A thesis is a one or two sentence statement that directly states what your paper is about. Your thesis is generally one of the harder sentences to write, especially for those new to writing research papers. You want the reader to know with this one statement what your stance on the topic is and what you intend to prove with your research. Some good examples of a thesis statement would be:
Transitions are visual cues that inform your reader where you are in your paper. Your thesis has already established the topics you will be covers in your compare/contrast paper so these cues help your reader know when you are moving on to a new topic.
Compare or Agreement
additionally | again | also |
as well as | besides | by the same token |
coupled with | equally | equally important |
even more | finally | first, second, third, etc. |
further | furthermore | identically |
in addition | in like manner | in similar fashion |
in the same way | last, lastly | like |
likewise | moreover | not only ... but also |
not to mention | of course | second, secondly, etc. |
similarly | together with | uniquely |
Contrast or Opposition
(and) still | (and) yet | above all |
after all | albeit | although |
although this/it may be true | and yet | as much as |
at the same time | besides | but |
conversely | despite | different from |
even so | even though | however |
in contrast | in spite of | instead |
nevertheless | nonetheless | notwithstanding |
of course ..., but | on the contrary | on the other hand |
otherwise | rather | regardless |
then again | though | unlike |
whereas | while | yet |
Cause or Condition
... then | as | as long as |
because | because of | due to |
for that reason | given that | granted |
in order to | in the event that | in view of |
inasmuch as | on the condition that | on account of |
only / even if | provided that | seeing that |
since | unless | when |
whenever | while | with this in mind |
with this intention |
Examples and Support
as an illustration | certainly | chiefly |
e.g., (for example) | especially | for example |
for instance | for this reason | frequently |
i.e., (that is) | important to realize | in fact |
in general | in other words | in particular |
in this case | including | indeed |
like | markedly | most compelling evidence |
namely | notably | particularly |
significantly | specifically | such as |
surely | surprisingly | that is to say |
to be sure | to clarify | to demonstrate |
to emphasize | to enumerate | to explain |
to explain | to illustrate | to point out |
to put it another way | to put it differently | to repeat |
to rephrase it | truly | with attention to |
with this in mind |
Effect or Consequence
accordingly | as a result | because the |
consequently | for this reason | in effect |
in that case | then | therefore |
thus | under those circumstances |
Conclusion
after all | all things considered | altogether |
as can be seen | as has been noted | as shown above |
by and large | for the most part | given these points |
in any event | in brief | in conclusion |
in either case | in essence | in fact |
in short | in sum | in summary |
in the final analysis | in the long run | obviously |
on balance | on the whole | overall |
to conclude | to summarize | ultimately |
usually |
Time or Sequence
about | after | afterwards |
always | as long as | as soon as |
at length | at the present time | at the same time |
at this instant | before | by the time |
during | earlier | eventually |
finally | first, second, third, etc. | following |
formerly | from time to time | further |
hence | henceforth | immediately |
in due time | in the meantime | in time |
instantly | last | later |
meanwhile | never | next |
now | now that | occasionally |
once | presently | prior to |
quickly | shortly | simultaneously |
since | so far | sometimes |
soon | straightaway | subsequently |
suddenly | then | this time |
till | to begin with | until |
until now | up to the present time | when |
whenever | while | without delay |
Space or Location
above | across | adjacent to |
alongside | amid | among |
around | before | behind |
below | beneath | beside |
between | beyond | down |
from | further | here |
in the background | in the distance | near |
nearby | next | on this side |
opposite to | over | there |
under | up | where |
wherever |
Purpose
for this purpose | in order that |
so that | to this end |
Qualification
almost | although | always |
frequently | maybe | nearly |
never | perhaps | probably |
Intensification
by all means | certainly | in fact |
indeed | no | of course |
surely | to repeat | undoubtedly |
without doubt | yes |
Concession
granted | it is true |
of course | to be sure |