Select an ethical topic or issue for the thesis. An ethical thesis may approach the topic from a number of perspectives. One approach is to focus on a practical ethical problem of dilemma, such an ethical issue connected with foreign policy, an ethical issue related to medicine or social work, and so forth. Another approach is to take a more theoretical and historical approach. This may entail focusing on a particular problem in Aristotelian or Kantian ethics. Whatever approach, it is important to narrow the topic to a specific question or questions that can be addressed in answered in the thesis. The average length of a thesis is between 50 to 100 hundred pages.
Research the thesis topic and compile notes and ideas. One of the primary goals of a thesis is to teach the student to do independent and scholarly research. Read all of the primary texts and authors who have written on the topic, read journal articles related to the topic. Compile a bibliography of all the books and journals. For example, if the thesis is on Kantian ethics, the primary reading includes "The Critique of Practical Reason," "The Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals." The secondary literature on Kantian ethics is extensive so an essential part of the thesis research involves determining what secondary texts are most profitable for your project.
Make an outline for the thesis. The outline should include the chapter divisions and the subdivisions within the chapters. The details of the outline may change while researching and writing the thesis. The research and writing process reveals aspects about the thesis topic that you were not aware of before. Do not be afraid of making changes and adjustments as you go along. This is part of the thesis process.
Start writing as soon as possible. The most common mistake involved in writing a thesis is delaying or postponing the writing process. Commit yourself to a writing schedule. This may involve writing a certain number of pages a day, working a set amount each day, or setting a date for the completion of each chapter.
Work closely with the director of your thesis. The thesis director is responsible for guiding and directing the thesis; schedule a monthly meeting with her to discuss your work and provide constructive criticism of your writing.