In this blog post, we will learn how to write a perfect thesis for your Master’s or Ph.D. degree.
We will walk you through all of the steps involved in writing a thesis and later we will tell you some tips to write an effective thesis. If you follow these simple guidelines, your thesis should be well-received by your professor and earn you better grades!
What is a Thesis?
In short, a thesis is an idea, that you support with evidence.
For example, if you were asked to write an essay on “The Effects of Global Warming”, your thesis could be the following: Global warming will have important effects on life in the near future. You can prove this by explaining what global warming actually is, how it occurs, and the ways in which the environment and life will be affected.
Let’s dive deep to explain a Thesis in detail;
First, you need to start with a question.
The thesis is the answer to that questions, and it should come as no surprise that your topic must be related to what you will research for your investigation paper.
For example: If you are writing an essay about cancer treatment methods, then one of your major topics could cover medical procedures or drugs used to treat it.
Secondly, you need to pick a side.
When developing your thesis statement, you must stick with one claim instead of including multiple claims throughout the paper.
For example, one could argue that cancer treatment methods are ineffective, or they can be effective depending on the type of disease and how far along in its development it is when detected. You can see that both arguments are very different and would not be supported by the same evidence.
Lastly, you need to know your audience.
Your thesis statement should make sense within the context of what you are writing about because it must have a logical point of reference for readers to understand your argument.
For example, one could argue that cancer treatment methods are ineffective because they don’t address the root cause of cancer. This is a logical claim for this type of paper, and it will be supported by evidence that looks at medical procedures or drugs used to treat cancer.
What do you need to write a thesis?
You will need the following to start writing a thesis.
- A Thesis Statement
- A Strong Argumentative Claim
- Research Questions
- Annotated Bibliography
- Thesis Outline
Now that you know what a thesis is, it’s time to learn how to write one!
How to Write a Perfect Thesis: A Step By Step Guide
Here are the steps that you need to take in order to complete your thesis successfully.
Step 1: Choose the Right Topic
When you’re starting your thesis, it’s important to pick a topic you’re interested in and passionate about. Otherwise, the process will be much more difficult, and you may lose motivation along the way while writing and researching for your thesis.
Here are a few tips for choosing the right topic:
- Think about what topics interest you and the ones you’re good at.
- Consider a topic that can be developed into a full research project with plenty of material to write about.
- Choose a topic that is broad enough for you to explore in-depth but focused enough so you won’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available on it
- Think about the type of research you want to pursue. For example, if you’re interested in conducting primary or secondary research, consider choosing a topic that lends itself well to these methods. If your interest lies more in theoretical or conceptual work, pick something for which plenty of material is available and can be easily found online.
Step 2: Research your Topic Effectively
Once you have finalized your thesis topic, then you are good to start researching the topic you are writing about. You should do in-depth research and try to learn as much as possible about the topic.
Here are a few key things to keep in mind when researching your topic:
- Make sure you have a clear understanding of the topic before researching. This will help you focus your research and avoid getting overwhelmed.
- Start by doing a general search on the internet to get an idea of what’s already been written about your topic.
- Make sure you’re using reputable sources and not just reading information that is already easily accessible on the internet. You want to be able to back up your research with facts!
- The best way to search for scholarly articles is by looking at peer-reviewed journals, which are academic publications written by experts in their field of study.
- Once you’ve found some reputable sources, take the time to read them thoroughly and make sure you understand what they’re saying.
- Take notes on what you find so that you can use it in your writing.
- When you’re finished researching, compile all of your information into a well-organized document or presentation to help you stay organized and make it easy to reference later.
Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts and Write a Strong Argumentative Paper
To write a strong argumentative paper, you need to organize your thoughts and arguments. The best way to do this is to develop an outline for your paper.
An outline will help you stay on track while writing your paper, and it will also make sure that your arguments are presented in a clear and logical manner.
There are several different ways to develop an outline for your paper. The most common way is to use a basic five-paragraph essay structure. This structure includes an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should include one main point, and the points should be organized in a logical order.
Another way to organize your thoughts is to use a diagram. A diagram will help you see the relationships between your arguments and how they are connected to one another.
Once you have organized your thoughts, it is time to start writing your paper. Be sure to write clearly and concisely, and make sure that your arguments are logical and well supported. If you can do this, then you will have a strong argumentative paper on your hands.
Step 4: Edit and Revise Your Thesis
The editing and revision process can be daunting, but it’s important to take the time to get your thesis perfect. Here are a few tips for how to edit and revise your thesis:
- Edit your work for grammar mistakes and typos.
- Make sure your argument is clear and logical.
- Check that your thesis is well-supported with evidence.
- Rewrite sections that are not clear or needed to clarify your argument.
The editing and revision process doesn’t have to be hard, but you must take the time for this step of writing a thesis before turning in your final copy.
Tips for Avoiding Common Mistakes When Writing a Thesis Statement
1) Make sure your thesis statement is specific
A good thesis statement should be specific, indicating exactly what you plan to argue in your paper. Avoid making vague statements or assertions that could mean anything.
For example, a weak thesis statement might be “The United States needs to do more to help the poor.” This statement is too general and could be the topic of a paper on many issues.
Instead, try something like, “The United States needs to raise its minimum wage to help lift people out of poverty.”
This thesis statement is specific and provides an argument that you plan to back up with evidence from your research.
2) Make sure your thesis statement addresses a clear topic
Your thesis should indicate what you plan to write about. Avoid using phrases like “this paper will discuss…” If you want to be successful, make sure that the reader can tell from reading your abstract exactly what they will learn by reading the entire document.
You don’t want to leave anything unclear, or they may end up confused about what you are trying to say.
For example, if your thesis statement is “This paper will discuss the various ways in which humans interact with their environment”, it might not be clear exactly how this topic ties into an argumentative research paper on environmentalism.
A better thesis statement, in this case, would be “How humans interact with their environment has a profound impact on the planet.”
This thesis statement clarifies what you plan to argue and how your argument ties into the larger topic of environmentalism.
3) Remember that a thesis statement is not the same as an introduction
Thesis statements are often confused with introductions. These two elements may look similar, but they serve different functions within your paper. Your thesis statement should come after you have researched and outlined what points will be included in your argument. When you introduce each of those points (or topics), you are introducing your thesis statement.
Your introduction should provide a brief overview of the topic and introduce your main points, but it should not include your thesis statement.
Wrapping Up
A thesis is the main part of your master’s or Ph.D. without which you cannot get a degree. They can be difficult to craft, but if you follow these steps and use an outline like the one we provided for your reference, writing a perfect thesis will become infinitely easier.
