Everything in this world has a reason or a purpose – and so is writing a doctoral thesis. You just don’t decide on something and forget it afterwards. You should have a clear and definite direction, whatever it is that you are planning to do. In conducting a study, you try to assess or evaluate information that will be empirical and critical on what takes place in the future. In other words, you need to establish knowledge by setting an arguable point or a thesis.
A thesis in the ordinary understanding is a one or two sentence statement that clearly illustrates or describes your purpose or objectives in conducting a study. It is where your readers or audience will comprehend the reasons behind your claims of fact, value or policies. Whatever your topic may be, the thesis draws the pattern to be followed while on the course of this academic writing.
So where do you exactly put or place your thesis statement? This is the significant question you have to consider in writing this paper. It is suggested that you indicate your thesis near the conclusion of your introductory paragraph. It must not only state an observation but should also assert a point that is debatable. To know whether or not your thesis is arguable, read it thoroughly and see if it controls the whole argument. This is because it also determines what you should say and not say in the paragraph.
Every paragraph in your paper is written for the sole purpose of backing up or supporting your thesis statement. If you see that it somehow doesn’t follow or coincide, you are given only a couple of options; whether to rewrite it for improvement and emphasis, or totally get rid of it for good.
You might consider the task as something boring or redundant in nature; but, it’s not. A thesis is like an agreement entered and signed between you and your readers. It’s a contract of trust and confidence and you cannot afford placing your audience in hot water. It should be written or structured in such a way that it tells people of what your main argument is all about and how you are going to lay it down or present it.
One concrete example is presenting arguments A, B and C. In this manner, you are deliberately telling your audience that you are going to confirm your stand in three ways. Don’t tell them irrelevant or sloppy excuses; instead, stress your point directly and do not beat around the bush. Readers are not that interested on “what’s” or “ifs” but more on the “how’s” and why’s”.
In closing, a good thesis statement must make a firm and indestructible stand, justify discussion, express only a single idea and should somehow be restricted to a particular topic.