The Research Thesis
DEFINITION
A thesis is a statement of position, belief or opinion. It conveys the central or main idea of the entire text and indicates how the main idea will be supported.
• Serves as a summary of the whole composition.
• The focus of the first paragraph or introduction.
• Just like a topic sentence, a thesis statement signals what is to come.
• (Thesis=whole essay. Topic Sentence=one paragraph or section.)
FORM
Imagine being on a trip, your opinion or view point proven, being the final destination. A thesis not only states where you are going but also explains how you are going to get there. It plans the trip for you! A topic addressed in the essay body is a place you pass through (a signpost) to get to your destination (conclusion).
Two Parts of a Thesis
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Statement (Argument) —
The specific argument of the paper
The thesis statement controls the subject of the paper.
The thesis statement must be arguable, be specific in its importance and/or impact, and leave room for analysis.
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| Example: |
Non-Specific Statement (Argument) |
Trees are good. |
| Specific Statement (Argument) |
Trees create a better quality of life. |
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2.
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Supports (three supports) —
How the statement will be proven
The three thesis supports must be distinct and clearly in support of the argument.
The thesis support controls the organization of the paper.
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The thesis support shows “parallel structure”: Composition must discuss each point addressed in the thesis, and in the order that the thesis states them.
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There should also be a reason for the order of supports. (Ex: chronologically fits, order of significance, etc.)
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The thesis support must state the relation to the argument.
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| Example: |
Support 1 |
Trees create a better quality of life because they are esthetically pleasing. |
| Support 2 |
Trees create a better quality of life because they provide needed shade. |
| Support 3 |
Trees create a better quality of life because they clean the air we breathe. |
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The need of the Thesis Statement (Argument) and Thesis Support:
These elements are inextricably linked – a Thesis is not a meaningful argument without the specifics of importance and/or impact, and it cannot successfully be argued without support.
Sections of the Secondary Research Paper
Secondary Research papers generally have a thesis that stresses three positions/points/arguments that are going to be made. The research paper is divided into 3 parts:
The introduction
Should “hook” your audience (reader)
It explains how this topic/issue is of interest to you
Shares a summary of your guiding questions that have driven and directed your research process
Explains why there is a need for this research
States your Secondary Research thesis statement (argument)
Body/Discussion
Using evidence, each section/paragraph should fully discuss one subtopic (one how) of the thesis.
Develop each argument in a coherent, logical progression
Back up your thesis with facts, quotations, paraphrases and summaries — discuss the support to your thesis.
Use effective transitions to make the paper make connections
Present all sides of an argument by comparing and contrasting.
Conclusions
Wraps up the whole discussion and makes a convincing case for your argument
Present findings by summarizing your paper with specifics
Restate your thesis statement. Do not “copy and paste” the thesis. Restate it.
Suggest courses of actions recommended by your secondary research.
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