How to Rephrase a Thesis Statement: An Effective Guide

A thesis statement defines your argument and provides the reader with an insight into the paper. A restatement in the paper’s conclusion reminds your readers of what you have demonstrated in your body paragraphs. It also helps you bring your piece to a close. How to rephrase a thesis statement? This article is your definitive guide.

Thesis Statement: An Overview

A thesis statement is a vital part of the writing process that should not be overlooked. Thesis statements provide readers with a brief insight into a lengthy argument or research paper. They consist of a claim and evidence or examples to support the claim.

A thesis statement is an essential element of a research paper. Your thesis statement provides the framework of your argument by defining the purpose of your work and the significant points you wish to make. It also provides the reader with an easy-to-read overview of your work.

A thesis statement appears in the introductory paragraph of the research work. A thesis restatement, stated in the paper’s conclusion, reminds the readers of the writer’s point successfully proven in the body paragraphs. It differs from the thesis statement in the sentence structure and the wording.

How to rephrase a thesis statement? 

A thesis restatement reformulates what your original thesis was. It makes the original thesis statement evident to the audience and shows that the argument stated is true. The following tips will guide you through rephrasing the thesis statement effectively.

1. Decide a suitable place for your restatement.

A thesis restatement most commonly comes at the beginning of the conclusion of your paper. However, there’s no rule for positioning a thesis restatement.

You do not have to restate your thesis in the conclusion’s first sentence/paragraph.

It might help if you write a draft of your conclusion and figure out if the position of your restatement is ideal. If not, figure out a suitable place and adjust your work.

2. Take advantage of what you’ve accomplished and make a more profound impact

When the reader reads the thesis restatement, they must have read through the body paragraphs and fully understand the paper’s purpose.

Use your thesis restatement to take a stand on your previously stated information firmly. Provide your reader with more profound meaning with your thesis restatement.

3. Make your reader understand why your argument is significant.

Your introduction has stated your thesis, which might not necessarily give the reader a reason to consider your topic substantial.

When you restate your thesis, in conclusion, use the fact that the reader has gone through the entire work as an advantage. Your thesis restatement should answer the ‘so what’ question with confidence. This would tell your reader why your argument is significant.

4. Avoid clichés.

In rephrasing your thesis statement, avoid using phrases such as “As stated earlier, In conclusion, As seen in this paper.” These overused phrases show a lack of originality.

They portray you as an uncreative individual to your reader. Use unique and creative starts to pass across a strong message to your reader.

5. State it confidently.

Confidently restate your thesis. Making apologetic statements show that you aren’t sure of your argument. This will weaken your conclusion and portray your paper as ‘irrelevant.’

Avoid using words that undermine your arguments like ‘It seems, It is possible that,’ unless your topic of discussion is just a possibility.

Tips for Making your Thesis Restatement Unique

Unlike what you think, a thesis restatement is not a blaring line in your conclusion. It’s more than a conclusion that highlights what your paper has conveyed. Therefore, it’s vital in a thesis restatement to give the reader a better understanding of what you’ve accomplished and why your argument is significant.

The following tips will help you craft a unique thesis restatement, different from the original.

1. Use different wordings and structure

Your thesis restatement must differ in wording and sentence structure from the original statement.

It will help if you replace essential concepts and words in the initial thesis with their synonyms. While changing the sentence structure, ensure that your readers will be able to comprehend it.

2. Change the tense. 

The thesis statement in your introductory paragraph was probably written in the future tense, prompting the reader of what to expect.

When rephrasing your thesis statement, use past tense to demonstrate to readers what you have accomplished with your paper.

3. Split up the points

The original thesis statement in your introductory paragraph was probably concise if not one or two sentences. In your conclusion, try to make it longer.

Spread your points across some sentences or even a paragraph. The thesis statement will read differently and allow you to explicitly explain how you have proven your argument in the body paragraphs.

To Wrap Up

The thesis statement contains the main idea or point of your paper. Rephrasing your thesis statement reminds your readers of what you have accomplished with your paper.

It also gives them a better understanding of your argument better. This article has provided all the tips you need to rephrase a thesis statement effectively.