What’s the point of a paper without a thesis? After all, your thesis is your main argument. It rests at the core of your project. But a thesis is nothing without support. There’s no value in staking a claim if you can’t back it up. That’s why you’ll have to take steps to persuade your audience of your thesis. For today’s article, as part of our editor’s blog, we’ve accumulated a few tips you can employ to win over your readers:
Research and Citing Sources
Shifting Your Thesis
Don’t be afraid to shift your thesis throughout the entirety of the composition process. If you come upon research that invalidates your thesis, you may have to change the intent of your composition altogether. When you begin a project, you may identify a thesis right off the bat, and it can be easy to dig your heels in. However, it can be useful to maintain an open mind when it comes to the thesis of your project. As you compile research, you may find that your original thesis is a bit off, or perhaps it’s wrong altogether. If you don’t transform your project, it can be extremely difficult to support the thesis with convincing, accurate arguments.
While your main goal is to support your thesis, it’s also important to refute arguments against your thesis. Take a step back from your project once in awhile. Ask yourself, “How could this argument be wrong? Are there other factors that I haven’t considered? Am I looking at this topic from all angles?” Put yourself in the shoes of your reader. Wash away any assumptions that you may have, and see if there are any shortcomings in your argument. If you can poke holes in your own argument, then it’s best to address those counterpoints so that your reader knows both sides of the coin. Offering up an all-encompassing view of the issue at hand ensures that your argument is watertight, no matter the perspective of the reader.
While there’s a time and place for a creative voice, the best voice for an academic paper is that of professional candor. Sure, it’s OK to justify some creative styling in your presentation, but too much flare could be off-putting for readers, and it may rob the thesis of its power. Avoid emotional asides, opinionated statements, and refrain from using “I” unless the topic allows for personal input. You wouldn’t want to say, “I think caffeine increases cell mitosis.” Stating “I think” removes factuality from the sentence. Your reader may think, “That statement is just an opinion; it’s unfounded.” In addition, you wouldn’t want to say “It’s odd that caffeine increases cell mitosis.” Stating “it’s odd” is too personal and unnecessary. Simply stick to the facts. Stay professional: “Caffeine increases cell mitosis.” Maintaining a professional voice will establish the composition as unbiased.
If you aim to construct and support a thesis while persuading your audience, it’s crucial that you compile resource, cite your sources, and modify your thesis to fit your findings. In addition, your argument will be more effective if you show all sides of the argument, and your audience will find your writing more persuasive if you establish a professional voice.
Unsure if your thesis is strong? Or perhaps you struggle to use a professional voice? Count on Panther Academic Editing. We provide editing services for students and professionals alike.
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