I’m not sure where people come from by saying yes, but something we do a poor job of in high school is teaching writing. You are taught to have your thesis in every paper, which makes you lose the ability to write a clear, cohesive, informative paper creatively. College writing is more open to that exploration, so long as it is done well…

Yes, having a thesis is a good idea. It does provide a certain amount of organization to the paper and helps to keep you, the writer, grounded in what you say. However, should you feel that you can write a better paper without that constraint then go for it.

If you’re really worried, have someone critique it before you turn it in – sometimes the professor themselves will be willing, sometimes you’re allowed to ask a friend (not from the same class obviously), sometimes another professor will, and sometimes, like at mine, colleges have a resource for students to use in times like this – we have the writing center and the office of academic achievement.

Most families have and verbally relay to their children, information resulting in the continuation of disregard and disrespect for the subject. The child internalizes these concepts, and uses them as “building blocks” for creating their foundation.

From these building blocks emerge a self image, hierarchy of priorities, and mental health.