How to restate a thesis: basic steps and key strategies

how to restate a thesis

Reformulating a thesis is a vital skill in academic writing, as it provides closure to an essay while reinforcing the central message. However, many writers often fall into the trap of repetition or cannot add new insight. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the strategies and techniques of how to restate a thesis. We will also explore various approaches to this task, from subtle rephrasing to offering fresh perspectives. By understanding the purpose of rephrasing a thesis and learning how to craft a compelling restatement, writers can elevate the impact of their essays and leave a lasting impression on their readers.

What is a thesis statement, and why must it be restated?

A thesis statement is a concise, declarative sentence that presents the main idea or argument of an essay or other piece of writing. It typically appears in the introduction of college papers and provides the reader with a clear understanding of the writer’s position. 

For a robust and impactful academic piece, it's imperative to include a restated thesis statement in the conclusion for several reasons:

  • Reformulating the essential claim at the end of your work reintroduces your argument, emphasizing its importance.
  • Rephrasing in slightly different words or with additional commentary facilitates a smoother transition to discussing the implications.
  • This technique ties together the various argumentative points and ideas presented throughout the text, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the writer’s position.
  • Paraphrasing the thesis statement in research paper signals that your paper is coming to a close and leaves the reader with a lasting impression.

How to restate a thesis in a conclusion: step-by-step guidelines

Reformulating a central idea of your writing is a critical step to ensure clarity and reinforce your essential message. Here are effective steps on how to create an effective restated thesis statement:

Step 1. Review your statement.

Begin by revisiting your original phrase from the introduction of your argumentative essay. Ensure you understand the main argument or assertion you presented.

Step 2. Identify essential points and keywords. 

Reflect on the main points and arguments you've discussed in your writing. Consider how these points support and contribute to your key idea.

Step 3. Paraphrase your argument. 

Restate thesis in new words, aiming to capture the essence of your original assertion. Use synonyms and alternative phrasing while retaining the core meaning of your thesis.

Step 4. Provide a summary. 

Briefly summarize the main points of your persuasive essay, emphasizing how they collectively support your thesis. This summary helps to reinforce your argument’s significance.

Step 5. Reflect on implications. 

Consider the broader implications of your thesis statement and persuasive arguments in your writing. Discuss the relevance and importance of your findings in the context of the broader topic or field of study.

Step 6. Connect to the introduction. 

Tie your conclusion back to the introduction by referencing key ideas or phrases. This connection helps to create cohesion and closure in your writing.

Step 7. End with a final thought. 

Conclude your work with a final thought or reflection that reinforces the significance of your thesis statement. This closing remark should leave a lasting impression on your reader.

Step 8. Proofread and revise. 

Review your conclusion restate thesis for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Make any necessary revisions to ensure your message is effectively communicated.

By following these step-by-step guidelines, you can effectively paraphrase your key idea, providing closure and reinforcing the central message of your writing.

8 strategies to restate your thesis

When reformulating a thesis, simply changing every word isn’t enough. The goal is to craft a captivating restatement. To achieve this, mastering the art of writing thesis statement and rewording is essential. Our EduBirdie specialists have prepared a list with recommendations and examples on how to restate a thesis most effectively.

  • Restructure your statement: Ensure your restated assertion differs from the original. Experiment with altering the word structure, clauses, vocabulary choices, and parts of speech. Consider starting with a prepositional phrase if the original statement begins with a subject.
  • Utilize synonyms: When rephrasing your thesis, maintain its meaning while avoiding repetition. Employ synonyms or alternative expressions to convey the same message. Consulting a thesaurus can enrich your vocabulary and aid in this process.
  • Break it down: Modify sentence structure by breaking up lengthy sentences into shorter, more digestible segments. This not only enhances clarity but also makes comprehension easier for your readers.
  • Adjust tenses: Experiment with changing verb tenses in your writer essay. Switch between past and present tenses to breathe new life into your reformulated thesis. For instance, if your original sentence uses the past tense, consider restating it in the present tense and vice versa.
  • Mind the length: If you don’t know how to restate a claim, adhere to guidelines on paragraph length. Aim to keep your rephrased sentence concise, comprising no more than 5-7% of the total word count. Prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring your rephrasing aligns with your text's overall tone and style.
  • Sum up your essential idea: Summarizing involves analyzing the original thesis statement to capture its main meaning concisely. By distilling the essence of the argument, this technique creates a clear and informative reformulated assertion. It condenses complex ideas, ensuring clarity and impact for the reader.
  • Use rhetorical devices: Stylistic techniques, like parallelism and repetition, enhance your thesis statement's persuasiveness and originality. By employing these techniques, your restated thesis gains impact and cohesion, captivating the reader and improving your paper's overall quality and persuasiveness.
  • Provide broader context: Offering a relevant context involves explaining the historical, social, or conceptual background that shapes your perspective. By providing this overview, you enrich the reader's understanding and establish the relevance of your argument. This contextualization helps situate your ideas within a larger framework, enhancing the reader's appreciation of the complexities and encouraging deeper engagement with your work.

By mastering these techniques, you’ll be equipped to craft a compelling restated sentence that reinforces your argument while captivating your readers. If you’re unsure about word count, prioritize crafting a high-quality restatement over adhering strictly to length guidelines.

Dos and don’ts 

If you need help with my assignment as soon as the restatement of thesis is concerned, discover the essential dos and don’ts you should keep in mind.

Dos

  • Pose the “so what” question.

Effective thesis statements should elucidate the importance of your argument, clarifying why readers should engage with your paper. If you’re uncertain about your restatement, consider addressing the “so what” question. To effectively address this query, elaborate on the initial assumptions embedded within your thesis. By expanding upon these foundational premises, you provide readers with a deeper understanding of the significance and implications of your argument.

  • Think about the purpose of your restated thesis example.

Understanding this action's underlying purpose and intent is crucial for effectively rephrasing your statement. By comprehending the primary objective of reformulating your thesis, you can articulate it more clearly. This writing technique strengthens your arguments and enhances readers' reception. 

  • Decide where to restate your thesis. 

While the conclusion is the typical location, the exact placement within this section requires careful consideration. Consider incorporating a restatement towards the end as the final sentence. Alternatively, you may opt to weave it into a broader context or support your argument elsewhere in the conclusion.

  • Craft compelling and robust conclusions.

Despite the potential challenges of not fully substantiating your initial thesis, it’s important not to sound apologetic. Factors such as the unavailability of expert opinions or primary data or the absence of consensus on the subject matter among published sources may contribute to this. In this case, restate your main idea and provide readers with insights into why your original promise may not have been fully fulfilled. 

Don’ts

  • Avoid apologies.

Avoid weakening your stance by apologizing in your reformulated thesis. Phrases like “It is possible that” or “It seems like” suggest uncertainty and can undermine your argument’s impact. Confidence should emanate from your restatement. Address counter-arguments logically rather than using absolute statements, maintaining the strength of your position.

  • Steer clear of clichés.

Refrain from using clichéd and overused phrases such as “in conclusion” or “as this paper explains” in your restate thesis example. Your readers will already be familiar with the paper’s content by the conclusion. Repetition of the same information can render the thesis redundant and may be perceived as lacking creativity. Inject fresh perspectives into your restatement, ensuring transparency and appeal.

  • Avoid vague language.

Ensure specificity and steer clear of vague language in your writing. Vagueness, conditional expressions, lengthy sentences, and oversimplified ideas can detract from the clarity and engagement of your thesis. Respect your reader’s intelligence by offering thought-provoking content. Additionally, vary your sentence structure and word choice to maintain diversity and prevent reader fatigue.

  • Refrain from introducing new ideas.

While novel insights are valuable, they should be integrated into your paper from the outset. A sudden and unrelated conclusion can leave readers confused. Maintain coherence by adhering to your original concepts. Instead of introducing fresh ideas, focus on revisiting and reinforcing existing ideas to strengthen the connection with your introduction.

Final thoughts

Understanding how to restate thesis is vital for writers creating compelling essays. By adhering to the strategies in this guide, you can craft restatements that reinforce your central message and provide new perspectives. Whether concluding an academic essay, blog post, or professional report, clarity, creativity, and conviction in restating thesis will captivate the audience and provide a sense of closure and satisfaction.

For additional support and guidance in your writing endeavors, consider leveraging the expertise of EduBirdie, the premier writing helper. With our team of experienced writers and commitment to excellence, we provide invaluable assistance to writers at every stage of their journey. So, take the next step in refining your writing skills and partner with EduBirdie to unlock your full writing potential!

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