Theses vary between different colleges so it’s always best to check the guidelines you have been given. However, this is a basic structure of a thesis that should be a little like yours! Outlined below are all of the different sections that are usually in a thesis, including the kind of information usually in each.
- Cover Page
- Abstract
- Acknowledgements
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Main body
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Appendices
Cover Page
This will usually have the title of your thesis, as well as your name and the name of your college. It may also feature your course title and the name of your supervisor. Check with your supervisor if you need to add any extra details. The title should be in the largest font, and all the information should be centered.
Abstract
This is a short summary of the subject of your thesis and shouldn’t be more than 500 words.
Acknowledgements
Here is your chance to thank your professors, friends, family and anyone else who may have helped along the way. The key here is to be brief and professional, and to only thank those people who have really been key to your project.
Table of Contents
This can be entered manually or with the help of the Word feature, as a dynamic table of contents. A dynamic table of contents enables you to jump automatically to certain sections of the document by clicking on their title or page number in the table of contents. Make sure you update this at the end to match the final page numbers! It’s very easy to do some final formatting and then forget to update the page numbers, so it’s always best to leave this task to the end.
Introduction
This is another section that it is best to leave until the end. Writing your introduction first will invariably end up in a re-write as your paper will change and evolve as it goes along. The introduction should briefly introduce your topic and the main areas you will cover without going too deeply into any information.
Main Body
This is where you can get into the meat of your argument. Make sure you plan this out well to avoid a rambling stream of consciousness! Each paragraph should flow logically on to the next, in order to build a watertight argument. You should first discuss the literature you have used, followed by an analysis, evaluation, and discussion.
Conclusion
This should sum up all of the sections that have gone before. You may also want to present your recommendations, or suggestions for further work, depending on the subject area. You should not introduce new information here, but should present the opinion you have drawn from your research. Do try to be confident and forthright here. It’s always an anti-climax to read a conclusion that sits on the fence!
Bibliography
Make sure here that you list all the references you have used, and especially all those you have referred to in the paper. Check which format these should be in and, if in any doubt, use a reference generator, such as the one here, to check you are using the correct format, and that you have included all the necessary information.
Appendices
This is where you should put any extra material that cannot be included in the main body. This can include first-hand interviews, questionnaires, or transcripts.
Professional Proofreading
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