How To Write A Thesis for Research Papers

What is a thesis?

· A thesis is a sentence or group of sentences proposing a specific idea that you will elaborate on in your paper.

· It may be the answer to a question that you posed to yourself as you were researching for your paper.  An example:  “I wonder… What will the effect of global warming be on crops in the future?”

· A thesis ties together the ideas of your paper by providing a central theme that you will discuss in your writing.

When should I write my thesis?

· You should write a preliminary thesis before you begin writing your paper- in your paper outline.

· Writing a preliminary thesis in your outline helps you organize your paper around a central theme.

· You should review and revise your thesis after you finish your paper, making any modifications that are required.

Could you give me a few examples of theses?

· One example of a thesis derived from the question above is:  “Global warming is predicted to be a major cause of climate fluctuations in the future because of its effects in de-stabilizing the density currents in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.  These climate fluctuations may alter the growing seasons around the world, causing worldwide food shortages.”

· Another example of a thesis derived from the question “I wonder…How do the foods we eat affect the production of proteins in our bodies?”  is:  “Foods with high amounts of amino acids, such as lean meats and beans allow the human body to produce proteins by providing  monomers necessary to produce the primary  structure of proteins.”

· Another example of a thesis derived from the question “I wonder… How are mixtures different from compounds?” is:  “Compounds are formed from the chemical combination of two reactants, while mixtures are formed from the physical combination of two ingredients.  The ingredients in mixtures, such as alloys, can be separated by physical processes; while elements in compounds, such as alkanes, can only be separated by chemical processes.”