Formulate a tentative thesis statement early in the process of writing to guide the paper's direction. Diana Hacker, author of "A Writer's Reference," states that the "tentative thesis statement will help you shape your thoughts. Don't worry about the exact wording because your main point may change as you refine your ideas." Tweak the thesis when the paper is through to ensure that it reflects your ultimate argument.
Know where you stand on an issue as your form the thesis. In their book "Writing and Revising: A Portable Guide," authors X.J. Kennedy, Dorothy Kennedy and Marcia Muth write that a useful thesis contains not only the key words that identify your topic but also the point you want to make or the attitude you intend to express.
Create an arguable, focused thesis. For example, the thesis statement "there are good things and bad things about advertisements" lacks a clear argument. However, the thesis statement "although advertisements may seem benign, a lifetime of seeing mostly idealized images of the female form often results in serious problems with body image for young girls" informs readers of the writer's belief that advertisements harm young women.
State your argument explicitly by telling readers exactly how you feel about an issue. This enables readers to visualize the argument and understand the supporting examples. Using an implied thesis creates the impression that the paper does not have a point, which may frustrate readers who will lose patience trying to find it.
Check with your instructor about where to put the thesis statement. Placing the thesis at the end of the introductory paragraph is standard for argumentative papers and many instructors expect to find it there. Learning if your instructor will accept a thesis that is located anywhere in the introduction may help you avoid losing a substantial number of points.