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Composing a thesis

Creating the right thesis for your paper can help you focus your research and develop a topic that is interesting for you and your readers.

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>> The main point you want to make about your topic [music] is often expressed in a thesis statement. A thesis is a clear, original, defensible statement of what you want your reader to believe or understand. A good thesis asserts a single main idea that grabs your readers interest.

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The thesis summarizes what you'll develop, explore, and explain in your paper. It has to prepare your readers for what you will prove in your paper. So it should be clearly stated in specific terms. School systems should take comprehensive action to reduce childhood obesity in America. Your thesis must state a claim or conclusion. It shouldn't state facts or announce a topic and never phrase your thesis in the form of a question because a question is not a conclusion. Before you settle on a working thesis statement, consider how much support it will require in relation to your deadline and length requirements. Your thesis needs to be the right size for your paper. The ability to take classes online has caused a worldwide revolution in education. The ability to take classes online has made getting a bachelor's degree easier for students who work full-time in the manufacturing sector. One of these statements would require a lot of time to research. The other is more manageable. Your thesis should be clear and concise. Avoid using phrases such as in my opinion unless you refer to an outside source, your reader will assume they're reading your opinion. As you research, think, and write your perspective will evolve and your thesis will probably change. So reexamine your thesis from time to time to make sure it's still on target. Once you've drafted your paper, carefully reevaluate your thesis and your introduction.

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A thesis statement unifies the paper. It provides the reasoning that your evidence supports. Remember it this way. Everything in your paper needs to be related to the thesis. Not all papers require a thesis statement but even if your instructor doesn't ask for it, writing one will help keep your paper on track.

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