What Is an Example of a Tentative Thesis Statement?

A tentative thesis statement example would be, “In ‘The Great Gatsby,’ the character Jay Gatsby functions as a symbol for the notion of the American dream.” A tentative thesis statement, also known as a working thesis, indicates the subject, approach and limitations of a topic without being specific.

A thesis statement is defined as a statement in a paper or essay that states the claim of the argument presented. Sometimes a thesis statement includes a brief summary of the reasons that will be addressed to support the thesis later in the writing. A tentative thesis statement suggests a general argument but is lacking specific details or claims.