Related article: What is a thesis?
A thesis statement is a statement that says what you are going to argue or prove, not what you’re going to attempt to do. It’s not your plan but your argument.
Identifying a thesis
“The first thing to remember is that a thesis is the point the author is trying to prove. That means that a topic, which can be expressed in a phrase, like “alcoholism” or “effect of corruption on poverty,” is not a thesis. A thesis can only be expressed by a complete, declarative sentence (not a question, either). So, be sure to write out a complete sentence when identifying the source’s thesis.
Often, all you need to identify the thesis of an article is the abstract—the brief summary, usually just a short paragraph, provided with the listing of many articles in most databases. This explains the main idea of the article and states what point it is trying to prove.
However, an abstract is not always provided. In those cases, you may need to read the first few paragraphs to get the gist of the article. This is typically where the author will lay out the argument and, again, state the point that they are trying to prove. In more difficult cases, it may be necessary to read the conclusion as well since this is often where they sum up the argument one last time. Sometimes, it’s clearer in the conclusion than in the introduction.
With books, the thesis may be stated on the back, on the jacket flap, in the preface or introduction, or early on in the first chapter. On the back and on the jacket look for phrases like “the author argues that…” In the preface, introduction or first chapter, look for “I argue…” or similar phrases.
Keep in mind: Reference works do not have theses. Remember the definition of a thesis: a point that an essay is trying to prove. Reference works don’t try to prove a point. They simply report information. Usually it’s the more in-depth general interest works, and especially the scholarly sources, that have theses. So those are the ones you’ll want to focus on.” From Shoreline community college.
Merriam Webster’s dictionary:
Definition of thesis:
“a: a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof: HYPOTHESIS
“5.3 Turn Your Working Hypothesis into a ClaimWe described the early stages of research as finding a question and imagining a tentative answer. We called that answer your working hypothesis. Now as we discuss building an argument to support that hypothesis, we change our terminology one last time. When you think you can back up your hypothesis with good reasons and evidence, you’ll present that hypothesis as your argument’s claim. A claim is an assertion (which could be one sentence or several) that demands support. Your main claim is the assertion supported by your whole research argument. Some call this assertion your thesis.” From the Turabian Manual, 9th Edition
Thesis Statements vs. Topic Statements
“Thesis Statements
Every paper must argue an idea and every paper must clearly state that idea in a thesis statement.
A thesis statement is different from a topic statement. A topic statement merely states what the paper is about. A thesis statement states the argument of that paper.
Be sure that you can easily identify your thesis and that the key points of your argument relate directly back to your thesis.
EXAMPLES
Topic statements:
This paper will discuss Harry Truman’s decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima.
The purpose of this paper is to delve into the mindset behind Truman’s decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima.
This paper will explore how Harry Truman came to the decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima.
Thesis statements:
Harry Truman’s decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima was motivated by racism.
The US confrontation with the Soviets was the key factor in Truman’s decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima.
This paper will demonstrate that in his decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima, Truman was unduly influenced by hawks in his cabinet.” Source: University of Mary Washington.
The theme is the central idea of a piece. It is an implicit or recurrent idea in the work.
“To identify the central idea or theme, one must also look at the other elements of fiction (plot, characters, setting, conflict, etc.) to explain how the author has tied all of these together. In order to understand the central idea or theme of the story ask yourself the following questions:
- How is the central idea or theme expressed through the characters, setting, point of view, tone, language, or conflict?
- In what way does the resolution of the external conflict indicate the central idea or theme? How does the resolution of the internal conflict express the story’s theme?
- Are symbols, metaphors, or similes used to portray the central idea or theme?
- What are the repeated images, words, or expressions in the story?
- How does the title make sense in terms of the story? Is it significant?
- What the story reveals about society, people in general, the roles of men and women, the time period in which the story takes place?
- Does the central idea make sense in light of the story and the title?
Remember, there is no one way to express the central idea of a story (but some statements are definitely better than others). The best stories have multiple levels of meaning and require MORE THAN ONE READING before the central idea becomes clear.” http://www.austincc.edu/bvillarr/theme.htm
What is the difference between a thesis statement and a theme?
“Theme is the main idea of the piece of literature, art, film, etc.– whatever it is you are being asked to write about. It is the “lesson” that is being taught. For example, “greed” in an incomplete theme, but “greed is the root of all evil” would be a valid theme of a work.
The thesis is the actual statement in your paper that expresses what the idea behind your essay is. It is what YOUR paper is about, which in turn, is a statement that also conveys what the work being discussed is about. Therefore, a “thesis” normally contains a “theme”. An example might be: In “The Pardoner’s Tale”, Chaucer expresses through both the actions of the Pardoner as well as through the actions of the characters in his tale, the notion that greed is the root of all evil. ” Source: From Yahoo Answers
“There are some very strong parallels between both themes and thesis statements. I think you will find there will be much in the way of responses to how each will be different. For my bet, I would like to think of themes as something that can be found in writing that expresses the intent of what the author is trying to show. Themes can be found in literature and other forms of writing where an idea is explored in a complex and intricate manner. Examples of themes can be courage, the quest for justice, the collision between equally desirable, but ultimately incompatible courses of action, or the notion of identity formation. These themes are proven from a base that is not purely evidential and argumentative, which differentiates them from a thesis statement. For example, when Homer explores the theme of equally desirable, but ultimately incompatible courses of action, he does not do so in a strictly linear and evidential manner. Rather, he shows us a character who must endure such a theme and how it plays out is built within the development of the character. Hektor’s character evolution is how we, as the reader, see Homer’s theme develop.
In contrast to this, a thesis statement is something that is built through evidence, analysis, and persuasion. It seems to me to be more linear and directed than a theme. For instance, a thesis statement can be analytical, which analyzes an idea and deconstructs it through a paper. A thesis statement could also be persuasive, and it hopes to do so through evidence and analysis. The websites below give examples of thesis statements. I think I differentiate both concepts as a thesis statement trying to prove something, while a theme seeks to explore it.” Source: https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-difference-between-thesis-statement-theme-110021
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