Graduation is just around the corner, and you need to prepare for it. Not only for the celebration but for delivering your final paper. Writing your thesis is a process that takes time. A thesis is a complex paper you need to write and research and then present to the evaluation committee. Writing a final paper is part of getting an education in college and every student will go through it. Even though it seems complicated, with a few tips and tricks and some guidelines, you can nail it. It is part of the graduation process, so you cannot skip this step. So, how to write the thesis? What are some tips and tricks to follow? Are there any things that should be in your thesis?
1. Find a topic and structure your ideas
Thesis writing can sometimes feel like a burden, but it is an integral part of being a student in university. So, the first thing you need to do is to find a topic and structure your ideas. The easiest way would be to choose a topic you like or want to find out more about. This will make working on your thesis more pleasant, and you will be more motivated to complete it.
And the next part is about structuring your ideas. You may read a book or do your research. And this will come with a lot of information and ideas. So, it is essential to structure your ideas and organize them efficiently so that you will deliver a clear and compelling thesis. This is the moment when you are most likely to feel overwhelmed by the tasks you need to do.
2. Research
The research step is crucial when you write an academic paper of such importance as a thesis. No matter the subject you choose, you need to back up your arguments with facts and stats. You need to think about some hypothesis and then conduct a study or find the information that supports your point of view. And this involves great research. You may start reading your course on a specific subject or check the coursework at the library. You may return to that school lesson that made you fall in love with your chosen subject.
3. Start writing
Well, maybe the most important step of the process is to start writing. Even though you may feel you have more things to prepare for this moment, it is better to start as soon as you can. A thesis should have between 40 and 80 pages, but of course, this depends on the university’s requirements. But it will take some time to write these pages, so starting as soon as you can is recommended.
This will give you more time to arrange your ideas and make sure you convey the message right. You can start writing what goes through your mind about your chosen subject. You can arrange the information in chapters and note your ideas with bullet points. Either way is good, it is important to start writing. This will be your first draft. You will certainly bring some edits too.
4. First vs final
It is essential to make the distinction between your first and last draft. Many students avoid starting writing because they want to create a powerful thesis and they feel they need more research or time. But keep in mind that your first draft will not be the last one. For sure you will find stats and facts you will introduce afterward. For sure, when you reread the draft, you will have a fresh perspective and rephrase sentences, add words, and so on. So, do not fall into the trap of waiting until you start writing. You can edit it afterward; the most important thing is to have something to edit.
5. Requirements and expectations
Well, you need to be aware and know the requirements you need to follow and the expectations of the examiner. However, some of them are common to all of them. They want to read a clear, smooth, and logical thesis. They want to see that your arguments are backed up with facts, stats, charts, and so on.
They want to see that you have done extensive research, that you understand the topic and the theory. They want to see that you are original and creative in your work and that it adds more value to the entire field. It is up to you how you build your thesis. However, you could insert a story too, but different from the hero reading ones we are so accustomed to.
Final thoughts
Writing a thesis correctly can feel like a burden. Especially when you do not have clear guidelines to help you get started. So, to deliver a powerful and clear thesis, here are some tips and tricks that will support the entire process. Find a topic, structure your ideas, and do your research. Start writing and keep in mind that your first draft is not the final one. So, you will have plenty of time to add info or rephrase sentences. Make sure you are aware of the requirements you need to follow, such as formatting ones. Aim to meet their expectations of reading an original, creative, and well-supported thesis.
