dissertation (n.)

• argumentation
• article
• causerie
• descant
• discourse
• discussion
• disputation
• disquisition
• essay
• etude
• examination
• excursus
• exposition
• feature
• homily
• lucubration
• memoir
• monograph
• morceau
• note
• outline
• paper
• paragraph
• piece
• prolegomenon
• screed
• sketch
• study
• survey
• theme
• thesis
• tract
• treatise
• treatment