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A Basic Guide To Writing A PhD Thesis

A Basic Guide To Writing A PhD Thesis


It's probably the case that if you are writing your PhD thesis that you are already quite experienced in writing essays, reports and research papers. Nevertheless the task is a difficult one that will require a lot of hard work and dedication to your subject matter.

It can be a long and lonely experience over a number of years and so it is a wise move to ensure that you get all the advice and support necessary to complete the thesis. This article will look at some of the key areas of a PhD thesis and how you can go about getting them done. When you complete it, the PhD will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Plan Meticulously

Obviously with such a big project it is necessary to have a clear idea of what it is that you intend to research and write about. Therefore it is crucial that you organize everything that you do that relates to the thesis.

You need to create good habits from the very beginning and so as you develop your research it's a good idea to file everything so that it is easy to locate. Any work that you do should also be placed on computer but remember to also back up your data. This kind of organization will increase your productivity enormously.

Create An Outline

This is another tip that will increase your productivity levels. By creating a structure of the thesis you will have a clear view of how to complete the project. This will encourage you as you will be able to see the progress that you are making. You should devise the structure so that you know the basics of each of the main sections of the thesis.

So write the chapter headlines along with a brief description of what you intend to write about there. This can help to break the mental barrier of writing a huge piece of work, as smaller sections appear more manageable to complete.

Use The Correct Style

It is vitally important that you are able to maintain the correct style when writing your thesis. So for example if you are writing a thesis related to physics then it's paramount that you use the correct technical language related to that field. Most University departments will have some form of a handbook that specifically deals with this issue, so it is a good idea to clarify what is expected before you begin.

Presentation Is Important...But Not That Important

Inevitably as you begin to reach the finishing line and complete your thesis, you will feel compelled to work on the aesthetics of the project. This is important as it will need to be correctly formatted and the grammar should be spot on. However, do not dwell on this too much. Remember that it is the content that will decide the grade that you get.

Make Sure Your Sources Are Correct

Finally, once you are happy with the paper you need to work on the references and bibliography. This is different for each university, so it is a good idea to check with a tutor to ascertain what style you need to use. This is why it is a good idea to record this information as you write the thesis. It makes the whole process a lot easier.


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