Learn what a thesis statement is, how to generate a thesis statement for an assigned topic, and how to generate a thesis statement if a topic has not been assigned.

This page defines the thesis statement and tells how to develop one when the topic is assigned and when the topic is not assigned. Also gives guidelines for determining whether the thesis statement is strong or weak.

How do you write a winning statement of purpose? This is a clear and comprehensive explanation of how to approach and write an essay from the San Jose State University. Practice exercises are given at the end.

This lesson focuses on identifying thesis statements including explicit and implicit thesis statements, "How to Identify the Thesis Statement" (video), topic sentences, paragraph parts graphic, and a self-check activity.

Explains the thesis statement and distinguishes it from the purpose statement. Gives an example of a paragraph containing both. Be sure try the link at the bottom of the page, "Developing a Thesis Statement." This page goes into further...

Answers questions about what a thesis is, why you might write one, how to write it, and the content that should be included!

Brief explanation of the thesis statement, followed by examples of faulty and improved thesis statements.

The first part of this page lists five characteristics of a thesis statement and gives examples of a poor and an effective statement for each characteristic. The second part of the handout dispels common myths about the thesis statement.

This article by Vaughnlea Leonard focuses on writing a research paper for an accounting class. The main differences from other research papers is choosing an appropriate topic and selecting sources written by accounting experts.

This structural design will guide students in writing a career research paper from start to finish. They will gather information; cite sources MLA style; develop a thesis statement, outline, and paragraphs; and create a research paper...

This 35-minute interactive tutorial models the research process via the story of Quentin, a UMUC student. It takes him through the various research process steps: understand how to locate background information on his topic by showing...

A comprehensive list of the important steps in researching and writing a report or project. Includes links to tip sheets for each step.

This lesson focuses on prewriting including the purpose and characteristics of prewriting, prewriting strategies, the rhetorical context, and developing a working thesis statement. It also includes a slide show about author, audience,...

Discussion focuses on understanding the three academic language objectives that make an effective argument: understand the concept of a thesis statement, the significance of writing an argument with an audience in mind, and the...

An excellent tip sheet on how to write and create the bulk of a research paper: the body includes in-depth information, examples, as well as links to earlier steps in the process such as thesis statements, notecards, outline,...

A tip sheet on how to write and develop an introduction to a research paper.

Resource defines what an essay is, the parts of an essay and their functions, and also discusses the editing process and how important it is to check a draft for completeness and high quality. Includes a link to an online guide to citing...

This lesson focuses on how to write a summary including strategies for annotation, paraphrasing the thesis statement, distinguishing major ideas from minor ones, and picking appropriate quotes. It also provides videos including "How to...