After finding and synthesizing sources, the next step is to construct a thesis statement. A thesis is the main point or a central claim that ties together all your research points. The reasons for supporting the thesis come directly from the sources you found. Writing a thesis and developing the reasons to support it is a joint production. You need to do both.
1. Begin by reading several helpful resources on thesis construction:
Insider’s Guide to Academic Writing; Chapter 4: Developing Arguments
Making Claims pp. 61-62
Thesis versus Hypothesis pp. 62-63
Developing Reasons pp. 63-64
Supporting Reasons with Evidence pp. 65-66.
Purdue OWL “Developing Strong Thesis Statements”
George Mason University Writing Center, “Thesis Statements”
2. Practice writing Thesis Statements
It is helpful to have your research topic and question in front of you when you begin drafting your thesis. This information keeps you focused on the specific question you tried to answer when you draft your thesis. Fill in the first part of the Issue, Audience, & Genre Template and post to the Main Discussion Board #9.
Issue
Describe the Issue and your research question
Issue: Describe the appropriately narrowed, current, and unresolved issue relevant to your field of study. Explain what caused this controversial issue to arise and why people disagree about how it should be resolved.
Research Question: What are you trying to find out? Remember, it takes background reading to develop a specific research question from a topic of interest.
Resource: GMU Writing Center Writing a Research Question
What is Your Evidence-Based Opinion About the Issue?
Based on the synthesis of your sources, what is your opinion/thesis about the issue?
What are 3-4 pieces of supporting evidence from credible sources?
