Guide to a Successful Thesis or Dissertation
Thesis Development Process
1. Initial preparation
2. Preparing proposal
3. Writing
4. Defending
5. Revising for publication
- Read all you can on your topic
- Write general ideas
- Discuss with colleagues, advisors
- Establish broad timelines
- Researching/creative work
- Presenting proposal
- Writing
- Revising
- Presenting
- Defending
- Clarify your topic
- Create lists of resources
- Use the Graduate College template for formatting your document from the very beginning of your writing process
- Start electronic note filing system, and then use it
- Read other proposals in your field
- Prepare a review of the literature related to your topic; be sure to include plenty of source literature
- Gather relevant articles, web sites
- Use reference management software like EndNote
- Use digital search engines
- Focus your research
- Have a series of meetings with your faculty advisor to work through issues
- Create an outline
- Write first chapters
- Create a working title
- Select your committee wisely and utilize their expertise
- Create a plan for the proposal meeting
- Review other dissertations before you begin writing
- Set up writing schedule
- Map revision processes
- Use different colored paper for each draft
- Create check-in points with advisor
- Present at conferences, gain insights from feedback
- Attend a thesis defense in your field
- Present finished work at additional professional meetings and conferences
- Consult with advisor about possible questions that may arise during defense
- Approach the defense with your advisor as a team; map strategies in advance
- Construct your defense as an educational presentation
- Prepare articles about your research findings
- Write and submit articles to specific journals/publications,
tailoring the presentation of your
findings to the focus of that publication
Links
This outline included ideas from:
Writing and
Presenting Your Thesis, S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D., Michigan
State University
Other helpful links:
How to Write a Thesis Proposal, Dr. Maury A. Nussbaum,
Virginia Tech
Writing Guidelines and other Resources, Dr. Maury A. Nussbaum,
Virginia Tech
Thesis or Question, Purdue OWL
(Online Writing Lab)
Developing a Thesis, Harvard University
How to Write a
Thesis, Indiana University
Developing a
Thesis, Northwestern University Writing
Center
Developing a Thesis Statement,
Cambridge Language Consultants
Developing
a Thesis, Dartmouth
Developing a Thesis, Hunter College
Introductions and Thesis Statements,
Hamilton College