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Harvard College Writing Center 8 Thesis Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is
The Structure of an Academic Paper. Academic papers are like hourglasses. The paper opens at its widest point; the introduction makes broad connections to the reader's interests, hoping they will be persuaded to follow along, then gradually narrows to a tight, focused, thesis statement.
A Brief Guide to the Elements of the Academic Essay. by Gordon Harvey. nts of the Academic Essay” provide a possible vocabulary for commenting on student writing. Instructors in Harvard College Writing Program tend to use some version of this vocabulary when talking about and commenting on student writing, .
The introduction to an academic essay will generally present an analytical question or problem and then offer an answer to that question (the thesis). Your introduction is also your opportunity to explain to your readers what your essay is about and why they should be interested in reading it.
practicing a key academic skill or kind of work? • To what audience should I imagine myself writing? • What is the main task or tasks, in a nutshell? What does that key word (e.g. analyze, significance of, critique, explore, interesting, support) really mean in this context or this field? • What will be most challenging in this and what ...
Undergraduates at Harvard College can visit the Writing Center for help with any writing assignment, fellowship application, or graduate school admissions essay. Writing Resources. Guides for writing essays and papers. Meet the Staff. Writing Center staff listing.
Brief Guide to Designing Essay Assignments. A PDF version of the text above. Provides guidance on creating carefully crafted and explicit paper assignments that encourage students to write better papers. DOWNLOAD PDF