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Transformative Writing Skills, LLC
The Thesis
Formula Card
AJ's step-by-step formula for writing a clear, specific, and arguable thesis statement — every time.
📝 Stage 2 · How to Write Series
The Formula at a Glance
[opt] Opposing Claim + Topic + Controlling Idea + Your Position + "News Headlines" (3 Reasons)
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Formula — Step by Step
1
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Opposing Claim (optional — argumentative essays)
Acknowledge what the other side believes before stating your position. This shows academic maturity and sets up your argument.
"Although some claim yoga is a sport activity, ..."
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2
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Topic
The broad subject of your essay. What is the essay about in general? Keep it specific enough to write about.
"... electric cars ..."
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3
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Controlling Idea
The specific angle you will focus on. This limits what your essay covers and tells the reader exactly what aspect you're arguing about.
"... help the environment ..."
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4
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Your Position
What do you believe? Your stance on the issue. Never use "I think" or "In my opinion" — your position should be clear from the structure itself.
Often embedded in the controlling idea: "help the environment" = your position
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5
📰
"News Headlines" — 3 Reasons
List your 3 reasons/arguments — these are the "headlines" that tell your reader what's coming. Each one will become a body paragraph topic sentence.
"... by slowing climate change, reducing air pollution, and decreasing waste."
Complete Thesis Statement Example
Although some claim electric cars cause more harm than regular cars, electric cars help the environment by slowing climate change, reducing air pollution, and decreasing waste.
Opposing Claim
Topic
Controlling Idea / Position
"News Headlines" (3 Reasons)
Power Tips
📰
News Headlines = Body ParagraphsEach reason in your thesis becomes the topic sentence of a body paragraph. Write them in the same order.
🚫
Never Say "I Think"Don't write "I believe" or "In my opinion." Your position is clear from your word choices. Say it confidently.
✅
Test: Is It Arguable?If everyone agrees with your thesis, it's not a thesis — it's a fact. A good thesis should have a counter-argument.
🔄
Revise It — TwiceYour thesis will likely change after you draft the body. Revisit it in Stage 3 (Revising) and refine the wording.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗
"This essay will talk about electric cars." → Not a claim — just a topic statement.
✗
Only listing 1 or 2 reasons instead of 3 → Each reason must become a full body paragraph.
✗
"I think electric cars are good." → Too vague — no controlling idea, no reasons.
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Using "because" twice in a row → Use commas and parallel structure for your 3 reasons.
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Transformative Writing Skills
Thesis
Formula
1
Opposing Claim Optional · Argumentative essays
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2
Topic Your general subject
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3
Controlling Idea The specific angle you're arguing
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4
Your Position What you believe (no "I think")
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5
"News Headlines" 3 reasons → 3 body paragraphs
© Transformative Writing Skills, LLC
Transformative Writing Skills
Thesis
Checklist
☐
Is it arguable?Someone could disagree with it
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Is it specific?Not just a topic — a real claim
☐
3 reasons listed?"News headlines" for each body ¶
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No "I think"?Position is clear without it
☐
One sentence?Complete, grammatically correct
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Reasons parallel?Same grammatical structure
© Transformative Writing Skills, LLC
Transformative Writing Skills
Body ¶
Formula
T
Topic SentenceTopic + one "news headline" reason
↓
E
Evidence / SupportStatistics · Expert opinion · Example · Explanation · Anecdote
↓
A
AnalysisExplain HOW the evidence proves your topic sentence
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C
Concluding SentenceWrap up + transition to next paragraph
© Transformative Writing Skills, LLC