How to Write a Thesis Statement That Actually Argues Something

A thesis statement must take a position that someone could disagree with. 'Climate change is real' is a fact, not a thesis. 'US climate policy should prioritize carbon pricing over EV subsidies because pricing creates broader behavioral change' is a thesis. Use the 'so what?' test, if a reader could say 'so what?' after your thesis, it's not arguing enough. Strong theses are specific (name the position), contestable (someone could disagree), and supported (the rest of the essay defends it). Place your thesis in the last sentence of your introduction for college essays, your professor expects it there.