Open vs Closed Thesis - Writing Tips with Examples | Affordable Dissertation

Important Notes:

• Open thesis statements offer opportunities for further interpretation, while closed statements limit the researcher from staying on the main point of the topic.
• To write an open thesis, understand the concept, use concrete language, give background context, and use ‘W’ questions.
• Understanding the topic, brainstorming ideas, adding clear evidence backed with proof, and reviewing multiple times will craft a winning closed statement. 

Writing an outstanding thesis statement is challenging for students and researchers alike. They need to be focused to understand the concept and formulate a clear statement. It goes without saying that to write a compelling statement, they must strike the difference between the open vs closed statements. They also need a deep understanding of the topic, exceptional critical thinking skills, and writing skills. 

Are you going to write your thesis? Need help understanding the concept of open thesis vs closed thesis? Then this guide is for you. Here, we shall share key differences between these statements and give some writing tips for writing them. 

What is the Difference Between an Open Vs Closed thesis?

A thesis statement is written at the end of the introduction section and addresses the main problem that is being discussed in the study. There are two types of this statement: closed thesis vs open thesis. Have a look at what they are. 

Open Thesis Statement

The open thesis statement offers opportunities for readers to explore the diverse perspectives of the study. Additionally, this statement provides a roadmap to the audience for further interpretation without stating the main point of the topic. 

• This statement is good for a long essay in which multiple and complex points need to be discussed.
• Avoid using this thesis for timed essays.

Example: 

Dallas is a better city than New York.

Closed Thesis Statement

A closed thesis statement provides a clear and concise claim that leaves no room for further interpretation. This statement comprises all the main points that the researcher intends to discuss in this study. 

• The close thesis is best for short essays where only some major points need to be discussed.
• Use this statement for timed essays. 

Example:

Due to its size, historical importance, and European heritage, Dallas is a more attractive city than New York. 

After getting to know about the key differences between open vs closed thesis statements, it’s time to explore some tips to write these theses. Let’s get started. 

Open Thesis Writing Tips

An open thesis leaves room for the writer to explore the topic from a broader angle. No doubt, the writer gets the opportunity to add his unique viewpoint while writing this statement. However, this writing task can be confusing and difficult for the writer. 

If you are facing difficulties in thesis writing, then you can seek help from professional thesis writers who can write a thesis that meets academic standards. Apart from this, you can follow the tips below to write an open thesis. 

1. Understand the Open Thesis

To write this thesis statement, you must first understand what is an open thesis. This statement is not a definitive claim, but it empowers writers to explore the topic by using his unique approach. Needless to say, this statement is different from the close thesis. 

Understand this by a simple example. The close statement for a certain topic might be “Death sentence is immoral and must be banned.” The open thesis on the same topic can be written as “The death sentence is unethical and needs further investigation.”

2. Write a Clear Statement

No matter whether you are writing an open or closed statement, clear wording is the key to success. Therefore, when you write your thesis statement, try to use clear words that are understandable and deliver a clear and concise message. Use specific words that don’t confuse your readers.

It goes without saying that vague language can be interpreted in multiple ways and distract your readers from the main issue of your research paper. For instance, instead of writing, “economy is bad,” write, “The unemployment ratio of the UK has increased by 6% in the last five years.”

3. Use Concrete Language

Two types of language are used in essays: concrete and abstract. Concrete language consists of words that are used to describe tangible ideas or concepts. On the other hand, abstract language refers to intangible ideas or things. 

So, when you write your thesis, we recommend that you use concrete language that is significantly helpful in making it more understandable. For example, instead of writing “I love my family” write “When I am with my family, I am happy and satisfied.”

4. Give Background Context

The prime purpose of crafting an open thesis statement is to provide a summary to readers of the research study. So, it is essential to include background context to make a foundation of your thesis. 

Undoubtedly, this context helps readers to understand your research’s perspective and give them a clear comprehension of your topic. Instead of writing, “Our education system needs to be improved,” write your statement, “Standardised testing practices need to be revolutionised as these badly impact students’ learning.”

5. Add Relevant Supporting Evidence

Supporting evidence can make or break the thesis statement. This evidence helps your readers to understand the tangible examples that you have included in your argument. So, when you add supportive evidence, make sure that it is concise, strong, relevant, and authentic. 

Further, make your evidence strong by using factual data. This data tells your readers that you conducted extensive research and gathered reliable data. For instance, write, “According to the survey, 55% of Americans support strict gun laws for the use of guns.” instead of writing, “Many people support gun control.”

6. Use Questions Starts with ‘W’ 

It is good to formulate your open thesis at the start of writing your academic document. Furthermore, when you craft your open statement, try to start with ‘W’ questions relevant to your research topic. These questions will help you to identify your interests and empower you to start your essay with strong points.

Suppose the topic is “The relation of United States courts and media.”. Start with the general ‘W’ questions and then move to particular ones.

• Why is the media involved in court?
• What is the role of the media in courtrooms?
• What cases am I going to discuss?
• Where did the case take place with the help of the media?

Closed Thesis Writing Tips

To write your closed thesis statement, you need to make arguments and then give reasons or reasons that support your argument. By following this format, you can craft a statement that is broad in scope and specific enough to write your thesis on. Further, you can buy a thesis online from Affordable Dissertation UK, which will save you from the intricacies of writing a perfect closed thesis. 

Apart from this, you can get guidance from useful tips that we are going to share in this section. Check out how you can write an outstanding thesis by following these tips. 

1. Understand the Topic

Understanding your topic is essential to writing a concise and clear, closed thesis statement. It goes without saying that you must know everything about your topic. As it is difficult to write about something you don’t know. 

Therefore, when you start writing your thesis, first take time to conduct thorough research on your topic and understand it. Once you understand the main idea of your topic, writing a thesis statement is like a walk in the park. 

2. Brainstorm Ideas

We know that writing on a new and complex topic might be hard for you. So, we suggest that when you come across this situation, grab a pen and paper and write down everything that comes to your mind related to the topic. This information can be your perception or some random ideas based on the preliminary research. Thus, writing down these ideas will help you to shape your thesis statement. 

Moreover, while brainstorming your ideas, ask yourself the following questions.

• Did these ideas create any new connection?
• Do you notice any theme among these ideas?
• Can you place these ideas into categories?

3. Add Clear Arguments

A thesis statement should neither based on a fact statement nor just be an opinion. It must include strong arguments that provide your reader with a roadmap of what you intend to discuss in your paper. 

In addition to this, try to maintain the originality of your idea by sticking to your opinions. Discussing the agreed-upon opinions will not lead to a compelling study. Therefore, make unique arguments that open doors for new opportunities for discussion and compel readers to think in a new direction. 

4. Must Give Direction with Proof

Specifying your direction at the start of your writing is very important. If you need clarification about which direction you need to take your research paper, then it will be difficult for you to make solid arguments. All in all, your thesis statement must clearly state what research you are going to conduct.

In addition to this, you must support your argument with strong evidence that will intrigue your readers to continue reading your dissertation. You must be able to discuss this evidence in detail in your research document. 

5. Phrase Your Topic as a Question

It is not always easy to summarise your broad topic into a precise sentence that clearly delivers the main purpose of your research study. So, we recommend you phrase your topic into a question. This question will be the working thesis and will help you write a winning closed thesis statement. 

For instance, if your topic is “Education and Technology”, then write a topic question: “How does technological advancement influence students’ learning?” If you know the answer to this question, write it with evidence. This answer will be your closed thesis statement. 

6. Review and Polish

Generally, you cannot write a perfect closed thesis statement in your first attempt. It is okay; we know you are not an expert. Needless to say, with reviewing and editing, you can craft the best paper for your academic project. Additionally, when you review your thesis statement, keep in mind the following key points:

• Your statement will not be too specific or not too broad.
• This should prompt further discussion.
• It must contain strong arguments. 

If your thesis contains the above-mentioned features, then it’s perfect; if not, then you need to polish it with reviewing and editing. Besides this, if you doubt your skills, you can seek help with editing and proofreading in thesis writing from professionals at a legitimate firm. 

Open vs Closed Thesis Examples

After exploring the writing tips for open and closed thesis, we hope that you understand the difference between closed and open thesis statements. But if you are still confused between these two statements, check the examples below for better understanding.

Conclusion

Writing a winning thesis statement is certainly a challenging task for students who are already struggling with managing other academic duties. To ace this task, you need to understand the key difference between open vs closed thesis statements. 

An open thesis comprises a broad perspective of your topic and opens doors for new ideas. On the contrary, a closed thesis statement is concise and helps you to stay on track while conducting research. After knowing the difference, your next goal is to write these statements.

In this blog, we have shared comprehensive tips that will guide you in effortlessly writing outstanding open and closed thesis statements. Moreover, these tips will save you time and help you to make your thesis successful.