Even before a student starts a thesis, there are practical criteria that must be considered. A thesis will test the ability to demonstrate original thought and knowledge on a particular topic, so the ability to connect with the research material is vital. In other words, a thesis topic would have to be arguable i.e. have a clear initial idea with a number of sources and theories that can be used to develop a comprehensive criticism of that idea. Although not absolutely vital, the topic would ideally be interesting to the student; to study a topic that doesn't encourage a level of interest could potentially mean overlooking important details.
Many of the practical criteria that a student must consider for a thesis come from the actual act of planning and writing the thesis. The reading list is one of the most important criteria; an extensive reading list is important for a thesis as the student is expected to demonstrate an expert level of knowledge on a chosen topic. Quantity isn't the only thing the student must consider, the quality of the sources and the relevance of the sources to the direction of the thesis i.e. when the sources come from and how important they are to the thesis, are also important considerations.
Research is a fundamental criterion for a thesis. An individual charged with examining the research that has gone into a student's thesis will be very comprehensive in determining the adequacy of the student's efforts. It is therefore important for the student to demonstrate that their research design is adequate in regards to their thesis question. The research must also locate and discuss relevant evidence of a thesis topic, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of that evidence.
The argument and the presentation are the other practical criteria that the student must deal with in the construction of their thesis. The argument would have to be consistent and based on an extensive reading list in order to demonstrate a real understanding of the topic in question and an ability to challenge established material with authority. The presentation refers to the style and the format of a thesis; it is meant to demonstrate the student's ability to complete an advanced extended academic piece of work with a clear and readable format, correct use of spelling and grammar and an acceptable bibliography style.