The term “thesis” has two different meanings. In its most basic form, a thesis is a statement that can be supported or refuted by a variety of arguments, and it is typically found at the beginning of a paper in the form of a “thesis statement” that informs readers about the paper’s contents. A thesis can also be a formal written paper that is required for advanced degrees as part of the graduation requirements. A dissertation is another name for this.
In the broadest sense, a thesis is an important component of a paper’s structure, and it can be contrasted with an antithesis. Because it is the first step in formulating supportive arguments and material, developing a strong thesis is a crucial skill in paper writing. An author can also keep a paper on track by establishing a clear overall argument.
The second type of thesis, which is typically based on original research in the field, has been written by the majority of people who have received a master’s or doctorate degree. Doctoral theses are more difficult and time-consuming than master’s theses, but both require a high level of professionalism and high-quality research. Although most people must submit a master’s thesis before pursuing a doctorate, it is possible to get around this requirement.
A typical thesis will have a title page, an abstract, the paper’s content, as well as a bibliography and appendices. It is reviewed by a committee that can be small or large, but usually includes at least one person from a different discipline. After reviewing the work, the committee can accept it, reject it and require revisions, or deny the student’s candidacy for an advanced degree entirely, though this is uncommon.
This final project, known as a creative thesis, can take the form of a performance, an art piece, or another piece of creative work for people in creative disciplines. Creative theses are held to the same high standards as traditional theses, and the creator may be required to submit a brief paper in addition to the creative work. As part of his or her thesis, a playwright, for example, might submit a paper discussing the research and techniques used to write the play.