Where should a thesis be in the essay?

Answer 1

The thesis is the main idea of your essay. While many essay writers will experiment with the location of their thesis, the traditional location of the thesis sentence is in the first paragraph.

Consider that the traditional essay has the following contruction:

1. The indroductory paragraph
2. The first support paragraph
3. The second support paragraph
4. The third support paragraph
5. The conclusion

Each paragraph is constructed as if it was a mini-essay withing the greater essay. That is each paragraph should have an introductory sentence, three body (support) sentences. Then, the concluding sentence. In the introduction, your thesis sentence should appear in the first half of the paragraph. Many traditionally constructed essays will place the thesis in the second, third, or forth sentence with at least three supporting sentences following.

So, at the absolute minimum, your essay should be constructed of five paragraphs of five sentences each for a total of twenty-five sentences.

Keep in mind that this is an absolute minimum, and to do the minimum may result in the minimum grade.

Keep in mind also that this essay is your opinion, what you think. The work you do will reflect your attitude about what you think. That is, if you do not believe what you think to be important, your paper will reflect this; it will be substandard, and your grade will likely be also.

Answer 2

A thesis statement should typically be located at the end of the introduction paragraph. It serves as a clear and concise summary of the main point or argument of the essay, giving readers a roadmap of what to expect in the following paragraphs.