Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

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• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement https://geniidata.com/user/simonejames somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.

The paper that follows should:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

The paper that follows should:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

How to structure a thesis

Starting a thesis can be daunting https://3dprintboard.com/member.php?139199-Jose_Pedro. There are so many questions in the beginning:

• How do you actually start your thesis?
• How do you structure it?
• What information should the individual chapters contain?

Each educational program has different demands on your thesis structure, which is why asking directly for the requirements of your program should be a first step. However, there is not much flexibility when it comes to structuring your thesis.

Abstract: a brief overview of your entire thesis.

Literature review: an evaluation of previous research on your topic that includes a discussion of gaps in the research and how your work may fill them.

Methods: outlines the methodology that you are using in your research.

Thesis: a large paper, or multi-chapter work, based on a topic relating to your field of study.

A typical thesis structure

1. Abstract

The abstract is the overview of your thesis and generally very short. This section should highlight the main contents of your thesis “at a glance” so that someone who is curious about your work can get the gist quickly. Take a look at our guide on how to write an abstract for more info.

Tip: Consider writing your abstract last, after you’ve written everything else.

2. Introduction

The introduction to your thesis gives an overview of its basics or main points. It should answer the following questions:

• Why is the topic being studied?
• How is the topic being studied?
• What is being studied?

In answering the first question, you should know what your personal interest in this topic is and why it is relevant. Why does it matter?

To answer the "how", you should briefly explain how you are going to reach your research goal. Some prefer to answer that question in the methods chapter, but you can give a quick overview here.

And finally, you should explain "what" you are studying. You can also give background information here.

You should rewrite the introduction one last time when the writing is done to make sure it connects with your conclusion. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our thesis introduction guide.

3. Literature review

A literature review is often part of the introduction, but it can be a separate section. It is an evaluation of previous research on the topic showing that there are gaps that your research will attempt to fill. A few tips for your literature review:

• Use a wide array of sources
• Show both sides of the coin
• Make sure to cover the classics in your field
• Present everything in a clear and structured manner

For more insights on lit reviews, take a look at our guide on how to write a literature review.

4. Methods

The methodology chapter outlines which methods you choose to gather data, how the data is analyzed and justifies why you chose that methodology. It shows how your choice of design and research methods is suited to answering your research question.

Make sure to also explain what the pitfalls of your approach are and how you have tried to mitigate them. Discussing where your study might come up short can give you more credibility, since it shows the reader that you are aware of its limitations.

5. Results

Tip: Use graphs and tables, where appropriate, to visualize your results.

The results chapter outlines what you found out in relation to your research questions or hypotheses. It generally contains the facts of your research and does not include a lot of analysis, because that happens mostly in the discussion chapter.

Clearly visualize your results, using tables and graphs, especially when summarizing, and be consistent in your way of reporting. This means sticking to one format to help the reader evaluate and compare the data.

6. Discussion

The discussion chapter includes your own analysis and interpretation of the data you gathered, comments on your results and explains what they mean. This is your opportunity to show that you have understood your findings and their significance.

Point out the limitations of your study, provide explanations for unexpected results, and note any questions that remain unanswered.

7. Conclusion

This is probably your most important chapter. This is where you highlight that your research objectives have been achieved. You can also reiterate any limitations to your study and make suggestions for future research.

Remember to check if you have really answered all your research questions and hypotheses in this chapter. Your thesis should be tied up nicely in the conclusion and show clearly what you did, what results you got, and what you learned. Discover how to write a good conclusion in our thesis conclusion guide.

8. Reference list

At the end of your thesis, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX

Thesis writing tips

Use these tips to help you improve your thesis writing https://cgmood.com/gregory-hammel skills for your HDR program.

Before you begin writing your thesis, make sure you've read our advice on thesis preparation for information on the requirements you'll need to meet.

Structure your ideas

If you're struggling with how to structure your ideas, it can help to create a concept map – this way you don't have to worry about the order of your work while you brainstorm. Once you've finished your map, you can put your ideas into a logical order.

You may also want to read our general advice on how to structure your thesis.

Write as you go

It takes time and effort to write a thesis, so it's best to spread your writing out over the length of your research degree, rather than trying to rush it all at the end – writing as you go gives you time to refine the structure and content.

As you start to write, you may discover gaps in your reasoning or things you need to consider further. Use this as an exercise to focus on your ideas – it's better to find problems earlier rather than later.

If you're struggling to work out what you want to say, try:

• explaining yourself aloud or to a friend – this can help you discover why you're having problems
• writing dot points on key ideas – this gives you something to work from
• free writing – write whatever pops into your head without worrying about grammar, punctuation, complete sentences or a logical flow.

Don't worry about your writing being perfect: once you have something to work with you can identify how to improve it.

Be aware of examiner expectations

When reading your thesis, your examiners will be looking for:

• a coherent, well-written argument
• logical, reasonable links between theoretical perspectives
• a solid understanding of the theory
• original, creative and clever work
• confidence in your own work.

Overall, your examiners will expect your thesis to demonstrate:

• advanced knowledge of the research methods and principles relating to your discipline
• work that engages with the literature and work of others
• for PhD theses, a significant and original contribution to knowledge
• for MPhil theses, originality in the application of knowledge.

Provide evidence for personal experience

Relevant personal experience, such as extensive experience working in a government agency or as a practitioner in a field, may help you to describe what motivated you to pursue a certain line of research.

While it's okay to refer to your personal experience, remember that statements without any supporting evidence or arguments are unacceptable – you'll need to be able to describe your experience and back up your observations with research.

Learn from others

Reading other theses can help you understand what you're expected to produce. You can search for UQ theses on the Library website. For prime examples, search for theses that received commendations from their examiners.

When reviewing others' theses, pay attention to:

• how they introduce and link ideas
• how they structure their arguments
• how they indicate their level of confidence in the conclusions they draw from their evidence
• what sort of questions they address in different sections.

It can be helpful to build up a collection of standard phrases for your writing, such as:

• "these results suggest that"
• "a second approach to addressing the problem of X is to do Y".

Check for logic and clarity

Ensure that there is a logical flow of ideas in your writing and that your arguments are clear.

To help you check your logic, you can:

• create an outline – either when you are initially planning, or when you have started structuring your ideas
• plan out your paragraphs in a logical sequence of questions that need answering
• create a flow chart of your main ideas to see how they link together.

You can also ask someone to read your thesis to check for a logical flow and to make sure you are explaining your research clearly.

Ask for feedback

All writers can benefit from feedback on their writing. To get useful feedback on your thesis, ask your advisor specific questions, such as:

• Do you think the structure is okay?
• Are my explanations clear?
• Is the argument in this section convincing enough?
• Do you think I need more supporting data in this section?

Make sure you clarify any feedback you don't understand and continue to ask for feedback as you progress through your thesis.

Proofread your work

You should always proofread your work to look for spelling and grammatical errors. Proofreading requires close, careful reading.

To help you thoroughly proofread your thesis:

• work from a paper copy rather than on a screen – it's can be easier to find errors this way
• read your work aloud – reading aloud helps you to focus on every word
• look out for sentences that sound odd, incomplete or are awkward to say – this can help identify grammatical problems.

You should always proofread your work last, after other structural changes have been made, so you haven't wasted time proofreading sections that may be removed later.

Thesis writing tips

Use these tips to help you improve your thesis writing https://forums.stardock.com/user/7392793 skills for your HDR program.

Before you begin writing your thesis, make sure you've read our advice on thesis preparation for information on the requirements you'll need to meet.

Structure your ideas

If you're struggling with how to structure your ideas, it can help to create a concept map – this way you don't have to worry about the order of your work while you brainstorm. Once you've finished your map, you can put your ideas into a logical order.

You may also want to read our general advice on how to structure your thesis.

Write as you go

It takes time and effort to write a thesis, so it's best to spread your writing out over the length of your research degree, rather than trying to rush it all at the end – writing as you go gives you time to refine the structure and content.

As you start to write, you may discover gaps in your reasoning or things you need to consider further. Use this as an exercise to focus on your ideas – it's better to find problems earlier rather than later.

If you're struggling to work out what you want to say, try:

• explaining yourself aloud or to a friend – this can help you discover why you're having problems
• writing dot points on key ideas – this gives you something to work from
• free writing – write whatever pops into your head without worrying about grammar, punctuation, complete sentences or a logical flow.

Don't worry about your writing being perfect: once you have something to work with you can identify how to improve it.

Be aware of examiner expectations

When reading your thesis, your examiners will be looking for:

• a coherent, well-written argument
• logical, reasonable links between theoretical perspectives
• a solid understanding of the theory
• original, creative and clever work
• confidence in your own work.

Overall, your examiners will expect your thesis to demonstrate:

• advanced knowledge of the research methods and principles relating to your discipline
• work that engages with the literature and work of others
• for PhD theses, a significant and original contribution to knowledge
• for MPhil theses, originality in the application of knowledge.

Provide evidence for personal experience

Relevant personal experience, such as extensive experience working in a government agency or as a practitioner in a field, may help you to describe what motivated you to pursue a certain line of research.

While it's okay to refer to your personal experience, remember that statements without any supporting evidence or arguments are unacceptable – you'll need to be able to describe your experience and back up your observations with research.

Learn from others

Reading other theses can help you understand what you're expected to produce. You can search for UQ theses on the Library website. For prime examples, search for theses that received commendations from their examiners.

When reviewing others' theses, pay attention to:

• how they introduce and link ideas
• how they structure their arguments
• how they indicate their level of confidence in the conclusions they draw from their evidence
• what sort of questions they address in different sections.

It can be helpful to build up a collection of standard phrases for your writing, such as:

• "these results suggest that"
• "a second approach to addressing the problem of X is to do Y".

Check for logic and clarity

Ensure that there is a logical flow of ideas in your writing and that your arguments are clear.

To help you check your logic, you can:

• create an outline – either when you are initially planning, or when you have started structuring your ideas
• plan out your paragraphs in a logical sequence of questions that need answering
• create a flow chart of your main ideas to see how they link together.

You can also ask someone to read your thesis to check for a logical flow and to make sure you are explaining your research clearly.

Ask for feedback

All writers can benefit from feedback on their writing. To get useful feedback on your thesis, ask your advisor specific questions, such as:

• Do you think the structure is okay?
• Are my explanations clear?
• Is the argument in this section convincing enough?
• Do you think I need more supporting data in this section?

Make sure you clarify any feedback you don't understand and continue to ask for feedback as you progress through your thesis.

Proofread your work

You should always proofread your work to look for spelling and grammatical errors. Proofreading requires close, careful reading.

To help you thoroughly proofread your thesis:

• work from a paper copy rather than on a screen – it's can be easier to find errors this way
• read your work aloud – reading aloud helps you to focus on every word
• look out for sentences that sound odd, incomplete or are awkward to say – this can help identify grammatical problems.

You should always proofread your work last, after other structural changes have been made, so you haven't wasted time proofreading sections that may be removed later.

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement https://languages.codidact.com/users/86177 is a sentence in a paper or essay (in the opening paragraph) that introduces the main topic to the reader. As one of the first things your reader sees, your thesis statement is one of the most important sentences in your entire paper—but also one of the hardest to write! 

In this article, we explain how to write a thesis statement in the best way possible. We look at what to include and the steps to take for writing your own, along with plenty of thesis statement examples to guide you. 

What is a thesis statement?

The goal of a thesis statement is to let your reader know what your paper or essay is about. It helps your reader understand the greater context and scope of your topic, plus it lets your readers know what to expect from the rest of the work. 

A secondary benefit of a thesis statement is that it makes it easier to search for papers on a particular topic, especially in the realm of academic writing like research papers and thesis papers (which are sometimes known as dissertations when written for doctoral degrees). For example, if you’re writing a paper of your own, you’ll want to look up other papers to use as evidence and sources. You can simply scan the thesis statements of several papers to see which match your topic and could be worthwhile sources to cite. 

How to write a thesis statement: Basics

Before we get into details, here are the basic steps for how to write a thesis statement: 

1.  Develop the best topic to cover in your paper
2.  Phrase your topic as a question-and-answer
3.  Add some polish

We’ll describe each of those steps in more detail below, but we wanted to share a quick guide. Also, we’ll provide some thesis statement examples and talk about how to write a thesis statement for different kinds of essays: persuasive, compare-and-contrast, expository, and argumentative essays.

The thesis statement is located at the beginning of a paper, in the opening paragraph, making it an essential way to start an essay. A thesis statement isn’t necessarily the first sentence in an essay; typically you’ll want to hook the reader in an engaging way in the opening sentence before inserting your central idea or argument later in the first paragraph. A thesis statement is often confused with a topic sentence, the first sentence in a paragraph, because they both introduce the central idea of what follows. You can think of thesis statements as the topic sentence of your entire paper. 

What to include in a thesis statement (with examples)

Thesis statements are a necessary part of paper and essay writing, but different formats have different rules and best practices. Below, we break down how to write a thesis statement for the most common types of papers. 

How to write a thesis statement for expository and argumentative essays

Expository and argumentative essays are some of the most common types of academic papers. Because they don’t have a formal abstract like research papers, they rely on their thesis statements to provide an overview of what’s discussed. 

Thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays should use strong and decisive language; don’t be wishy-washy or uncertain. You want to take a stand right in the opening so that your readers understand what your paper is trying to show. 

Moreover, thesis statements for these essays should be specific, with some minor details to hint at the rest of the paper. It’s not enough to merely make your point; you also want to provide some basic evidence or background context to paint a full picture. 

If your paper dives into different subtopics or categories, try to fit them into the thesis statement if you can. You don’t have to get into details here, but it’s nice to mention the different sections at the top so that the reader knows what to expect. 

Thesis statement examples

Despite the taboo, insects make an excellent food source and could stem humanity’s looming food shortage, based on both their protein output and the sustainability of farming them. 

The backlash to rock ’n’ roll music in the ’50s by religious groups and traditionalists actually boosted the genre’s popularity instead of diminishing it as intended.

How to write a thesis statement for persuasive essays

Similar to argumentative essays, persuasive essays follow many of the same guidelines for their thesis statements: decisive language, specific details, and mentions of subtopics. 

However, the main difference is that, while the thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays state facts, the thesis statements for persuasive essays state clear opinions. Still, the format is the same, and the opinions are often treated like facts, including conclusive language and citing evidence to support your claims. 

Furthermore, unlike with other essays, it’s appropriate to make emotional connections in a thesis statement in persuasive essays. This can actually be a clever strategy to start your essay off on a more personal, impactful note. 

Thesis statement examples

Advertising should not be allowed in public schools because it’s a distraction from studies and may lead to misguided priorities among the school board, to say nothing of the materialist culture it promotes. 

Exotic pets provide the same love and companionship as conventional pets, so the laws regulating which animals can and cannot be kept as pets should be more relaxed.

How to write a thesis statement for compare-and-contrast essays

Thesis statements for compare-and-contrast essays are tricky because you have at least two topics to touch on instead of just one. The same general guidelines apply (decisive language, details, etc.), but you need to give equal attention to both your topics—otherwise, your essay will seem biased from the start. 

As always, your thesis statement should reflect what’s written in the rest of your essay. If your essay spends more time comparing than contrasting, your thesis statement should focus more on similarities than differences. 

It sometimes helps to give specific examples as well, but keep them simple and brief. Save the finer details for the body of your essay. 

Thesis statement examples

Sean Connery and Daniel Craig are the two most popular actors to portray James Bond, but both have their own distinct and at times contradictory interpretations of the character. 

While capitalism and communism are often viewed as diametric opposites, the truth is that, in practice, both ideologies tend to “borrow” principles from one another.

How to write a thesis statement in 3 steps

Now that you know what you’re aiming for, it’s time to sit down and write your own thesis statement. To keep you on track, here are three easy steps to guide you. 

1 Brainstorm the best topic for your essay

You can’t write a thesis statement until you know what your paper is about, so your first step is choosing a topic. 

If the topic is already assigned, great! That’s all for this step. If not, consider the tips below for choosing the topic that’s best for you:

• Pick a topic that you’re passionate about. Even if you don’t know much about it, it’ll be easier to learn about it while writing if you’re genuinely interested. 
• Narrow down your topic to something specific; otherwise, your paper will be too broad and perhaps too long. Just make sure it’s not too specific, or you won’t have enough to write about. Try to find a happy medium. 
• Check beforehand that there are enough strong, credible sources to use for research. You don’t want to run out of referential material halfway through. 

Once you’ve chosen a topic—and the angle or stance you want to take—then it’s time to put the idea for your thesis sentence into words. 

2 Phrase your topic as a question and then answer it

It’s not always easy to fit your entire thesis into just one sentence, let alone one that’s written clearly and eloquently. Here’s a quick technique to help you get started. 

First, phrase your topic as a question. For example, if you want to write about Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, ask yourself, “What influences did Gandhi have on society after his death?” 

If you already know the answer, write it down—that’s a good start for your thesis statement. If you don’t know the answer, do some preliminary research to find out; you can certainly use what you discover as evidence and sources in your essay’s body paragraphs. 

3 Add some polish

Chances are, your first attempt at a thesis statement won’t be perfect. To get it to its best, try revising, editing, and adding what’s missing. 

Remember the core traits for thesis statements we mentioned above: decisive language, a happy medium of specific but not too specific details, and mention of subtopics. If you’re struggling to contain everything in a single sentence, feel free to move the secondary information to the following sentence. The thesis statement itself should only have what’s most necessary. 

If you’re in doubt, read your thesis statement to a friend and ask them what they think your paper is about. If they answer correctly, your thesis statement does its job. 

Next comes the hard part—writing the rest! While the bulk of the writing lies ahead, at least you’ve nailed down your central idea. To plot out your supporting argument, follow our advice on essay structure and let your ideas flow. 

How to write a thesis: a step-by-step guide with tips

Writing a thesis for the first time https://basenjiforums.com/user/33igc is a significant milestone in your development from a doctoral student to a professional academic. Your doctoral thesis can become the cornerstone of your future research and demonstrates the breadth and detail of your knowledge about your field. Learning some general guidelines can help you put the process into perspective and craft a compelling research paper. In this article, we provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a thesis and give useful tips for writing a convincing argument.

What is a thesis?

A thesis is a long research paper that you develop over the course of a research degree or academic position. Institutions and funding bodies view the thesis as the main deliverable that an academic produces in return for funding and investment. As a result, the thesis serves as the main body of work you produce throughout the course of your research, though your other research papers may contribute to it.You may choose to publish your thesis or make it the basis for longer pieces of work later in your career. Institutions generally assign an expert in your field to supervise your writing.

How to write a thesis

The following steps explain how to write a thesis, focusing on the common steps that you're likely to follow regardless of your specialisation:

1. Conduct research

Regardless of your field or statement, it's important to conduct thorough research before committing anything to paper. Writing your thesis may take place after conducting your research, or it may be a gradual process of writing chapters as you research. In-depth research allows you to form your ideas and develop a clear argument while engaging with existing scholarship. After developing your idea, you can move on to writing.

2. Plan your thesis structure

As a starting point, plan your thesis' evidence and argument around your research proposal and findings. Decide how you want to support your argument and separate your evidence into self-contained but linked discussions. It's important to include sections for contextualising the history of scholarship, integrating your ideas into existing theories and addressing counterarguments. Look at key publications in your field to investigate how they typically look and what scholars expect from them.

3. Decide on the format

Set up a working document for your thesis and make some basic decisions about the font, line spacing and referencing format. Making these decisions early can help you get in the right mindset and feel that you're making progress. Theses usually have a title page with the thesis title, your name, your supervisor's name and your institution and department. You can add other relevant details, such as the submission date and your final title, at the end of the process, but creating your title page first can help you make a start and focus on writing.

4. Write your thesis statement

A thesis statement explains the main argument you're presenting based on your research. Depending on the length of your thesis, you may state this at the end of your introduction or in its own dedicated section. Your statement can be explanatory, argumentative or analytical, depending on how much detail you want to go into before presenting your evidence. Make a clear statement that explains your stance on the issue, summarises the point of your research and briefly indicates how your evidence supports it.

5. Write the main body and arguments

As you research and develop your ideas, write the main body of the thesis one section at a time. Trying to write your entire thesis at once is a challenging mental task, so dividing it into more achievable segments makes it more manageable. Making each section a self-contained discussion that contributes to the main statement can also help with reading comprehension. Remember to reiterate your main argument so that your writing is cohesive, but try to avoid unnecessary repetition.

6. Discuss your method and the history of scholarship

A good thesis makes a clear point based on evidence the writer has collected and contextualises it in previous thought. Demonstrate a thorough awareness of existing scholarship and theories in a dedicated section or during other discussions. Criticise key publications where relevant and identify the scholars you disagree with by name. Discuss your methodological approaches in full and clarify how and why your evidence leads you to your main conclusions in relation to previous scholarship.

7. Add figures, contents, lists and indexes

Add any relevant figures, images or supporting material to the thesis with references. A thesis usually has a contents page listing section titles and headings. Go through your thesis and make sure to account for every section. Also, check that you haven't included sections or titles that you later cut from the final piece. Add an index that lists any figures, plates, tables and images in your thesis. It may also be beneficial to include an index of topics, names or key terms for readers to use for reference.

8. Write your introduction and conclusion

The introduction and conclusion to your thesis serve similar purposes in introducing your thoughts and finalising your statements. Try to leave these until the end, since the body of your thesis is likely to change through many drafts throughout the course of writing it. A good introduction attracts the reader's attention, references past research, hints at the importance of your ideas and introduces your main thesis statement. A good conclusion consolidates your ideas, reiterates your thesis statement, examines its implications and encourages a discussion about future research and ideas.

9. Write the references and bibliography

Add your references in whichever format is standard for your field, such as APA, Harvard or MLA. Include each source you refer to in your thesis. You may include a bibliography at the end of your thesis for any research sources you didn't refer to directly. Make sure to double-check that you have referenced each work you included and remove any orphaned footnotes that you deleted in the process of writing.

10. Add the final sections

Add any additional sections, such as an abstract, acknowledgements and appendices. Your acknowledgements thank contributors, supervisors, friends and colleagues who helped you to write the document. An abstract, which is usually fewer than 500 words, provide a summary of your thesis and is common in scientific and arts theses. If there's any material that isn't directly relevant to your main statement but adds valuable context, you can include it in an appendix. There may be a word count allowance for appendices, depending on your field and submission requirements.

11. Proofread and submit your thesis

Once your thesis is complete, read through it and check for any sections or passages you would like to rewrite. It's normal for thesis writers to have several drafts before submitting the final work, so don't be afraid to make changes. Once you're happy with it, proofread it to check for any spelling or grammatical errors. You may want to use grammar software or ask a friend or colleague for help. Check that it's formatted according to the guidelines and submit it for review and final publication.

Tips for writing a convincing thesis

A good thesis usually contributes significantly to the field, engages critically with scholarship and demonstrates a clear personal style and confidence. Here are some common traits among good theses:

• Clearly programmatic: A good thesis contains a clear structure and method so the reader understands how each section contributes to the overall argument. Layout your arguments logically, reference previous scholarship and forecast each segment clearly so that readers can follow.
• Confident stance: Examining bodies values a thesis that engages with ongoing debates and puts forward a confident stance with supporting evidence. Commit to your stance and give compelling reasons for your arguments so that you contribute to ongoing debates.
• Focused argument: Focus your observations and evidence on your main argument and don't include unnecessary background information. Contextualise your points but focus on supporting your main thesis statements.
• Summative conclusion: A good thesis has a conclusion that thoroughly considers the evidence you've put forward and how it interacts with counterarguments. Form a confident and considered conclusion that encourages further questions and study.
• Thought-provoking: Make sure your thesis promotes further questioning and makes your reader think about the topic in detail. Encourage your readers to approach the topic from a different angle and ask questions about why and how your thesis statement makes sense.

How to write a thesis: a step-by-step guide with tips

Writing a thesis for the first time https://forum.adrenaline.com.br/members/sara_escritora.2791755/ is a significant milestone in your development from a doctoral student to a professional academic. Your doctoral thesis can become the cornerstone of your future research and demonstrates the breadth and detail of your knowledge about your field. Learning some general guidelines can help you put the process into perspective and craft a compelling research paper. In this article, we provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a thesis and give useful tips for writing a convincing argument.

What is a thesis?

A thesis is a long research paper that you develop over the course of a research degree or academic position. Institutions and funding bodies view the thesis as the main deliverable that an academic produces in return for funding and investment. As a result, the thesis serves as the main body of work you produce throughout the course of your research, though your other research papers may contribute to it.You may choose to publish your thesis or make it the basis for longer pieces of work later in your career. Institutions generally assign an expert in your field to supervise your writing.

How to write a thesis

The following steps explain how to write a thesis, focusing on the common steps that you're likely to follow regardless of your specialisation:

1. Conduct research

Regardless of your field or statement, it's important to conduct thorough research before committing anything to paper. Writing your thesis may take place after conducting your research, or it may be a gradual process of writing chapters as you research. In-depth research allows you to form your ideas and develop a clear argument while engaging with existing scholarship. After developing your idea, you can move on to writing.

2. Plan your thesis structure

As a starting point, plan your thesis' evidence and argument around your research proposal and findings. Decide how you want to support your argument and separate your evidence into self-contained but linked discussions. It's important to include sections for contextualising the history of scholarship, integrating your ideas into existing theories and addressing counterarguments. Look at key publications in your field to investigate how they typically look and what scholars expect from them.

3. Decide on the format

Set up a working document for your thesis and make some basic decisions about the font, line spacing and referencing format. Making these decisions early can help you get in the right mindset and feel that you're making progress. Theses usually have a title page with the thesis title, your name, your supervisor's name and your institution and department. You can add other relevant details, such as the submission date and your final title, at the end of the process, but creating your title page first can help you make a start and focus on writing.

4. Write your thesis statement

A thesis statement explains the main argument you're presenting based on your research. Depending on the length of your thesis, you may state this at the end of your introduction or in its own dedicated section. Your statement can be explanatory, argumentative or analytical, depending on how much detail you want to go into before presenting your evidence. Make a clear statement that explains your stance on the issue, summarises the point of your research and briefly indicates how your evidence supports it.

5. Write the main body and arguments

As you research and develop your ideas, write the main body of the thesis one section at a time. Trying to write your entire thesis at once is a challenging mental task, so dividing it into more achievable segments makes it more manageable. Making each section a self-contained discussion that contributes to the main statement can also help with reading comprehension. Remember to reiterate your main argument so that your writing is cohesive, but try to avoid unnecessary repetition.

6. Discuss your method and the history of scholarship

A good thesis makes a clear point based on evidence the writer has collected and contextualises it in previous thought. Demonstrate a thorough awareness of existing scholarship and theories in a dedicated section or during other discussions. Criticise key publications where relevant and identify the scholars you disagree with by name. Discuss your methodological approaches in full and clarify how and why your evidence leads you to your main conclusions in relation to previous scholarship.

7. Add figures, contents, lists and indexes

Add any relevant figures, images or supporting material to the thesis with references. A thesis usually has a contents page listing section titles and headings. Go through your thesis and make sure to account for every section. Also, check that you haven't included sections or titles that you later cut from the final piece. Add an index that lists any figures, plates, tables and images in your thesis. It may also be beneficial to include an index of topics, names or key terms for readers to use for reference.

8. Write your introduction and conclusion

The introduction and conclusion to your thesis serve similar purposes in introducing your thoughts and finalising your statements. Try to leave these until the end, since the body of your thesis is likely to change through many drafts throughout the course of writing it. A good introduction attracts the reader's attention, references past research, hints at the importance of your ideas and introduces your main thesis statement. A good conclusion consolidates your ideas, reiterates your thesis statement, examines its implications and encourages a discussion about future research and ideas.

9. Write the references and bibliography

Add your references in whichever format is standard for your field, such as APA, Harvard or MLA. Include each source you refer to in your thesis. You may include a bibliography at the end of your thesis for any research sources you didn't refer to directly. Make sure to double-check that you have referenced each work you included and remove any orphaned footnotes that you deleted in the process of writing.

10. Add the final sections

Add any additional sections, such as an abstract, acknowledgements and appendices. Your acknowledgements thank contributors, supervisors, friends and colleagues who helped you to write the document. An abstract, which is usually fewer than 500 words, provide a summary of your thesis and is common in scientific and arts theses. If there's any material that isn't directly relevant to your main statement but adds valuable context, you can include it in an appendix. There may be a word count allowance for appendices, depending on your field and submission requirements.

11. Proofread and submit your thesis

Once your thesis is complete, read through it and check for any sections or passages you would like to rewrite. It's normal for thesis writers to have several drafts before submitting the final work, so don't be afraid to make changes. Once you're happy with it, proofread it to check for any spelling or grammatical errors. You may want to use grammar software or ask a friend or colleague for help. Check that it's formatted according to the guidelines and submit it for review and final publication.

Tips for writing a convincing thesis

A good thesis usually contributes significantly to the field, engages critically with scholarship and demonstrates a clear personal style and confidence. Here are some common traits among good theses:

• Clearly programmatic: A good thesis contains a clear structure and method so the reader understands how each section contributes to the overall argument. Layout your arguments logically, reference previous scholarship and forecast each segment clearly so that readers can follow.
• Confident stance: Examining bodies values a thesis that engages with ongoing debates and puts forward a confident stance with supporting evidence. Commit to your stance and give compelling reasons for your arguments so that you contribute to ongoing debates.
• Focused argument: Focus your observations and evidence on your main argument and don't include unnecessary background information. Contextualise your points but focus on supporting your main thesis statements.
• Summative conclusion: A good thesis has a conclusion that thoroughly considers the evidence you've put forward and how it interacts with counterarguments. Form a confident and considered conclusion that encourages further questions and study.
• Thought-provoking: Make sure your thesis promotes further questioning and makes your reader think about the topic in detail. Encourage your readers to approach the topic from a different angle and ask questions about why and how your thesis statement makes sense.

How to Write a Thesis Statement. 4 Steps & Examples

A thesis statement  https://www.tasteatlas.com/profile/curtis-dowling is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. It usually comes near the end of your introduction.

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

Tip

AI tools like ChatGPT can be effectively used to brainstorm and refine potential thesis statements. To learn how to use these tools responsibly, see our AI writing resources page.

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Placement of the thesis statement

The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction.

Example of an essay introduction

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

Step 1: Start with a question

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis, early in the writing process. As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic, you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

Has the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?

Or:

What impact did the invention of braille (the raised-dot reading system used by blind and visually impaired people) have?

Step 2: Write your initial answer

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process.

The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.

The invention of braille improved the lives of blind people.

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Step 3: Develop your answer

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

Argumentative thesis statement

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

Expository thesis statement

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

Step 4: Refine your thesis statement

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

Example: Improved thesis statement on internet use

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: it facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

Example: Improved thesis statement on the invention of braille

The invention of braille transformed the lives of blind people in the 19th century, but its success depended on mainstream acceptance by sighted teachers, and this process was shaped by debates about disabled people’s place in society.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Types of thesis statements

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay, your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay, you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

Example: Argumentative essay thesis statement

Although surveillance is viewed negatively by many people, its positive social effects outweigh its downsides. Greater surveillance in public areas helps maintain public order and ensures the personal safety of citizens.

Example: Expository essay thesis statement

The European Renaissance is closely linked to the economic wealth of Italy in the Middle Ages. The development of Italian port towns as major trading posts during the Crusades, along with the establishment of banking systems, made patronage of the arts and sciences possible.

How to structure a thesis

Starting a thesis can be daunting https://www.quotev.com/story/16732309/O-prop%C3%B3sito-e-o-processo-de-escrita-acad%C3%AAmica-para-estudantes-brasileiros. There are so many questions in the beginning:

• How do you actually start your thesis?
• How do you structure it?
• What information should the individual chapters contain?

Each educational program has different demands on your thesis structure, which is why asking directly for the requirements of your program should be a first step. However, there is not much flexibility when it comes to structuring your thesis.

Abstract: a brief overview of your entire thesis.

Literature review: an evaluation of previous research on your topic that includes a discussion of gaps in the research and how your work may fill them.

Methods: outlines the methodology that you are using in your research.

Thesis: a large paper, or multi-chapter work, based on a topic relating to your field of study.

A typical thesis structure

1. Abstract

The abstract is the overview of your thesis and generally very short. This section should highlight the main contents of your thesis “at a glance” so that someone who is curious about your work can get the gist quickly. Take a look at our guide on how to write an abstract for more info.

Tip: Consider writing your abstract last, after you’ve written everything else.

2. Introduction

The introduction to your thesis gives an overview of its basics or main points. It should answer the following questions:

• Why is the topic being studied?
• How is the topic being studied?
• What is being studied?

In answering the first question, you should know what your personal interest in this topic is and why it is relevant. Why does it matter?

To answer the "how", you should briefly explain how you are going to reach your research goal. Some prefer to answer that question in the methods chapter, but you can give a quick overview here.

And finally, you should explain "what" you are studying. You can also give background information here.

You should rewrite the introduction one last time when the writing is done to make sure it connects with your conclusion. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our thesis introduction guide.

3. Literature review

A literature review is often part of the introduction, but it can be a separate section. It is an evaluation of previous research on the topic showing that there are gaps that your research will attempt to fill. A few tips for your literature review:

• Use a wide array of sources
• Show both sides of the coin
• Make sure to cover the classics in your field
• Present everything in a clear and structured manner

For more insights on lit reviews, take a look at our guide on how to write a literature review.

4. Methods

The methodology chapter outlines which methods you choose to gather data, how the data is analyzed and justifies why you chose that methodology. It shows how your choice of design and research methods is suited to answering your research question.

Make sure to also explain what the pitfalls of your approach are and how you have tried to mitigate them. Discussing where your study might come up short can give you more credibility, since it shows the reader that you are aware of its limitations.

5. Results

Tip: Use graphs and tables, where appropriate, to visualize your results.

The results chapter outlines what you found out in relation to your research questions or hypotheses. It generally contains the facts of your research and does not include a lot of analysis, because that happens mostly in the discussion chapter.

Clearly visualize your results, using tables and graphs, especially when summarizing, and be consistent in your way of reporting. This means sticking to one format to help the reader evaluate and compare the data.

6. Discussion

The discussion chapter includes your own analysis and interpretation of the data you gathered, comments on your results and explains what they mean. This is your opportunity to show that you have understood your findings and their significance.

Point out the limitations of your study, provide explanations for unexpected results, and note any questions that remain unanswered.

7. Conclusion

This is probably your most important chapter. This is where you highlight that your research objectives have been achieved. You can also reiterate any limitations to your study and make suggestions for future research.

Remember to check if you have really answered all your research questions and hypotheses in this chapter. Your thesis should be tied up nicely in the conclusion and show clearly what you did, what results you got, and what you learned. Discover how to write a good conclusion in our thesis conclusion guide.

8. Reference list

At the end of your thesis, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX