Thesis Preparation in APA style CWE Writing Center, 2016 Prof. Sweeting-DeCaro, WC Director Information adapted from OWL Perdue, Walden University, D. Hacker and APA Publication

What is a Thesis? Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central message. The argument/s you make in your essay should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement.   CWE Writing Center, 2016

Your research essay should have Thesis Preparation Your research essay should have four distinct parts: Introduction Thesis Body Conclusion CWE Writing Center, 2016

Thesis Preparation Introduction In general, all papers should begin with an introduction that includes a thesis statement. The purpose of the introduction is the same as any research paper: in one to two paragraphs, briefly introduce and state the issue to be examined.   CWE Writing Center, 2016

Take a look at your paper, do you have an introduction? Thesis Preparation Introduction The introduction always states what you are trying to prove or disprove in your essay. Take a look at your paper, do you have an introduction?   CWE Writing Center, 2016

Thesis Preparation Thesis The thesis statement is the sentence that states the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control the ideas within the paper. It is not just a topic. The thesis often reflects an opinion or judgment that a writer has made about a reading.   CWE Writing Center, 2016

Thesis Length The thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing to keep your argument focused.    CWE Writing Center, 2016

Where is your thesis statement? Thesis Structure/Sentence Where is your thesis statement? You should provide a thesis early in your essay--in the introduction, or in longer essays in the second paragraph in order to establish your position and give your reader a sense of direction. Tip: In order to write a successful thesis statement: Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper. Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words. Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, “The point of my paper is…” or the popular one: “This paper will…”   CWE Writing Center, 2016

Thesis Structure/Sentence Anthropomorphism Anthropomorphism is “an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics” (Walden University, 2003), and it is one of the most common attribution errors found in student writing. In its publication manual, the American Psychological Association (APA; 2012, section 3.09) indicated that anthropomorphisms are inappropriate in scholarly writing because they, like other attribution errors, tend to mislead the reader.   CWE Writing Center, 2016

Thesis Structure/Sentence Anthropomorphism Below is an example of anthropomorphism commonly found in student writing: Incorrect: The research found that history professors were satisfied with their jobs. Correct: The researchers found that history professors were satisfied with their jobs. Issue: Research is incapable of finding anything as it is simply the investigation itself; the researchers draw the conclusions based on the research, so only they can find anything.   CWE Writing Center, 2016

CWE Writing Center, 2016

References   American Psychological Association. (2012). Publication manual of the American psychological association. Washington: American Psychological Association. Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2011). A pocket style manual. Macmillan. Thesis Generator (n.d.) https://awc.ashford.edu/writing-tools-thesis- generator.html CWE Writing Center, 2016