thesis vs summary

How to Write a Thesis Summary

Your thesis summary is the distilled essence of your thesis: a tool to underline the strengths of your research and make yourself recognizable as a competent scholar.

The importance of writing a good thesis summary is often underestimated and it is not too difficult to understand why. Even in the cases where a student has seriously engaged in writing his thesis, the summary is usually the last thing that gets done. The typical scenario is therefore the following: the bulk of the work has finally been done, the deadline to submit the thesis is imminent. Time is running out and, consequently, when it comes to set the summary down, this is written in a very hasty way… I am pretty sure that you can relate to this situation and – trust me – you are not the only one. Yet, this is a pity! Your thesis summary deserves to be written with a certain care for several good reasons. An effective summary is the best way to impress your readers. It will be the first thing to be read and – as hard as it is to admit – the first impression is what really counts. You should therefore think of the summary as a distilled and concentrated essence of your thesis: a tool to underline the strengths of your research and make yourself recognizable as a competent scholar.

Especially if your thesis is written in another language, setting down an accurate, compelling summary in English can be the first step to internationally disseminate your work. In this regard, keep also in mind that an English summary of your thesis may be required for a job application or a PhD-position. Having said that, how to proceed? Here you are some useful steps to write an effective summary.

Elaborate a thesis statement

The thesis statement . is the most important part. This is a sentence usually placed at the beginning of the summary and it is aimed at clarifying the main research questions of your work. The thesis statement must be clear and concise. MA theses, but also PhD dissertations, usually concern very narrow topics. So, avoid being vague and explain the central idea of your research as specific as possible. Let’s do some practical examples. A sentence like:

“the aim of the present study is to show how English skills can be improved in several ways” is certainly too vague.

Instead, a statement like:

“the aim of the present research is to show how the use of Ludwig can improve English writing skills, by providing reliable texts to get inspiration”

defines a narrower field of research. In addition, as the last example demonstrates, a good thesis statement can be enforced with further arguments.

For example, one could state that:

taking inspiration from a database of 300 million English sentences can indeed help a student to perfect their phrasing, by seeing words in the context of real sentences. A mere automatic correction tool, instead, carries the risk of worsening the student performance, for example by favouring the memorization of wrong phrases and expressions.

Explain the structure of the thesis

Each thesis is usually divided into diverse chapters, such as an introduction, a section dedicated to explaining the terminology, a chapter for the methodology, the discussion of the data, the results of the research etc. A good summary must give a clear idea of how you have organized your research step by step. So be very clear and use sentences like “in the first chapter of my thesis I treated”, “while in the second…”, “the analysis of the data has shown that” etc. And, of course, do not hesitate to use Ludwig if you need examples to take inspiration from. Keep in mind, you may have made the discovery of the century… but if you are not able to explain how you achieved such a result, you will be considered a charlatan.

How to write a thesis summary: a practical example

In this regard, it is good practice to read a number of thesis summaries and to analyse how they are written. Nowadays all the most prestigious universities offer free access to their online repositories, where one can find great inspirational models. See, for example, this website by Cambridge University. Now, let's analyse the structure of one of them:

The Italian giallo film was a type of thriller that was produced in huge numbers between the early 1960s and the late 1980s. This thesis contributes to recent scholarly attempts to situate the giallo within its socio-cultural historical context but resists the critical tendency to read these films as passive and transparent reflections of social attitudes in post-war Italy. Rather, I attend concretely to the form of these films and, specifically, to their critically neglected sound designs . I argue that the giallo’s voice tracks were conditioned by the commercial imperatives of Italy’s post-war popular film industry and that these commercial imperatives were in turn shaped by wider social, economic and political phenomena. By theorising the voice as a mediator between the giallo text and its industrial and social contexts, I show that these films both registered and reified social change. Chapter 1 demonstrates that the anonymous narrator of Mario Bava’s The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) adopts a range of sonorous modes throughout the film. Each of these sonorous modes invokes a specific set of intertexts which are vital to tracing both the giallo’s cultural origins and the increasingly globalised socio- cultural landscape from which it emerged. This chapter then shows that Dario Argento’s The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970) uses the model of the cinematic voice-over to explore the subjective experience of urban space in post-war Italy. The film suggests that by 1970 the ability to vocally ‘narrate’ and thus control space had become a fundamental assumption of the modern, cosmopolitan subject. Chapter 2 analyses Lucio Fulci’s Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972) and Sergio Martino’s Torso (1973). Both films draw on longstanding Italian cultural stereotypes to pitch the silence of the rural against the vocality of the urban. The films use silence and the voice as ‘cartographic’ tools to delineate the profound socio-economic divisions between Italy’s rural South and its more urban North, but they also illustrate the giallo’s underlying affinities with its silent cinema ancestors and so challenge the assumed temporal borders between cinematic eras. Chapter 3 argues that Argento’s Tenebrae (1982) and Fulci’s The New York Ripper (1982) variously mimic the vocal aesthetics of television. These films lay bare both the increasing dominance of the Italian cultural landscape by imported commercial television in the 1980s and the neoliberal economic project that underpinned that trend. Ultimately, they question the stability of the nation itself, precisely because the voice — now fractured across a global mediascape — is unable to signal national specificity.

The sentences in bold highlight how the author carefully organized the structure of the text. He started with a well elaborate thesis statement. As you can see, the object of the research is well defined and narrow: the study focuses on Italian thrillers , produced during a specific historical period between the early 1960s and the late 1980s. Moreover, the investigation depeens a specific aspect: the use of sounds in this movie genre. Then, the scholar explains in detail how he organized his work step by step, by summarizing the content of each chapter.

Ultimately, we can say that to write a theis summary is a less daunting task than one might imagine at first sight!

Keep in mind why and for whom you are writing

There is a huge difference between writing a summary for the theses database of your university and to write a summary for a more ambitious purpose. As mentioned above, a summary of your thesis may be required for a job application or to get a PhD position. So, if you are facing this kind of situation, you must “use” your summary in a smart way. Are there any points of contact between your thesis and the position you hope to get? If yes which ones? Is it the topic? Or, perhaps, in order to undertake your research, you have used a tool/method/program that could be pertinent with this position? So, tailor your summary in order to highlight what you need to stand out from the crowd and… good luck!

Others from Academic English

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The Fall of the Five-Paragraph Essay

Should I publish it in English? About the role of English in the scientific community

How to write the perfect abstract: do not displease your reviewers and get published

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Connect with an expert today, thesis summary: an in-depth guide to academic writing.

A thesis summary is a highly condensed version of the longer paper. It highlights the main points that have been covered in the paper while concisely describing the content of the thesis. In most cases, the summary of a thesis and the abstract serve the same purpose.

A thesis summary is a succinct and abridged rendition of the lengthier text. It succinctly summarizes the key aspects discussed in the paper and provides a brief overview of the thesis's substance. Typically, the summary of a thesis and the abstract have a similar function. They offer a comprehensive summary of the key aspects of a thesis. Therefore, the summary allows the reader to promptly grasp the primary content of your thesis. This allows them to ascertain their level of interest in your work.

A thesis summary often includes a concise overview of the main points and findings of a thesis.

When requested to provide a summary, you are merely expected to compress the content to its key points. A comprehensive summary of thesis research should encompass only the crucial components. The summary should encapsulate the central concept of the work, as well as the subordinate arguments that may be intertwined with less significant information.

Several learners often mistake a thesis statement summary for an analysis. An analysis is a comprehensive examination and exploration of the methods, concepts, and significance present within the text. However, it is important to note that a summary does not involve providing a response or evaluating the concepts presented in the text. When assessing a paper, you need to summarize its content in order to identify the topics that you will be examining. An analysis cannot be replaced by a summary.

A Ph.D. or master thesis summary should encompass the following elements: A title that closely resembles the one used for your thesis The primary objective of your thesis The primary subject of your thesis The research methodologies employed to collect the data The divisions within your thesis Recommendations, findings, and deductions

In essence, a summary should succinctly convey the author's main points in a clear and organized manner. Hence, meticulously analyse the thesis to ascertain the primary and secondary elements or arguments, and succinctly describe them in a structured fashion.

In order to effectively portray the main argument of the author, it is important to offer a brief summary of the thesis that incorporates both the initial and concluding points made by the author. Therefore, it is imperative that you thoroughly comprehend and rephrase the thesis in a more succinct and abbreviated manner.

Guide to Crafting an Executive Summary for a Thesis

It is possible that you have composed a concise thesis that does not exceed ten pages in length. To write a summary thesis, follow these steps:

• Provide a concise summary of each paragraph using a single sentence.
• Provide a concise summary of the entire content in one sentence.
• The text can be summarized in a single paragraph. This paragraph begins with a concise sentence that captures the main idea of the text. Following this, a series of summary sentences provide an overview of the key points discussed in the book.
• Revise and reorganize your paragraph to ensure it is succinct and unambiguous.
• Remove inconsequential and redundant details while incorporating smooth transitions.
• Ensure that the ultimate summary is comprehensive, logical, and cohesive.

Guide to Composing Summaries of Ph.D. Dissertations and Lengthy Texts

Summarizing a lengthy work such as a Ph.D. thesis necessitates a significant amount of time. The reason for this is that one must engage in reading and comprehending the document before to summarizing it. Below are the steps to construct a concise and comprehensive thesis statement for lengthier academic papers.

• Analyse the thesis by dividing it into distinct primary segments. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to categorize the paragraphs that centre around a common subject and thereafter enumerate the corroborating arguments for each part.
• Compose a concise summary for each part, consisting of one or two sentences.
• Compose a concise summary that encapsulates the entirety of the content. Examine the thesis to locate the topic sentence that will provide guidance.
• Compose a single paragraph or multiple paragraphs to initiate the overarching summary statement. Subsequently, provide sentences that succinctly encapsulate certain areas.
• Reorganize and rephrase the paragraphs to make the writing more succinct and understandable, while removing redundant and less significant points. Additionally, ensure that you incorporate transitions throughout your summary.

The ultimate synopsis should encompass the primary corroborating aspects of each notion. Ensure that the final version is logically connected, integrated, and comprehensive.

When is it necessary to include a Summary of Findings in a thesis?

The summary and conclusion thesis fulfils the function of presenting a comprehensive outline of the article. Consequently, pupils are obligated to compose a summary on numerous occasions. Occasionally, an instructor may require students to compose a brief written response following the completion of a reading assignment. In addition, they may be required to provide a summary of their text as a component of their critique or response following the completion of reading a paper.

As part of their research paper writing process, students may choose to include article summaries in their planning or note-taking. The final papers can incorporate these summaries or their components. When composing a research paper, the author can rely on the summary as a point of reference for source materials. A summary allows a writer to succinctly summarize extensive information in order to elucidate and demonstrate the significance of sources that address a related topic.

The opening of a paper can also serve the purpose of summarizing the important topics that will be presented in the body of the text, providing a clear and succinct overview. The optimal length of a summary should be determined by the intricacy and extent of the work. Furthermore, the intended objective of a summary should dictate its length, whether it be a concise few phrases, a brief paragraph, or even multiple paragraphs. It is possible to encounter a thesis summary sample that closely resembles a complete paper.

Characteristics of an Exemplary Summary Thesis Example

When acquiring the skill of composing a summary and conclusion in a thesis, most pupils rely on samples as their guiding references. However, how can you ascertain that you are utilizing an exemplary thesis summary example? These are the desirable attributes to consider:

• Comprehensiveness : An effective summary should encompass all relevant information. It is necessary to extract and record all significant points from the original paragraph in a concise list. The ideas that should comprise the summary are essential for the advancement of the thesis.
• Conciseness : An optimal summary should not have any redundancies. Avoid duplicating the same ideas, especially if they have already been reiterated in the primary document. The summary should be concise yet offer a succinct synopsis of the paper. Hence, it is advisable to refrain from restating the central argument and the supporting concepts.
• Coherence :  An effective summary exhibits logical consistency. It does not resemble a section that has been extracted from the primary document. Furthermore, it is important that the summarized text does not give the impression of being a compilation of disconnected sentences from the original source.
• Independence : When composing a summary, your task is not to replicate the author's style or content. However, it is anticipated that you will demonstrate your unique style and individuality in the summary. Therefore, it is imperative that you should not simply cite the author of the primary material. Instead, articulate your comprehension of the document using your own language. A summary should be derived from your comprehension and analysis of the primary concepts or arguments presented by the writer. However, a well-crafted summary should avoid distorting or misrepresenting information by include criticisms or opinions.

It is important to emphasize that a strong example of a summary thesis employs a format that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The document includes the objective or aim, findings, and final remarks or suggestions. Furthermore, it incorporates coherent linkages between the provided information without introducing additional data.

To write an exceptional summary, dedicate your efforts to this section subsequent to finalizing your thesis. Ensure that you are directed by the key aspects of your argument. Additionally, utilize a well- crafted executive summary from a thesis sample to provide guidance. The appropriate length of your summary should be determined by its intended function and the overall length of the primary content. After composing the summary, thoroughly review it and remove any mistakes during the process of proofreading and editing . Alternatively, you can request the assistance of our thesis editors to proofread the summary on your behalf.

Access to a wide variety of free tools, research templates, and guidelines can be obtained by visiting our website, which can be found  here . We are always ready to provide you with  comprehensive research guidance  and  project support  in the event that you ever need assistance with writing your research project, review journal, article, or dissertation. At  HAMNIC Solutions , our team of professionals and research experts is always ready to guide you through your research journey.

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Summary: Using it Wisely

What this handout is about.

Knowing how to summarize something you have read, seen, or heard is a valuable skill, one you have probably used in many writing assignments. It is important, though, to recognize when you must go beyond describing, explaining, and restating texts and offer a more complex analysis. This handout will help you distinguish between summary and analysis and avoid inappropriate summary in your academic writing.

Is summary a bad thing?

Not necessarily. But it’s important that your keep your assignment and your audience in mind as you write. If your assignment requires an argument with a thesis statement and supporting evidence—as many academic writing assignments do—then you should limit the amount of summary in your paper. You might use summary to provide background, set the stage, or illustrate supporting evidence, but keep it very brief: a few sentences should do the trick. Most of your paper should focus on your argument. (Our handout on argument will help you construct a good one.)

Writing a summary of what you know about your topic before you start drafting your actual paper can sometimes be helpful. If you are unfamiliar with the material you’re analyzing, you may need to summarize what you’ve read in order to understand your reading and get your thoughts in order. Once you figure out what you know about a subject, it’s easier to decide what you want to argue.

You may also want to try some other pre-writing activities that can help you develop your own analysis. Outlining, freewriting, and mapping make it easier to get your thoughts on the page. (Check out our handout on brainstorming for some suggested techniques.)

Why is it so tempting to stick with summary and skip analysis?

Many writers rely too heavily on summary because it is what they can most easily write. If you’re stalled by a difficult writing prompt, summarizing the plot of The Great Gatsby may be more appealing than staring at the computer for three hours and wondering what to say about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s use of color symbolism. After all, the plot is usually the easiest part of a work to understand. Something similar can happen even when what you are writing about has no plot: if you don’t really understand an author’s argument, it might seem easiest to just repeat what he or she said.

To write a more analytical paper, you may need to review the text or film you are writing about, with a focus on the elements that are relevant to your thesis. If possible, carefully consider your writing assignment before reading, viewing, or listening to the material about which you’ll be writing so that your encounter with the material will be more purposeful. (We offer a handout on reading towards writing .)

How do I know if I’m summarizing?

As you read through your essay, ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I stating something that would be obvious to a reader or viewer?
• Does my essay move through the plot, history, or author’s argument in chronological order, or in the exact same order the author used?
• Am I simply describing what happens, where it happens, or whom it happens to?

A “yes” to any of these questions may be a sign that you are summarizing. If you answer yes to the questions below, though, it is a sign that your paper may have more analysis (which is usually a good thing):

• Am I making an original argument about the text?
• Have I arranged my evidence around my own points, rather than just following the author’s or plot’s order?
• Am I explaining why or how an aspect of the text is significant?

Certain phrases are warning signs of summary. Keep an eye out for these:

• “[This essay] is about…”
• “[This book] is the story of…”
• “[This author] writes about…”
• “[This movie] is set in…”

Here’s an example of an introductory paragraph containing unnecessary summary. Sentences that summarize are in italics:

The Great Gatsby is the story of a mysterious millionaire, Jay Gatsby, who lives alone on an island in New York. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the book, but the narrator is Nick Carraway. Nick is Gatsby’s neighbor, and he chronicles the story of Gatsby and his circle of friends, beginning with his introduction to the strange man and ending with Gatsby’s tragic death. In the story, Nick describes his environment through various colors, including green, white, and grey. Whereas white and grey symbolize false purity and decay respectively, the color green offers a symbol of hope.

Here’s how you might change the paragraph to make it a more effective introduction:

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald provides readers with detailed descriptions of the area surrounding East Egg, New York. In fact, Nick Carraway’s narration describes the setting with as much detail as the characters in the book. Nick’s description of the colors in his environment presents the book’s themes, symbolizing significant aspects of the post-World War I era. Whereas white and grey symbolize the false purity and decay of the 1920s, the color green offers a symbol of hope.

This version of the paragraph mentions the book’s title, author, setting, and narrator so that the reader is reminded of the text. And that sounds a lot like summary—but the paragraph quickly moves on to the writer’s own main topic: the setting and its relationship to the main themes of the book. The paragraph then closes with the writer’s specific thesis about the symbolism of white, grey, and green.

How do I write more analytically?

Analysis requires breaking something—like a story, poem, play, theory, or argument—into parts so you can understand how those parts work together to make the whole. Ideally, you should begin to analyze a work as you read or view it instead of waiting until after you’re done—it may help you to jot down some notes as you read. Your notes can be about major themes or ideas you notice, as well as anything that intrigues, puzzles, excites, or irritates you. Remember, analytic writing goes beyond the obvious to discuss questions of how and why—so ask yourself those questions as you read.

The St. Martin’s Handbook (the bulleted material below is quoted from p. 38 of the fifth edition) encourages readers to take the following steps in order to analyze a text:

• Identify evidence that supports or illustrates the main point or theme as well as anything that seems to contradict it.
• Consider the relationship between the words and the visuals in the work. Are they well integrated, or are they sometimes at odds with one another? What functions do the visuals serve? To capture attention? To provide more detailed information or illustration? To appeal to readers’ emotions?
• Decide whether the sources used are trustworthy.
• Identify the work’s underlying assumptions about the subject, as well as any biases it reveals.

Once you have written a draft, some questions you might want to ask yourself about your writing are “What’s my point?” or “What am I arguing in this paper?” If you can’t answer these questions, then you haven’t gone beyond summarizing. You may also want to think about how much of your writing comes from your own ideas or arguments. If you’re only reporting someone else’s ideas, you probably aren’t offering an analysis.

What strategies can help me avoid excessive summary?

• Read the assignment (the prompt) as soon as you get it. Make sure to reread it before you start writing. Go back to your assignment often while you write. (Check out our handout on reading assignments ).
• Formulate an argument (including a good thesis) and be sure that your final draft is structured around it, including aspects of the plot, story, history, background, etc. only as evidence for your argument. (You can refer to our handout on constructing thesis statements ).
• Read critically—imagine having a dialogue with the work you are discussing. What parts do you agree with? What parts do you disagree with? What questions do you have about the work? Does it remind you of other works you’ve seen?
• Make sure you have clear topic sentences that make arguments in support of your thesis statement. (Read our handout on paragraph development if you want to work on writing strong paragraphs).
• Use two different highlighters to mark your paper. With one color, highlight areas of summary or description. With the other, highlight areas of analysis. For many college papers, it’s a good idea to have lots of analysis and minimal summary/description.
• Ask yourself: What part of the essay would be obvious to a reader/viewer of the work being discussed? What parts (words, sentences, paragraphs) of the essay could be deleted without loss? In most cases, your paper should focus on points that are essential and that will be interesting to people who have already read or seen the work you are writing about.

But I’m writing a review! Don’t I have to summarize?

That depends. If you’re writing a critique of a piece of literature, a film, or a dramatic performance, you don’t necessarily need to give away much of the plot. The point is to let readers decide whether they want to enjoy it for themselves. If you do summarize, keep your summary brief and to the point.

Instead of telling your readers that the play, book, or film was “boring,” “interesting,” or “really good,” tell them specifically what parts of the work you’re talking about. It’s also important that you go beyond adjectives and explain how the work achieved its effect (how was it interesting?) and why you think the author/director wanted the audience to react a certain way. (We have a special handout on writing reviews that offers more tips.)

If you’re writing a review of an academic book or article, it may be important for you to summarize the main ideas and give an overview of the organization so your readers can decide whether it is relevant to their specific research interests.

If you are unsure how much (if any) summary a particular assignment requires, ask your instructor for guidance.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Barnet, Sylvan. 2015. A Short Guide to Writing about Art , 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Corrigan, Timothy. 2014. A Short Guide to Writing About Film , 9th ed. New York: Pearson.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Zinsser, William. 2001. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction , 6th ed. New York: Quill.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Conclusion vs. Summary

What's the difference.

Conclusion and summary are two different elements of a written piece, but they serve similar purposes. A conclusion is the final part of an essay or article where the writer wraps up their main points and provides a final thought or opinion. It is a more detailed and comprehensive section that often includes a synthesis of the main arguments presented throughout the text. On the other hand, a summary is a condensed version of the entire piece, highlighting the main ideas and key points without providing any new information or personal opinions. It is a brief overview that allows readers to quickly grasp the main content of the text. While a conclusion offers a more in-depth analysis and reflection, a summary provides a concise overview of the entire piece.

Further Detail

Introduction.

When it comes to writing, two terms that often confuse people are "conclusion" and "summary." While both serve the purpose of wrapping up a piece of writing, they have distinct attributes and play different roles. In this article, we will explore the differences and similarities between conclusions and summaries, shedding light on their unique characteristics and how they contribute to the overall structure and impact of a written work.

Definition and Purpose

A conclusion is the final part of a written work, be it an essay, research paper, or any other form of academic or non-academic writing. It aims to provide closure to the reader by summarizing the main points, restating the thesis or main argument, and offering a final thought or reflection. In essence, a conclusion is the author's last opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader and reinforce the key ideas presented throughout the text.

On the other hand, a summary is a condensed version of a larger piece of writing. It focuses on the main ideas, key arguments, and supporting evidence presented in the original work. The purpose of a summary is to provide a concise overview of the text, allowing readers to grasp the main points without having to read the entire piece. Summaries are commonly used in academic settings, such as when reviewing research articles or summarizing chapters of a textbook.

Content and Structure

When it comes to content, a conclusion typically includes a brief summary of the main points discussed in the body of the text. It may also restate the thesis statement or main argument in a slightly different way, emphasizing its significance and relevance. Additionally, a conclusion often offers a final thought or reflection, leaving the reader with something to ponder or consider after finishing the piece.

On the other hand, a summary focuses solely on the main ideas and key points of the original work. It does not include personal reflections or new information. Instead, a summary aims to provide an objective overview of the text, allowing readers to quickly grasp the main concepts without delving into the details.

In terms of structure, a conclusion is typically longer than a summary. It may span several paragraphs, depending on the length and complexity of the original work. A conclusion often begins with a transition phrase or signal word, such as "In conclusion" or "To sum up," to indicate that the writer is wrapping up the discussion. It then proceeds to summarize the main points and restate the thesis before offering a final thought or closing statement.

On the other hand, a summary is much shorter and more concise. It aims to capture the essence of the original work in a few sentences or paragraphs. A summary does not require a formal introduction or conclusion but should still provide a clear and coherent overview of the text.

Usage and Application

Conclusions are commonly used in various forms of writing, including essays, research papers, reports, and even speeches. They serve as a way to tie together the main ideas and arguments presented throughout the text, leaving the reader with a sense of closure and understanding. A well-crafted conclusion can leave a lasting impact on the reader, reinforcing the main message and providing a sense of satisfaction.

Summaries, on the other hand, are particularly useful when dealing with lengthy or complex texts. They allow readers to quickly grasp the main points and decide whether they want to delve deeper into the full work. Summaries are commonly used in academic settings, such as when writing literature reviews, abstracts, or executive summaries. They also find application in journalism, where journalists often provide a summary of an event or news story in the opening paragraphs.

Conclusion vs. Summary: Key Differences

While conclusions and summaries share the common goal of wrapping up a piece of writing, they differ in several key aspects:

• A conclusion is the final part of a written work, while a summary is a condensed version of the original text.
• A conclusion includes a brief summary of the main points, restates the thesis, and offers a final thought, while a summary focuses solely on the main ideas and key points.
• A conclusion is typically longer and may span several paragraphs, while a summary is shorter and more concise.
• Conclusions are commonly used in various forms of writing, while summaries are particularly useful for condensing lengthy or complex texts.

In conclusion, while conclusions and summaries serve different purposes and have distinct attributes, they both play crucial roles in the overall structure and impact of a written work. A conclusion provides closure to the reader, summarizing the main points and leaving a lasting impression, while a summary offers a condensed overview of the text, allowing readers to quickly grasp the main ideas. Understanding the differences between these two elements is essential for effective writing and communication, enabling writers to craft compelling conclusions and concise summaries that enhance the reader's understanding and engagement.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

summary vs analysis

In academic writing, writers are often expected to use a combination of summary and analysis in their papers. However, the two processes are often confused especially by beginning writers. This handout aims to help you better identify the differences between summary and analysis.

• The purpose of a summary is to reduce information already known down to its essential parts.
• The information stated usually consists of the main points and key supporting points.
• Summaries can use direct quotes or paraphrasing to convey the main or key points. However, more often, a paraphrase is used.
• Summaries do not evaluate, judge, or interpret the information. They present the facts as the original writer or speaker intended.
• When writing a summary, writers should avoid adding their personal reactions, biases, opinions, and beliefs.
• Summaries are typically substantially shorter than their source texts, as they contain only the key points presented in an abbreviated form.
• The purpose of an analysis is to interpret or find meanings or patterns in information.
• Analyzing statements will take a step beyond summary and describe the writer’s personal findings and interpretations of the source material.
• An analysis usually is presented after a statement of evidence, which can have direct quotes or summary. After the evidence is presented, the analysis of that evidence should not summarize or describe the information. Rather, an analysis will uncover something new about the evidence.
• Analysis can provide readers a more thorough understanding of the facts presented, but writers should avoid adding their personal reactions, biases, opinions, and beliefs.
• Although an analysis may be influenced by personal beliefs, an analysis tends to be based more in facts and patterns than thoughts and emotions.

Below, we have provided an example of a summary paragraph and an analysis paragraph to help you identify the differences between them.

Prompt : You will choose a short film, and determine what the short film is communicating to its audience through the marriage of narrative and technique. Your job is to construct an analysis around a thesis statement arguing what the message is that is being communicated within this short piece. This message isn’t the plot; rather, you need to find out what the main theme of the story is, and then tell us how the short film conveys that through the use of various techniques.

Summary Paragraph Example

In “Mr. Foley,” a short film directed by D.A.D.D.Y., the sound effects are the star. In film production, a Foley artist is the person who generates sound effects artificially to play over footage. This important job is exaggerated into absurdity in this short film, where a man named Mr. Foley wakes up in a hospital and suddenly all the sounds he makes and hears is produced by a team sitting in his room. The first thing we hear as an audience is white noise, almost like a record player’s static. Next, as Mr. Foley’s bandages are removed we hear music start to swell. We also catch glimpses of hands manipulating cloth and ripping tape off a surface as well. Sounds are exaggerated to the extreme: as the nurse clicks her pen one of the men across the room clicks a giant pen.

• The preceding papragraph is a great example of a summary. It merely describes what is happening in this short film, without analyzing any meaning or providing any argument about the different sounds and shots it mentions.
• However, this would not be appropriate for the prompt given above. It clearly asks for an analysis of the short film’s use of technique, so some revision of the paragraph above is needed to make it appropriate for the assignment. Below is a paragraph with more analysis added.

Analysis Paragraph Example

In “Mr. Foley,” a short film directed by D.A.D.D.Y., the sound effects are the star. In film production, a Foley artist is the person who generates sound effects artificially to play over footage. This important job is exaggerated into absurdity in this short film, where a man named Mr. Foley wakes up in a hospital and suddenly all the sounds he makes and hears is produced by a team sitting in his room.  Through the exaggeration of sound effects, “Mr. Foley” emphasizes the artificiality of sound production in Hollywood, and questions its efficacy and representation of reality.  For example, the very first sound we hear as an audience is white noise, almost like a record player’s static.  This ambient sound represents blank, neutral noise in absence of other sounds, but is quite obviously artificial. Thus, the message of the film begins to take shape within even the first few seconds of the story.  As Mr. Foley’s bandages begin to be removed, music swells and the camera cuts to close up shots of hands manipulating cloth and ripping tape off of a surface.  When the camera cuts back to Mr. Foley’s face (with surprise spreading across it), we understand that these sounds represent the gauze rubbing against itself and tearing away from his skin.  In the next shots, we see both occurring in the same frame as the nurse clicks her pen and one of the men making the sounds clicks a giant pen to create an extreme exaggerated version of that sound. However,  by visually pointing out the artificial production of the sounds, the film highlights their fake, false nature, calling into question Hollywood’s overproduction of sounds.

• This version more appropriately responds to the above prompt, because it not only points out and describes details from the short film, but also follows through on them to connect them to the meaning presented in the thesis statement (italicized). The bolded portions indicate the analysis injected into this paragraph.

Summary (abstract)

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What is the abstract for?

Writing a summary or abstract, what parts does your thesis summary contain, summary for your thesis in the present or past tense, check check athenacheck.

Most theses contain a summary, also called an 'abstract'. This briefly describes what your thesis is about, and includes every part of the thesis: the research method, the results, the conclusion, suggestions for follow-up research, etc. All are described very briefly, and to the point! Read here what to look out for when writing a good abstract.

You can think of the abstract as a brief overview of the most important substantive parts of your thesis. The summary always stands on its own: it should tell the whole story and should be understandable to people who do not read your entire thesis. 

A summary of your thesis usually aims to...

...make the reader curious. After reading the summary, readers will know if it is of interest to them to read the whole thesis. 

...briefly describe the content of your thesis . This way, people who do not read the full thesis will still get an idea of your research and results. 

The abstract comes usually after the title page and any preface , and before the table of contents. Often, the summary of your thesis is at most one A4. Some studies use a smaller word count, e.g. around 200-300 words. 

A common mistake when writing the abstract is that people copy and paste text from the thesis itself. This is not the purpose of an abstract. Instead, paraphrase the content of your thesis in fewer words.

These are several important points to consider when writing an abstract or summary:

Write out abbreviations when you use them for the first time in your summary. This applies to abbreviations that you repeat more often in the text. Note that you should reintroduce abbreviations in the thesis itself by fully writing them out once first, even if you have already done so in the abstract. After all, the summary is separate from your thesis. For example, it might look like this: 'The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (NIPHE) conducted research on...'. 

Discuss all parts of your thesis very succinctly. For example, do not devote more than a few sentences to your results. 

Get straight to the point. There is no need to give much theoretical background. The reader can gain more depth by reading the full thesis. 

Make the summary accessible to people with no prior knowledge. Do not use technical terms if you do not explain them. Furthermore, use academic language .

Usually, you do not cite sources in the abstract because it is a description of your reseayou refer to a source? Then use the correct source citation , according to APA or the Guideline for Legal Authors.

Always write your abstract after you have written the full thesis . This makes it easier to highlight all the completed thesis components in your summary.

In your summary, include at least the following:

The problem statement and objective;

Your research question (just the main question, not the sub-questions);

A brief description of your research methodolog y;

A summary of the main results (only those relevant to answering your main question);

The conclusion (the answer to your main question);

Any shortcomings of your research;

Suggestions for follow-up research and possible recommendations .

For some studies, it is mandatory to include keynotes below the abstract. Check with your supervisor what guidelines you should follow.

A question we often get from students is: do you write the summary for your thesis in the present or past tense? In practice, you use two verb tenses in your thesis summary: present tense and present perfect tense . 

You use the present tense for, among other things, naming the research question or describing the current situation. You also use the present perfect tense when describing the results or the research method. 

See also these example sentences:

Present tense: The purpose of this study is to establish why meat substitutes are less popular among persons over 50 than among a younger target group.

Present perfect tense: For this study, a comparison was made between two groups of participants: one group was shown the social media post with an image, and the other group the social media post without an image.

Are you finalizing your thesis by writing the abstract? Many students like to have a final check of their full thesis before submitting it. We are happy to do this for you!  

Let AthenaCheck's expert editors review your thesis, including the summary. We will give you feedback on your use of language as well as the structure and common thread.

MultiDisciplinary

Anterior cruciate ligaments , by alexis jenkins.

Alexis Jenkins definitely is very active from the start. Sports have always been her passion; growing up, you could always catch her outside at the softball field playing with her high school, tournament team, or family. This all was until she had an almost career-ending injury occur not just once but twice. Luckily, she could continue to play two years of college softball, but she always wondered why tearing your ACL, also known as your Anterior Cruciate Ligament, was such a big deal. Now years later, she is a Senior here at Millersville studying Sports Journalism. After graduation, she plans to work her way into the ESPN world to eventually become an ESPN Broadcast Journalist.

• MiM Journal
• Mar 16, 2021

Main Differences Between a Summary and an Abstract

Writing for an abstract may have similar steps to writing for a summary, but they have different objectives and requirements. While an abstract is a short, descriptive paragraph overviewing your entire paper from introduction to the findings or future studies, a summary includes your entire paper and its visuals, just in a shorter length and more concise than it’s original document. This article will discuss the key parts to include in an abstract and a summary.

The abstract should summarize the main points of your paper without specific detail. So it should communicate, if relevant: main question of your paper, methods, major results or findings, the importance of results or findings, and how they shape a theory or answer your question.

-Start with the main point: The beginning statement should describe the main point you are trying to communicate to the reader. Sometimes, this may be the thesis, or it may be the research topic, all depending on what kind of paper you are writing.

-Keep it concise: This is meant to briefly discuss your article, and only talk about the main points between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

-Remember the length: This abstract is meant to be a paragraph; therefore, each piece of information given in the summary should be short, key parts of the article.

-Follow the same order: Make sure your abstract follows the same order that your paper is written in.

-Keep it to the facts: Keep in mind to only use factual statements or observations and avoid using opinions, repetition, and any ‘fluff’ content.

-Create an effective ending: The last sentence should be able to effectively wrap up the findings of the article.

On the other hand, the summary is a much longer version of the abstract, containing more details, visuals, and opinions.

-Follow the same order: Again, this should follow the same order as your paper.

-Keep in mind the length: Remember the length that the publication is asking your article to be at. With publishing for MiMJ , we are asking for a 2-3 page, 1000 word limit. With this, try to be concise and only have information that is key to conveying your message in your paper.

-Facts and opinions allowed: Unlike writing for an abstract, you are not limited to what kind of information you will be giving; you can include any fact, opinion, or finding, as long as it is a key piece of information that still allows your paper to be concise.

-You can use visuals: The use of visuals is welcomed while writing your summary. However, make sure they are necessary to convey your message to the reader due to the fact that summaries need to be concise (do you think I mentioned that your summary needs to be concise enough?). Secondly, make sure each visual that is used is explained well, as summaries are for a general audience.

-Remember the format: You still have to organize your paper in the format that is required by the publication you wish to publish your article with. With publishing with MiMJ , we require your paper to be written in 7th edition APA format.

-Remember your citations: As any paper would include, citations are an important way to credit the sources you used to create your wonderful paper. In addition, make sure your citations abide by the format you are using. This also ties in having a literature cited page as well.

In conclusion, your summary should be a shorter, more concise version of your original paper that still includes all important information and effectively translates the message from your paper. Whereas the abstract should be a short paragraph that presents all key facts and information. In the future, try to refer to this post as a mental checklist after writing any abstract or summary, or even while you are writing!

Furthermore, have you previously used any of these ideas while writing your summary? Are there any other tips that have helped you while writing a summary?

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Guide On How To Write a Thesis Summary In 2023

So, you just found out that you need to write a thesis summary. In most cases, students who encounter this requirement for the first time start to panic. Frankly, not everyone knows what this thesis summary is. And let’s not forget that most students have no clue how to write one. Don’t worry about it too much though.

What is a thesis summary?

Why use a thesis summary, how to write an effective thesis summary in 2023, master thesis summary example.

A thesis summary is a document that summarizes the points of a longer essay, thesis, or dissertation. Readers will often find a summary to be helpful as it offers a succinct overview of the document’s contents. A Thesis Summary should not be confused with an abstract as they both refer to separate documents that serve different purposes.

The steps involved in writing a Thesis Summary depend on what type of thesis you are summarizing. If you’re summarizing a text-based thesis, then your first step should be to read the Thesis and make note of any major key points and conclusions made by the author(s). You then assemble your notes into one coherent paragraph detailing each one of the major key points. Keep in mind that this initial paragraph will serve as an introduction to your Thesis Summary; therefore, it should not contain the thesis’ main points. Once you’ve completed this step, use these Main Points (identified in your thesis) as a guide for writing the body of your document.

If you’re developing a summary thesis that’s math-related, then you’ll first need to take note of the main conclusions. Second, you must determine how these conclusions were reached by noting each step in the proof. Finally, you’ll have to explain why each step is true using logic statements and definitions from the thesis.

These are the two standard ways to write a thesis summary. However, you can also include your insights, opinions, and comments if you choose.

The steps for writing a ‘ Thesis Summary in 2023’ are just about the same as they’ve always been. They’re pretty much set in stone because this is how students have written thesis summaries for decades.

For both types of thesis summaries, you should include a final paragraph that ties everything together with a brief conclusion. This final paragraph should highlight the key points and conclusions made throughout your document as well as offer a brief statement about why these points matter.

Step 1: Read the Text

The very first thing you’ll want to do is read the entire text. When you’re reading, make note of any major key points and conclusions made by the author(s). If you’re summarizing a text-based thesis, then these major points will form the basis for your introduction paragraph. However, don’t include these points in this introduction.

Step 2: Get to Work

After reading the entire document, it’s time to get started! Begin by taking notes on what you’ve learned from the text and organize them into one coherent paragraph. Make sure that this introduction doesn’t contain the thesis’ main points. Next, use these Main Points (identified in your thesis) as a guide for writing the rest of your thesis summary.

Step 3: Proof it Out

If you’re summarizing a math-related thesis, then you’ll first need to take note of the main conclusions and purposes stated within the document. Next, determine how these conclusions were reached by noting each statement or step in the proof. Finally, complete your Thesis Summary by explaining why each step is true using logical statements and definitions from the thesis.

Step 4: Wrap it Up

Once you’ve finished writing the body of your Thesis Summary, include a final paragraph that ties everything together with a brief conclusion. This final paragraph should highlight the key points and conclusions made throughout your document as well as offer a brief statement about why these points matter.

The best reasons to use a thesis summary are that it will both summarize the relevance of the document and add relevance to an argument. If someone is looking for a specific point or conclusion from the original text, then a Thesis Summary provides them with a quick breakdown of what they can find in the document’s introduction.

You should include a thesis summary in your writings when you believe that there may be too many arguments within your writing. It will help you put together the important points from the different arguments into one concise section.

If you’re summarizing a math-related thesis, they will ensure that you proof every step of the proof given in your paper. It will make sure that you do not miss any details.

There are a few key things that you should keep in mind when writing an effective thesis summary.

• When you’re summarizing a math-related paper, make sure to highlight the main conclusions and how they were arrived at.
• Tell the reader why these conclusions matter by explaining each one with logical statements and definitions from the original document.
• Include a brief conclusion paragraph that ties everything together and highlights the key points covered throughout your work.
• If your thesis is text-based, make sure to include important points throughout the body of your work.
• Last but not least, remember that you are writing a summary so don’t use big words or complex sentence structures! Your goal is to be understood by anyone who reads it in the future.

This Thesis Summary sample is based on a text-based document. Please note, as far as the format and structure are concerned, there’s not much difference between a summary of a bachelor thesis example, an example of a Ph.D. thesis summary, and a thesis chapter summary from a Master thesis summary.

The introduction to the original document should be written as such:

“In this thesis, we’d like to introduce a new framework for understanding how we learn and teach math. The topic of learning and teaching should be the focus of mathematics education.”

Then, point out the main points and conclusions made throughout the body of your work:

“One conclusion that we’ve drawn from our research is that children’s conceptions should be taken into account when designing an appropriate math curriculum for them.”

“A second conclusion that we’ve drawn from our research is that children are more likely to develop their ideas about math if they are encouraged to think critically.”

Finally, make a brief statement about why these points matter using logical statements and definitions from the thesis:

“These conclusions highlight how important it is to focus on children’s conceptions when designing curricula because if we don’t take them into account, we miss out on our student’s potential.”

“These conclusions also show that we need to emphasize critical thinking as a means for children to develop their ideas about math.”

Now, you’ve successfully written an effective thesis summary! Keep in mind that your goal is to highlight the main points and conclusions of the original document as well as boast about their significance. To make this process easier for you, we hope that our tips come in handy.

You should now have a good idea about what a thesis summary or dissertation summary is, why you should use them, and how to write one.

A thesis summary is an overview of the main points and conclusions made in a text-based document or simply put, a summary of the research paper. A Thesis Summary should be included when you believe there are too many arguments within your writing, or if you’re summarizing math-related papers for proofing purposes. Key things to keep in mind while writing one include highlighting important concepts that were previously mentioned, explaining why these new ideas matter with logical statements and definitions from the original work, and providing a brief conclusion paragraph that ties everything together. If you want thesis help with any part of this process from reading or understanding complex texts to organizing them into coherent paragraphs let us know! Our team of thesis writers will be happy to help you complete your thesis summary!

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What’s the Difference Between an Abstract, Summary, and Annotation?

With so many different terms related to citations (e.g. MLA format , footnotes, abstract, etc.), it can be difficult to understand how each one could fit into your paper. Let’s take a look at a few of the most commonly confused citation terms, and ways that you can properly use them in your work.

What is an Abstract? When do I use it?

An abstract is a condensed overview of a paper that usually includes the purpose of the paper/research study, the basic design of the study, the major findings, and a brief summary of your interpretations of the conclusions. Abstracts are usually used in social science or scientific papers, and are generally 300 words or less.

What is a Summary? When do I use it?

Like an abstract, a summary is just a condensed write-up on the topic discussed in your paper. However, summaries are more open ended than abstracts, and can contain much more varied information. They can be included in virtually any type of paper, and do not have a specific word count limit. Always check with your instructor for those types of guidelines before handing in your summary and paper.

What is an Annotation? When do I use it?

Annotations, otherwise referred to as annotated bibliographies, are contextual blurbs that are placed underneath the citation that they refer to within the bibliography of a paper. Each annotation is usually about 150 words, and is a descriptive and evaluative paragraph. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of each source cited.

Before including any of these options in your paper, be sure to check with your instructor about their specifications for your assignment. It might also be beneficial to run it through a grammar checker in case there are any errors you may have missed in the abstract, summary, or annotation. —

If you need to create APA citations , learn how to cite a book , or are looking to for a way to review your paper, try BibMe Plus’s plagiarism and grammar checker.

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How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Summary

How to Write an Eighth Grade Book Report

Writing a thesis statement for a summary is important because it sums up the assertions or arguments of the writing. The key to a well-written summary is the thesis statement. The thesis should clearly communicate the theme of the summary. Your ability to develop a concise thesis statement and summary will depend on your ability to read critically. Even if your summary does not ask or address a specific question, your thesis needs to answer a question about the issue you will be exploring in the summary. A quality thesis statement can express either one main idea or assert your conclusions about the subject.

Investigation

To generate a thesis statement, thoroughly investigate your topic. Your thesis statement should be concise with clear ideas and conclusions. For example: "World hunger has many causes and effects" is a weak thesis, but "hunger persists in third world countries since jobs are scarce and farming is rarely profitable because of infertile soil" is a strong thesis example.

Test the strength of your thesis. Keep in mind a strong thesis statement takes a stand on an issue. The thesis should illustrate your conclusions in the summary. A strong thesis in a summary should indicate the point of the discussion and express one main idea. Those reading your summary need to be able to see that there is one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one main idea, your readers may become confused. Keep in mind the thesis statement should act as a road map for the paper and tell the reader what he can expect from the rest of the summary.

Expressing a precise opinion in a goal in the thesis statement. A quality thesis statement is not just an observation or question. It instead should be a specific claim that is supported by your summary. It includes a precise opinion and logical reasoning. Having a precise opinion will help you develop the answer to your question. Your opinion, either through argument or assertion, is vital to the reader’s comprehension of the goal of the summary. However, a thesis statement and opinion statement are not interchangeable. A good thesis statement may be based on your opinion and is not a statement of fact. It instead reads in a way that indicates the author has researched and understands the topic well and can defend the evidence presented.

Lay out the blueprint of your summary. For example, if your thesis statement introduces two theories, the reader will expect reasons to follow that support or refute the theories. The blueprint will help you not only think critically about your thesis statement, but will also act as a guide and introduce each section that will be outlined to support your thesis.

Check for accuracy. Reread your summary and thesis statement to be sure you have adequately represented the author’s key points and ideas. Make sure that you have cited anything that was quoted directly from the text.

Revise your thesis statement if necessary. Once you have read through your summary for accuracy, you may need to revise for style, punctuation and grammar. If time allows, give your summary to someone else to read. See if she can pick out your thesis statement. If she cannot identify your thesis statement within the summary, it may be too weak, and you should revise.

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Kesha Ward has been a professional writer since 2010. With a Bachelor of Science in applied economics, she brings more than a decade of experience in public finance.

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How to write a character analysis essay, how to write a biography essay, apu students get flexible on-campus working hours and other benefits, analysis vs summary.

If you are a student, you have probably been asked to write both an analysis and a summary at least once throughout your educational journey. Those are common tasks in academic writing, but they serve distinct purposes and require different approaches. The key difference is that an analysis involves examining and interpreting the deeper meaning or implications of a subject, while a summary provides a concise overview of its main points or content. In this article, we’ll discuss the definitions, key differences, and specific steps to writing both a summary and an analysis, with a focus on how these skills can enhance your understanding and critical thinking in a writing center context.

Defining Terms: What is a Summary and What is an Analysis

A summary is a concise, neutral account of the main ideas, events, or arguments of a work, whether it’s a book, an article, or a movie. It distills the content down to its essentials, without offering any interpretation or opinion. The goal of a summary is to provide a clear, understandable overview for someone who may not be familiar with the original work.

An analysis , on the other hand, goes beyond simply recounting the content. It involves examining the elements of a work, such as its structure, themes, and characters, and interpreting their significance. Analysis requires critical thinking and the ability to draw conclusions and make connections between different parts of the work. It’s an exploration of the deeper meaning and implications of a piece.

The Key Differences Between Analysis vs Summary

While both summaries and analyses are important writing skills, they serve different purposes and require different approaches. Here are the main differences.

The primary aim of a summary is to condense information, providing a clear and concise overview of a work’s main points. It strips away the details to present the essence of the story or argument in a nutshell. On the other hand, an analysis seeks to interpret and evaluate the work. It goes beyond merely recounting the events or arguments and delves into the significance, effectiveness, and implications of the elements within the work.

In terms of content, summaries focus on the main points or events of a work without delving into the finer details. They provide a straightforward account of what happens or what is argued, without offering commentary or interpretation. Analyses, however, explore the underlying themes, structures, and meanings of a work. They examine how the elements of the work contribute to its overall impact, considering factors like symbolism, character development, and narrative techniques.

The voice used in a summary is neutral and objective. It aims to present the information in an unbiased manner, without the writer’s personal opinions or interpretations influencing the account. In contrast, analyses are more subjective, reflecting the writer’s perspective and critical thinking. An analysis allows the writer to express their views on the effectiveness of the work, the relevance of its themes, and the implications of its arguments.

Finally, the depth of exploration in these two types of writing differs significantly. Summaries are surface-level, providing a broad overview without going into depth about the work’s complexities. They are typically brief and to the point. Analyses, however, go deeper into the nuances of a work. They dissect the components of the work, examining how they interrelate and contribute to the overall meaning or effectiveness. An analysis is more detailed and comprehensive, offering a richer, more insightful exploration of the work.

Here’s a comparison table to help you memorize and visualize the key differences:

Explore the new Summarizer Tool to generate custom summaries!

Need a quick summary? Here!

How to write an analysis.

Writing an analysis requires a structured approach and careful attention to detail. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each step in the process:

Understand the Assignment

Before you start, it’s important to understand what your analysis should focus on. Read the assignment prompt carefully and clarify any doubts with your instructor. Determine whether you need to analyze a specific element of the work, such as the theme, character development, or narrative structure. Knowing the scope of your analysis will help you stay focused and relevant.

Read or View the Work Carefully

Immerse yourself in the work you’re analyzing. Whether it’s a book, a film, or a painting, engage with it attentively and critically. Take notes as you go, highlighting any details, patterns, or moments that stand out to you. These observations will form the basis of your analysis.

Identify Key Elements

After you’ve familiarized yourself with the work, start identifying the key elements that contribute to its overall meaning. Look for recurring themes, significant symbols, pivotal characters, or impactful scenes. Consider how these elements interact and what they reveal about the work’s message or purpose.

Develop a Thesis Statement

Based on your observations, formulate a thesis statement that captures your interpretation of the work. Your thesis should be clear, arguable, and focused. It should provide a roadmap for your analysis, indicating the aspects you’ll explore and the stance you’ll take.

Gather Evidence

To support your thesis, gather evidence from the work. This might include direct quotes, specific examples, or detailed descriptions of scenes. Make sure your evidence is relevant and directly supports the points you’re making in your analysis.

Organize Your Analysis

Structure your analysis logically. Start with an introduction that presents your thesis statement and gives an overview of the work. Then, divide the body of your essay into paragraphs, each focusing on a different aspect of your thesis. Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph’s main idea, and make each paragraph flow smoothly into the next. Conclude your analysis by summarizing your main points and reiterating your thesis, possibly with some final reflections on the work’s overall significance.

Write and Revise

Once you have a clear structure, start writing your analysis. Be concise and precise in your language, and make sure each sentence contributes to your argument. After writing your first draft, revise it for clarity, coherence, and logical flow. Check for grammatical errors and make sure your analysis adheres to academic integrity and APA style guidelines, if required. Revising and polishing your analysis will strengthen your argument and enhance the overall quality of your writing.

How to Write a Summary

Writing a summary requires a clear understanding of the original work and the ability to distill its main points into a concise format. Here’s a more detailed look at each step in the process:

• Read the Work: Begin by thoroughly reading or viewing the work you need to summarize. Pay attention to its overall structure and the way the content is organized. Try to grasp the main points and the author’s or creator’s purpose. This initial understanding is crucial for writing an effective summary.
• Identify the Main Ideas: As you read, take note of the key concepts, events, or arguments presented in the work. Look for the central ideas in each section or chapter, and try to understand how they contribute to the overall message or storyline. These main ideas will form the backbone of your summary.
• Write a Thesis Statement: Based on your understanding of the work, create a thesis statement that captures its essence. This statement should be concise and encapsulate the primary focus or argument of the work. It will serve as the guiding idea for your summary.
• Outline the Main Points: Organize the main ideas you’ve identified in the same order as they appear in the original work. Creating an outline will help you structure your summary logically and cover all the important points. This outline doesn’t have to be detailed; it should just provide a roadmap for your summary.
• Write the Summary: Using your outline as a guide, start writing your summary. Use your own words to present the main points, and avoid copying sentences directly from the original work. Keep your summary brief and to the point, focusing on the most important information. Make sure to include your thesis statement at the beginning and summarize the work’s main ideas in a logical order.
• Review and Revise: After writing your summary, review it so that it accurately reflects the main points of the original work. Check for clarity and coherence, and make sure your summary is concise and free of unnecessary details. Revise any parts that need improvement. After all, your summary should maintain academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism.

Comparing Analysis vs Summary: Examples

Let’s take Ray Bradbury’s novel “Fahrenheit 451” as an example:

Summary : “Fahrenheit 451” is a dystopian novel set in a future where books are banned and “firemen” burn any that are found. The story follows Guy Montag, a fireman who becomes disillusioned with his role in suppressing knowledge and begins to seek out and read forbidden books. His quest for understanding leads him to question the society he lives in and ultimately rebel against it.

Analysis : In “Fahrenheit 451,” Ray Bradbury explores themes of censorship, the role of technology in society, and the search for knowledge. Through the character of Montag, Bradbury critiques a society that values conformity and entertainment over critical thinking and individualism. The burning of books symbolizes the suppression of dissenting ideas, while Montag’s journey represents the transformative power of literature.

In the provided examples, the summary of “Fahrenheit 451” condenses the plot into a concise overview , focusing on the main events and characters . It presents an objective and factual account of Guy Montag’s journey from a conformist fireman to a seeker of knowledge in a dystopian society where books are banned. The summary is neutral, avoiding any interpretation or evaluation of the themes or the author’s intentions.

On the other hand, the analysis of “Fahrenheit 451” goes beyond the surface-level events to explore the underlying themes and significance of the novel. It interprets the story as a critique of censorship, the impact of technology on society, and the value of critical thinking and individualism. The analysis is subjective, reflecting the writer’s perspective and critical thinking. It presents an argument about the deeper meaning of the novel , supported by evidence from the text, such as the symbolism of fire and the character development of Montag.

Understanding the differences between summary and analysis is necessary for developing effective writing skills, especially in a writing center context. A summary provides a concise overview of a work, while an analysis offers a deeper exploration of its elements and meanings. Both are valuable tools for academic and professional writing, and mastering them can enhance your critical thinking, academic integrity, and ability to communicate complex ideas.

Can a summary include personal opinions?

No, a summary should not include personal opinions. It is meant to provide a concise and objective overview of the main points or events of a work without any interpretation or evaluation. The purpose of a summary is to give readers a clear understanding of the content without the influence of the writer’s personal views.

When should I use analysis in my writing?

You should use analysis in your writing when you need to examine and interpret a work more deeply, exploring its themes, structure, and meaning. Analysis is often used in academic writing, literary criticism, and research papers to provide a detailed examination of a text or topic. It is appropriate to use analysis when you want to present your own perspective, support your arguments with evidence, and engage in critical thinking about the subject matter.

Is analysis more important than summary in academic writing?

Both analysis and summary have their importance in academic writing, and their relevance depends on the purpose of the writing. A summary is vital for providing a clear and concise overview of a work or topic, which is essential for background information or when reviewing literature. Analysis, on the other hand, is important for developing and presenting original arguments, exploring deeper meanings, and engaging in critical evaluation. In academic writing, analysis is often considered more significant because it demonstrates the writer’s ability to think critically and contribute new insights to the field.

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Summary Versus Analysis

Summary and analysis are two important tools of academic writing. However, sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two. This page will help you understand how summary differs from analysis and how each is used in academic writing. 

Summary 

Summary is a brief understanding of the main point (thesis) or most important points (supporting points) of a text or source. When writing a summary, the writer should put the main idea or point in their own words. A summary is usually much shorter than the source it is summarizing, typically just a few sentences. 

Summaries are objective 

Summaries should only focus on communicating the main idea(s) of a source. In a summary, the writer should avoid commenting on or evaluating the source. The writer's tone and word choice should stay as objective as possible so that the writer's view and opinions about the source are not included in the summary. 

What to include in a summary 

Summaries usually include information about the source, such as title, author, and publication information. Summaries also usually try to answer “What,” “Who,” and “Where” questions. 

Why write summary 

Summaries are meant to introduce and/or provide background for a source. Writers use summaries to describe the source they are using, as opposed to evaluating or commenting on it. Summary often precede analysis and help prepare the reader for the writer’s ideas about the source. 

Analysis 

Unlike summary, analysis relies on the observations, ideas, evaluations, and inferences of the writer. When writing analysis, it is the writer’s job to comment on the source and explain its meaning, purpose, or effect. Typically, analysis is longer than the piece that it is analyzing. 

Analysis is subjective & interpretive 

When writing analysis, your job is to break your source into smaller pieces or elements and examine them for purpose, meaning, or effect. Analysis "interprets" those pieces, explaining their meaning and how they relate to the larger source. The job of analysis is to break a source into smaller parts and explain how those parts work together.

Analysis goes beyond the obvious

While summary is concerned with “What,” “Who,” and “Where” questions, analysis is more about answering “How” and “Why” questions. Instead of simply relaying the main idea or message of a source, analysis looks at smaller pieces of the source, explaining how those pieces work and why (or why not) they may be effective, successful, true, or good. 

What to include in analysis 

Analysis should include your judgments, evaluations, and claims about meaning. It should offer a way to think about or interpret a source. Analysis is an important part of arguments, so sections of analysis usually include references to your thesis or the argument of your essay. 

Why write analysis

Analysis helps you support your essay’s thesis by explaining how and why different sources fit into your argument. Analysis offers your readers an interpretation of the sources and why they support your point of view or claim. 

Sample Summary & Analysis 

Star Wars is an American movie that was released in 1977. Often described as a “space opera,” the movie focuses on the Rebel Alliance, an interstellar revolutionary faction lead by a princess, and its attempts to overthrow the totalitarian regime of the Empire by blowing up its new space station, the Death Star. During the film, Luke Skywalker, a young farm boy, discovers the mysterious cult of “Jedi” that uses a mystical power called the “Force.” After joining the rebellion alongside a pirate and his fury friend, Luke helps the Rebels destroy the Death Star. 

In order to truly understand Star Wars, viewers must put it in the correct context—the seemingly simple space opera is really a nearly perfect postmodern film. From the famous opening scroll of the prologue to Vader’s samurai helmet to the John Ford-esque Western antihero of Han Solo, the sum total of Star Wars is much more than a summer blockbuster (though it was that too). It is a mash-up of movies references spanning nearly a hundred years that, when assembled, brings to life not only a galaxy far, far away but also an endlessly referential film that rejects a fixed genre in favor of endless contexts and interpretations. 

Works Consulted

• The Writing Center . The Writing Center at George Mason University, 2017. http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. 
• UNC Writing Center. The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, 2014. writingcenter.unc.edu. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. 
• “Analysis and Summary.” College of the Sequoias. College of the Sequoias, 2017. www.cos.edu/Library/WritingCenter/Resources/Pages/Analysis-and-Summary.aspx. Accessed 31 March 2017.

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• What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

Published on 15 September 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on 25 July 2024.

A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a PhD program in the UK.

Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Indeed, alongside a dissertation , it is the longest piece of writing students typically complete. It relies on your ability to conduct research from start to finish: designing your research , collecting data , developing a robust analysis, drawing strong conclusions , and writing concisely .

Thesis template

You can also download our full thesis template in the format of your choice below. Our template includes a ready-made table of contents , as well as guidance for what each chapter should include. It’s easy to make it your own, and can help you get started.

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Table of contents

Thesis vs. thesis statement, how to structure a thesis, acknowledgements or preface, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review, methodology, reference list, proofreading and editing, defending your thesis, frequently asked questions about theses.

You may have heard the word thesis as a standalone term or as a component of academic writing called a thesis statement . Keep in mind that these are two very different things.

• A thesis statement is a very common component of an essay, particularly in the humanities. It usually comprises 1 or 2 sentences in the introduction of your essay , and should clearly and concisely summarise the central points of your academic essay .
• A thesis is a long-form piece of academic writing, often taking more than a full semester to complete. It is generally a degree requirement to complete a PhD program.
• In many countries, particularly the UK, a dissertation is generally written at the bachelor’s or master’s level.
• In the US, a dissertation is generally written as a final step toward obtaining a PhD.

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The final structure of your thesis depends on a variety of components, such as:

• Your discipline
• Your theoretical approach

Humanities theses are often structured more like a longer-form essay . Just like in an essay, you build an argument to support a central thesis.

In both hard and social sciences, theses typically include an introduction , literature review , methodology section ,  results section , discussion section , and conclusion section . These are each presented in their own dedicated section or chapter. In some cases, you might want to add an appendix .

Thesis examples

We’ve compiled a short list of thesis examples to help you get started.

• Example thesis #1:   ‘Abolition, Africans, and Abstraction: the Influence of the “Noble Savage” on British and French Antislavery Thought, 1787-1807’ by Suchait Kahlon.
• Example thesis #2: ‘”A Starving Man Helping Another Starving Man”: UNRRA, India, and the Genesis of Global Relief, 1943-1947’ by Julian Saint Reiman.

The very first page of your thesis contains all necessary identifying information, including:

• Your full title
• Your full name
• Your department
• Your institution and degree program
• Your submission date.

Sometimes the title page also includes your student ID, the name of your supervisor, or the university’s logo. Check out your university’s guidelines if you’re not sure.

Read more about title pages

The acknowledgements section is usually optional. Its main point is to allow you to thank everyone who helped you in your thesis journey, such as supervisors, friends, or family. You can also choose to write a preface , but it’s typically one or the other, not both.

Read more about acknowledgements Read more about prefaces

An abstract is a short summary of your thesis. Usually a maximum of 300 words long, it’s should include brief descriptions of your research objectives , methods, results, and conclusions. Though it may seem short, it introduces your work to your audience, serving as a first impression of your thesis.

Read more about abstracts

A table of contents lists all of your sections, plus their corresponding page numbers and subheadings if you have them. This helps your reader seamlessly navigate your document.

Your table of contents should include all the major parts of your thesis. In particular, don’t forget the the appendices. If you used heading styles, it’s easy to generate an automatic table Microsoft Word.

Read more about tables of contents

While not mandatory, if you used a lot of tables and/or figures, it’s nice to include a list of them to help guide your reader. It’s also easy to generate one of these in Word: just use the ‘Insert Caption’ feature.

Read more about lists of figures and tables

If you have used a lot of industry- or field-specific abbreviations in your thesis, you should include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations . This way, your readers can easily look up any meanings they aren’t familiar with.

Read more about lists of abbreviations

Relatedly, if you find yourself using a lot of very specialised or field-specific terms that may not be familiar to your reader, consider including a glossary . Alphabetise the terms you want to include with a brief definition.

Read more about glossaries

An introduction sets up the topic, purpose, and relevance of your thesis, as well as expectations for your reader. This should:

• Ground your research topic , sharing any background information your reader may need
• Define the scope of your work
• Introduce any existing research on your topic, situating your work within a broader problem or debate
• State your research question(s)
• Outline (briefly) how the remainder of your work will proceed

In other words, your introduction should clearly and concisely show your reader the “what, why, and how” of your research.

Read more about introductions

A literature review helps you gain a robust understanding of any extant academic work on your topic, encompassing:

• Selecting relevant sources
• Determining the credibility of your sources
• Critically evaluating each of your sources
• Drawing connections between sources, including any themes, patterns, conflicts, or gaps

A literature review is not merely a summary of existing work. Rather, your literature review should ultimately lead to a clear justification for your own research, perhaps via:

• Addressing a gap in the literature
• Building on existing knowledge to draw new conclusions
• Exploring a new theoretical or methodological approach
• Introducing a new solution to an unresolved problem
• Definitively advocating for one side of a theoretical debate

Read more about literature reviews

Theoretical framework

Your literature review can often form the basis for your theoretical framework, but these are not the same thing. A theoretical framework defines and analyses the concepts and theories that your research hinges on.

Read more about theoretical frameworks

Your methodology chapter shows your reader how you conducted your research. It should be written clearly and methodically, easily allowing your reader to critically assess the credibility of your argument. Furthermore, your methods section should convince your reader that your method was the best way to answer your research question.

A methodology section should generally include:

• Your overall approach ( quantitative vs. qualitative )
• Your research methods (e.g., a longitudinal study )
• Your data collection methods (e.g., interviews or a controlled experiment
• Any tools or materials you used (e.g., computer software)
• The data analysis methods you chose (e.g., statistical analysis , discourse analysis )
• A strong, but not defensive justification of your methods

Read more about methodology sections

Your results section should highlight what your methodology discovered. These two sections work in tandem, but shouldn’t repeat each other. While your results section can include hypotheses or themes, don’t include any speculation or new arguments here.

Your results section should:

• State each (relevant) result with any (relevant) descriptive statistics (e.g., mean , standard deviation ) and inferential statistics (e.g., test statistics , p values )
• Explain how each result relates to the research question
• Determine whether the hypothesis was supported

Additional data (like raw numbers or interview transcripts ) can be included as an appendix . You can include tables and figures, but only if they help the reader better understand your results.

Read more about results sections

Your discussion section is where you can interpret your results in detail. Did they meet your expectations? How well do they fit within the framework that you built? You can refer back to any relevant source material to situate your results within your field, but leave most of that analysis in your literature review.

For any unexpected results, offer explanations or alternative interpretations of your data.

Read more about discussion sections

Your thesis conclusion should concisely answer your main research question. It should leave your reader with an ultra-clear understanding of your central argument, and emphasise what your research specifically has contributed to your field.

Why does your research matter? What recommendations for future research do you have? Lastly, wrap up your work with any concluding remarks.

Read more about conclusions

In order to avoid plagiarism , don’t forget to include a full reference list at the end of your thesis, citing the sources that you used. Choose one citation style and follow it consistently throughout your thesis, taking note of the formatting requirements of each style.

Which style you choose is often set by your department or your field, but common styles include MLA , Chicago , and APA.

Create APA citations Create MLA citations

In order to stay clear and concise, your thesis should include the most essential information needed to answer your research question. However, chances are you have many contributing documents, like interview transcripts or survey questions . These can be added as appendices , to save space in the main body.

Read more about appendices

Once you’re done writing, the next part of your editing process begins. Leave plenty of time for proofreading and editing prior to submission. Nothing looks worse than grammar mistakes or sloppy spelling errors!

Consider using a professional thesis editing service to make sure your final project is perfect.

Once you’ve submitted your final product, it’s common practice to have a thesis defense, an oral component of your finished work. This is scheduled by your advisor or committee, and usually entails a presentation and Q&A session.

After your defense, your committee will meet to determine if you deserve any departmental honors or accolades. However, keep in mind that defenses are usually just a formality. If there are any serious issues with your work, these should be resolved with your advisor way before a defense.

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5-7% of your overall word count.

When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

If you only used a few abbreviations in your thesis or dissertation, you don’t necessarily need to include a list of abbreviations .

If your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they won’t be known to your audience, it’s never a bad idea to add one. They can also improve readability, minimising confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organise your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation, such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)

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Analysis versus Summary

When asked to analyze a document, we don't always know what to do. Faced with an assignment that calls for analysis of a topic—say, how the Civil War ended slavery—one might be tempted to simply restate facts. That is summarizing.

Analysis, on the other hand, requires more than simply paraphrasing what a source says or reciting some data: it means examining the facts and reaching your own conclusions regarding the subject. What is the writer trying to say? What does it mean? Is it convincing ? Analysis is breaking down the parts to see how they fit and presenting your own synthesis. 

Readers especially love seeing analysis in thesis statements and topic sentences  because analysis equals your own ideas.

A good test for whether you are analyzing or summarizing is to ask whether anyone (other than a conspiracy theorist) could argue with your statement:

• The 1964 Civil Rights Act legally ended employment discrimination. (Summary: a matter of historical record.)
• Though the 1964 Civil Rights Act legally ended employment discrimination, the battle for equal employment opportunity in the United States remains incomplete almost 60 years later. (Analysis: it calls for additional explanation and evidence.) 

There is a difference between quantitative and qualitative analysis, but, in both, you express how the facts or data and your ideas interact.

Analysis and Summary Links

• " Summary: Using It Wisely ," UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center
• " Writing an Analytical Research Paper ," University of Richmond Writing Center
• " What Is Analysis? " (2:25), The Seahorse Project
• " Analyzing Qualitative Data " (15:14), Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching
• " What Is Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data? " (18:18), Libby Bishop

Writing Topics A–Z

This index links to the most relevant page for each item. Please email us at [email protected] if we're missing something!

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J   K   L    M    N    O    P    Q   R    S    T    U    V    W   X  Y   Z

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between an abstract and a summary.

An abstract concisely explains all the key points of an academic text such as a thesis , dissertation or journal article. It should summarize the whole text, not just introduce it.

An abstract is a type of summary , but summaries are also written elsewhere in academic writing . For example, you might summarize a source in a paper , in a literature review , or as a standalone assignment.

All can be done within seconds with our free text summarizer .

Frequently asked questions: Working with sources

Synthesizing sources means comparing and contrasting the work of other scholars to provide new insights.

It involves analyzing and interpreting the points of agreement and disagreement among sources.

You might synthesize sources in your literature review to give an overview of the field of research or throughout your paper when you want to contribute something new to existing research.

You can find sources online using databases and search engines like Google Scholar . Use Boolean operators or advanced search functions to narrow or expand your search.

For print sources, you can use your institution’s library database. This will allow you to explore the library’s catalog and to search relevant keywords.

Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it with other sources. This allows you to:

• Verify evidence
• Contextualize information
• Find potential weaknesses

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, it’s important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth.

This involves:

• Reading abstracts , prefaces, introductions , and conclusions
• Looking at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work
• Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars

You might have to write a summary of a source:

• As a stand-alone assignment to prove you understand the material
• For your own use, to keep notes on your reading
• To provide an overview of other researchers’ work in a literature review
• In a paper , to summarize or introduce a relevant study

You can assess information and arguments critically by asking certain questions about the source. You can use the CRAAP test , focusing on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

Ask questions such as:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert?
• Why did the author publish it? What is their motivation?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence?

Critical thinking skills include the ability to:

• Identify credible sources
• Evaluate and respond to arguments
• Assess alternative viewpoints
• Test hypotheses against relevant criteria

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

It is important to find credible sources and use those that you can be sure are sufficiently scholarly .

• Consult your institute’s library to find out what books, journals, research databases, and other types of sources they provide access to.
• Look for books published by respected academic publishing houses and university presses, as these are typically considered trustworthy sources.
• Look for journals that use a peer review process. This means that experts in the field assess the quality and credibility of an article before it is published.

In academic writing, the sources you cite should be credible and scholarly. Some of the main types of sources used are:

• Academic journals: These are the most up-to-date sources in academia. They are published more frequently than books and provide cutting-edge research.
• Books: These are great sources to use, as they are typically written by experts and provide an extensive overview and analysis of a specific topic.

Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review . They are intended for a scholarly audience, include a full bibliography, and use scholarly or technical language. For these reasons, they are typically considered credible sources .

Popular sources like magazines and news articles are typically written by journalists. These types of sources usually don’t include a bibliography and are written for a popular, rather than academic, audience. They are not always reliable and may be written from a biased or uninformed perspective, but they can still be cited in some contexts.

There are many types of sources commonly used in research. These include:

• Journal articles
• Encyclopedias

You’ll likely use a variety of these sources throughout the research process , and the kinds of sources you use will depend on your research topic and goals.

You usually shouldn’t cite tertiary sources as evidence in your research paper, but you can use them in the beginning stages of the research process to:

• Establish background information
• Identify relevant keywords and terms
• Familiarize yourself with current debates in your field

Use tertiary sources in your preliminary research to find relevant primary and secondary sources that you will engage with in more depth during the writing process .

What constitutes a tertiary source depends on your research question and how you use the source.

To determine whether a source is tertiary, ask:

• Am I examining the source itself, or am I using it for background information?
• Does the source provide original information ( primary ) or analyze information from other sources ( secondary )? Or does it consolidate information from other sources (tertiary)?

Primary sources provide direct evidence about your research topic (photographs, personal letters, etc.).

Secondary sources interpret and comment on information from primary sources (academic books, journal articles, etc.).

Tertiary sources are reference works that identify and provide background information on primary and secondary sources . They do not provide original insights or analysis.

A tertiary source may list, summarize , or index primary and secondary sources or provide general information from a variety of sources. But it does not provide original interpretations or analysis.

Some examples of tertiary sources include:

• Bibliographies
• Dictionaries

It can sometimes be hard to distinguish accurate from inaccurate sources , especially online. Published articles are not always credible and can reflect a biased viewpoint without providing evidence to support their conclusions.

Information literacy is important because it helps you to be aware of such unreliable content and to evaluate sources effectively, both in an academic context and more generally.

Information literacy refers to a broad range of skills, including the ability to find, evaluate, and use sources of information effectively.

Being information literate means that you:

• Know how to find credible sources
• Use relevant sources to inform your research
• Understand what constitutes plagiarism
• Know how to cite your sources correctly

When searching for sources in databases, think of specific keywords that are relevant to your topic , and consider variations on them or synonyms that might be relevant.

Once you have a clear idea of your research parameters and key terms, choose a database that is relevant to your research (e.g., Medline, JSTOR, Project MUSE).

Find out if the database has a “subject search” option. This can help to refine your search. Use Boolean operators to combine your keywords, exclude specific search terms, and search exact phrases to find the most relevant sources.

Proximity operators are specific words used alongside your chosen keywords that let you specify the proximity of one keyword in relation to another.

The most common proximity operators include NEAR ( N x ), WITHIN ( W x ), and SENTENCE .

Each proximity operator has a unique function. For example, N x allows you to find sources that contain the specified keywords within a set number of words ( x ) of each other.

Boolean operators are specific words and symbols that you can use to expand or narrow your search parameters when using a database or search engine.

The most common Boolean operators are AND , OR , NOT or AND NOT , quotation marks “” , parentheses () , and asterisks * .

Each Boolean operator has a unique function. For example, the Boolean operator AND will provide search results containing both/all of your keywords.

A Boolean search uses specific words and symbols known as Boolean operators (e.g., AND , OR ) alongside keywords to limit or expand search results. Boolean searches allow you to:

• Prioritize keywords
• Exclude keywords
• Search exact keywords
• Search variations of your keywords

The CRAAP test is an acronym to help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are considering using. It is an important component of information literacy .

The CRAAP test has five main components:

• Currency: Is the source up to date?
• Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research?
• Authority: Where is the source published? Who is the author? Are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field?
• Accuracy: Is the source supported by evidence? Are the claims cited correctly?
• Purpose: What was the motive behind publishing this source?

To avoid plagiarism when summarizing an article or other source, follow these two rules:

• Write the summary entirely in your own words by paraphrasing the author’s ideas.
• Cite the source with an in-text citation and a full reference so your reader can easily find the original text.

A summary is always much shorter than the original text. The length of a summary can range from just a few sentences to several paragraphs; it depends on the length of the article you’re summarizing, and on the purpose of the summary.

A summary is a short overview of the main points of an article or other source, written entirely in your own words. Want to make your life super easy? Try our free text summarizer today!

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Thesis and Purpose Statements

Use the guidelines below to learn the differences between thesis and purpose statements.

In the first stages of writing, thesis or purpose statements are usually rough or ill-formed and are useful primarily as planning tools.

A thesis statement or purpose statement will emerge as you think and write about a topic. The statement can be restricted or clarified and eventually worked into an introduction.

As you revise your paper, try to phrase your thesis or purpose statement in a precise way so that it matches the content and organization of your paper.

Thesis statements

A thesis statement is a sentence that makes an assertion about a topic and predicts how the topic will be developed. It does not simply announce a topic: it says something about the topic.

Good: X has made a significant impact on the teenage population due to its . . . Bad: In this paper, I will discuss X.

A thesis statement makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of the paper. It summarizes the conclusions that the writer has reached about the topic.

A thesis statement is generally located near the end of the introduction. Sometimes in a long paper, the thesis will be expressed in several sentences or an entire paragraph.

A thesis statement is focused and specific enough to be proven within the boundaries of the paper. Key words (nouns and verbs) should be specific, accurate, and indicative of the range of research, thrust of the argument or analysis, and the organization of supporting information.

Purpose statements

A purpose statement announces the purpose, scope, and direction of the paper. It tells the reader what to expect in a paper and what the specific focus will be.

Common beginnings include:

“This paper examines . . .,” “The aim of this paper is to . . .,” and “The purpose of this essay is to . . .”

A purpose statement makes a promise to the reader about the development of the argument but does not preview the particular conclusions that the writer has drawn.

A purpose statement usually appears toward the end of the introduction. The purpose statement may be expressed in several sentences or even an entire paragraph.

A purpose statement is specific enough to satisfy the requirements of the assignment. Purpose statements are common in research papers in some academic disciplines, while in other disciplines they are considered too blunt or direct. If you are unsure about using a purpose statement, ask your instructor.

This paper will examine the ecological destruction of the Sahel preceding the drought and the causes of this disintegration of the land. The focus will be on the economic, political, and social relationships which brought about the environmental problems in the Sahel.

Sample purpose and thesis statements

The following example combines a purpose statement and a thesis statement (bold).

The goal of this paper is to examine the effects of Chile’s agrarian reform on the lives of rural peasants. The nature of the topic dictates the use of both a chronological and a comparative analysis of peasant lives at various points during the reform period. . . The Chilean reform example provides evidence that land distribution is an essential component of both the improvement of peasant conditions and the development of a democratic society. More extensive and enduring reforms would likely have allowed Chile the opportunity to further expand these horizons.

For more tips about writing thesis statements, take a look at our new handout on Developing a Thesis Statement.

Writing Process and Structure

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Getting Started with Your Paper

Interpreting Writing Assignments from Your Courses

Generating Ideas for Your Paper

Creating an Argument

Thesis vs. Purpose Statements

Developing a Thesis Statement

Architecture of Arguments

Working with Sources

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources

Using Literary Quotations

Citing Sources in Your Paper

Drafting Your Paper

Introductions

Paragraphing

Developing Strategic Transitions

Conclusions

Revising Your Paper

Peer Reviews

Reverse Outlines

Revising an Argumentative Paper

Revision Strategies for Longer Projects

Finishing Your Paper

Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist

How to Proofread your Paper

Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative and Group Writing