The thesis statement of any type of research paper – analytical, argumentative, and expository - is one of the most important parts of the paper, as it sets up the topic and the argument for the reader, and aids the writer by keeping them on track with their topic. The thesis statement must be able to sum up the whole of the paper in just one or two sentences, so it’s important that the statement is detailed enough to prepare the reader for what is to come without exceeding a couple of sentences.

These tips on how to build a thesis statement can help in forming a thesis statement that sets up the foundation for the paper and informs the reader of what to expect:

1. Make sure that the topic is simplified enough to be summed up in just a few sentences, yet not so vague where the writer is unable to find enough evidence to back up their argument in the body of the paper.
2. Have thorough knowledge of the topic and of the evidence that will be used to support it. The writer needs to sound confident if they want to convince the reader of their stance on the topic, or at least sound knowledgeable in what they are trying to convince others of.
3. The thesis statement needs to make a claim or an argument, not an opinion. It needs to be something that can be backed up by outside sources to help prove the validity of the topic and the stance of the writer. A reader will be more trusting of a paper that has logical reasoning to help support its claim.
4. Make a point as to why the argument is able to be persuasive. If need be, use a sentence to state the counterargument. This can allow the reader to see and understand both sides of the topic, allowing them to pick their own place.

Making sure that all of the proper research is done prior to writing out the thesis statement is extremely important. This will allow the writer to know if they have enough material to support their claim or argument, and if that claim or argument is valid.