Created by Dr. Lorraine Miners-Lovel for Senior Project University College; University of Memphis

1. University College – Senior Project

2.  In an academic paper, you cannot just describe a topic. You
have to answer important questions or solve problems. It has
to have a point. The main point of an academic paper is call
the thesis.
 Your thesis should be narrow enough to focus on, but broad
enough that you find enough evidence to support it.
 So what does that mean? Let’s take a look at a sample.

3.  Read the following introductory paragraph to a brief essay:
 Mercedes-Benz is a German automobile manufacturer that
produces cars ranging in price from $30,000 to $95,000. The
cars are numbered in series, the higher numbers representing
the bigger, stronger and more luxurious models. Mercedes-
Benz cars, sold worldwide, are considered the best because of
their styling, engines and construction.
 The highlighted phrase above is the author’s thesis. This is
the point he will try to prove with the rest of his paper.

4.  In order to prove your thesis, you must present an argument.
An academic argument in not a disagreement between
opposing sides, but rather the organized presentation of a
viewpoint. You must prove your thesis or claim by presenting
reasons and evidence.
 Let’s look at our sample essay again.

5.  Mercedes-Benz is a German automobile manufacturer that
produces cars ranging in price from $30,000 to $95,000. The
cars are numbered in series, the higher numbers representing
the bigger, stronger and more luxurious models. Mercedes-
Benz cars, sold worldwide, are considered the best because of
their styling, engines and construction.
 The highlighted phrase above states the reasons that the
author believes Mercedes makes the best cars.
 Next, he has to present evidence that will convince his
readers that those reasons are true and we should accept his
thesis.

6.  Let’s take a look at how the author presents his evidence that
styling is a feature that makes Mercedes the best:
 The styling of the Mercedes-Benz is its most distinctive
feature, and is more enduring than the styles of other cars.
American and Japanese cars, for example, become outdated
within a couple of years after their introduction, but Mercedes
styling remains consistent and attractive for decades. The
interior styling of a Mercedes is particularly impressive. Its
richly padded seats and dashboard and its precision
instrumentation give drivers a feeling of security and luxury.
Mercedes-Benz places driver and passenger comfort high on
its list of priorities.

7.  The author writes a paragraph with evidence supporting his
reason that Mercedes’ styling makes it the world’s best car.
 He goes on to present evidence in two more paragraphs that
Mercedes’ construction and engines are also reasons that
they are the best cars.
 Please note that we have used a short simple example here so
that you can easily see the thesis, reasons, and evidence. In
your paper for this class, you will need to provide evidence
from relevant and reliable sources such as academic journals,
books, and approved websites. You will need to write more
than one paragraph to support your reasons.

8.  Try using the Toulmin Method for organizing the academic
argument to support your thesis.
 Present your main claim or thesis at the end of your
introduction. You may also include your reasons for believing
your thesis at this time as the author did in our sample essay.
 Take each reason and present your evidence for it in a
paragraph or section depending on the length of the paper.
 Present any opposing viewpoints and rebut them with
evidence supporting your view.

9. Main
Claim
Reason 1
Evidence 1
for Reason
1
Evidence
2 for
Reason 1
Evidence
3 for
Reason 1
Reason 2
Evidence
1 for
Reason 2
Evidence
2 for
Reason 2
Evidence
3 for
Reason 2
Reason 3
Evidence
1 for
Reason 3
Evidence
2 for
Reason 3
Evidence
3 for
Reason 3

10.  An academic paper must have a point, called a thesis.
 You must present your readers with reasons that they should
believe your thesis.
 These reasons should be backed up by evidence from
relevant reliable sources.

11.  https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/asc/writing/essays-
guides/documents/analyticalessay.pdf
 http://writingspaces.org/essays/what-is-academic-writing
 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/03/
 Booth, W., Colomb, G., & Williams, J. (2008). The craft of
research (Third ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.