thesis
long research paper for a degree
A long, formal paper that a student writes to finish a university degree, especially a master's or PhD.
to write a thesis on [topic]
- She spent three years collecting data for her doctoral thesis.
- His master's thesis examines climate change policy in small island nations.
- I have to defend my thesis in front of the committee next month.
- The department awarded a prize for the best undergraduate honors thesis.
- Her thesis was later revised and published as a book.
- I am writing my thesis about social media.
- He finished his master's thesis last year.
- She will defend her thesis in June.
- My advisor helped me choose a topic for my thesis.
- This library has many old PhD theses.
main argument of a text
The main idea or claim that a writer or speaker wants to explain and prove, usually in one clear sentence.
the thesis of [a book / an essay] is that [clause]
- The book’s central thesis is that technology is never truly neutral.
- In the introduction, she clearly states her thesis and outlines how she will support it.
- Your thesis is interesting, but you need stronger evidence to support it.
- His thesis that happiness cannot be measured has been widely debated.
- All the paragraphs in your essay should connect back to your thesis.
- The thesis of my essay is that homework should be shorter.
- Please write a clear thesis at the end of your first paragraph.
- Every example in the body must support your thesis.
- Her thesis is that exercise helps people think better.
- I do not understand the thesis of this article.
proposition put forward and defended
An idea or claim that a person says is true and then tries to support with reasons and facts.
to advance a thesis that [clause]
- He advances the bold thesis that democracy cannot survive without a strong middle class.
- Many economists now reject the thesis that markets are always efficient.
- Her thesis that language shapes thought has influenced several fields.
- The book’s controversial thesis has sparked intense public debate.
- Critics accused him of failing to provide evidence for his main thesis.
- The writer’s thesis is that money does not bring real happiness.
- Some people accept his thesis, but others do not.
- She tries to defend her thesis with many examples.
- Scientists tested the thesis with a long experiment.
- I do not agree with his thesis about social media.
unstressed part of a metrical foot
In the study of old poetry and music, the weaker or less strong part of a rhythm unit, compared with the stronger part.
- In this metrical system, the thesis follows the arsis within each foot.
- The scholar explains that the thesis is realized as a lighter, less prominent beat.
- Classical theorists disagreed about whether the thesis should be considered stressed or unstressed.
- The pattern of arsis and thesis creates the basic rhythm of the verse.
- In this old poem, each foot has an arsis and a thesis.
- The thesis is the weaker beat in the rhythm.
- Students of classical poetry learn the terms arsis and thesis.
- Some books define thesis and arsis in different ways.
- Base: thesis
- Plural: theses
honors thesis
1research thesis for honors program
A special research paper, usually longer and harder, that a student writes to finish an honors program.
- He is completing an honors thesis in biology.
- Her honors thesis compares two major American poets.
- Students must have a high GPA to write an honors thesis.
master's thesis
1research paper for master’s degree
A long, formal research paper that a student writes to complete a master’s degree at a university.
- She is writing her master’s thesis on renewable energy policy.
- He moved to Berlin to work on his master’s thesis.
- Her master’s thesis was later published in an academic journal.
PhD thesis
1doctoral thesis for a PhD
A long research thesis that a student writes to get a PhD degree.
- He is almost finished with his PhD thesis on artificial intelligence.
- Her PhD thesis was about language learning in children.
- They met while working late in the library on their PhD theses.
senior thesis
1final-year undergraduate research paper
A long research paper that some students write in their last year of a bachelor’s degree.
- She wrote her senior thesis on migration and identity.
- At this college, a senior thesis is required for honors students.
- He presented his senior thesis to a panel of professors.
thesis advisor
1professor supervising a thesis
A teacher at the university who guides and helps a student while they write their thesis.
- My thesis advisor suggested that I narrow my topic.
- She meets with her thesis advisor every two weeks.
- He changed his thesis advisor after the first year of his project.
thesis committee
1group of professors evaluating thesis
A small group of professors who read a student’s thesis and decide if it is good enough to pass.
- Her thesis committee asked very difficult questions.
- He is still choosing members for his thesis committee.
- The thesis committee approved the final version of the document.
thesis defense
1oral exam to defend thesis
A formal meeting where a student explains their thesis and answers questions from professors.
- Her thesis defense is scheduled for next Friday.
- He practiced his presentation many times before the thesis defense.
- The committee passed her at the end of the thesis defense.
thesis statement
1sentence stating main argument
A clear sentence, usually in the introduction, that tells the reader the main idea and argument of an essay or speech.
- Your thesis statement should appear at the end of your first paragraph.
- A strong thesis statement helps the reader understand what your essay will argue.
- The teacher asked the class to underline the thesis statement in the article.
doctoral thesis
1written thesis for a doctorate
A long piece of writing that shows a student’s research and ideas, written to complete a doctoral degree.
- His doctoral thesis focuses on machine learning in medicine.
- She defended her doctoral thesis in front of a committee of professors.
- She spent five years collecting data for her doctoral thesis.
- His doctoral thesis explores new methods in data security.
- The university archives keep a copy of every doctoral thesis.