Easy Dissertation Writing Rules to Remember About
A dissertation is an academic paper normally done at the end of the final year. It is the most demanding of all the papers that college students are required to write. It involves a lot of literature review and data collection and this makes it hectic. However, since it forms part of the final score, students have to get it right. The student is required to relate what others have said concerning a particular subject with the current findings then make conclusions. Even though different literatures have different publishing dates or periods, a consistent flow of ideas and facts must be achieved. In a good thesis, relevant research questions should be raised at the beginning then answered towards the end. There are specific rules that govern the presentation of every type of academic paper. The common rule in all papers is that they are written in formal format and tone. Below are easy and basic rules that govern thesis writing.
- Structure: Every academic paper has a specific structure. The structure of dissertation paper gives it a progressive flow. The main sections are; the purpose of the study, the literature review, methodology, findings and discussion.
- Acknowledging sources: This type paper involves a lot of borrowing from different sources like books and journals. To avoid plagiarism, a bibliography and appropriate referencing must be done to acknowledge the various bodies of knowledge.
- Photomicrographs: If they are used in the paper, they must have symbols and internal scale markers contrasting the background for proper identification.
- Page numbering: All the pages must have serial numbers written on the upper right hand side.
- Statistical references: Any statistical tests included in the paper must be well referenced so that the evaluator can do verification.
- Timeline: This kind of academic paper must be started, completed and submitted during the academic period. Not before or after.
- Font: The paper should be written in an official font like the Times New Roman or aerial size twelve.
- Abbreviations: only the standard ones should be used and only if it is necessary.
- Relevant questions: Most of these types of papers begin with questions that should be answered before the end of the paper. One must pick questions on issues that have not been adequately or exhaustively handled in their field of specialization. This allows one to have an adequate scope of study as they try to fill in the gaps.
- Choose a good topic: One may wonder what really makes a good dissertation topic. The topic of study should give the reader enough clues of the direction that the study will take. It should also cover a workable scope; not too wide and again not too limiting.
- Accurate data: It is impossible to clear data of all discrepancies. However, data collected for this study must exhibit the highest possible degree of accuracy. This enables one to be consistent and to achieve purpose of the study. Highly inaccurate data is hard to analyze and interpret.
- Content: a minimum of a third of the paper must be obtained from the student’s personal study.
- Line spacing: the whole paper including the tables if any should be double-spaced.
- Language: the language used should be simple and precise. Usually in the writer’s own language.