How to Write a Better Thesis

Contents

1 What Is a Thesis? ......................................................................................... 1
Criteria for Examination ................................................................................ 1
Attributes of a Successful Thesis............................................................ 1
Guidelines for Examiners ....................................................................... 2
Types of Thesis ............................................................................................... 3
Look at Other Theses ..................................................................................... 4
Examiners’ Reports ........................................................................................ 5
Summary of Chapter 1: What Is a Thesis? ..................................................... 6
2 Thesis Structure ........................................................................................... 9
Why We Have Trouble with New Tasks ........................................................ 9
Structuring Your Thesis .................................................................................. 10
The ‘Standard’ Thesis Structure ..................................................................... 11
Narrative ......................................................................................................... 14
Non-standard Thesis Structures ..................................................................... 15
Summary of Chapter 2: Thesis Structure ....................................................... 15
3 Mechanics of Writing ................................................................................... 17
Writing at a Computer .................................................................................... 17
Presentation .................................................................................................... 18
Writing Tools .................................................................................................. 19
References ...................................................................................................... 20
Tables and Figures .......................................................................................... 21
Tracking Changes ........................................................................................... 23
Document and Version Management ............................................................. 23
Writing Style .................................................................................................. 25
Thesiese .......................................................................................................... 26
Use of the Passive Voice ................................................................................ 27
Use of the First Person ................................................................................... 28
Verb Tenses .................................................................................................... 29
Punctuation ..................................................................................................... 30
Appendices ..................................................................................................... 33
xii Contents
Plagiarism and Research Integrity ................................................................. 34
Summary of Chapter 3: Mechanics of Writing .............................................. 36
4 Making a Strong Start ................................................................................. 39
Creating a Structure
Initial Efforts
Writing up at the End
Starting, and Starting Again
The Creative Process
Writing an Individual Chapter
Literature
Styles of Working
Working with Your Supervisor
Summary of Chapter 4: Making a Strong Start
5 The Introductory Chapter
Establishing a Context
Stating the Problem, Motivating the Study