A good thesis is well-crafted and structured academic writing that presents a clear and original argument supported by evidence and analysis. It should demonstrate the author's ability to critically analyze and synthesize existing research and propose new ideas and insights. A good thesis should also be well-organized, with a clear introduction, a well-developed body, and a thoughtful conclusion. Additionally, a good thesis should be written clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language and following established citation and referencing conventions. Ultimately, a good thesis should contribute to the field of study and demonstrate the author's intellectual rigor and academic ability.
Developing a good thesis is easier said than done.
While experts in professional thesis writing services may proclaim many quick-fire strategies to develop a thesis, the truth is that there are no shortcuts to writing a good thesis.
A thesis is much more than just an essay or your opinion on a particular subject.
It is a presentation of facts in a format that would lead the reader to easily understand your perspective on the subject matter.
A thesis aims to create an impression of your expertise and knowledge on the subject.
So, how do you go about developing a good thesis?
According to Harvard University’s insights on thesis writing, a good thesis cannot be answered with a simple “Yes” or “No.”
It should ideally have two distinctive parts. While one part should focus on what you plan to argue about, the second part should convey how you plan to argue and include all the supporting references in favor of your argument.
6 Tips to develop a good thesis
1. Authenticate your research
Although research is the basis of every thesis, in today’s times, when there is an information overload on the internet (the primary resource for most of the research nowadays), where and how you conduct your research is equally if not more important.
Ensure that the website or document you are referencing your materials is authentic and has credible information sources.
Websites that belong to the domains ‘.edu and .org’ should ideally be preferred for your research. However, you can also consider websites that clearly reference their data or information source.
2. Structure your thesis
While this is one of the fundamental aspects of developing a good thesis, it is also one that needs to be addressed more often. As a result, many students who are impatient in putting their thoughts to paper and developing their argument about a particular topic fail to articulate their thoughts in an easy-to-understand manner.
That often leads to the reader needing help to draw a conclusion from the thesis.
A detailed, well-structured thesis should ideally contain the following sections:
Title Page
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Figures and Tables
Introduction
Research Methods
Results
Discussion on the Topic
Conclusion
Recommendations and Acknowledgements
References
Appendix
3. Make Notes
You may have faced instances when thought escapes you because you didn’t write it down.
It happens to the best of us, which is why many professors and knowledge experts make it a habit to keep jotting notes during meetings and their musings.
Every word and sentence counts toward your overall presentation and argument in the thesis. That is why it is essential to jot down your thoughts, no matter how irrelevant they may seem, and use them as a reference while putting together your thesis.
You never know when you may miss out on a thought that could be the keynote of your thesis.
Make taking notes a habit.
4. Your Introduction Matters
Your introduction lays the foundation for your thesis.
One can even call it the soul of your thesis since your reader is most probably captivated by your thesis if they find the introduction interesting enough.
As a rule of thumb, your introduction should be around 5 - 7% of your thesis (in terms of word count) and contain all the essential statements you plan to present.
The introduction is the best section to include your thesis statement, as that’s where your readers will ideally look for it.
Readers usually skim through a thesis and look for statements that convey the essence of the thesis and support its arguments. Therefore, to make it easier for your readers to accept your thesis and decipher it better, placing your thesis statement toward the end of your introductory paragraph is ideal.
5. Build in the counterpoints
Every good thesis should open up for discussion.
It should highlight your topic and present relevant points to convince the central theme of your thesis to the readers.
Simultaneously, you should also cover the counterpoints of your thesis so that you can easily answer any questions about your thesis.
Do not assume that what you write in your thesis is sufficient to defend your thesis.
Your research and understanding of the subject need to go beyond the surface knowledge, and it needs to deep-dive into the crux of the subject you are presenting.
6. Create a strong thesis statement
Now, we come to the essence of your thesis, the statement.
It defines your thesis and gives the reader a clear idea about your thesis and argument.
To write a strong thesis statement, we recommend the following steps.
Briefly explain the thesis subject.
Put forward clearly your main argument in the thesis.
Initiate discussion on the topic.
The statement should cover the “How” and “Why” about the subject.
A good thesis can open up a debate
A good thesis can help create awareness about a topic and initiate discussion on a scale much more extensive than you can imagine. In addition, it can be the go-to reference guide for readers seeking information about a specific topic.
A shortfall one often notices in a thesis is that they seem to be written in a hurry, with the writer failing to cover all the crucial points about the subject. Therefore, it is advisable not to leave your thesis as a last-minute assignment; instead, ensure that you start planning for it at the earliest opportunity possible.
More importantly, be highly focused on your subject and approach it from different viewpoints so that you have a holistic approach and cover your thesis from all perspectives.
Editor’s pick
Get free updates!
Subscribe to our newsletter for regular insights from the research and publishing industry!
Get free updates!
Subscribe to our newsletter for regular insights from the research and publishing industry!