Thesis Statement Types & Models
Blinn College – Bryan Writing Center
Spring 2023
Page 1 of 4
Thesis Statement Types & Models
As you may already be aware, there are numerous types of arguments. Your instructor will let you know
in the prompt for your paper the type of argumentative essay that he or she wants you to research and
write. The type of argument will determine the format and content of your thesis statement and,
subsequently, of your essay as a whole.
Find your assigned argument type below and follow the model provided to write a viable thesis
statement. Exception: As always, any guidelines or models your instructor provides outweigh anything
contained in Writing Center handouts. The types of arguments discussed are as follows:
1. Causal
2. Compare and contrast
3. Definitional
4. Ethical
5. Evaluation
6. Literary analysis
7. Persuasive
8. Pro/Con
9. Proposal
10. Rhetorical analysis
11. Rogerian
1. Causal Argument
What it does: Examines a cause and its effects, states an effect and traces the effect back to its
causes, or debunks an existing cause-and-effect argument.
Include in your thesis: Topic (cause OR effect) and statement of the effects OR the causes; or an
existing argument and the reasons why it is invalid.
Example thesis: Climate change endangers life on earth because it is leading to an increase in
catastrophic weather events, warmer average temperatures, and a rise in sea levels that threaten
coastal communities.
2. Compare and Contrast Argument
What it does: Evaluates the similarities and the differences of a particular topic. You can think of
“compare” as discussing similarities and “contrast” as discussing differences.
Include in your thesis: Topic (the item, process, situation, or solution; or the literary element or
theme), claim about similarities, claim about differences, evidence to support both claims. The
thesis statement will often include words such as “although,” “even though,” and “while.”
Example thesis: Although Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Ibsen’s A Doll House both explore
the subjugation of married women in the late nineteenth century, the authors use characterization
Topic (cause)
Effect 2
Topic, part 1
Similarity
Difference 1
For a helpful checklist on
how to construct an
effective thesis statement,
see the Writing Center
handout “How to Write a
Thesis Statement.”
Effect 1
Effect 3
Topic, part 2
Claim
Thesis Statement Types & Models
Blinn College – Bryan Writing Center
Spring 2023
Page 2 of 4
and point of view in distinct ways to portray different outcomes: a descent into madness in the case
of Gilman’s protagonist and a greater sense of individuation in the case of Ibsen’s Nora.
3. Definitional Argument
What it does: Examines the nature of a word or a concept, a person, an event or a situation, or an
object.
Include in your thesis: Topic (the term, situation, or phenomenon you are defining), category, criteria
for meeting this category, your claim.
Example thesis: American Sign Language should be considered a foreign language for the purpose of
a college graduation requirement because it is not a language used within most American families,
and it is usually learned outside of the family setting.
4. Ethical Argument
What it does: Assesses whether a person, thing, or action is right or wrong through an examination
of either principles or consequences, or both.
Include in your thesis: Topic, claim of whether the topic you are analyzing is right or wrong, the
consequence(s) or the principle(s) that determine the rightness or wrongness of the topic.
Example thesis (consequences): Recycling consumer products, packaging, and other waste is a
positive behavior to encourage in local residents because it keeps waste out of the landfill, reuses
manufacturing resources instead of requiring new ones, and is healthier for the environment.
Example thesis (principle): Recycling consumer products, packaging, and other waste is the right
action to take because it is the duty of citizens to serve as good stewards of the earth.
5. Evaluation Argument
What it does: Assesses whether a person, thing, or action is a good or a bad member of its category
through an examination of the criteria determining goodness or badness.
Include in your thesis: Topic, category, claim as to whether the topic you are analyzing is good or
bad, criteria for a good or bad member of this category.
Example thesis: From the point of view of customers, Facebook is a poor medium for conducting
business transactions because it does not keep personal and financial information secure, it is
constantly changing, and it is more time-consuming than a regular website.
6. Literary Analysis Argument
What it does: Analyzes the text of a short story, play, or poem and makes a claim about how various
literary elements illustrate the theme of the piece, revealing how these literary elements and the
theme work together to create meaning for the audience.
Difference 2
Evidence 1
Topic
Category
Criterion 1
Criterion 2
Claim
Topic
Claim
Consequence 1
Consequence 2
Consequence 3
Topic
Claim
Criterion 1
Criterion 2
Criterion 3
Topic
Claim
Principle
Evidence 2
Thesis Statement Types & Models
Blinn College – Bryan Writing Center
Spring 2023
Page 3 of 4
Include in your thesis: Title of the literary piece, genre, author, theme, statement of how the author
uses literary elements (character, tone, setting, imagery, point of view, etc.) to illustrate the theme.
Example thesis—Short story: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birth-Mark” illustrates the
destructive powers of perfectionism through the author’s adept use of symbolism and
foreshadowing.
Example thesis—Poem: Adrienne Rich’s 1955 poem “Living in Sin” builds an extended metaphor rich
in imagery and symbolism to convey the disillusionment that often occurs in the early years of
marriage.
7. Persuasive Argument
What it does: Persuades the audience that your position on this issue has merit or to believe as you
would like them to believe.
Include in your thesis: Topic, claim, evidence.
Example thesis: Climate change threatens the health and safety of all Americans because of the
increase in air pollution, the rise in the number of days with record-breaking heat, and the greater
frequency of catastrophic weather events.
8. Pro/Con Argument
What it does: Examines an issue from different perspectives and offers a recommendation based on
a careful analysis of both the positive and the negative aspects of the issue.
Include in your thesis: Topic, summary of pros, summary of cons, claim.
Example thesis: Proponents of higher education maintain that college graduates earn more and
experience better physical and mental health, while opponents state that college is not appropriate
for everyone and that student loan debt is crippling. However, a careful analysis of both sides of the
“should you get a college education?” argument reveals that the advantages of a college degree
outweigh the disadvantages.
9. Proposal Argument
What it does: Identifies a problem or a need, proposes an action-based solution(s), and
demonstrates feasibility.
Include in your thesis: Topic (problem/need), claim, possible solutions to the problem.
Example thesis: The governments of all fifty states in the United States should promote measures to
limit global warming by educating consumers, by giving tax incentives to green businesses, and by
developing public transit systems.
Title
Genre
Author
Theme
Lit. Element 1
Lit. Element 2
Topic
Claim
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Topic
Topic (restated)
Pro 1
Pro 2
Con 1
Con 2
Claim
Topic
Claim
Solution 1
Solution 2
Solution 3
Theme
Lit. Element 1
Lit. Element 2
Author
Genre
Title
Lit. Element 3
Thesis Statement Types & Models
Blinn College – Bryan Writing Center
Spring 2023
Page 4 of 4
10. Rhetorical Analysis Argument
What it does: Examines the organization and effectiveness of a written or visual argument.
Include in your thesis: Author’s or artist’s name, title of the work, topic of the analyzed work,
analyzed work’s claim, your claim (whether the rhetoric is effective, partially effective, or not
effective), evidence supporting your claim using rhetorical strategies (ethos, pathos, logos, kairos).
Example thesis: In his humorous article, “Eat and Croak,” Maynard G. Finnegan effectively uses
pathos, ethos, and logos to convince his audience that genetically modified foods may not be a
consumer’s best choice.
Example thesis: Kathryn Tyler’s article, “The Tethered Generation,” on the adverse effects of
technology on millennials creates a somewhat successful argument through her use of logical
organization, appropriate sources, and on-level language suitable for her audience but falls short
with her omission of technology’s benefits.
11. Rogerian Argument
What it does: Identifies an issue and acknowledges opposing positions while also presenting
evidence for your own position in a fair and respectful way with the intent of opening up dialogue
between you and the audience. The thesis is often delayed until the end of the essay.
Include in your thesis: Topic, acknowledgment of the opposing viewpoint, a balanced presentation of
your own viewpoint with a summary of the already-presented evidence from your introduction.
Example thesis: While civilian gun ownership is acceptable for personal protection, the idea to
eliminate gun control laws is not the best solution. Responsible gun ownership will lower the
number of gun-related accidents, keep guns away from children, and limit access to guns that can
potentially be used for mass shootings.
Author
Title
Claim of the article
Claim, part 1
Rhet. Strategy 1
Rhet. Strategy 2
Rhet. Strategy 3
Claim, part 2
Topic of the article
Title
Author
Claim of the article
Topic of the article
Claim
Rhetorical Strategies 1, 2, 3
Topic
Opposition Viewpoint
Writer’s Viewpoint
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
