Writing a doctoral thesis is a long, complex and highly regimented process. The academic world requires printed theses to adhere to a consistent format, and researchers must therefore take many factors into account: typography, page layout, bibliography formatting, structure…
One of the essential components of any academic work of this kind is the thesis statement. That is why, before you have your thesis laid out and printed with us, we would like to remind you what it is and how to write one without making mistakes.
What is a thesis statement and why is it important?
The thesis statement is, in a sense, the written expression of the idea that has prompted the research. In short, at the beginning of the text, the author sets out their main hypothesis, as well as the questions they will seek to answer in the course of the academic work.
Many PhD students are unaware of just how important a thesis statement is for their work: not only does it summarise the text and the researcher’s intentions; it also helps to understand the basis of the entire work, as well as its objectives.
In this way, the tribunal can assess the work more objectively and critically.
Tips for writing the abstract of a doctoral thesis
As with anything set down in black and white in a doctoral thesis, there are certain guidelines that help you understand how to write a thesis statement in accordance with standard practice. These are the main ones:
Be clear and concise
Brevity is essential here. The ideal thesis statement consists of just one sentence, although it can be expanded to a short paragraph. The aim is for a reader to be able to grasp, in just a few seconds, what the text before them is about.
Focus the lens
You cannot write a thesis statement off the cuff, without giving careful thought to where you are heading. That is why it is important to set your objective beforehand and write with that in mind.
Defend the premise
The author must be firm in their arguments, take a clear stance for or against a premise, and explain to the reader what they intend to prove and how the research will be carried out.
Location
The thesis statement should always be placed in the introduction of the document, in the first paragraph, if possible.
Some authors choose to place it a little further on, still within the introduction, after discussing the background and the current state of affairs.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Although following the advice above is more than enough to construct a solid and valid thesis statement, it is worth being aware of two of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
To give vague explanations
Many PhD students write a vague statement in which it is unclear what they intend to do and which relies on generalities. This is not a good idea, as it will strike the examination board as neither appealing nor convincing.
To address this, it is recommended that the introduction to the thesis – and therefore the thesis statement – be written last. In this way, the PhD student will have a complete picture of their work and will be able to focus more precisely on their objective.
Too much development
It is not advisable to make the thesis statement too long. To avoid this, go over the text again and again before sending it to print; you can keep refining the paragraph until it is reduced to just one or two sentences.
To recount events
The thesis statement should not set out objective facts, but rather debatable claims that will form the focus of the research. Once again, having the final work completed and the conclusions clearly established will be helpful in this regard.
With these tips, writing a proper thesis statement is more than possible. After that, all you need to do is ask us for help with the layout and bring it to life.
