Persuasive pieces always begin with a thesis statement. This statement will be the main claim of your essay, the very position you’ll be fashioning an entire material’s worth of arguments for. Developing a strong thesis statement is the integral core of any piece of writing. If it’s weak to begin with, you’ll only end up with an impossibly difficult time building an argument to support it.
No Facts, Just Opinions
This thesis statement should be a debatable claim. If it’s not, then it’s a fact, of which there is no point in argument. It has to be an opinion, a particular position that someone who is inclined another way can theoretically oppose with counter-arguments.
Saying “the economy is bad these days” is barely debatable. Even the government admits it. Stating that “military spending is the biggest contributor to economic problems,” on the other hand, is fodder for arguments.
Keep It Tight
Most subjects usually start as overwhelmingly wide-reaching. Attempting to cover the entirety of a topic can only lead to trouble, as you’ll end up having to cover a multitude of subtopics that will dilute your overall message.
To ensure a successful piece, always strive to keep your thesis tight and narrow. A smaller scope lets you focus your arguments with supporting details that all work towards a single goal. The broader your claim, the more evidence you’ll need to persuade your readers and the more avenues for making mistakes (factual ones, instead of grammar, with which a writing software can easily help you).
