what is a thesis

A thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the authors research and findings. It is a type of research paper based on original research, and it is usually submitted as the final step of a masters program or a capstone to a bachelors degree. A thesis statement, on the other hand, is a sentence or two in the introduction of an academic essay outlining what the reader can expect from the paper. It is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. A thesis statement should show exactly what the paper will be about and help the reader understand the writers point of view. In some contexts, the word thesis or a cognate is used for part of a bachelors or masters course, while dissertation is normally applied to a doctorate.