what is a thesis?

Question

that one has to prove or support in schoorlarly terms

Answer 1

The thesis is normally the culmination of a candidate's research; submission of the thesis represents the completion of the final requirement for the degree being sought. In certain faculties (such as fine or performance arts), the thesis may be in the form of an artistic performance, a written work (of music, or of fiction, for example), or a painting or other artistic production.

The length of the thesis will vary depending on the specific degree. Theses submitted as part of the requirements for an undergraduate degree are usually much shorter than those submitted as part of a PhD. Length may be calculated in number of words, number of pages, or, when the thesis is written in a character-based language (such as Chinese or Japanese), number of characters.

Theses are most often written in the main language of instruction at the university granting the degree, but students of languages and linguistics, or those undertaking research in foreign languages, are sometimes permitted to submit the thesis in the language studied. In some countries it is a requirement to include at least some material in an international academic language; originally Latin and at one time French or German, this nowadays almost always means English. In countries where English is the predominant language of academic work, especially in the sciences, for example in the Netherlands or Scandinavia, an entire thesis may be submitted in English.

Answer 2

Definitions of thesis on the Web:

an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument
dissertation: a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

A thesis (literally: 'position' from the Greek θέσις) is an intellectual proposition. ----In academia, a thesis or dissertation is a document that presents the author's research and findings and is submitted in support of candidature for a degree or professional qualification.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis

Tesis (Thesis) is a 1996 Spanish film. The feature debut of director Alejandro Amenábar, and written by him and Mateo Gil, it won seven 1997 Goya Awards, including the award for Best Film. It stars Ana Torrent, Fele Martínez and Eduardo Noriega.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis_(film)

The basic argument advanced by a speaker or writer who then attempts to prove it; the subject or major argument of a speech or composition.
csmp.ucop.edu/crlp/resources/glossary.html

Original research often required for a Master's Degree.
www.usd.edu/library/instruction/glossary.shtml

a written paper elaborating on original research, arguing a specific view. Theses are often written for the completion of an academic degree, usually the Master's degree.
www.library.appstate.edu/tutorial/glossary/glossary.html

A substantial report which contains the result of research undertaken for either a Master’s degree or a PhD.
www.vuw.ac.nz/home/glossary/

An attitude or position on a problem taken by a writer or speaker with the purpose of proving or supporting it.
library.thinkquest.org/23846/library/terms/

A thesis is a substantial Master's level paper presenting independent research, which makes a contribution to the current body of knowledge in a scholarly field.
gradschool.uoregon.edu/glossary.html

A dissertation advancing an original point of view as a result of research, especially as a requirement for an academic degree. USU dissertations and theses are shelved between the reference collection and the computer section, and may not be borrowed. USU dissertations published from 1998 to the present are available electronically; select the Dissertations and Theses link listed under the Collections section on the LRC homepage.
www.lrc.usuhs.mil/jargon/jargon_words.html

Doctoral Masters
www.loc.gov/marc/dc/subtypes-20000612.html

A written work containig the results of research on a specific topic prepared by a candidate for a bachelor's or master's degree.
www.sic.hr/eng/glossary.htm

The central idea of an essay. The thesis is a complete sentence (although sometimes it may require more than one sentence) that establishes the topic of the essay in clear, unambiguous language.
www.bedfordstmartins.com/literature/bedlit/glossary_t.htm

The documented results of research, resulting in a degree being confirmed on the researcher.
www.petech.ac.za/library/libglos.htm

is an unproved statement, which is represented in the form of a premise, supported by arguments. Thesis tells a reader the point you are making in a topic-related discussion of your work.
www.customresearchpapers.us/swc/pocket-encyclopedia/t.php

A dissertation presented at third-level institutions
www.hea.ie/index.cfm/page/sub/id/519

An essay or treatise presented by a candidate in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree.
www.seattlecentral.org/faculty/jshoop/glossary.html

the point of the essay
wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/130/133428/glossary.html

"a position to be maintained [supported] or proved" (Oxford Canadian Dictionary). A thesis is an answer to a judgement-type question.
www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/~agraham/guides/tpglossary.htm

The central argument that an author tries to make in a literary work. Some might consider JD Salinger’s thesis in The Catcher in the Rye that society often forces people to be phoney.
www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/newsat/chapter12section2.rhtml

A written research component of a postgraduate programme having a value of 10 or more points.
https://ndeva.auckland.ac.nz/nDeva/Help/terminology.htm

A sentence that establishes the point, main argument or direction of a paper.
www.karinscourtyard.com/arkmanual/glossary.html

the University’s student information system.
www.staffs.ac.uk/services/qis/gloss.html

The central argument of your essay.
www.sonyaunrein.com/finalProject/glossary.htm

"The point." The thesis is the statement being made or the question being asked by the producer of the work; it is the centerpiece of that work. It may be stated overtly up front, or it may be subtly revealed through time. At its simplest, it the statement of Who? What? When? and Where plus the author's viewpoint or situation. Back.
www.trincoll.edu/~tvogel/gloss.htm

is the particular proposition, or argument, relating to the topic that you advance in a paper. A thesis is a statement of interpretation, as opposed to observation. The thesis is the heart of any critical paper.
homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/smead/Writerly%20Terms.htm

Thesis statement or thesis is the principal focus of an essay. It is usually phrased in the form of a question to be answered, a problem to be solved, or an assertion to be argued. The word thesis derives from a Greek term meaning "something set down," and most good writers find that "setting down" their thesis in writing helps them tremendously in defining and clarifying their topic before they begin to write an outline or a rough draft.
www.pearsoned.ca/text/flachmann4/gloss_iframe.html

is the central idea in a work of writing, to which everything else in the work refers. In some way, each sentence and paragraph in an effective essay serves to support the thesis and to make it clear and explicit to an audience. Good writers, before they begin to write, often set down a thesis sentence or thesis statement to help them define their purpose. They may also write this statement into their essay as a promise and a guide to readers.
members.tripod.com/hjohnsonmac0/TermsToKnow.htm

This website shows you how to develop a good thesis:http://www.writing.northwestern.edu/thesis.html

^_^Have a nice day!

Answer 3

Normally though it is shown in 'simple' terms, such as Einstein's thesis is that nothing can travel faster than light.

Answer 4

A long piece of english composition with some original ideas and insights, quoting all books you used. You gotta be a talkactive person to write one. :)