The format
standard for a thesis paper is as follows.
Papers that violate even one of these rules are substandard.
Substandard
papers will be rejected.
(Please note that your thesis paper will be graded entirely on
the logical strength of the reasoning displayed. A
high-quality paper is one that displays good logic. A paper that
doesn't display good logic is a poor-quality paper.)
A "thesis" paper is an essay in which a writer states, explains, and gives a supporting argument for a thesis, and then defends that thesis, or their argument, against at least one opposing argument. It consists of the following paragraphs or sections:
A thesis paragraph says what your thesis is, and then adds any necessary supporting details, examples or background. It does not include anything that "leads up" to the thesis. It does not include any general or historical statements that are not strictly necessary for the reader to make sense of the thesis. It is not an "introduction" in the sense that English Composition teachers use that term.
A support paragraph (or section) explains the main argument or arguments that persuaded you that your thesis is correct. (If you don't have these arguments ready before you start writing, you did it wrong.)
A defense paragraph defends your thesis and argument against opposing arguments and criticisms. A defense paragraph has two parts:
Part One: Statement of opposing argument or criticism. In this part of a defense paragraph, you fully and fairly describe either an argument against your thesis, or a criticism of the argument you gave in your support paragraph (which, of course, you fully considered as part of your prewriting process), so that your readers have a clear, complete, and correct idea of one way in which your thesis might be attacked or undermined. (If you couldn't have done this before you started writing, you did it wrong.)
Part Two: Critique of
that opposing argument or criticism. This will critique the opposing argument or criticism given
in part one. (If you ignore the main point of that argument, you're doing it wrong.) Here
is where you explain why you found that argument against your
thesis, or that criticism of your argument, unpersuasive. (If you
couldn't have done this before
you started writing, you
did it wrong.)
(Please note that a defense "paragraph" doesn't have to
be one long paragraph. You can give each part its own paragraph is
that works better for you.)
Remember, the second part of the defense paragraph addresses the points and discusses
the criticisms given in the first part. If you
change the subject and start repeating stuff you said in the
support paragraph YOU ARE
DOING IT WRONG!
You may include as many additional defense paragraphs as you
think necessary.
This optional section is absolutely not an excuse to
sneak in a dreary time-wasting conclusion. (Any paper that
includes a English Composition-style "conclusion" will be kicked
back with zero points so that the writer may delete all repetitive
faff to actually earn credit). This optional last section is
where you may add on any even vaguely relevant ideas that
you didn't already discuss. (Any student who writes a
conclusion and then heads it up with something "Further Remarks"
or "Additional Ideas Not Previously Mentioned" will not only have
their paper zeroed out, but will also get their paper back with a
very nasty note appended to their conclusion.)
On the other hand, if you genuinely had an additional
idea that you didn't know what to do with in your paper, bringing
up a whole new idea that seriously occurred to you while you were
doing your prewriting, but which you have not previously
discussed in your paper is perfectly okay.
Any questions, please send me a Canvas "InBox" message, or text
714 331 9531.
Copyright © 2025 by Martin C. Young
