<p>Obviously, when you write an academic paper, a thesis is necessary. But throughout the college essay-writing process, people have constantly reminded me that this should <em>not</em> be an academic paper.</p>
<p>So, if your essay is clearly organized and focused, is it really necessary to have a thesis-type statement? I've gotten mixed reactions about this. I just think that it would be kind of awkward to include a thesis in more informal writing, especially if it reads like a story. </p>
<p>I had a thesis-esque statement in all of my essays. Some were narratives, another was an argument expounding on a problem, a couple others involved my math/science passion and aspirations, another was a why_____ essay, and yet another was a creative attempt at an overview of my personality. I personally think what would be awkward would be to stick to the traditional thesis format you’re probably used to, which is to have it at the end of the first paragraph, and to stick to the traditional thesis language you’re probably used to. I had my thesi (plural?) all over the place, from the first line in some essays to the last line in others, and some of them weren’t the run of the mill thesis statements you’d find in an AP language essay.</p>
<p>yeah, normal AP Lang thesis statements “The author uses ______ to show ______” are awkward and inappropriate for this kind of essay. You don’t even need one sentence that sums up everything–in mine, I just looked through it, and there’s no sentence like that. BUT, the focus of your essay should be clear, and the reader shouldn’t have to wonder what you’re writing about or why you chose to write about it.</p>
<p>Nope. Not a specific thesis per se.<br>
Mine was more creative-writing induced. My “thesis”/conviction/focus/resolution/whatever you want to call the central point of your essay came at the end.</p>