i hate writing my thesis

While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence)

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.

Arguable thesis with analytical claim

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.

Arguable thesis with normative claim

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.

Questions to ask about your thesis

Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?
Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?
Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?
Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?
Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
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How to Write A Thesis When You Can’t Even Look At It Anymore

February 6, 2023 by Dora Farkas, PhD 1 Comment

How to Write A PhD Thesis Even If You Feel Completely Stuck

If you are wondering about how to write a thesis when you feel completely overwhelmed, I understand your dilemma.

During my first five years in graduate school I envied senior students who were so close to the finish line.

I imagined that once you get approval to defend your thesis, everything gets soooo much easier.

All you have to do is to sit down and write everything up, right?

That’s…sort of true.

What no one tells you is that writer’s block doesn’t go away even when you have the green light to graduate.

In fact, writer’s block can get magnified ten times when you have a hard deadline.

All of a sudden it feels like you have a million things to do and not a lot of time.

Your committee finally gave you approval and if you miss it…you’re kind of doomed.

(You’re never really doomed, but let’s stay focused on how to make the deadline.)

Your initial feeling of relief (that you can finally defend) may quickly spiral into a vicious cycle of panic and overwhelm.

Now, you really don’t want to anyone asking you “So, how is the writing going?”

Maybe you can’t even look at your thesis anymore.

You would rather be doing anything else than write (don’t be surprised if you have a sudden urge to clean your bathroom).

Or, perhaps you are frantically writing and rewriting the same paragraphs

You may be flip-flopping back and forth between not wanting to look at your thesis anymore, and trying to get every detail perfect.

If you’re struggling to start or finish your thesis, you’re likely feeling some type of fear .

Fear is often the underlying emotion behind procrastination , not “laziness” or lack of motivation.

The good news is that once you identify your fear (even if you don’t have a solution), your writer’s block will start to dissolve.

Common sources of fear are:

How will others judge your work?
What if your thesis isn’t good enough?
What if you discover that you have more work to do than you thought?
Will you disappoint your spouse/significant other if you don’t finish on time?
What if it turns out that grad school was a complete waste of time?
What will you do after graduation?

You may recognize one or more of these fears.

It is legitimate to be concerned about how to write a thesis under so much pressure, and how graduation will affect your future.

However, you don’t have to let fear or procrastination keep you stuck in grad school.

You can write despite feeling a little (or a lot) anxious about thesis writing.

Here are five steps to face that fear, and start the writing process, even if you’re feeling completely overwhelmed.

How to Write A Thesis When You’d Rather Do Anything Else:

5 tips to get unstuck .

Feeling stuck is more about your perception of how to write a thesis, not the thesis itself.

How many times have you gained an insight while taking a shower or walk?

When you set up a structure that you can easily maintain, it is more likely that you will experience creative insights that will help you get unstuck.

Keep in mind that it takes time to develop new habits.

It is best to implement one new habit at a time and stick with it for a few weeks before trying something new.

And if you fall off the wagon, just get back on track as quickly as you can.

After all no one is perfect, yet every year tens of thousands of graduate students get a PhD.

If they can do it, so can you!

Step #1: Set Bite-size Go als (don’t bite off more than you can chew)

You might think that you need to allocate big chunks of time to writing your thesis in order to “get in the zone.”

In fact, giving yourself big goals and lots of hours to write, without any structure, is a recipe for disappointment.

How often have you resolved to spend a whole day writing, or to write ten pages in one sitting, and wound up with nothing to show for it?

This is because fear kicks in—the fear of failing at what you’ve set out to do. Soon you are failing to accomplish your goal, and you’ve created a vicious cycle.

Successfully accomplishing something, even something small, can put you back in control.

Break your work into small increments, tasks that can be completed in as little as 15 minutes.

This way, even on days when you “don’t have time” to work on your thesis, you can still find an opportunity to cross one or two of these writing tasks off your list.

This will boost your sense of accomplishment, and help you make the most of the small windows of free time you have.

Most often, you won’t have large blocks of free time for thesis writing.

Breaking your to-do list into small, achievable goals can help you seize the chances you do have to make progress.

Even if you have a whole day set aside for thesis work, stick with the strategy of setting small, measurable goals .

Organize the day into a few smaller blocks of time for writing, and keep your tasks specific.

Instead of marking your calendar with “work on thesis” try “finish drafts for three sections of chapter two,” for example.

Step #2: Remember: You’re Not Faking It (…and everyone else feels like an impostor too)

For many grad students, “impostor syndrome” is a major obstacle to starting a thesis.

You might feel like you still have so much to learn, and you’ll never possibly be ready to write an authoritative thesis on your topic.

The truth is, nearly everyone struggles with these feelings at some point.

Impostor syndrome is common in any competitive environment, especially among high achievers who hold themselves to a strict standard.

Most of your peers, and even your professors, probably have had the same feelings at some point.

The fact is, if you’ve gotten this far in grad school, you’re not faking it.

Simply being admitted to a PhD, or masters, program, puts you in an elite category, and sticking with your studies until it’s time to start your thesis is even more of an achievement.

If you’re feeling like an impostor, remind yourself that you’ve gotten this far on your hard work and talent, and that you do have what it takes to finish a thesis.

Remember, a thesis or dissertation is simply meant to show that you’ve contributed something to your field of expertise.

It doesn’t have to be an exhaustive, or particularly groundbreaking, study of your topic. And, it’s normal to have doubts about your work.

That makes you a scholar, not an imposter.

Step #3: Schedule Your Breaks—And Enjoy Them (otherwise, what’s the point of a break?)

Procrastination usually feels like the worst of both worlds: you distract yourself with chores or unimportant decisions, never tackling your work, but also feeling increasingly stressed by it.

While you’re not making progress, you’re also not allowing yourself breaks to rest and recharge.

The anxiety simply builds with no release, leading to exhaustion and burnout .

Taking breaks is just as important to your thesis-writing process as actually working.

Your brain—and your body—need to recharge if you want to stay focused and motivated.

The important thing is to make sure your breaks are real breaks: time away from your computer and away from your desk.

Do you find yourself browsing social media at the end of a long day of working, or checking your email during mealtimes?

It might seem relaxing to do these things, but you’re not giving your brain a real rest if your breaks are still in front of a computer.

Even if you feel “too behind” or “too busy,” you’ll be more productive in the long run if you prioritize regular break times.

Eat lunch away from your desk, and take short walks around the neighborhood once or twice a day.

If you have a hobby you love, like knitting or painting, spend a little time each day on it, without any goals or finished product in mind.

One of the best ways to get the most out of your breaks is to use them for physical exercise.

Aerobic exercise, in particular, can help you fight stress and anxiety .

Go for a jog, do some yoga, or even just do some stretches or sit-ups when you need a quick boost.

Step #4: Eliminate Choices That Make It Harder to Get Started (the hardest part of any task is to get started)

If the thought of simply getting started on your thesis is stressing you out, you might be suffering from decision fatigue.

We only have a finite amount of energy for decision-making each day.

Evidence shows that the most successful people save their energy for the important choices, by eliminating the unimportant ones.

If you’re wasting energy on decisions like what to eat for breakfast, or where to set up your laptop and work, you have less left over for the important stuff.

Even worse, you’re likely to get stuck on those decisions, and delay getting started on your work.

Set up a routine that makes it easy for you to get to work each day.

Write in the same place each day, for example.

This relates back to setting small, attainable goals as well.

Map out these micro-goals ahead of time, so when it’s time to get started, you only have to glance at your list to know what comes next.

Whenever you can, plan the next stage of your writing at the end of a work session, rather than the beginning.

That way, the next time you sit down to work, you don’t have to make any decisions about what to do first.

The key is to edit out the choices that are draining your energy, so you can focus on your thesis.

Step #5: Start Writing, Even If You Think You Have Nothing to Say (ideas are born with writing)

This is one of the most fear-inducing hurdles to getting started.

What do you do when it’s time to start writing, but you haven’t even settled on your thesis statement, or figured out what you’re really trying to say?

In fact, it’s perfectly fine to start out without a clear thesis in mind.

Even if you don’t know what you’re trying to say, just start writing .

Don’t worry too much about the quality or cohesiveness of your writing in the beginning, just put down what comes to mind.

It’s okay for your first draft to be messy and disorganized.

That’s what first drafts are for!

Usually, the writing process will help you organize your research and your thoughts.

You might notice patterns or conclusions that you hadn’t before.

Often, this early writing process is necessary for gathering your thoughts, and understanding what you ultimately want your thesis to communicate.

If you’re putting off starting your thesis, or feeling stuck, the biggest mistake you can make is to not write at all.

Like anything, getting started only gets easier with practice.

Remember, you can always revise and rewrite what you’ve already written.

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Having accountability through a community of other PhD students is one of the best ways to become and stay motivated until you finish writing your Dissertation

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Ten things I wish I'd known before starting my dissertation

The sun is shining but many students won't see the daylight. Because it's that time of year again – dissertation time.

Luckily for me, my D-Day (dissertation hand-in day) has already been and gone. But I remember it well.

The 10,000-word spiral-bound paper squatted on my desk in various forms of completion was my Allied forces; the history department in-tray was my Normandy. And when Eisenhower talked about a "great crusade toward which we have striven these many months", he was bang on.

I remember first encountering the Undergraduate Dissertation Handbook, feeling my heart sink at how long the massive file took to download, and began to think about possible (but in hindsight, wildly over-ambitious) topics. Here's what I've learned since, and wish I'd known back then…

1 ) If your dissertation supervisor isn't right, change. Mine was brilliant. If you don't feel like they're giving you the right advice, request to swap to someone else – providing it's early on and your reason is valid, your department shouldn't have a problem with it. In my experience, it doesn't matter too much whether they're an expert on your topic. What counts is whether they're approachable, reliable, reassuring, give detailed feedback and don't mind the odd panicked email. They are your lifeline and your best chance of success.

2 ) If you mention working on your dissertation to family, friends or near-strangers, they will ask you what it's about, and they will be expecting a more impressive answer than you can give. So prepare for looks of confusion and disappointment. People anticipate grandeur in history dissertation topics – war, genocide, the formation of modern society. They don't think much of researching an obscure piece of 1970s disability legislation. But they're not the ones marking it.

3 ) If they ask follow-up questions, they're probably just being polite.

4 ) Do not ask friends how much work they've done. You'll end up paranoid – or they will. Either way, you don't have time for it.

5 ) There will be one day during the process when you will freak out, doubt your entire thesis and decide to start again from scratch. You might even come up with a new question and start working on it, depending on how long the breakdown lasts. You will at some point run out of steam and collapse in an exhausted, tear-stained heap. But unless there are serious flaws in your work (unlikely) and your supervisor recommends starting again (highly unlikely), don't do it. It's just panic, it'll pass.

6 ) A lot of the work you do will not make it into your dissertation. The first few days in archives, I felt like everything I was unearthing was a gem, and when I sat down to write, it seemed as if it was all gold. But a brutal editing down to the word count has left much of that early material at the wayside.

7 ) You will print like you have never printed before. If you're using a university or library printer, it will start to affect your weekly budget in a big way. If you're printing from your room, "paper jam" will come to be the most dreaded two words in the English language.

8 ) Your dissertation will interfere with whatever else you have going on – a social life, sporting commitments, societies, other essay demands. Don't even try and give up biscuits for Lent, they'll basically become their own food group when you're too busy to cook and desperate for sugar.

9 ) Your time is not your own. Even if you're super-organised, plan your time down to the last hour and don't have a single moment of deadline panic, you'll still find that thoughts of your dissertation will creep up on you when you least expect it. You'll fall asleep thinking about it, dream about it and wake up thinking about. You'll feel guilty when you're not working on it, and mired in self-doubt when you are.

10 ) Finishing it will be one of the best things you've ever done. It's worth the hard work to know you've completed what's likely to be your biggest, most important, single piece of work. Be proud of it.

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What to do if you dislike writing research or academic papers.

BY DAVID GUTIERREZ

Unfortunately, even if you hate writing academic papers more than anything else in the world, you still have to do it if you want to graduate successfully. However, it is possible to alter one’s attitude towards something – often to a greater degree than you may believe. Here are some techniques that can make writing your next academic assignment bearable, if not outright pleasant.

1. Take breaks

Taking regular breaks is important in any kind of work, and writing is no exception. Divide your assignment into a number of reasonably small parts and promise yourself to take a break after you successfully complete each of them. Both the parts and the breaks may be as large or small as it is useful for your situation. For example, if you write an essay, you can take 5-minute breaks every 200 words. If you write something more substantial, both the parts and the breaks can be larger. Do something pleasant in the course of your breaks – this will motivate you to complete each part faster.

2. Eliminate distractions

When you do something you hate, every potential distraction is twice as enticing as it usually is. This means that if you are surrounded by distractions while you write your academic paper, you are likely to get distracted all the time. To prevent this, single out the things that are likely to attract your attention as you work and remove them from you. If it is structure and general layout of the paper that give you trouble, consider custom term papers for sale. Block distracting websites using Leechblock or RescueTime, turn off notifications, switch off your smartphone, block out the external noises by some music in your earphones.

3. Find a writing place that works for you

If you do something you hate, you should at least do it somewhere you feel comfortable. Where it exactly depends on your preferences: some like to work at home, others prefer a nice café; still others find it inspiring to work in the park. Take your pick.

4. Don’t try to write like somebody else

One of the reasons why you may hate writing is because you believe that you shouldn’t write in your own voice. You think you need to imitate either someone else or to write in an affected manner that has little in common with your own way of thinking and writing. Most likely, you are wrong, and your writing will only be improved if you choose to follow your heart and write the way you like.

5. Practice

Another reason why students hate writing academic assignments is that they are not very good at writing. The reverse is true as well – once you learn how to write more or less well, you start feeling pleasure doing it. Do a bit of practice writing assignments of the type you have to write most often. Who knows? Perhaps, it will grow on you.

6. Don’t be perfectionistic

Perfectionism is equally deadly both for enjoyment received from writing and the results achieved. Don’t try to make every sentence perfect – it is impossible. Write reasonably well, don’t go crazy correcting what you’ve already written because you will never finish doing it.

Learning to love writing is hard and long work, and we don’t claim that everybody is capable of doing it at first attempt. But making writing pleasant is achievable – and you can do it.

David Gutierrez has worked in the field of web design since 2005. Right now he started learning Java in order to get second occupation. His professional interests defined major topics of his articles. David writes about new web design software, recently discovered professional tricks and also monitors the latest updates of the web development.

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15 things to remember if you’ve started to hate your PhD

Jun 1, 2021

Have you checked out the rest of The PhD Knowledge Base ? It’s home to hundreds more free resources and guides, written especially for PhD students.

It’s entirely normal to hate your PhD from time to time. The further you travel on the PhD journey, the more you start to resent the thesis.

That’s natural – spend years working on something, often with little immediate reward, and it natural that you will start to crumble.

Here we’ve put together a list of 15 things to remind yourself of if you’re started to lose motivation. They’ll remind you of all that’s special about your thesis and, hopefully, inject some enthusiasm back into your relationship with it.

Interested in group workshops, cohort-courses and a free PhD learning & support community?

The team behind The PhD Proofreaders have launched The PhD People, a free learning and community platform for PhD students. Connect, share and learn with other students, and boost your skills with cohort-based workshops and courses.

1. you should work less.

I find that most people fall into one of two camps.

There are those who throw themselves into their work, always chained to their desk and never feeling like they’re on top of things.

Then there are those who get easily distracted, putting things off to the last minute and feeling guilty that they’re always a little behind.

In both cases the outcome is the same: long hours spent working, with the fatigue and the stress that comes with it.

But what about doing less work? What about being more selective with your time, and more selective with what’s on your to do list, such that you didn’t have as much to do at all?

It means accepting that your value and output is not measured on the basis of how many hours you put in, or how much work you get done. It’s measured instead on the quality of the work, and on the level of focus you can achieve.

So if you find yourself burning the candle at both ends, ask yourself whether what you really need to do is work less.

2. Don’t Push Away Negative Thoughts

3. remember that your phd is trying to drown you, 4. routines come and go.

For many, the simplest way of making the PhD journey more manageable is to develop consistent routines.

For me, that involves going on a morning walk, exercising a few times a week, getting my emails and admin done first thing in the morning, and going to bed at roughly the same time.

But it’s easy to slip out of routines. We may be away from home, or the holiday season may disrupt our daily rhythm.

Whatever it is, we can start to drop the good habits we carefully nurture and start to pick up unhealthy ones – we might start exercising less, eating more processed foods, or staying up late.

When that happens to me, I can quickly start to feel anxious about whatever it is I’m working on. That makes sense; if routines introduce stability into our lives, it’s logical that disrupting those routines can mean we feel ungrounded and out of sorts.

If you can relate this holiday season, go easy on yourself. Like everything in life, this is temporary. As long as you’re conscious of what good routines looks like, and as long as you’re conscious that you’re temporarily departing from them, it won’t be long before you get back into healthy habits once the thing disrupting your routine has passed.

5. Ask Yourself: Are You Biting Off More Than You Can Chew?

6. set your intentions, 7. embrace the crappy drafts, 8. remind yourself that phds are hard.

Finding your PhD hard is kind of the point.

Repeat after me: if you’re finding your PhD hard it doesn’t mean you’re a failure, it means you’re doing it right.

9. Keep failing

10. remember that you’re never going to please everyone, 11. you’re going to get criticised, 12. don’t focus (too much) on the problems, 13. you have to admit when you’re wrong, 14. ask yourself: am i a perfectionist.

Most of the PhD students I talk to are perfectionists. You probably are too.

With perfectionism comes a desire to have control over day-to-day life, knowledge of what’s going to happen in the short term, and the certainty that the PhD thesis will be, well, perfect.

And then along comes coronavirus.

Your day-to-day life has been disrupted as you work from home and away from you normal routines, you’ve got no way of knowing what will happen in the short or long term, and you may worry that your thesis will be sub-optimal as you step away from fieldwork, labs and supervisors.

The perfectionist in you is panicking, right?

Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. On the one hand it can fill you with drive, passion, dedication and motivation. It can inspire you to try your hardest and do your best. It’s likely what got you on to your PhD programme in the first place.

But at the same time, it has a dark side. For as much as it can inspire, it can lead to panic. Anxiety, worry and dread often follow in the footsteps of perfectionism, such that when you lose control over your reality, or when you get things wrong, make mistakes or produce something sub-optimal, you panic. What starts off as a simple mistake can quickly become the end of the world.

Part of the challenge of doing a PhD, and particularly in the current context, is learning to embrace imperfection and recognising that sub-optimal does not necessarily mean failure. Managing perfectionism involves reminding yourself that you’re only human, and that humans face stresses, make mistakes and sometimes struggle to produce their best work. Even the brightest and most competent of people have off days.

The more you can remind yourself of that, the better equipped you’ll be to deal with what life throws at you and your thesis.

15. Lastly, Remember That It’s Okay Not To Be Productive

Your PhD thesis. All on one page.

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How to Write a Killer Research Paper (Even If You Hate Writing)

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Research papers.

Unless you’re a weirdo like me, you probably dread them. When I was in college, depending on the class, I even dreaded these.

It’s the sort of project that can leave even the most organized student quaking in their boots, staring at the assignment like they’re Luke Skywalker and it’s the Death Star.

You have to pick a broad topic, do some in-depth research, hone in on a research question, and then present your answer to that question in an interesting way. Oh, and you have to use citations, too.

How on earth are you supposed to tackle this thing?

Fear not, for even the Death Star had weaknesses. With a well-devised plan, some courage, and maybe a little help from a few midichlorians, you can conquer your research paper, too.

Let’s get started.

1. Pick a Topic

And pick one that interests you. This is not up for debate.

You and this topic are going to be spending a lot of time together, so you might as well pick something you like, or, at the very least, have a vague interest in. Even if you hate the class, there’s probably at least one topic that you’re curious about.

Maybe you want to write about “mental health in high schools” for your paper in your education class. That’s a good start, but take a couple steps to hone your idea a little further so you have an idea of what to research. Here’s a couple of factors to look at when you want to get more specific:

Timeframe : What are the most important mental health issues for high schoolers that have come up in the last five years?
Location : How does the mental health of students in your area compare to students in the next state (or country) over?
Culture or Group : How does the mental health of inner-city students compare to those in the suburbs or places like Silicon Valley?
Solution : If schools were to make one change to high schools to improve the well-being of their students, what would be most effective, and why?

It’s good to be clear about what you’re researching, but make sure you don’t box yourself into a corner. Try to avoid being too local (if the area is a small town, for example), or too recent, as there may not be enough research conducted to support an entire paper on the subject.

Also, avoid super analytical or technical topics that you think you’ll have a hard time writing about (unless that’s the assignment…then jump right into all the technicalities you want).

You’ll probably need to do some background research and possibly brainstorm with your professor before you can identify a topic that’s specialized enough for your paper.

At the very least, skim the Encyclopedia Britannica section on your general area of interest. Your professor is another resource: use them! They’re probably more than happy to point you in the direction of a possible research topic.

Of course, this is going to be highly dependent on your class and the criteria set forth by your professor, so make sure you read your assignment and understand what it’s asking for. If you feel the assignment is unclear, don’t go any further without talking to your professor about it.

2. Create a Clear Thesis Statement

Say it with me: a research paper without a thesis question or statement is just a fancy book report.

All research papers fall under three general categories: analytical, expository, or argumentative.

Analytical papers present an analysis of information (effects of stress on the human brain)
Expository papers seek to explain something (Julius Caesar’s rise to power)
Argumentative papers are trying to prove a point (Dumbledore shouldn’t be running a school for children).

So figure out what sort of paper you’d like to write, and then come up with a viable thesis statement or question.

Maybe it starts out looking like this:

Julius Caesar’s rise to power was affected by three major factors.

Ok, not bad. You could probably write a paper based on this. But it’s not great , either. It’s not specific, neither is it arguable . You’re not really entering any sort of discussion.

Maybe you rework it a little to be more specific and you get:

Julius Caesar’s quick rise to power was a direct result of a power vacuum and social instability created by years of war and internal political corruption.

Better. Now you can actually think about researching it.

Every good thesis statement has three important qualities: it’s focused , it picks a side , and it can be backed up with research .

If you’re missing any of these qualities, you’re gonna have a bad time. Avoid vague modifier words like “positive” and “negative.” Instead use precise, strong language to formulate your argument.

Take this thesis statement for example:

“ High schools should stop assigning so much homework, because it has a negative impact on students’ lives.”

Sure, it’s arguable…but only sort of . It’s pretty vague. We don’t really know what is meant by “negative”, other than “generically bad”. Before you get into the research, you have to define your argument a little more.

Revised Version:

“ High schools in the United States should assign less homework, as lower workloads improve students’ sleep, stress levels, and, surprisingly, their grades.”

When in doubt, always look at your thesis and ask, “Is this arguable?” Is there something you need to prove ? If not, then your thesis probably isn’t strong enough. If yes, then as long as you can actually prove it with your research, you’re golden.

Good thesis statements give you a clear goal. You know exactly what you’re looking for, and you know exactly where you’re going with the paper. Try to be as specific and clear as possible. That makes the next step a lot easier:

3. Hit the Books

So you have your thesis, you know what you’re looking for. It’s time to actually go out and do some real research. By real research, I mean more than a quick internet search or a quick skim through some weak secondary or tertiary sources.

If you’ve chosen a thesis you’re a little unsteady on, a preliminary skim through Google is fine, but make sure you go the extra mile. Some professors will even have a list of required resources (e.g. “Three academic articles, two books, one interview…etc).

It’s a good idea to start by heading to the library and asking your local librarian for help (they’re usually so excited to help you find things!).

Check your school library for research papers and books on the topic. Look for primary sources, such as journals, personal records, or contemporary newspaper articles when you can find them.

As you’re starting your research, create some kind of system for filing helpful quotes, links, and other sources. I preferred it to all be on one text document on my computer, but you could try a physical file, too.

In this text document, I start compiling a list of all the sources I’m using. It tends to look like this:

Remember that at this point, your thesis isn’t solid. It’s still in a semi-squishy state. If your research starts to strongly contradict your thesis, then come up with a new thesis, revise, and keep on compiling quotes.

The more support you can find, the better. Depending on how long your paper is, you should have 3-10 different sources, with all sorts of quotes between them.

Here are some good places to look for reputable sources:

Google Scholar
Sites ending in .edu, .org, or .gov. While it’s not a rule, these sites tend to represent organizations, and they are more likely to be reputable than your run-of-the-mill .com sites
Your school library. It should have a section for articles and newspapers as well as books
Your school’s free academic database
Online encyclopedias like Britannica
Online almanacs and other databases

As you read, analyze your sources closely, and take good notes . Jot down general observations, questions, and answers to those questions when you find them. Once you have a sizable stack of research notes, it’s time to start organizing your paper.

4. Write an Outline

Even if you normally feel confident writing a paper without one, use an outline when you’re working on a research paper.

Outlines basically do all the heavy lifting for you when it comes to writing. They keep you organized and on track. Even if you feel tempted to just jump in and brain-dump, resist. You’ll thank me later.

Here’s how to structure an outline:

You’ll notice it’s fairly concise, and it has three major parts: the introduction , the body , and the conclusion . Also notice that I haven’t bothered to organize my research too much.

I’ve just dumped all the relevant citations under the headings I think they’ll end up under, so I can put in my quotes from my research document later as they fit into the overall text.

Let’s get a little more in-depth with this:

The Introduction

The introduction is made up of two main parts: the thesis and the introduction to the supporting points. This is where you essentially tell your reader exactly what sort of wild ride they’re in for if they read on.

It’s all about preparing your reader’s mind to start thinking about your argument or question before you even really get started.

Present your thesis and your supporting points clearly and concisely. It should be no longer than a paragraph or two. Keep it simple and easy to read.

Body Paragraphs

Okay, now that you’ve made your point, it’s time to prove it. This is where your body paragraphs come in. The length of this is entirely dependent on the criteria set by your professor, so keep that in mind.

However, as a rule, you should have at least three supporting points to help defend, prove, or explain your thesis. Put your weakest point first, and your strongest point last.

This doesn’t need a lot of outlining. Basically, take your introduction outline and copy it over. Your conclusion should be about a paragraph long, and it should summarize your main points and restate your thesis.

There’s also another key component to this outline example that I haven’t touched on yet:

Research and Annotations

Some people like to write first, and annotate later. Personally, I like to get my quotes and annotations in right at the start of the writing process.

I find the rest of the paper goes more smoothly, and it’s easier to ensure that I’ve compiled enough support for my claim. That way, I don’t go through all the work of writing the paper, only to discover that my thesis doesn’t actually hold any water!

As a general rule, it’s good to have at least 3-5 sources for every supporting point. Whenever you make a claim in your paper, you should support it with evidence.

Some professors are laxer on this, and some are more stringent. Make sure you understand your assignment requirements really, really, really well. You don’t want to get marked down for missing the correct number of sources!

At this stage, you should also be sure of what sort of format your professor is looking for (APA, MLA, etc.) , as this will save you a lot of headache later.

When I was in college, some professors wanted in-text parenthetical citations whenever I made a claim or used my research at all. Others only wanted citations at the end of a paragraph. And others didn’t mind in-text citations at all, so long as you had a bibliography at the end of your entire paper.

So, go through your outline and start inserting your quotes and citations now. Count them up. If you need more, then add them. If you think you have enough (read: your claims are so supported that even Voldemort himself couldn’t scare them), then move on to the next step:

5. Write the First Draft

Time to type this thing up. If you created a strong enough outline, this should be a breeze. Most of it should already be written for you. All you have to do at this point is fill it in. You’ve successfully avoided the initial blank-screen panic .

Don’t worry too much about grammar or prose quality at this point. It’s the rough draft, and it’s not supposed to see the light of day.

I find it helpful to highlight direct quotes, summaries, paraphrases, and claims as I put them in. This helps me ensure that I never forget to cite any of them.

So, do what you’ve gotta do . Go to a studious place or create one , put on an awesome playlist, close your social media apps, and get the work done.

Once you’ve gotten the gist of your paper down, the real work begins:

6. Revise Your Draft

Okay, now that you’ve word-vomited everywhere in a semi-organized fashion, it’s time to start building this thing into a cohesive paper. If you took the time to outline properly, then this part shouldn’t be too difficult.

Every paper has two editing stages:the developmental edit , and the line edit.

The developmental edit (the first one, at least) is for your eyes only. This is the part where you take a long, hard look at your paper and ask yourself, “Does this make sense, and does it accomplish what I want it to accomplish?” If it does, then great. If it doesn’t, then how can you rearrange or change it so that it does?

Here are a few good questions to ask yourself at this stage:

Is the paper well-organized, and does it have a logical flow of thought from paragraph to paragraph?
Does your thesis hold up to the three criteria listed earlier? Is it well supported by your research and arguments?
Have you checked that all your sources are properly cited?
How repetitive is the paper? Can you get rid of superlative points or language to tighten up your argument?

Once you’ve run the paper through this process at least once, it’s time for the line edit . This is the part where you check for punctuation, spelling, and grammar errors.

It helps to let your paper sit overnight, and then read it out loud to yourself, or the cat, or have a friend read it. Often, our brains know what we “meant” to say, and it’s difficult for us to catch small grammatical or spelling errors.

Here are a couple more final questions to ask yourself before you call it a day:

Have you avoided filler words , adverbs , and passive voice as much as possible?
Have you checked for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation? Spell-checker software is pretty adept these days, but it still isn’t perfect.

If you need help editing your paper, and your regular software just isn’t cutting it, Grammarly is a good app for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Chrome that goes above and beyond your run-of-the-mill spell-checker. It looks for things like sentence structure and length, as well as accidental plagiarism and passive tense.

7. Organize Your Sources

The paper’s written, but it’s not over. You’ve still got to create the very last page: the “works cited” or bibliography page.

Now, this page works a little differently depending on what style your professor has asked you to use, and it can get pretty confusing, as different types of sources are formatted completely differently.

The most important thing to ensure here is that every single source, whether big or small, is on this page before you turn your paper in. If you forget to cite something, or don’t cite it properly, you run the risk of plagiarism.

I got through college by using a couple of different tools to format it for me. Here are some absolute life-savers:

EasyBib – I literally used this tool all throughout college to format my citations for me, it does all the heavy lifting for you, and it’s free .
Microsoft Word – I honestly never touched Microsoft Word throughout my college years, but it actually has a tool that will create citations and bibliographies for you, so it’s worth using if you have it on your computer.

Onwards: One Step at a Time

I leave you with this parting advice:

Once you understand the method, research papers really aren’t as difficult as they seem. Sure, there’s a lot to do, but don’t be daunted. Just take it step by step, piece by piece, and give yourself plenty of time. Take frequent breaks, stay organized, and never, ever, ever forget to cite your sources. You can do this!

Looking for tools to make the writing process easier? Check out our list of the best writing apps .

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Screw you thesis!

Last time we met my friend, PhD student and working academic ‘Dave’ he was walking through the Valley of Shit . Dave emerged from the deathly valley soon after I published that post, but he has now hit the last phase of PhD study, which I call “PhD detachment”. Dave, somewhat more colourfully, calls this phase “Screw you thesis!”. He tells us why in this post, but caution – there’s some strong language!

Them: “Do you hate it yet?” Me: “Huh?” Them: “Do you hate it yet… your thesis? You know you are ready when you begin to hate it.” Me: “Uh… well, uh…no. Not yet.” Them: “You will.”

I’ve had this conversation a few times over the past few months and it was really starting to bug me. I never knew how to deal with it so I usually just smiled, nodded and said something like “I guess I will… eventually”, but that always felt false to me because on the available evidence, I didn’t really have any reason to hate my thesis.

Sure, I had my moments of doubt about the quality of my work and the worthiness of my contribution, but from what I can gather, this is all pretty normal stuff . After all, it’s not until the examiners have given it the Big Red Tick do you know with any certainty how good it is.

I couldn’t see why anyone would hate their project. That seemed counter-productive to me. Don’t worry about how you feel about it, just get on and finish it. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to waste energy on emotions about a project.

That is, until this morning when, all of a sudden, I hated it.

Not just hated it, but HATED it. The kind of burning hatred that consumed me with the heat of a thousand suns . I was pissed off and this realisation hit me, like many other realisations, in the shower.

You see, this morning I looked down in the shower and noticed that I was sharing the shower with two rubber ducks, a small rubber chicken, a tugboat, a plastic shark and my two year old son. When did all these things get in the shower with me? How long had they been there? Have I always had children’s toys in the shower, or is this a new thing? And what’s with the chicken? All the others at least have something to do with water, but a chicken? That’s just odd.

Come to think of it, what was the conversation about over the breakfast table this morning? What plans did I make with my wife? What did I agree to do later this week? What are the plans for today? I mean, I know what my plans are; I’ll be writing. But what will the rest of my family be doing?

Will they be going out in the sunshine? If so, with who and to do what? Was I invited? Even if I was, I would have said no, but the point is, I can’t remember if I was invited or not. AND if I wasn’t invited was that because I always say no anyway or has it become normal that my family make plans without me? When did THAT start?

This was starting to turn into a pretty heavy shower.

And that’s when I realised that I hate my thesis. Well, not my thesis exactly, but the all-consuming nature of it. I hate the fact that I can’t think about anything else. I hate the fact that my son is growing up fast and I can’t find the time to enjoy it with him.

I hate the fact that everything in my life is on auto-pilot and I don’t want to change anything. Change would mean I’d have to put energy into thinking about how I would have to re-enter the world again, for a little while, until I can put that part of my life back on auto-pilot again. I hate the fact that I haven’t had a good night’s rest in months. I hate the fact that I’ve lost nearly all of my friends as their patience for me finishing runs out. I hate the fact that I have come to hate my thesis.

But really, is that right? Maybe this hate thing is not hate at all, but resistance to change. Maybe I’ve mis-diagnosed hatred as resistance? Is that possible?

I’m reminded of some work done by William Bridges on organisational change. He argues that there are three stages of transition that people go through when they are faced with change: Endings; The Neutral Zone; and New Beginnings.

Briefly, when people are faced with change, something comes to an end. For people to transition successfully, Bridge suggests, they need to recognise that they will lose something , or indeed, they will lose part of their current identity.

When people accept this loss, they move into the Neutral Zone where they spend time examining the way they do things. What different behaviours and attitudes might better suit the new (changed) state? This examination can take longer than the change itself.

Finally, once the first two transition stages have been navigated , people begin to work towards New Beginnings. However, while this appears to be a neat little theory, people often find the psychological transition stages difficult and so they resist going through them.

Maybe that is what is happening with me and my thesis?

I’m nearly at the end of my project. I’ll be done in December. Come 2013, I’ll be doing something else. Something different. Something NOT my thesis. So I guess there is a sense of loss there.

I’ll no longer have to spend my weekends worrying about such things as methodologies, or qualitative codes. I won’t have to feel guilty because I didn’t hit my minimum words-per-day target. And, I suppose, I’ll no longer have the excuse of having to work on my thesis to get out of various social obligations.

I guess that also means that I’ll have to re-think the way I plan my time and focus my attention. I am already doing that to some degree – even though it’s only September, I’m already thinking about my teaching and research obligations in 2013 in light of the fact that the thesis will be done – it will no longer compete for time. How will that look, exactly? What routines will I have to change?

And finally, what does all this mean for me and my family once I’m finished? How do I begin to act as a Post-Doc father? I’ve never had to do that before. Where do I begin? What do I do?

As my project winds up, I realise that the deadline is approaching faster than I’d like it to. The change is coming , but I haven’t completed the transition and so I’m feeling a little edgy about that; I’m resisting and it’s manifesting as a strong emotion: hate. As the wonderful Leela James sings: “Whoever said it was ‘teasy, they lied; it ain’t easy…” but at least now I know what it is that I’m up against.

So, Screw You Thesis.

The change is coming and there’s nothing I can now do about that. But how I respond, well that’s up to me and I’m done with the hating bit. I see you for what you are now Thesis. I understand that once you are finished, I can get about living differently; a better life.

So I’m going to embrace you as I race to the finish. I’m going to look forward to this new life I am about to begin. I’m going to stop hating you and use you as a springboard into the future. The next time someone asks me “do I hate it yet”, I’m going to say: “I did. Briefly. But I’m over than now and am looking forward to finishing.”

Are you looking forward to finishing? Or resisting change? We’d love to hear how you are feeling about The End of your thesis journey in the comments.

The Valley of Shit

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)  

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading.

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:
Expository Essay Introduction Example

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail.

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction:

Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote.
Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic.
Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay.

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2

Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.
Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.
Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction:

Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading.
Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic.
State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay.
Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis.
Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic.
Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument.

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education:

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation.

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education).

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.

Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?”
Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher.
Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.”

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps:

Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.”
Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument.
Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.”
Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns.
Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.”

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement:

Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.”
State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.”
Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention.
Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.”

Examples of essay introduction

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays:

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.”

Expository Essay Introduction Example

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.”

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.”

Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic.
Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement.
Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined.
Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay.
Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay.

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3

Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote.
Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific.
Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay.
Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis.
Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors.
Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further.

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how. For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.”

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness.

References

Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills .
West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617.
Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242.

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Rejecting the Binary

The greatest gift judith butler ever gave me was teaching me never to allow your opponent to define the terms of the debate..

When Judith Butler was serving as my dissertation adviser at the University of California in the late 1990s, they did not yet go by “they.” No one in my circle did, and at the time that circle included one of the most forward-thinking spaces in the world when it came to matters of gender: Butler’s dissertation seminar, which met every two weeks so that each of their advisees could present work in progress to the group.

I had never taken an actual class with Judith, who arrived at Berkeley just as I was finishing up my coursework. A few years before, just after my Ph.D.-qualifying oral exam, I had been, in academic terms, deserted at the altar: The professor I had considered my chief ally in the department abruptly, and without explanation, made it clear she would neither advise my dissertation nor recommend me to any of her colleagues. She was one of those professors (the unethical ones, I now realize) who divide their students into an in-group and an out-group, and whatever the cause, I was now on the outs.

I dropped out for a few years, working an office job in San Francisco to save up money for a self-funded year of study abroad. When I came back to Berkeley to finish my degree, the corridors of Dwinelle Hall, where both my department (comparative literature) and Judith’s (rhetoric) were housed, suddenly felt impenetrably unwelcoming. What professor who had never even taught me would be willing to take on my weird interdisciplinary thesis topic? I began awkwardly introducing myself to faculty members I hadn’t interacted with before, flailingly outlining my half-formed idea.

Whether out of interest in the project or just as an act of mercy, Judith agreed to be my adviser. As I would learn over the next few years, they were not only a committed educator but a savvy academic ally, the exact opposite of that professor who had hung me out to dry after my exams. Butler understood the adviser’s role as a crucial cog in the bureaucracy, helping their advisees land fellowships, degrees, and eventually jobs. To that end, they offered me the kindness of welcoming me into their dissertation group, a room full of scarily brilliant (and a few just plain scary) people. Butler’s work by then extended well beyond the subject matter that had made Gender Trouble so influential and controversial when it came out in 1990. That book, Butler’s second, introduced the then-radical notion that gender could be better understood as a socially constructed performance than as a stable biological fact. It was a star-making book, one of those rare academic-press publications that cross over into the mainstream conversation: Whether you read it or not, if you were interested in feminism and queerness in the 1990s, it’s certain you encountered its argument out in the wild.

Because Judith Butler had become a star, even those who never seriously engaged with their work often had an opinion about them. For a few years, the conservative-leaning journal Philosophy and Literature ran an annual “Bad Writing Contest” to mock the alleged obscurantism of contemporary humanities scholars (though every “awardee” just so happened to work on questions related to leftist politics). When Judith won the award in 1999, they published a response in the New York Times that to this day remains a model for how to casually shred someone else’s specious argument using steel-trap logic and a sense of humor. (“I’m still waiting for my check!” Butler observed in acknowledging their recent “prize.”) The editor of Philosophy and Literature, Denis Dutton, never gave out the Bad Writing prize again, demonstrating the efficacy of a bit of advice I recall Judith giving advisees: Always refuse to frame the debate in the terms your opponent has set. It was not only Butler’s writing on gender that offered an alternative to the zero-sum logic of the binary; that insistence on reframing the question was at the heart of their pedagogical method, and maybe the greatest gift they gave me as a teacher.

Thirty-four years and at least a dozen books after Gender Trouble (on their own and co-written with other scholars, covering subjects from hate speech to post-9/11 global politics to Zionist nationalism to the COVID-19 pandemic), Butler is publishing their first book with a nonacademic press. Who’s Afraid of Gender? , out this month from Farrar, Straus and Giroux, is not the simplified, popularized reworking of their early writings on the topic you might expect. Nor is it a polemic in the tradition of Gender Trouble . Instead, it’s an analysis of contemporary political and cultural battles over the very topics that Butler’s early work brought into wider public discussion: the mutability and potential for radical social change that are contained in the category of gender, along with the right of women and all queer, gender-nonconforming, and trans people to live freely and safely in the world.

Who’s Afraid of Gender?

By Judith Butler. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

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So who is afraid of gender? Many, many institutional and governmental entities, not to mention activist groups both online and off, are now staging a mass moral panic about a “phantasmatic cluster” of anxieties related to gender and sexuality: queer and trans rights, feminism, abortion, contraception, reproductive technology, book banning. These issues, Butler demonstrates, can all be seen as parts of one very large and urgent problem: the global rise of authoritarianism. Donald Trump, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro—right-wing leaders and religious organizations from around the world are all busy stoking the same fearful rhetoric around the same handful of reliably incendiary issues. Any consumer of right-wing media is dosed many times per hour with “news” about their children being groomed by secret networks of left-wing pedophiles, or the imminent threat posed by imaginary gender pirates whose demand for basic bodily autonomy somehow imperils the sexual self-definition and even the continued existence of heteronormative cis people.

As statistics persistently show, the reverse is true: It’s women and LGBTQ+ people, especially those of color, who are far more likely to be the targets of workplace discrimination, online and street harassment, sexual violence, and murder. The projection of one’s own desire to oppress onto the target of that persecution is the kind of psychosocial phenomenon Butler excels at spotting in the wild, and at dismantling with the swiftness of a hunter field-dressing their prey. “They want to quash critical thought in the name of doctrine,” Butler writes after a discussion of Ron DeSantis’ attempt to institute a “Don’t Say Gay” policy in public schools, “and, by way of an inadvertently confessional projection, assume that their adversaries want the same.”

Gender is taking over, conservatives tell us. It is endangering the purity of the body politic. Butler notes how the right wing employs the language of migration to characterize gender as a force invading from below, transgressing its proper boundaries. Yet conservatives are also happy to replace that language with the image of gender activists as colonizing elites, bent on imposing their corrupt urban values on traditional rural cultures. The cognitive fog induced by letting these side-by-side contradictions stand unremarked upon is part of the point of such rhetoric. In the right-wing imagination, “gender” is nowhere and everywhere at once, an all-purpose wedge issue that Butler describes as a “diabolical” category. It can be spun so as to encompass every horror from Orwellian totalitarianism to lawless anarchy and also, somehow, both at the same time. The same kind of free-floating demonization has been used against Butler in their personal life, as they note in a rare autobiographical passage in the book’s acknowledgments. As their work has been translated and published around the globe, they and their longtime partner, the political theorist Wendy Brown, have been accused by fundamentalist groups of “a chaotic and lurid cluster of sexual crimes”; during a 2017 visit to a conference in Brazil, Butler was burned in effigy and denounced as a witch.

The intersection of psychic and political territory is nowhere better explored—or Butler’s refusal to cede the terms of the debate to the oppressors better displayed—than in Butler’s chapter on TERFs and the British. You might argue that this author’s rhetorical firepower is squandered on opponents with as weak a case to make for themselves as the anti-trans “feminist” movement that claims several high-profile proponents in the U.K. But Butler’s methodical examination of this group’s self-contradicting claims sheds welcome light on the way fantasy, paranoia, and scapegoating can supplant rational argument when it comes to the particular issue of trans rights. The chapter’s highlight is a section on the June 2020 post to J.K. Rowling’s website in which the Harry Potter author revealed for the first time the personal history of domestic abuse that, Rowling wrote, provided the origin story for her ongoing support of anti-trans bathroom legislation.

Butler’s response to Rowling’s autobiographical revelation is a case study in the value of close reading. They start off by conceding two important points: The online bullying and threats to which Rowling was subjected to were unseemly (“I will not condone that kind of behavior, no matter who does it,” Butler writes) and the abuse she suffered at her first husband’s hands was horrific. But Butler’s empathy toward the transphobic billionaire ends there, as they go on to coolly point out that “the motivation one has for entering into a public debate may be worth knowing, but it rarely suffices as the reason everyone should agree with one’s point of view.” Butler zooms in on the language of that 2020 post, a curious document that careens between the confessional and the delusional, with abrupt 180-degree shifts in logic. Immediately after a passage proclaiming her “solidarity and kinship” with trans women, and after stating that her empathy for them includes a desire to keep them safe, Rowling observes that

at the same time, I do not want to make natal women and girls less safe. When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to every man who believes or feels he’s a woman—and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones—then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside.

With the dry sense of humor that often characterizes their public speeches (and that used to leaven the mood of those long, sometimes dull dissertation workshops), Butler notes how quickly Rowling transforms these much-empathized-with trans women into a marauding band of poorly disguised men with violent intentions. The volley of questions Butler then poses to the absent specter of Rowling shows how broad a swath of social and political reality the novelist’s gaslighting brief on behalf of transphobia has left out. Rowling stresses her preoccupation with cis women endangered by cis men posing as trans, something that almost never happens, while making no mention of the frequently documented violence against real trans people in virtually all public and private spaces. “It would seem,” Butler writes, “that the violence she is concerned about is domestic violence perpetrated by men, but what about other forms of social violence inflicted against trans people more broadly? … What about incarceration, psychiatric pathologization, street violence, loss of employment?”

Having opened up the concept of “violence” to a broader set of possible meanings, Butler proceeds to do the same with “men”: “Are gay men even included in this category, or are they not thinkable inside the category? What about genderqueer men, or all those who categorize themselves as transmasculine? Transgender men?” True to their own advice, Butler refuses to engage Rowling’s argument on the novelist’s spurious terms. By interrogating her conveniently narrow framing of imagined cis-on-cis sexual aggression that is still, somehow, trans people’s fault, Butler exposes the blinkered paranoia of Rowling’s bathroom-invasion scenario.

As an opponent in a reasoned debate, J.K. Rowling is fairly easy to leave flopping on the deck. But there is nonetheless a lot to be learned from this confrontation between her brand of feelings-based anti-trans activism and Butler’s expansive view of gender, not as the possession of a privileged group that must circle the wagons to defend it, but as a feature of human life that transcends the concept of ownership. Trans-exclusionary feminists, Butler notes, “maintain that their rightful property, their sex, is being taken from them by ‘fake’ women.” But “gender categories are not property, and they cannot be owned. Gender categories precede and exceed our individual lives.” For Butler, gender is best understood not as something one is or has , but as something one does .

In the decades since Gender Trouble came out, though, Butler has acknowledged that their earlier view of the category now seems limited in ways they were unable to see at the time as a white Western feminist trained in traditional European philosophy. Citing the work of feminist and gender-studies scholars from Argentina, Nigeria, and South Africa, Butler observes that many non-Western languages have long had a vocabulary for forms of gendered existence outside the male/female binary.

It’s Butler’s embrace of the ultimate impossibility (even undesirability) of finding one final answer to the question “But what is gender?” that animates their long intellectual and ethical engagement with the subject. At one point in this new book, discussing the work of pioneering feminist scholar Joan W. Scott, Butler calls gender a “form of power”; on the next page, it’s a “structure that saturates the world,” which, while not a contradiction of the previous formulation, is far from a simple restatement of the same idea. Still elsewhere, Butler designates gender as “a site where biological and social realities interact with one another.” Near the end of Who’s Afraid of Gender? comes a burst of lyricism not typical of Butler’s usual rigorously pragmatic voice: “Gender has to remain relatively wild in relation to all those who claim to possess its correct definition.” Here I understand wild not as a synonym for “fierce” or “unruly,” but as the opposite of “domestic” or “tame.” Like a deer encountered on a walk in the woods, gender should be allowed to take off at a run to wherever it’s headed, to lead a free life without fear of unasked-for intrusion. No one, including Butler themself, should be allowed to capture that wild thing.

What about that Bad Writing award? In their first trade-press book, Butler makes a concerted effort to keep Who’s Afraid of Gender? accessible and jargon-free. It is, without question, a demanding read, but not because the author is obfuscating or showing off. Rather, the difficulty derives from the rigor of the thought itself, and the work of accompanying the movement of that thought brings its own kind of pleasure. More than anything, reading this book reminded me of attending one of Butler’s large lecture classes for Berkeley undergrads, which I used to drop into sometimes for the sheer joy of watching Professor Butler think on their feet as they boiled down big ideas into a form that students new to that way of thinking and writing could understand. A generation after I was lucky enough to study with them, Butler has gone from a star in the world of academia to that rare thing: a genuine public intellectual, one whose goal is not to restrict their ideas to an academic in-group, but to bring them to the world and, perhaps, to change it. If you’re not sure whether this book is for you, watch one of the many clips online of Butler talking about their work, like this 2023 lecture , which presents much of the material that makes up the book’s conclusion. What Judith Butler was for me 25 years ago, they now are to whoever cares to read them: a born teacher.

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If you Hate Writing Papers or Essays, Here's what to Do
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Thesis vs. Dissertation vs. Research Paper
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💯How I did write A+ Thesis 📚
For someone who loves writing I sure do hate writing sometimes #authortube #writinglife #writebooks
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“How was your essay”

COMMENTS

Is it normal to hate my thesis and feel like it is going to ...
It's super normal to feel that way. Every large piece of writing I've ever worked on, I've wanted to quit at one point because I was convinced it was 100% awful and worthless. And the thing is, most first drafts are kind of garbage. Sometimes I write garbage on purpose just to break the writer's block and get my stuff on the page, in whatever form.
I realize I made a huge mistake in my thesis and am not sure what to do
Hi guys, yea, I was able to correct my thesis and send it to my chair via an all-nighter. I'm sure they were annoyed, but they reviewed it and suggested some wording changes here and there.I can't imagine that my thesis is anything remotely like a dissertation, but it's still been challenging due to ADHD (I overlook details all of the time ...
What to do when I hate my thesis : r/AskAcademia
It is work, even when you like the topic. Take a break, don't think about the thesis, then come back to it. Write out a detailed plan for what else you need to write and how long it will take to write each section. Then stick to the schedule, but take breaks when it gets monotonous! Also, since you already know you're doing a masters, all you ...
I have having a tough time writing my thesis, any advice?
I thankfully have a background in science writing (5 years as a bench chemist doing monthly 100+ page reports for projects). It's still hard, because I am not getting paid to put 8 hours a day into writing my thesis. So I put an hour a day, sometimes 2, in writing. Even if its bad writing, I can go back and edit it later and fix it up.
Advice for graduate students having difficulty finishing their
First and foremost, when I encourage you to write at least 30 minutes per day, the most important part of that phrase is "at least.". It doesn't mean that you're going to complete your dissertation in one semester by writing for only 30 minutes per day. It's advice given to people like you, who are not writing at all.
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dissertation
Print it out, stick it on a wall, and get writing. 1. You are not alone. Nothing I am feeling is unique to my situation. Almost every academic has felt anxiety over their projects, and many people before me have felt the urge to quit. It is perfectly normal to hate my dissertation at some point, and to feel hopeless.
Thesis
Thesis. Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is arguable, which means a thoughtful reader could disagree with it and therefore ...
The Thesis Whisperer
3) Writing can be boring. There were about 30,000 words of my thesis which were excruciating for me to write because, not to put too fine a point on it, they were dull. These words were describing data I had collected and providing basic interpretations; the guts of the thesis really, but to me it felt like eating dry toast.
How to Write A Thesis When You Can't Even Look At It Anymore
Step #1: Set Bite-size Goals (don't bite off more than you can chew) You might think that you need to allocate big chunks of time to writing your thesis in order to "get in the zone.". In fact, giving yourself big goals and lots of hours to write, without any structure, is a recipe for disappointment.
3 Thesis Struggles and How to Overcome Them
Here are three thesis struggles you might run into along the way, as well as strategies to overcome them: 1. Unclear claim. A strong thesis relies on a clearly written and understood line of argument. To come up with your central claim, look for patterns that emerge across all of your data. You want to make a claim that is not completely ...
Why Graduate Students Can'T Write: Implications of Research on Writing
thesis, "Even the best of my own writing seems lazy and slipshod in comparison with excellent professional models. I know I'm supposed to write a publishable thesis that's an original contribution to the professional. 106 Journal of Advanced Composition literature. But I haven't had the experience to be able to write that
Ten things I wish I'd known before starting my dissertation
4) Do not ask friends how much work they've done. You'll end up paranoid - or they will. Either way, you don't have time for it. 5) There will be one day during the process when you will freak ...
What to Do If You Dislike Writing Research Or Academic Papers
Here are some techniques that can make writing your next academic assignment bearable, if not outright pleasant. 1. Take breaks. Taking regular breaks is important in any kind of work, and writing is no exception. Divide your assignment into a number of reasonably small parts and promise yourself to take a break after you successfully complete ...
15 things to remember if you've started to hate your PhD
8. Remind Yourself That PhDs Are Hard. Finding your PhD hard is kind of the point. Repeat after me: if you're finding your PhD hard it doesn't mean you're a failure, it means you're doing it right. Life is hard: commitments, bills, family, suffering, loss and day-to-day stresses. Life and doing a PhD is doubly hard.
How to Write a Killer Research Paper (Even If You Hate Writing)
Once you've gotten the gist of your paper down, the real work begins: 6. Revise Your Draft. Okay, now that you've word-vomited everywhere in a semi-organized fashion, it's time to start building this thing into a cohesive paper. If you took the time to outline properly, then this part shouldn't be too difficult.
I just submitted my thesis, and I still absolutely hate it
I ended up rushing the thesis so much at the end that I didn't even proofread it once. Now that it's submitted, I have no intention to ever read it again and I don't want a single copy to be printed and bound. If the school does print it and give it to me, then I'm throwing it straight in the trash. I hate that project, I hate the thesis, and I ...
The Thesis Whisperer
And that's when I realised that I hate my thesis. Well, not my thesis exactly, but the all-consuming nature of it. I hate the fact that I can't think about anything else. I hate the fact that my son is growing up fast and I can't find the time to enjoy it with him. I hate the fact that everything in my life is on auto-pilot and I don't ...
I've procrastinated working on my thesis for more than a year
Currently writing my MS thesis. "Concat all my existing work into a doc" was my initial move as well, and I discovered I had written a little on almost every topic already. In some cases, had written lots. That let me move to outlining and shuffling things around almost immediately, making writing about filling gaps instead of staring at a page.
I hate my thesis and I can't change it. : r/GradSchool
I hate my thesis and I can't change it. Warning, pity party ahead. I hate my thesis. I'm not passionate about it in the slightest. I made the mistake of changing my plan to fit my advisor's demands. And now I'm doing something that I don't think is important and will never touch again once I graduate. I've only just started it 2 ...
How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)
Clear Thesis Statement: The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. Relevance to Main Body: Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. Key takeaways Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay.
Judith Butler's crucial new book, Who's Afraid of Gender?, is written
Thirty-four years and at least a dozen books after Gender Trouble (on their own and co-written with other scholars, covering subjects from hate speech to post-9/11 global politics to Zionist ...
My thesis is an absolute pile of rubbish. : r/GradSchool
The thesis is just a vessel to learn, develop and improve skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and producing independent research at a high level. Think of it as an apprenticeship in research, of sorts. Like other apprenticeships (say, cooking), you are required to learn skills and theory in the kitchen.
I finished writing my thesis!! Oh boy does it suck!!! I don't ...
IceStationZebra93. I finished writing my thesis!! Oh boy does it suck!!! I don't even care anymore!! Vent. So, I have finally finished writing my dissertation. Every section has been filled out and everything is in its place. I hate every single sentence in it. I have literally spent the last few months cringing at it whenever I opened Overleaf ...

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence)

Arguable thesis with analytical claim

Arguable thesis with normative claim

Questions to ask about your thesis

How to Write A Thesis When You Can’t Even Look At It Anymore

How to Write A PhD Thesis Even If You Feel Completely Stuck

How to Write A Thesis When You’d Rather Do Anything Else:

Step #1: Set Bite-size Go als (don’t bite off more than you can chew)

Step #2: Remember: You’re Not Faking It (…and everyone else feels like an impostor too)

Step #3: Schedule Your Breaks—And Enjoy Them (otherwise, what’s the point of a break?)

Step #4: Eliminate Choices That Make It Harder to Get Started (the hardest part of any task is to get started)

Step #5: Start Writing, Even If You Think You Have Nothing to Say (ideas are born with writing)

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Ten things I wish I'd known before starting my dissertation

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1. Take breaks

2. Eliminate distractions

3. Find a writing place that works for you

4. Don’t try to write like somebody else

5. Practice

6. Don’t be perfectionistic

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15 things to remember if you’ve started to hate your PhD

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2. Don’t Push Away Negative Thoughts

5. Ask Yourself: Are You Biting Off More Than You Can Chew?

9. Keep failing

15. Lastly, Remember That It’s Okay Not To Be Productive

Your PhD thesis. All on one page.

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How to Write a Killer Research Paper (Even If You Hate Writing)

1. Pick a Topic

2. Create a Clear Thesis Statement

3. Hit the Books

4. Write an Outline

The Introduction

Body Paragraphs

Research and Annotations

5. Write the First Draft

6. Revise Your Draft

7. Organize Your Sources

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Screw you thesis!

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)

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Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:

Expository Essay Introduction Example

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How to Cite Social Media Sources in Academic Writing?

Rejecting the Binary

Who’s Afraid of Gender?

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)  