Developing a Thesis Statement
Monday, December 7th, 2009When writing a research paper, a master’s dissertation or a doctorate thesis, you will have to develop a strong and valid thesis statement. A Thesis statement is like an essay title, which presents to the reader the writer’s perspective to the issue dealt in the thesis or an essay. It is essential to have a captivating thesis statement that excites the reader to go through your research work. Find below everything you need to know about a thesis statement in dissertation writing.
What is a thesis statement
A thesis statement is the writer’s perspective to the issue which he/she will elaborate or analyze in the research assignment. It is written in a compact and epigrammatic style, often in a sentence, which is persuading, contestable, and provocative. A thesis statement acts as signpost by presenting the main idea of the research paper, giving the reader an inkling of what to expect of the research assignment.
Types of Thesis Statements
Thesis statements could be implicit or explicit. An implicit thesis statement will present the argument subtly without actually stating it. In an explicit thesis statement, the argument is plainly stated.
How do you identify your thesis statement?
When you decide a topic to work on, you may not be sure of your position on it. It is only after conducting a considerable research on the various scenarios on the given topic do we identify our understanding and bend towards the topic.
To identify your thesis statement, it is important to first find out the type of paper you are going to write. The thesis statement of an argumentative paper will be provocative and rigid. It could be an opinion, a personal interpretation or a proposal. A thesis statement of an expository essay will be plain. It would simply state the aspect you are going to explain your essay.
How do you create a thesis statement?
Sometimes it becomes difficult to take up sides and identify the right point to support and argue against, or that we do not have enough material to come to a valid conclusion. How does one, in such circumstances come to a fruitful thesis statement which can be argued and validated in the thesis or dissertation.
1. Bring out a surprising or controversial aspect from your topic.
2. You may also choose to play a compare and contrast between seemingly like or unlike aspects.
3. Add an interpretation to it.
4. Become as specific as the evidence allows you to.
Where do you place your thesis statement in a research paper?
A Thesis statement appears at the end of the first paragraph of an essay assignment, or a research paper.
A few points to consider before beginning to support your thesis
1. Is your thesis statement strong and specific.
2. Do you have enough valid data and literature to support your point.
3. Have you come to the thesis statement after research.
4. Can you remain consistent in arguing in favor of your your thesis statement.
5. Is your thesis statement compact, and free from any superfluous words.
6. Does your thesis statement contain personal opinions that cannot be validated.
