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.
For help on writing a strong thesis statement for your CRIM 315 Research Writing Assignment, study the handout entitled "Thesis Statements: A Brief Guide" linked in the box at the right. For additional help, view the tutorial on this page entitled "Creating a Thesis" and study the Thesis Statements Research Guide. Here you will find a Thesis Statement Checklist, a description of some characteristics of a strong thesis statement, and links to useful websites.
Finally, if needed, don't hesitate to contact or visit the Writers' Room, located in Room 1102 of the Education Center. Appointments with a Writing Consultant may be made by calling 812-461-5359.
The thesis statement should be submitted on Blackboard no later than the stated deadline (see Course Syllabus). This portion of the RWA is worth 15 points.