What?	So that Shakespeare can uphold the Tudor Myth and glorify the divine right of kings.
Who?	Fictionalised representations of historical royal figures

Once you’ve answered each question, the next step would be to summarise it. The above can be summarised as follows:

Summary from Mini-Questions

In order to demonstrate the difficulties associated with leadership and maintaining honour when one has seized the throne illegitimately, Shakespeare uses fictionalised representations of historical royal figures to depict internal political conflict after Henry IV usurped the English throne. This upholds the Tudor myth, glorifying the Divine Right of Kings under the reign of Elizabeth I. 

You will then use these summaries of your key terms to write the specific idea component of your thesis statement.

Step 3: Identify Most Sophisticated Stance

Not answering in a generic way means that you’re not answering in the same way as everyone else, which automatically gives your essay that little edge.

A good thesis statement must have a stance or take a position in response the essay question.

There are typically three stances that a thesis statement can take:

1. Positive Stance — Agrees completely with the premise of the question
2. Negative Stance — Disagrees completely with the premise of the question 
3. Moderate Stance — Agrees/Disagrees partially with the premise of the question.

Therefore, take into account which idea stands out and what stance it is taking. A sophisticated statement is one that shows critical thinking and adds something new to the conversation.

This does not mean that your thesis needs to be overly long and complicated in grammar and syntax (in fact you want to avoid that).

Just make sure it states exactly what points you’re planning to make.

Example of Identifying Most Sophisticated Stance

Question — Module B Example

To what extent does an understanding of your prescribed text’s context significant to an appreciation of its key concerns?

Keywords

• Context
• Key concerns

Now, comes the time to identify which the stance you’re going to take.

In 90% of cases it’s best to agree with the statement/question but still leave room for the slightest impartiality which makes for a “nuanced” response  — this is taking a “mostly positive” stance.

“Mostly” Positive Stance Thesis Statement Example

Taking a “moderate” stance with the aim of being completely in 50/50 is quite difficult to produce — this is because students think they are making a judgement when in fact they have just avoided making one.

Although, that does not mean that it’s impossible to create an effective “moderate” response.

Moderate Stance Thesis Statement Example

When you choose to argue against the question, or take a “negative” stance, in English, it is less about causing trouble and more about creating discussion — you want to surprise your markers, not confuse them.

There are a whole bunch of reasons why you should argue against the question when it comes to responding to an essay, most of which boil down to just not doing what’s expected!

“Mostly” Negative Stance Thesis Statement Example

As you can see, all three thesis statements focus on the same key words and concepts from the question, the only difference is that they are all looking into it in different ways.

With that being said, if executed well, any stance can work well.

And, while it’s important to present a unique argument, more importantly, it needs to be one that you can actually substantiate — making sure the evidence you provide supports your thesis statement is what will help you achieve higher marks in English!

To help you identify and analyse evidence in texts, consider brushing up on those English Literary Techniques.

Step 4: Determine Key Context & Module Links 

To show that you have greater understanding of your studied text, you must be able to understand and place it within its key context, and identify links to the relevant course module.

Thus, to further elevate your thesis statements — ask yourself:

1. What key concepts from the Module Rubric are relevant to this essay question?
2. Does the essay question have a key term relating to context?

Example of Determining Context and Module Links

Question — Module A Example

You have studied two texts composed at different times. When you consider these texts and their contexts, how has your understanding of the concepts and values of each text been developed and reshaped?

Keywords

• Texts and their contexts
• Understanding of concepts and values of each text
• Developed and reshaped

Arguably the largest context study out of all the HSC English Modules, it is important to at least implicitly incorporate elements of context especially in Module A responses.

However, this does not mean that context-related questions only appear in Module A.

Let’s analyse a thesis statement responding to the question above so you can get a taste of what makes for effective context and module linking in HSC English.

Thesis Statement

The intertextual dialogue between Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and Atwood’s ‘Hag-Seed’ illuminates the adaptive text’s capacity to reframe and question traditional power dynamics and colonial narratives. This relationship highlights a transformation in understanding societal structures and gender roles, calling into question established norms and offering a critique that resonates with contemporary views on equality and justice.

Linking Key Context

From Thesis Statement	Why It's Effective
"Reframe and question traditional power dynamics and colonial narratives."	- An implicit commentary on Shakespeare's "Age of Discovery" colonial context. - Outlines Atwood's reimagining through a postcolonial context that centres minority voices in contemporary Canada.
"Transformation in understanding societal structures and gender roles, calling into question established norms and offering a critique that resonates with contemporary views on equality and justice."	- Merges thematic concerns of each text and their respective contexts. - Establishes points of discussion in the changes of "societal structures and gender roles" from Shakespeare's to Atwood's time.

Linking Module Rubric

From Thesis Statement	Why It's Effective
"Reframe"	- Relates to how the latter text responds to or does something new with the former text's concerns.
"Adaptive text" & "Intertextual dialogue"	- Both directly address how the latter text is an adaptation of the former.
"This relationship [between the two texts] highlight a transformation ..."	- Addresses how contexts have changed since the performance of the first text and the publication of the latter, therefore addresses how texts have changed.
"Resonates"	- "Resonances and dissonances" are keywords from the rubric which address the extent to which the latter text has adopted or discarded elements of the former.

Step 5: Craft Your Argument & Effect

Now’s the time to start formulating your thesis statement. So grab and cling to your paper and pens, and let’s get writing!

This step is where we need to craft the specific idea, and effect of your specific idea component of your thesis statement from our General Thesis Statement Structure:

Example of Crafting Argument & Effect

Question

“The representation of human experiences makes us more aware of the intricate nature of humanity.”

To what extent does this statement align with your understanding of your prescribed text? In your response, discuss this statement with detailed reference to George Orwell’s ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’.

Keywords

• Representations of human experiences
• Intricate nature of humanity

Stance

To a great extent (agrees with the question)

Specific Idea

Exploration of paradoxical and inconsistent human experiences of emotional and social repression within a totalitarian system.

Once you have this, you’ll then need to identify the effect of the specific idea.

To do this effectively, consider the following questions:

• “What is the author’s purpose in exploring this idea? What are they trying to achieve?”

• “What is the impact of this specific idea on individuals or society?”

• “What is the impact of the idea on you as the responder? Does it make you reflect about anything?”

Continuing the example above, the effect of the specific idea using the above prompt questions would be:

Effect of Specific Idea

In order to warn contemporary audiences about the dangers of totalitarianism and government overreach.

Remember, it’s not about crafting the most flawless thesis statement on the get go. Just keep in mind that practice makes close to perfect!

Revising and refining your thesis statements is what will make you a better writer, it’ll set you up for each and every essay question that may come your way.

If you’re a NSW student studying for the HSC, try put everything you have learnt so far into practice and check out some English past papers! You can also exercise those writing muscles with our ‘Thesis + 3′ Technique’.

Examples of Thesis Statements

Now, let’s examine some more questions and example thesis statements produced by some of our students.

In this section, we’ll also look at how our AI English Tutor, Artie, elevated each response from “good” to great.

Thesis Statement Example #1

Question

“It is difficult to maintain individual identity in the face of homogenous collectives.”
How does Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice align with this statement, and how does this representation help support his authorial purpose?

Original Student Response

All representations are constructs, with composers incorporating or omitting certain concepts in line with authorial purpose and position. William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice (1605) represents identity as a composite of intersecting factors shaping our understanding of the human experience, wherein those with greater privilege can invert the Christian patriarchal power relations to gain agency.

Artie Assisted Response  Studying or revising for HSC English? Check out our guide on the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences!

Thesis Statement Example #2

Question

No texts are original, but some texts move beyond their origins.
To what extent does this statement inform your appreciation of the textual conversations between the composers you have studied?

Original Student Response

Each composition has its individual authenticity and originality however, more advanced texts such Al Pacino’s 1996 docu-drama “Looking For Richard” moves beyond the origins of it’s hypo text, William Shakespeare’s 1592 tragedy “King Richard III”, to engage in a textual conversation that highlights the inconsistencies in morals and values across their incongruous zeitgeists.

Artie Assisted Response

If you’re studying any of the two aforementioned texts (or any other of the prescribed texts!), rest assured that Artie can help level up your thesis statements and other aspects of your essay writing.

Need more thesis statement examples? We’ve got you covered!

If you’re looking for some more help as to how to write a HSC Band 6 essay, make sure you check out this step by step guide here!

The Ultimate Exercise to Improve Your Thesis Statements

This section will cover a three step exercise to help you improve faster, making sure your thesis are as strong as can before exam time!

Step #1: Rapid Thesis Development

Writing improves with lots and lots of practice — so if you admire someone’s writing, know that it is ever rarely an inherent feat and they most likely have taken the time to improve!

One way to develop your own writing muscles, and so improve your thesis statements, is by trying this exercise:

1. Find a practice question.
2. Set a timer for 5 minutes and generate a thesis statement
3. Then repeat this two more times

Doing these writing bursts will ensure you’re able to adapt and answer any question NESA throws at you in reading time, while also building a library of thesis statements you can remix and use in the HSC Exams.

Here are 20 practice questions for each module:

• Common Module
• Module A
• Module B
• Module C

Step #2: Is My Thesis Statement… SUP?

When writing and developing your thesis statements, ask yourself  — “is my thesis statement… SUP?”

Sharp — each word in your thesis statement matters, don’t ramble and unnecessarily aggrandise your sentences. Use your words wisely, and cut any that don’t effectively get your argument across.

Unique — will your thesis statement get lost among the sea of repeated and unoriginal statements? Avoid this by making sure to stands out by considering a fresh take or new perspective, thus subverting reader expectations.

Purposeful — what you state now will need to be supported by the rest of your essay. Does your evidence actually align with the key arguments you have laid out? Or will the train of your essay derail from its tracks?

Struggling with writing compelling linking sentences for your essay paragraphs? Learn how to write better linking sentences with our guide!

Step #3: Seek Feedback. Again… And Again (Then One More Time After That)

The law of the lid outlines that the highest mark you get in practice will be reflected in your performance when it comes to the real exam.

If you’re goal is to achieve a Band 6, you want to lift your lid, to make sure you’re hitting Band 6 level responses even in practice.

To do this, you must accelerate your feedback loop.

Here are five ways to establish a feedback loop so you can improve faster:

1. Get help from your teacher — submit your work to your teacher even if it’s thesis statement alone. They’re more likely to return it to you quickly if it’s a small piece of marking!
2. Mark your own work — whether you’re practising thesis statements or full responses, make sure to actually read over and mark them using the marking criteria provided from prior HSC exam papers. 
3. Peer mark – swap your essays with your friends, and get them to give you feedback on your thesis statements, while you provide feedback for theirs.
4. Find a tutor or mentor — getting extra support from a mentor or tutor is a great way to receive direct one-on-one feedback.
5. Get feedback from Artie — get instantly marked practice essays, giving you feedback with crystal-clear recommendations to improve.

Here’s a guide to essay drafting, editing, and refining your English essays.

Looking for some extra help with writing a Strong HSC English Thesis Statement?

We have an incredible team of HSC English tutors and mentors!

We can help you master your HSC English essay and ace your upcoming HSC English assessments with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home or at one of our state of the art campuses in Hornsby or the Hills!

Closer to Western Sydney? We provide support for K-12 English in Parramatta! Or looking for Southern Sydney support? We have expert HSC tutors ready to help in Campbelltown and Wollongong!

We’ve supported over 8,000 students over the last 11 years, and on average our students score mark improvements of over 20%!

To find out more and get started with an inspirational HSC English tutor and mentor, get in touch today or give us a ring on 1300 267 888!

Maddison Leach completed her HSC in 2014, achieving an ATAR of 98.00 and Band 6 in all her subjects. Having tutored privately for two years before joining Art of Smart, she enjoys helping students through the academic and other aspects of school life, even though it sometimes makes her feel old. Maddison has had a passion for writing since her early teens, having had several short stories published before joining the world of blogging. She’s currently deferring her studies until she starts her Bachelor of Communication at UTS in the spring.