A strong thesis statement is the first step to persuading someone to except your ideas and to start thinking the way you want them too. You can always and most probably will revise your thesis statement a time or two before you have finished your final draft, until then it gives you a foundation or a starting point. Your statement should be challenging, provoking the readers interest with one main idea. Draw the reader into your work; persuade them to read on by “providing an accurate forecast of what is to come” (Reinking & Osten, 2007, p.47). You have now influenced that person’s mind for the first time by inciting them to read on. Now, take them to your chosen destination with the unity of word flow.

A strong thesis statement is just the beginning of changing minds with an essay. If you really want to convince someone of something you need to make sure your words flow “logically and stylistically with what precedes and what follows” (Reinking & Osten, 2007, p.422). Tip: insert a topic sentence concerning one of the subjects mentioned in your thesis statement, this provides unity of words (word flow); For example in this paragraph we are talking about word flow. I mentioned word flow in my thesis and the paragraph preceding this one. I will also mention it in the following paragraph (my conclusion).

Now that you have a strong thesis and you have methodically constructed a word flow that in essence creates harmony; your reader is hooked. Your ideas are being etched into their very way of thinking. They are almost convinced, just one more thing to do. The final act of persuasion will be to implant your thoughts by validating your ideas to your reader. Restate your thesis with conviction and recap your topics with enthusiasm . If you have effectively done all these things you will have changed your reader’s mind. Your thoughts will have become their thoughts. Like I said in my thesis statement, you can persuade people to change their mind every time with an essay that is equipped with a strong thesis; flowing text; and an exciting conclusion.

Quotes were taken from the following:

Reinking, James A. & Osten, Robert von der. Strategies for Successful Writing: A rhetoric research guide, reader, and handbook. 8th edition. (2007) p. 47 & 422.