Final answer:
The thesis statement is a central argument articulated in the work, typically found in the essay's introduction, and is short, specific, debatable, and clear.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within a passage, the thesis statement is the central claim or main argument that the author presents. This statement is generally located at the end of the introduction, though it can sometimes be found elsewhere depending on the structure of the work. A thesis should be short, specific, debatable, and clear, providing a one to two sentence summary of the essay's main argument or interpretation. It's essential for the thesis to be debatable, meaning that it's something a reader can disagree with, and it needs to be supported by credible evidence and analysis throughout the text.
For example, a thesis statement discussing a literary text could examine the discrepancy between characters' appearances and their actions, and how this discrepancy contributes to larger themes in the work, as exemplified in an analysis of the warriors in an epic poem. As such, a good thesis statement not only states the position or claim of the writer but previews the organization of the essay and ties directly to the evidence and analysis that will be presented.