Final answer:
The correct statement is A, indicating that the title of a paper should accurately convey its focus, meaning, and purpose. It should reflect the topic and engage the reader while the thesis statement forms the foundational argument that the paper will support and elaborate upon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is A: The title of the paper should convey the exact focus, meaning, and purpose of the paper. A title is a critical component of any essay or research paper as it is the first thing a reader encounters and therefore, it should accurately reflect the paper's content and the writer's approach. The title may hint at the thesis statement but it doesn't give it all away. Instead, the title should capture the essence of the essay while also potentially engaging the reader's interest.
The thesis statement, in contrast to the title, specifically defines the writer's argument or claim on a topic. It is the foundation of a research paper, providing an explanation and the components used to make that explanation. The thesis statement should guide the entire paper, with all subsequent information reinforcing or arguing in favor of the thesis. Effective academic writing will revisit and may refine the thesis statement as research progresses, contrary to the false statement D that once written, thesis statements cannot be revisited.
In summary, the title serves as a concise reflection of the paper's content and captures the audience's attention, while the thesis statement defines the scope and focus of the paper, serving as the foundation for the research argument.