We have talked about thesis statements before. However, it is important to review them as you begin drafting your research paper. A good, strong thesis statement is especially important for such a paper. It will provide the “glue” that holds your entire paper together.
Characteristics of a Thesis Statement
1. A one-or-two sentence statement that explicitly outlines the purpose or point of your paper. A thesis is to a paper what a topic sentence is to a paragraph.
2. Points toward the development or course of argument the reader can expect the argument to take. In other words, it gives some idea as to the structure of the paper. Keep in mind that although it may sometimes be helpful, not all thesis statements have to include “three points.”
3. Placed at or near the end of your introductory paragraph. Although some types of essays work with a thesis placed in the middle or at the end of a paper, an argumentative research paper should have a clear thesis statement at the beginning. Each of your body paragraphs should work to support or prove that thesis.
4. An assertion that a reasonable person could disagree with if you only gave the thesis and no other evidence. It is not a fact or casual observation; it must beg to be proved. And someone should be able to theoretically argue against it.
5. Takes a position on a topic rather than simply announcing that the paper is about a topic (your title should do that). Don’t tell the reader about something; tell them what about something. Answer the questions “how?” and “why?”
6. Sufficiently narrow and specific, so that your supporting points are necessary and sufficient, not arbitrary. Paper length and number of supporting points are good guides here.
7. Argues one main point and doesn’t squeeze several different theses for three different papers into one sentence. Note that that one point can (and probably will) have two or three parts to it, but it should be clear how those parts go together.
8. It passes the “So What?” test. As you write your thesis, ask yourself “So what?” or “Who cares?” It isn’t worth arguing something that is obvious or uninteresting. For example, a thesis like “Driving while intoxicated is extremely dangerous” is certainly arguable, but generally known and widely accepted. You won’t be arguing anything that everyone doesn’t already agree on. Make sure your topic is interesting, and that it is still open to some interpretation.
A research thesis has most of the same thesis characteristics as a thesis for a non-research essay. The difference lies in the fact that you gather information and evidence from appropriate, valid sources to support your perspective on a topic or stand on an issue. Yet although your sources provide information that informs your thesis, the thesis idea should be your own, particular to your personal way of thinking about and analyzing a topic.
The thesis focuses your ideas and information for the research paper. Remember that word "focus." Student writers often make the mistake of forgetting the focus and making the research thesis far too broad in order to include a lot of research. Yet depth more than breadth is the hallmark of a sophisticated research paper.
Create a working thesis for the research paper by specifying and ordering your categories of information. For example, the following theses offer the writers' main arguments and focus their research by specifying and ordering the reasons for their stance:
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Competency-based management is practical, logical, and accessible to managers and workers. |
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Workforce training in basic skills is now necessary due to the lower reading and writing levels of the workforce, the fact that a person now entering the workforce will change jobs many times, the shift in jobs from the manufacturing to the service sectors, and the more comprehensive, abstract nature of those service jobs. |
As you can see, a research thesis is your proposed answer to your research question, which you finalize only after completing the research. (It's o.k. to modify and revise the working thesis as you research more about the topic or issue.)
Shape your thesis to fit the question you wish to answer. A thesis can come in many forms, including the following:
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Simply stating an opinion
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Indicating categories or reasons
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Showing two aspects of a topic and emphasizing one (in this sample, the 2nd topic in the sentence is emphasized)
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Simply stating an opinion is a viable way to write a thesis statement, but does not do a good job suggesting a structure for your paper. You will have to make sure as you write that your structure and focus are effective, and that your body paragraphs clearly relate to your thesis. Indicating categories or reasons, or showing two aspects of a topic may be easier when it comes to focusing and organizing the body of your paper.
