Skip to Main Content

Research 101

This guide provides you with a basic outline of how to do research, from choosing a topic to citing your sources in the final draft. Remember to always ask a reference librarian if you need any help with your research

The Basics of a Thesis Statement

What Is a Thesis?

A thesis is the central idea of a piece of writing with the entire work developing and supporting the idea.  Though sometimes unstated, a thesis should always govern a paper.  It usually appears as a thesis statement somewhere in the paper primarily in the opening paragraph.
 
In general, a strong thesis statement...
 
  1. Is specific.
    It covers only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
     
  2. Makes a claim. 
    This does not mean that you have to reduce an idea to an "either/or" proposition and then take a stand. Rather, you need to develop an interesting perspective that you can support and defend. This perspective must be more than an observation.  It should inspire other points of view from your reader.
     
  3. Controls your paper’s argument. 
    This sentence determines what you are required to say in a paper. It also determines what you cannot say. Every paragraph in your paper exists in order to support your thesis.  If it seems like your paper is supporting something other than your thesis, you need to change your thesis or edit your paper.
     
  4. Provides a structure for your paper. 
    It will show how you will present your position.      For instance, your thesis may say, “American fearfulness expresses itself in three curious ways: A, B, and C."  Your paper should then make those arguments in that order.  If you start discussing point C first, your reader may be confused.

Your Thesis Is Not Set in Stone!

Your topic and ideas could change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.
 
Realize that most thesis statements will start as a “working thesis” that changes as you continue to write your paper.  Although it is important to have a focus and direction while writing a paper, do not think that you are committed to your original thesis statement.

 

How's My Thesis?

Suggested Websites

Additional Online Resources

Thesis Tutorial

 

Referenced and Further Reading:

Aaron, J. E.  (2006) The Little Brown Essential Handbook.  New York: Pearson

Education, Inc.
 
Gocsik, K. (2005, July 12).  Developing Your Thesis.  Retrieved January 19, 2009,
from the Institute for Writing and Rhetoric at Dartmouth College Web site: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/develop.shtml
 
Karper, E.  (2008, Sept 10)  Creating a Thesis Statement.  Retrieved January 19,
2009 from the OWL at Purdue University Web site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/
 
The Writing Center.  (2008, August 8)  Thesis Statements.   Retrieved January 19,
2009, from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The Writing Center Web site: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html#1