The word "Thesis"

[Tamirra]

Hi,

I've run across the word "thesis" in a couple of RC answer choices and I'm just wondering what the LSAT definition of this word is.

An example is: "A description of a thesis is offered, specific cases are considered, and an evaluation is given."

I've written a thesis but I can't make the two meanings correlate lol

Thanks,
Tamirra

[Claire Horan]

Hi Tamirra,

Besides being a synonym for "dissertation," "thesis" also means a statement or theory put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved." Your thesis (dissertation) put forward a thesis (theory) that you used many pages to defend or prove. In the example you gave, you could substitute the words "central premise" or even perhaps "hypothesis," if that helps you.

Good question!

[Tamirra]

Thanks! The word "theory" made it click.

Tamirra