How To Pick A Great Thesis Topic

As part of many graduate level and post-graduate level programs a thesis paper or project is required to fulfill the graduation requirements.  Some programs require the student to ‘defend' their thesis, which involves a process of being questioned by either professors or fellow students who ‘challenge' the thesis with the intent being to see how thoroughly the thesis writer can back up their position or conclusion. Other theses don't require a defense but offer the student an opportunity to display through their thesis all the various disciplines and areas of knowledge they have studied and thus demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subject matter.  Whether your thesis is a stand-alone document or a defensible platform or argument, it will often serve as a lasting record of what you have accomplished in your program of study.  Therefore it is in your interest to make sure you pick the ‘right' thesis topic.

One of the primary goals in writing many theses is to use it as an opportunity to make contacts and connections in the field in which you seeking employment after graduation.  It is a lot easier to get in touch with professionals that might otherwise not be willing to meet with you if you use the thesis and your need for their expert knowledge to speak with them.  If you make a good impression, often sources you use for your thesis may ask to see it when it is completed and in many cases will offer their help or advice in gaining employment. 

Depending on your major the thesis may be an opportunity to explore a particular area that you have been wanting to during your studies.  Perhaps you see an area that is overlooked or think you have stumbled on a solution for a problem that has not been done yet.  Some theses that truly break new ground in a particular area can launch your career and gain publication in industry journals.  If it is something you are particularly proud of you can send your thesis to leaders in your field to see what kind of feedback you get.  You never know when an experienced professional might want to take a promising young graduate under his wing.  For this reason, sometimes if you have a ‘passion' or what I call a ‘wow' topic that you think could really open doors or make a mark in your industry your thesis is one way to make that mark and launch your career.

Regardless of what topic you choose, it is important that you have a passion for the material.  The amount of time and effort to complete a thesis is nothing to take lightly.  You don't want to be spending all that energy and time on something that doesn't truly interest you.  In addition, you will do a much better job and enjoy the work involved if it is something you can really put your heart into and that you have a sincere emotional interest in.  Readers can pick up on writing that is detached and void of purpose.  Especially if you have a thesis that you will have to defend, it will be much harder if you really don't believe in your thesis.  Remember, you want to be able to show your thesis to prospective employers and you also want to be able to discuss it and the process of completing it with others and to come across as excited and genuinely interested.  If you pick a topic that is simply ‘easy' or ‘safe' it will be that much harder to impress them on the page and in person.

While you certainly want to choose a topic that you are passionate about, you want to also make sure that you are not biting off more than you can chew.  You should do an honest assessment of your abilities, personal strengths and weaknesses as well as the amount of time that you will be able to devote to your thesis.  You don't want to be overly ambitious and then be rushed to finish towards the deadline and not do a job up to your potential.  It is better to do a great job on a narrow topic than a mediocre job on a big and far reaching topic.  A very common mistake that some theses writers make is to be too ambitious and take on a project they really have no way of finishing with the resources and time they truly have.  They often then abandon the project half-way and do another ‘safe' thesis that while good enough to fulfill graduation requirements is not something the student is really proud of or that will be of great use in his pursuit of employment.

Writing your thesis should be one of the most satisfying endeavors one takes during his education.  With proper planning and with keeping these few simply rules in mind, your thesis should end up fulfilling all the goals that it can attain for you.  For more great articles and information about thesis writing, visit www.BestThesis.com