
Many of you might think that writing a thesis statement is all about summarising the whole essay into just one line. But that is not true. Your thesis statement is the anchor of your argument that sets a direction for everything to follow up on. Hence, understanding how to select the correct type of thesis is where most of you might feel helpless is important. That is why knowing the difference between an open thesis VS closed thesis is so significant.
But no more need to worry, as with us, you will get to explore the difference between both of them and know how to write it practically. We are going to share expert thesis writing techniques that you need to make an excellent thesis statement for your paper.
To know which type of thesis statement you need to write, you first need to clearly know what a thesis statement is. A thesis statement is the major argument or idea that is going to decide the direction of your essay or research paper. It will tell your professor what your stance is and how you planned to support it. You need to think of it as a road map that is going to show the route your argument will take.
A well-organised thesis statement is going to be:
Clear and concise.
Focused on a single idea.
Defensible with evidence.
Placed typically at the end of the introduction.
Before you start writing your thesis statement, you must decide whether the argument needs to be open or closed. If you want to know the difference, then let us explore both of them.

An open thesis is broad in nature, and it does not list particular points that are going to be discussed in the essay. It will give your professor a general idea of your main argument while leaving a space for later interpretation.
This type of thesis is more suitable for longer essays, exploratory topics or analytical writing where you focus on keeping flexibility.
Example: “Technology has brought remarkable change in human communication.”
When you look at this statement closely, you can see that it introduces a general idea. Yet, at the same time, it does not specify how technology has brought changes in communication. It gives you a space to discover multiple directions of change, like social media, instant messages or AI-driven tools that have modified communication.
When you are writing analytical or reflective essays.
If the topic is too complicated to be summarised briefly.
When you want to keep your discussion open-ended.
Emphasise the central theme and not the details.
Do not list supporting points.
Use broad yet impactful language.
Keep your stance clear but flexible.
A closed thesis is where you have a clear outline of your main argument and the supporting points that you are going to cover in the paper. It is about providing a structured preview of your essay that makes it easier for professors to follow your logic.
Example: “Technology has enhanced communication by expanding accessibility, reducing cost and allowing real-time interaction.”
Compared to the previous one, in this sentence, your argument is more explanatory. You have listed three main points that you are going to discuss in your essay, which are straightforward, concise and best suited for argumentative or persuasive essays.
If there is a short essay with a limited word count.
While you are presenting a clear and specific argument.
When the topic is demanding, a direct evidence-based discussion is required.
List your main supporting points clearly.
Avoid any kind of overloading in your thesis with too many ideas.
Keep your points in a logical flow.
Keep the structure parallel so that each point can have a similar form.
| Aspect | Open | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A general statement that will not list supporting points | A statement that will involve the main and supported arguments |
| Use | It is used in analytical, reflective or expository essays | It is mainly used in argumentative or persuasive essays |
| Flexibility | High flexibility that allows you to explore from a diverse angle | Limited in flexibility, it will focus on predefined points |
| Example | “Education has shaped personal and societal growth” | “Education has transformed personal and societal growth by cultivating knowledge, discipline, and equality” |
When you are thinking about selecting the best option between the open VS closed thesis, it will definitely depend on the purposes and scopes of the kind of essay you are going to write.
Ask yourself questions like:
Do you want to explore or argue?
Is your topic broad or narrow?
How much structure does your professor expect?
If your main motive is to explore and have flexibility, then you can go for an open thesis. However, if you need to have a clear and persuasive argument, then a closed thesis is your best option.
These are some common mistakes that you need to avoid:
Do not use vague words, avoid unclear terms like many, good or bad.
No need to make your thesis too long. Keep your thesis to 1-2 sentences max.
Not taking his stance is a mistake, as every thesis should make a clear argument.
No need to add unlimited points; limit it to 2-4 supporting points.
Lack of connection is not acceptable. Make sure that your thesis aligns with your essay's body paragraph.
Start With A Question: Turn your topic into a question, then answer it directly from your thesis. For example, “How does technology affect communication?”. You can answer it by stating that technology influences communication by making it faster.
Use The “Because” Strategy: It is going to support you to build a logical cause-and-effect connection. For example, you can state that online education is effective since it allows flexibility and access to resources.
Test Your Thesis: Ask yourself if someone could reasonably disagree; if yes, then your statement is argumentative enough.
Refine After Writing: Revisit your thesis after drafting your essay to make sure that your alignment and clarity are visible.
These thesis writing techniques are necessary when you want to bring improvement in your academic and professional writing.
“Pollution is bad for the environment”: This statement is weak
“Pollution damages the environment by affecting air quality, damaging in ecosystem, and contributing to climate change”: Compared to the previous one, this is a strong statement
“Online learning is famous these days”: This statement sounds plain and weak
“Online learning has transformed how people gain knowledge and build professional skills”: This highlights the main argument, making a strong argument
With this practical example, you will know how small changes can make the simple statements transform into a powerful thesis foundation.
Even after writing the best thesis statement, the best way to enhance your statement is through a thorough revision. When you read it aloud, share it with your professors or use academic writing support tools.
This will help you to detect any vague claims or off-topic points. You can also consult academic resources or get help with thesis writing to refine the structure and clarity in your paper.
When you fully understand the difference between an open VS closed thesis statement, you can decide which writing strategy you should take for your essay. Whether you are choosing it for flexibility or for structure, it will be dependent on your essay's intent. So when you apply these methods, you can craft a thesis statement to make sure that your essay is going to be a strong one.
We fail to try something new, and that is fine; in those times, just have some confidence and get external help. Our services in Quick Assignment Hub are always there for you to help with any kind of work. Whether you need us to write your essay or just some thesis writing tips, we will always be there to help you out.