Set a deadline. This will help frame the work you will need to do to complete your thesis paper. If you are writing a thesis paper for a class, it is likely you will have a deadline already. Work backwards, determining the blocks of time you will need to complete the tasks involved.
Write a thesis statement. Your thesis statement frames what the paper will be about. In other words, it is the topic of your thesis paper. In a formal program of study, your thesis statement must be approved and refined before you can continue writing the full thesis paper. Consult with your academic adviser or professor to see if this applies to you.
Gather resources and information. Once you have decided what the paper will be about, you can get to work gathering the necessary material that will support your thesis. Be sure to take notes on the sources you use.
Decide on your audience. Defining the intended audience for your thesis paper will aid in streamlining the development of the paper. Typically, the audience is the group of people familiar with the topic. Once you determine who your paper is being written for, stick with that audience throughout the paper unless there is a valid reason for not doing so.
Draft your thesis paper. A useful strategy is to free-write the paper to get all of your thoughts down. During this process, don't worry about punctuation, grammar or spelling and focus on content. Complete as many drafts as necessary until you feel confident you have written the core of your thesis paper.
Format the paper using an appropriate style. Formatting styles such as MLA and APA are ideal for thesis papers since they are designed to convey information in a concise and professional method. This is the phase where you must gather and cite all of the resources used in composing your thesis paper.
Write the final draft of your thesis paper. This will be the phase of writing where all grammar and punctuation should be correct. Work with an editor who has experience with thesis papers and can advise you on any problems with the paper. Correct any issues with the thesis paper before finalizing.