“What’s a good word count for a thesis statement?” This question can strike a fear into the heart of any student working in their thesis. Well, the answer, like most things in academia, is not clearly defined and it depends on several factors, but in this blog we’ll see different word counts and explain why they work, so you can use the one that works best for your own needs.
Why Focus on Word Count?
You may be wondering, why does word count even matter? Let me tell you that there are many reasons why you should ensure a proper word count, let’s review them:
- Clarity and Concision: If your thesis statement is bloated, you’ll fail with it, and if you focus on word count, you’ll ensure a clear and direct thesis statement.
- Focus: A clear thesis statement will also help you to stay focused on the core argument of your thesis.
- Structure: A strong thesis statement serves as a foundation of your thesis’ structure because every body paragraph needs to connect to the central idea outlined in the thesis.
Shedding Light To The Range: 20 to 50 Words
Don’t forget that there is not a magic number, but a good rule of thumb is to aim for a thesis statement between 20 to 50 words because this range allows you to express your central claim and remain clear and concise at the same time. Let’s see why this range works:
- Short and Sweet: a short thesis will be easier to understand and remember for you a d for your readers.
- Room For Argument: Using this range of words, you can still clearly introduce your main point, the evidence you’ll show to support your claim, and you can even give a hint at your analysis.
Examples:
Now, let’s see couple example of short thesis statements that clearly explain the main claim, give a hint of analysis, and engage readers:
- “Ernest Hemingway’s writing style in The Old Man and the Sea is characterized by minimalism and symbolism, ultimately conveying the themes of perseverance and the dignity of defeat.”
- “While the surface narrative of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein presents a cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific ambition, a closer examination reveals a deeper exploration of societal anxieties surrounding social responsibility, gender roles, and the nature of humanity itself.”
Beyond The Word Count: Qualities of a Strong Thesis Statement
Now that we’ve review the numbers, let’s check the qualities your thesis statement should contain to successfully accomplish its goal:
- Argumentative: A good thesis is not a fact, it should be an arguable claim that will leave room for discussion, and it will be explained further in your essay.
- Specificity: You need to ensure a thesis that is both specific and clear because its purpose it’s make readers understand your central claim.
- Forecasts The Essay: Your thesis should give your readers an idea of what to expect in the next body paragraphs.
Word Count and Essay Length: Do They Correlate?
They not necessarily correlate because a long essay doesn’t necessarily need a long thesis statement, and what plays a bigger role is the complexity of your argument:
- Short Essays (500-1000 words): A concise thesis statement that is between 20-30 words is ideal to maintain the structure.
- Longer Essay (1000+´words): For a long essay you will need a slightly longer thesis statement, it should be around 30-50 words, and it’s needs to explain a more nuanced argument with multiple supporting points to prove your claim.
When Word Count MIght Not Be The Focus
Every rule has exceptions, and here are some exceptions where word count might not be one of the main concerns:
- Highly Specialized Fields: In some academic disciplines, you will probably need a longer thesis statement to introduce complex terminology or any specific details about your research.
- Unusual Argument Structure: if you’re experimenting and your essay is not conventionally structured, like a counter-argument, you will need a longer thesis statement so you can introduce your unique perspective.
Crafting Your Thesis
Let’s see some tips you can apply to craft a great thesis statement, regardless of word count:
- Brainstorm: Before writing your thesis, try to jot down new ideas, potential arguments, and key points, so you can ensure the final result is the best outcome possible.
- Start Broad: It’s hard to start with a very specific and clear idea, so try to start broad and then refine your ideas until they can fully capture the essence of your argument.
- Seek Feedback: It is always a good idea to seek feedback from experienced people that can help you identify areas that need improvement, then use that feedback as a tool to create the best thesis statement possible.
Tool To Ensure Great Essays
There are many writing tools that will help you write better essays, and all of those tools have their own cool features that make them unique. But there’s one special tool that stands out from the rest: Script-Timer. This holistic tool offers all the features you need to streamline your workflow, boost effectiveness, and ensure a better result overall. Let’s see these cool features and how they can help you:
- AI Coach: This AI powered coach is trained with the best texts and essays of all time, it is here to help you improve your writing and achieve your goals.
- Grammar Checker: With this wonderful tool, you can ensure perfectly written texts with just a couple clicks, so you’ll save hours of work correcting grammar mistakes.
- Voice Over Creation: This cool feature allows you to create professional voice overs in seconds, you just need to paste your script and in a few seconds you’ll get a high quality voice over.
- Word Counter: You have different word counters especially dedicated to different occasions, so you can try them and ensure you always keep track of your work.
There are many other useful tools Script-Timer offers, you just need to sign up and you’ll unlock all the tools you need to take your essays to the next level!
