Thesis Writing free essay sample

Broad enough to address an important and interesting issue, but narrow enough to address the issue in the time allotted. Watch out: Your topic seems to get bigger once you are in it! + Sanderson the limitations of your situation (your capabilities, motivation, experiences, additional classes to be taken, supervision, required labor, dependence on others, etc. ) + Do some previous readings. Make sure you understand at least roughly what you are getting into. Study the state-of-the-art of the issue. 3 Before you start writing (2) Creating a timetable + Coordinate with your other commitments.How many hours per time unit can you effort? Discuss the timetable early enough with your advisor. He/she may have experiments, travel or other activities on his/her mind which you should know. Reading strategies + Illustrated that you are not going to know exactly what you are looking for in the beginning. Research is not fully playable. + First read to explore. Then read to focus. Finally read to understand all the details of previous relevant work. + Read critically. Research is not about believing, but about asking questions. Try to get to the primary sources. A topic may be misinterpreted by secondary sources.Read always you can never do enough reading! This holds especially for a PhD thesis: You should finally know more about your topic than anybody 4 else, including your advisor! Before you start writing (3) Writing as you research + As you read, take notes (summaries, short reactions). As you research and experiment, write things down. Keep a journal and list everything what you do related to the topic. Very often you will publish one or more papers before you complete a PhD thesis any,away. + Take advantage of other peoples writing skills and experiences. If you have experienced co-authors like your advisor(s)-, learn by doing!A good co-author is a very valuable teacher. + Writing helps focusing and clearing issues. You may have good ideas in your brain, but only when you write them down you will notice what is missing. Also, it is very helpful to explain things to others early in the process. This may lead to useful feedbacks. 5 Before you start writing (4) Presenting as you research + Presentations are another means for shaping your thoughts and getting input from the outside world. This is part of the larger issue of communication. Doing good research is one thing communicating it properly is another one. Presentations should be started in your own group. Dont be afraid your colleagues are in a similar situation. Together you will robustly your presentation and public discussion capabilities, before you encounter a larger, international audience and possibly some very critical big-shots. + In many places the defense of a Master or PhD thesis also includes a presentation and public discussion. Be prepared for that! 6 Guidelines and tips Layout (modified after Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, University of Newcastle Upon Tone) Presentation format. Dictated by institutional guidelines. Sizes of page raging and line spacing Formats of title page, list of contents, appendices, list of references, illustrations, figures, tables numbering system of chapters and sections, pages, figure and table captions, equations font-styles for chapter and section headings, other text, figure and table captions, equations, quoted work, citations how references are cited how tables, figure s and equations are cited Tips: + Find out early enough about these regulations. It saves time. Places: Library, student office, graduate school, advisor + Get hold of a thesis written by another student of your Department 7Guidelines and tips (2) Structure Organization of chapters or sections. No fixed regulations, but certain rules: Title page (full title and subtitle, name of author, statement about degree program, date of submission) Abstract (objectives of work, methodologies used, main findings). Should be self-contained. Contents list (chapters and sections with page numbers) List of tables, diagrams and illustrations (figure and table numbers, with captions and page numbers) Nomenclature list (nomenclature and acronyms used) Acknowledgements (contributions of advisors, colleagues, sponsors, friends, etc. ) Contd.Guidelines and tips (3) Main text + Chapter introducing the research (motivation, objectives, methodology, overview) + Chapter reviewing the work that has been done before + Chapter or two describing in detail the methodology adopted or pr oposed + Chapter or two presenting the main results of the work + Concluding chapter, summarizing the main findings, statements about the main contributions and recommendations for future work References (list with refs cited in the thesis) Appendices (parts which would disturb the flow of reading: Well-shown facts, lengthy derivations, sample calculations, long abeles, background information) Tips: + Spend enough time planning the structure + Get copies of other (good) theses. Talk to your advisors + Write abstract and introduction chapter last 9 Guidelines and tips (4) Flow of contents Writing a thesis is like writing a novel: There must be some internal logic.Confusing sentences will make the reader give up very quickly. And the examiner will react with low marks! Tips: + Avoid repetitions (copying your own sentences several times) + Avoid copying other people sentences. Develop your own style + Maintain thread between adjoining chapters joining words/sentences) + Define all variables in equations and in calculations. Use variables according to general practice. Dont use the same variables for different things + Describe test and computational conditions. The reader usually is not familiar with your facilities + Leave out material that does not contribute directly to the discussion or development Of an idea Contd. 0 Guidelines and tips (5) Tips: + Avoid long and complex sentences. The matter may be complex enough -? describe it in simple terms + Apply punctuations correctly + Do not repeat certain words too often and too close together. Use a thesaurus to introduce variety in expressions. Avoid bombastic words. Avoid rarely used vocabulary and do not generate your own words + Writing in the active voice improves the reading pace and dynamics. Active: Parameter (a) improves the performance of the algorithm Passive: The performance of the algorithm is improved by parameter (a) (Active expressions are more assertive! ) + Illustrations and diagrams are very important.Use them in the right place and such that they are readable in terms of graphic style and explanations of variables 11 Guidelines and tips (6) The o Abstract Provides the reader with a summary of the contents. It should be brief, but contain sufficient detail: Motivation of work, objectives, methodologies employed, main results and conclusions. Abstract should be self-contained. Tips: + Write the Abstract last! + Use punchy style to attract reader. 12 Guidelines and tips (7) The illumination Discuss motivation for the work. Define the problems that you wish to attack. State briefly state-of-the-art of the research issues and objectives of the work. Give indication how the work will progress. Provide overview of the thesis contents. Tips: + Write the Introduction last! + Do not repeat the sentences room the abstract + Use punchy style to attract reader. 13 Guidelines and tips (8) The Literature Review (previous work) State why the problem of the thesis is important. Describe what others have done. Set benchmarks for your own project. Justify the use of specific methodologies in your work. Tips: + Concentrate on most important publications. Use primary literature. + Keep it confined to topics really relevant to your own work. Dont try to show off by citing too many authors. + Make sure you do not miss the latest developments. + Science is international.Check the international scenery. + Make sure you understood hat you have cited! 14 Guidelines and tips (9) The Concussions and Recommendations for Future Work Some people only read abstract, introduction and conclusions. So make sure these three chapters are internally consistent and conclusive. Contains: Summary of main findings, critical analysis of results, what is really new? Where did you achieve progress? Directions for further research. Tips: + Check if the project objectives have been achieved and if not, explain why. + Clearly distinguish your own from other peoples work. + Pretentious conclusions and contributions concisely and factually. Write in a punchy style, but dont lam things you did not achieve. 15 Nine steps to developing an efficient draft of your manuscript (modified after San Francisco Edit, www. Sifted. Net) 1 . Consolidate all the information. Ensure that you have everything you need to write, e. G. All data, references, drafts of tables, figures, etc. 2. Start writing. Write when your energy is high. Try to find a time and place where you can think and write without distractions. 3. Write quickly and in larger portions. Keep the flow going. The first version does not have to be perfect. Leave gaps if necessary, search for correct words, data, figures, etc. Later. Do the editing later. 4. Write in your own style (voice).Avoid copying sentences from other authors, the reader will notice this. 5. Keep to the plan Of your outline. Avoid wandering around and meandering. Keep the red file, the reader must be able to follow you. Dont jump from issue to issue. 6. Write the thesis in parts. Treat each section as mini;essay. Check if each section can stand alone. 16 San Francisco Edit, www. Sifted. Net) 7. Put your first draft aside. Let it rest for a few days or even longer. Fresh reading will give you additional insights into and critics of your own text. Good things need time! . Revise it. This may have to be done several times. Let a colleague have a look at it. If your control of the language (English! Is not sufficient have somebody (expert) proofreading it. For detailed checking see section Checkpoints to consider! 9. Target a journal. Thesis work should also be published in journals. Define your content in relation to the goals of the journal. Consider the audience Of the journal. Check several recent journal issues. Condense your thesis into manageable junk(s) for journal publication. Dont try to put everything into a journal manuscript. 17 Checkpoints to consider (1 ) Introduction Does it arouse interest or curiosity? + Does it include a thesis statement? + Does it include all the important goals and content statements? + What is the authors purpose in writing this thesis? Does it show the attitude of the writer to the statement? + Does it give sufficient credit to previous work? 18 Checkpoints to consider (2) Body + Does each paragraph have one main idea which clearly relates to the thesis statement? + Do the paragraphs come in logical order? + Does each paragraph contain enough specific details which expand or clarify the main idea of the paragraph? + Are transitions used between paragraphs to help the deader follow the train of thought from one paragraph to the other? 19 Checkpoints to consider (3) Conclusions Are they clearly related to the thesis statement and the body? Do they develop from the material or do they seem forced and artificial?Are the main points summarized briefly? Be honest with the critical assessment of your own results. Dont try to pretend things which you have not achieved. + Are the perspectives clear and concise? + Dont forget to make clear and realistic suggestions for future work. + + + + Note: Introduction and conclusions together should be selectiveness! 20 Checkpoints to consider (4) Generalities (1) + Is the wording appropriate and accurate? + Is the language acceptable (spelling, punctuation, grammar)? + Are the points presented in a coherent, logical order? Dont loose the red file! Concentrate on the essentials! + Do arguments flow smoothly logically from one to the next Are arguments supported by appropriate examples? + Remember: Nobody should know more about the issue you are dealing with than yourself. Consider this in your text by explaining things carefully and clearly,but not too exhaustively! + Are references sufficient, not too exhaustive and relevant? + Pay credit to the earliest findings/developments (primary literature). 21 Checkpoints to consider (5) Generalities (2) + Is th e referencing consistent and in accordance with the author specifications? + Are sources acknowledged? Dont just copy other authors sentences and figures without referencing. + Are the pages numbered and are there indices? 22 General advice (given by MI T, modified) A.Think of a thesis as a series of small related tasks Do some research of the literature Summarize and comment upon the literature Perform experiments or/and do fieldwork Write up the results from those experiments Draw conclusions from what you have done See how your exults and conclusions fit with the literature Put all these pieces together into a whole. Follow a format which your Department will give you or that you will find in a journal or a conference. + Edit your document carefully for content, format, spelling, grammar and mechanics + Consult other, more experienced people for help and support 23 General advice (2) B. Do not think l have to write a whole thesis! + Stitch pieces together + Dont write one big piece at a time C. Do not put off writing the thesis until the end + Start to write as early as possible, even if it is only your random thoughts + Any task that you are performing can be written about! D.