Everything You Should Know about Writing a Thesis for a Research Paper

Every academic work should have its central guiding idea – a key takeaway that every reader will grasp after reading the whole text. Be it a UF honors thesis or a smaller research paper, every academic piece should have a thesis statement. What does it look like, and where to place it? Here is a handy guide on everything you should know to master the skill of composing a stellar thesis for research paper.

What Is a Thesis Statement in a Research Paper? A Quick Introduction

So, what is a thesis? It is the paper’s main idea that can be summarized in one concise statement. In other words, you should phrase your thesis statement to answer the question, “what’s the idea of your research paper?”

Think as generally as possible, encapsulating the entire idea into one sentence. For instance, you may discuss several advantages of wearing a uniform at school, but your thesis statement should state explicitly that a school uniform policy is beneficial for students and the educational establishment.

How long should a thesis be in a research paper? This question is easy to answer, as research papers and essays are relatively smaller than dissertations, so one sentence is enough to communicate their main ideas. Even if you’re writing an extended research paper, two sentences should be your maximum. So, don’t go beyond that to avoid confusing the readers.

Main Principles of Writing a Thesis for a Research Paper

Now that you understand what is a thesis statement in a research paper, it’s time to cover the main rules of composing it.

• Make a claim. A thesis statement will perform its function only if it is framed as a claim. It shouldn’t restate a self-obvious fact or cover both sides of the argument. Instead, it should voice your position and make it clear with evidence.
• Place it correctly. Any competent reader will expect to see your thesis statement at the end of the research project’s introduction. Thus, placing it in any other place would be a mistake.
• Restate the thesis in the conclusion. The academic writing standard presupposes that students voice their thesis at the beginning and then reword it at the end. So, don’t ignore restating the thesis when you’re wrapping the paper up.
• Narrow the scope. While the beginning of your introduction focuses on the broad background to set the context, a thesis statement should narrow it down. This way, you set the scope and focus the readers on a particular aspect of the research problem.
• Make it short and concise. It’s a rule of thumb to make the thesis statement one sentence long. You may go beyond that only in rare situations.

How to Write a Thesis for a Research Paper? A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing a thesis for a research paper shouldn’t be too hectic or confusing. Here is a simple, easy-to-follow algorithm to help you determine the format needed for your specific research task.

• Analytical. This paper type is meant to analyze a phenomenon or subject of your interest. Therefore, the thesis statement should name the subject and explain the analytical perspective you’re going to take.
• Argumentative. As the name suggests, you should argue your side of a contradictory, debatable issue. Thus, a thesis statement will voice your stand and will provide a brief summary of arguments you will use to back it up.
• Expository. This research paper type doesn’t argue anything. It only presents a detailed account of new information. Thus, a thesis statement for this paper will be more of an informative nature, laying out what the content will be about.

How to choose the right format? It will be evident from your supervisor’s prompt. Read it attentively to find the instructions about the academic work type you need to compose and select the format accordingly.

Research Paper Thesis Examples

Not everyone can learn with the help of theoretical materials only. Some learners excel much quicker if they have templates in front of them. So, here are a couple of illustrative research paper thesis examples that may inspire you:

• For a paper that focuses on death penalty:

Death penalty remains legal in some countries not as an effective tool of criminal prosecution but rather as an intimidation instrument, aimed at preventing grave crime.

Death penalty should be abolished worldwide because of the high risk of false conviction and the brutal nature of killing criminals.

• For a project dedicated to gun control:

Gun control laws in the USA require urgent reforms because they are no longer effective in restricting access to firearms for underaged citizens and mentally ill persons.

Gun control legislation should get stricter because school shootings are directly related to democratic gun ownership regulations.

Gun control is at the heart of the American culture, so efforts to regulate arms are ineffective and politically hazardous.

• For an academic piece approaching global economy:

Though the times of formal colonialism are long gone, Western states continue exploiting African countries and limiting their development to ensure Western prosperity.

Global economy is inseparable from Western hegemony, as even the WTO still functions based on a rigid North-South division.

Do you need more examples of thesis statement construction? Welcome to use our sample in the PDF format or download it for closer study.

Is Your Thesis Statement for Research Paper a Nightmare?

Now you have all the data about how to write a thesis for a research paper at your fingertips. Still, having this knowledge doesn’t mean you will cope with the research task in all cases. If you’re still struggling, it may be a sign that you need help writing a research paper thesis.

Just keep in mind you can always take advantage of our thesis writing services. Our research experts are on standby 24/7, ready to assist. They know everything about thesis writing and do this every day. Thus, you may relieve the burden of stress over your thesis statement for research paper by delegating it to us. Don’t let studies take a toll on you; there is always a smarter option for getting high grades.