Because a thesis statement drives an essay, the first decision to make is whether the essay will be informative or persuasive. Once that decision is in place, the scope of the essay needs to be considered. For example, in the case of an informative essay, a writer could focus on Leonardo's childhood, his apprenticeship at age fourteen with Verrocchio, his career as a painter, his interest in science and the natural world, or even his well-documented feud with fellow artist Michelangelo. Some examples of thesis statements for an informative essay could look like these:

• Though he received little formal education during his childhood, his...

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