The first step in finding a thesis is to read the assignment carefully.  If you are unclear about any portion of it, talk to the instructor.  Once you fully understand the assignment, you are ready to think about a thesis.

What Is a Thesis?
A thesis is the main point you want to make in your paper, the argument of which you are trying to convince your reader.  A thesis must not make an obvious point.  Once you’ve stated the obvious, there is no reason to write a paper to explain and support your statement.  The thesis should be provocative and interesting—not obvious.  Here are some examples:

 Obvious statement:

Many students find the transition from high school to college challenging.

Most people would accept this statement at face value.  You wouldn’t have to gather evidence to convince them that it’s true. It’s also a very broad statement.  What type of high school are we talking about—large or small, private or public?  What type of college do we have in mind—a place like K, a large university, or a community college?  Are we talking about the emotional, social, or academic transition—or all three?

Here are examples of thesis statements:

Going away to college represents the most dramatic step along the developmental continuum from childhood to adulthood.

Attending a college close to home eases the emotional transition from high school to college.

These statements are more precise than the statement in the previous example.  They are also debatable. Not everyone would accept them at face value.  Some people might argue that the real leap from childhood to adulthood comes when a person leaves college, or that the emotional transition from high school to college is easier if the student makes a "clean break" by attending a college far away.

You want to have a thesis that’s insightful or somewhat controversial.  It should be an idea that you’ve developed after immersing yourself in the subject matter.  You then write the paper to explain and support your insightful or controversial idea in a way that convinces your reader.
 

Coming Up with a Thesis
There is no "right" way to develop a thesis.   Here are some ways to help get you started:

 Start free-writing about the topic.  Free-writing is written brainstorming where you write down everything that occurs to you about the topic.  As you write, you may find that one idea in particular begins to stand out.  That idea could evolve into your thesis.

 NOTE:  The topic is different from the thesis.  In the previous example, the topic is the transition from high school to college; the thesis would be an insight into an aspect of that experience.

Cluster around the topic.  This excellent brainstorming technique is especially good for showing the relationships between various ideas related to the topic.  Here's how it works:

Write the topic in the center of a blank piece of paper and circle it.  Then jot down the main ideas related to the topic.  Circle the main ideas, and draw lines to connect them to the topic.  Continue to cluster by connecting related ideas, examples, facts, or details to the main ideas.

You may find that relationships or patterns in the clusters reveal an interesting thesis.  Sometimes one of the cluster ideas will provide the beginning of a thesis.

Outline the main ideas to discuss in your paper.  Is there a common thread that ties your main ideas together?  That "common thread" could be your thesis.

Write a draft of your paper first.  Some people find it easier to just start writing.  As you write, you will naturally clarify and refine your ideas.  When you’ve finished your draft, highlight the main idea in each paragraph.  In one sentence, state the salient point that sums up the main ideas.  That’s your thesis.

Consider your thesis a "working thesis."   Your thesis will probably evolve during the writing process.  Be prepared to go back and change it as you refine your ideas.
 

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