Begin by writing down notes to yourself, as thoughts come to you, in the order they come to you. After getting down some notes and ideas from reading over the materials you will write about, begin with a hunch about something you find significant. This hunch or starting idea can become a main point that you can make about your material. In the formal structure of the essay, the main point is called the thesis. Your thesis should reflect what your essay is about.
Every essay needs a thesis.
Your thesis may only emerge after doing some extended writing and note taking on the subject you want to discuss. For this reason, you should plan to write your introductory paragraph last or after doing a rough draft. The important thing is to remember that you need to develop a thesis or main point, and this can happen by working out several trial theses as you look over the notes you take down as you begin writing. Finding your main point, your thesis, your argumentative edge. A fter working on the ideas for the essay, your main point and supporting Middle points will take shape for you.