A thesis is an extended written treatment of a topic, usually submitted for a doctorate or doctoral degree. Typically, a thesis is scores of pages long, and delves very deeply into the subject matter, not just on an informational level, but on a theoretical and argumentative level. It is an essay of your original material. It is usually the crowning achievement of graduate work. The prospect of writing a thesis can send many a college student into a massive conniption, but there is help available. This web page gives you resources and advice on thesis writing.
Here are some tips on how to write a thesis:
- Examine Your Topic. Pick a thesis topic that interests you. You will always write better about something you're interested in. Then examine your thesis topic from every angle imaginable.
- Research Your Topic. Don't slack on the research for your thesis. Go to the library, the periodicals, textbooks, the Internet, interview experts, talk to faculty; research all aspects of your thesis topic. You need to get as much relevant data as you can to write your thesis. A thesis is your original material, based on results of your research.
- Organize Your Approach. Create a thesis outline for yourself. Break down the topic into main segments and approach these segments methodically. You need to build an argument carefully and thoughtfully; don't just go writing thesis content off-the-cuff. It takes serious organization and planning and foresight.
- Flesh-out the Outline. Now write that thesis using your own words to explain your arguments, insights, and the supporting material, results, and data. Don't try to be flowery and sophisticated--that's not necessary in a thesis. Be logical, thorough, and write clearly so anyone can understand.
- Planning. Procrastination will crush you. Most doctorate students spend months researching, planning, and writing their theses. Give yourself daily and weekly goals to write a thesis and stick to them. It's a lot easier to get it done piece by piece. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
I highly recommend a few excellent books and guides on theses and how to write theses:
Successful Dissertations and Theses: A Guide to Graduate Student Research from Proposal to Completion. This book should be welcome both to graduate students about to undertake theses and to faculty needing to learn the role of thesis adviser. The author tells how to propose, outline, write, defend, and possibly publish a thesis, information which should save graduate students years, pain, and money.
How to Write a Thesis. This concise thesis handbook, packed with in depth advice and information, is one of the most useful thesis reference guides you can own. It covers every phase of writing a research paper or thesis, providing the expert guidance you need to produce first-rate work.