How to Write a Thesis Statement for an Informative Essay?

It’s hard to find a student these days who doesn’t know what a thesis statement is in academic writing. The same is true for the informative essay as one of the most popular essays out there. And combining the two shouldn’t be any problem whatsoever. Theoretically.

Then why do so many students consistently make the same mistakes of forgetting to make a thesis statement, poorly articulating it, or confusing it with the introduction itself? Even in an essay as simple as an informative one. A thesis is the heart of any essay, as it pumps our thoughts in and attracts the readers’ attention, yet, it is so often underestimated and neglected.

In this article, we will aim to fix this discrepancy and unveil all the secrets of writing a thesis for informative essays. 

When faced with the challenge of crafting a well-defined thesis statement for an informative essay, students often seek guidance from various sources, including essay writing companies. These companies provide valuable assistance in honing the art of formulating a thesis that effectively captures the essence of the essay. Their experienced writers and educators can offer tailored advice and examples, helping students understand the critical role a thesis statement plays in guiding the reader through an informative essay. By collaborating with a reputable essay writing company, students can master the skill of crafting clear and concise thesis statements, ultimately improving their essay-writing abilities and academic performance.   

What is a Thesis Statement in an Informative Essay?

A thesis statement is the spine of any essay around which the whole content is built. In an informative essay, it can be compared to a mathematical formula, that is – a highly condensed content, encapsulating the core ideas, arguments, and direction of the entire essay. Similar to a formula in mathematics, a thesis in an informative essay serves as a concise representation of a more extensive body of information, and it requires deciphering and explanation. 

Take a look at this example of thesis statement for informative essay:

In this example, you can see three distinct parts: 

• The hook;
• The background information;
• And the thesis statement itself.

The first important thing you should note is that a thesis statement doesn’t equal the entire introduction. It is only the last part, a logical finish to a captivating intro, made up of the hook and some background information.

The second, and perhaps the most important takeaway from this example – a thesis statement doesn’t always have to be a single statement but can be several statements revolving around the same theme. In our case, the central theme is solar energy, which we break into three aspects: 

1. An environmental-friendly solution to our energy needs;
2. Has various other applications beyond electricity generation;
3. Is growing in popularity as a renewable source.

These three aspects will constitute an excellent essay’s body made up of at least three highly informative paragraphs.

Take a look at another similar example and try to analyze it yourself. 

The Purpose of Thesis Statement for an Informative Essay

As we have learned from the previous chapter, the immediate purpose of a thesis statement in an informative essay is to set the direction for the entire paper and to guide and inform the reader. However, an attentive observer can pick up several important aspects of this generalized goal, in particular:

• Establishing focus. This is the fundamental purpose of a thesis – to narrow a broader topic/theme down to a more specific area. In our example above, the broader area was solar energy, while the focus of our essay was on three distinct aspects of this topic.
• Informing the reader. A good thesis must inform the reader of what to expect in a particular essay.
• Setting expectations. A thesis statement must clearly outline the scope and depth of the intended research.
• Laying the roadmap. This aspect is especially useful for the writer, as a well-formulated thesis helps the writing process by setting direction and guiding the research.

And finally, a thesis statement always plays a key role in your final grade. Therefore, its purpose is to help the teacher to understand and appreciate your paper, and to give you a better chance to compete for an A in your class.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Thesis Statement

Writing a thesis statement for informative essays is not difficult if you know how to start and what to do. Those students who often complain about a fear of a blank sheet of paper, and vividly describe how they struggle with formulating a decent thesis – they simply haven’t heard about several easy steps:

1. Choose a good topic. An informative essay starts with the choice of a good (interesting and debatable) topic. Let’s take the topic of space exploration and move on from there.
2. Conduct research. The topic of space exploration is very broad, and we need to narrow it down to something more discrete. As we do our digging into the topic, we may find that several aspects are (a) very close to our interests, and (b) are feasible to research. Let’s say, these aspects are: 
   • The history of space exploration.
   • The prospects for human colonization of space.
   • And the inevitable search and likely encounter of alien life forms on the way.
3. Understand the interests of the target audience. Who are our readers? Let’s say they are our peer students and the teacher. Perhaps, our readers are already fed up with studying the history of space exploration, which automatically narrows down our research focus to the two last aspects in the list. 
4. Craft a declarative thesis statement. Now since we have our broader topic and a specific focus for research, we can patch it all together into a clear and concise statement. This is exactly what makes a strong thesis statement. For example:
   • • This paper will delve into the fascinating topic of space exploration, focusing on the future possibilities for human settlements, and the search for other life beyond Earth.
5. Add a captivating intro. At this stage, we can add the missing pieces – the hook and some background information. Besides helping us to complete the introductory part, they will enable us to see the broader picture and assess the effectiveness of our thesis. This is how it may look:

Finally, what you can do is testify your thesis statement and the entire introduction for clarity. Read it several times yourself, and find someone who can be your attester – a good friend, a classmate, a family member. You can always revise your thesis, and make any other introductory element better, as long as you haven’t submitted your essay yet.

Conclusion

Professional writers say that a thesis statement should be the first and the last thing in your writing. You should start planning your paper with a strong thesis statement, and you finish your work by testifying the strength and validity of your thesis. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every essay need a thesis?

Yes, every essay needs a thesis statement, as it is an absolutely critical goal and theme-setting element. In some essay types, such as narrative or creative ones, a thesis can be less articulated, while in others, such as informative or argumentative, it must be made more pronounced.

Which are required of a thesis statement for an informative essay?

In an informative essay, a strong thesis statement has to meet several criteria. First, it must set a clear direction for research. Second, it requires a proof, i.e., the writer must prove it with arguments and facts. And third, a thesis has to be placed at the very end of the introductory part.  

Does an informative essay have a thesis?

Yes, an informative essay has to have a thesis. Since this essay type is all about informing and explaining different things, the writer must clearly and concisely describe to the reader what the paper is going to be about. This is done via a thesis statement.   

How is the thesis statement organized into an informative essay?

A thesis statement is placed in the last sentences of the introductory paragraph of an informative essay. It is based on the topic but is usually more specific – focusing on a particular aspect(s) of the chosen topic.