How to write a dissertation | writing a thesis

How to write a dissertation: methodology, plan and writing!

Contents

Before writing a thesis
The plan and the drafting of the different parts
After writing the dissertation

1. Before writing a thesis

Before writing a brief, several points deserve your attention. What type of dissertation will you be writing? How to organize your thesis writing work? Which subject to choose for your thesis? So many questions which it is preferable to answer beforehand, in order to ensure an efficient work! Scribbr takes you step by step through these first steps in writing a dissertation.

Here are the different elements of this first step:

The type of thesis you want to write.
Organize the writing of the dissertation using a work schedule.
The choice of the subject of the dissertation.
Learn about the general methodology for writing a dissertation.
Find your problem before writing your thesis.
Find the research questions from your dissertation.
Develop a research plan before writing a dissertation.
Conduct research interviews in a thesis.
The creation of an action plan just before writing a thesis.

A – The type of thesis you want to write

Depending on your level and your field of study, there are several types of thesis (research thesis, university thesis, graduation thesis, nursing TFE , etc.). The methodology for writing each type of thesis, but also the rules and conventions, may vary.

B – Organize the writing of a thesis using a work calendar

A work calendar allows you to organize yourself and plan the different stages of writing a dissertation. Thus, you will approach this final step before obtaining your diploma, in a more serene way!

C -The choice of the subject before writing a thesis

Whether it is a final thesis or a research thesis, the most important part remains the same: the subject. It is not easy to choose it and to do so you have to ask the right questions.

Here are a few examples:

What are my institution’s guidelines for writing the dissertation and choosing the subject?
What subject would be likely to interest me?
Is my subject feasible?
…

D – Learn about the general methodology for writing a thesis

There is a standard methodology recommended by French universities for writing a dissertation. So that you have a global vision of the way to go, we summarize, point by point these different aspects in our article on the methodology to follow to write a thesis.

E – Find your problem before writing a thesis

Like the subject , the issue is a central element in writing a thesis. It defines the subject’s angle of attack and makes it possible to write the thesis plan. The problem is a problem related to your subject and to which you must answer in your memory. To find a memory problem, follow the guide !

F – Find the central question and research questions of a dissertation

Have you finally found your problem? So research questions are the next step! Indeed, after finding a problematic (the problem), it makes you identify a central research question and sub-questions . The answers you provide to the sub-questions will provide an answer to the central question, and therefore to the problem .

G – Develop a research plan before writing a dissertation

Any dissertation requires research, in order to provide new elements that can support your argument. Doing research reliably involves developing a research plan and knowing the different existing research methods. We detail this step in a full article on researching a thesis.

H – Collect data for research in a thesis

We need to collect empirical data. Here are the possible options !

I – The creation of an action plan just before writing a thesis

Making an action plan before you start writing is imperative. This allows you to have a holistic view of what you need to write for your brief and when you should.

2. The plan and the drafting of the different parts

We are now getting to the heart of the matter: writing! So that this writing work is (almost) only fun, we detail each part: plan , cover , theoretical part , practice, acknowledgments …

Here are the different elements of this second step:

Make a memory plan.
Cover his thesis.
Write the cover page of a thesis.
Create your brief summary.
Write the preface of a dissertation.
How to write the acknowledgments of a thesis?
Know how to write the summary of a thesis.
Write the introduction to your dissertation.
Writing the theoretical part of a thesis.
Write the practical part of a thesis.
Write the conclusion and discussion of a brief.
What are the recommendations of a brief?
Written afterword of a dissertation.
Respect the rules of the bibliography.
Integrate the appendices into your brief.

A – Make a memory plan

To answer your problem , you will have to unfold your arguments logically. The outline of your thesis will serve as a framework for your ideas and, correctly thought out, you will avoid off-topics by presenting balanced parts.

B – The structure of a thesis

The structure of a thesis is its skeleton, that is to say: the different parts that compose it and on which you will have to work. To make things easier for you, we have given you an example of a typical dissertation structure .

C – Covering a thesis

Just as it is important to take care of the layout of your brief, the cover must also find the elegant and sober shape that suits your discipline. Make a good impression !

D – Write the cover page of a thesis

The cover page presents the information necessary for your identification and presentation of the thesis. In addition to our good advice, we provide you with a cover page template .

E- Create the summary of a thesis

The summary of your thesis allows the reader to have an overview of the document. It lists all the chapters and parts, their name, as well as the page number that corresponds to them. To be sure to respect its own rules, it is better to follow the example !

F – Write the preface of a dissertation

Once you have finished writing your dissertation, you can start writing the preface. It is placed before the introduction and introduces it in a more personal way.

G – How to write the acknowledgments of a thesis?

In the course of your work, professors, colleagues, friends, experts and various contacts involved in your field of study have provided you with assistance. Now it is imperative to thank them. Here’s how to say thank you brilliantly!

H – Knowing how to write the summary of a thesis

The first thing the reader reads is the summary of a dissertation. It presents the objective of the thesis and provides the main information of the work carried out. His writing is a synthesis exercise which must meet several criteria .

I – Write the introduction to a dissertation

Writing a thesis before this, writing the introduction to a dissertation is an important part, as it is the starting point. It presents the subject, the problem and the announcement of the plan. Here is its methodology and a concrete example !

J – Writing the theoretical part of a thesis

What is the theoretical part of a thesis? It is simply what defines the theories, key concepts and pre-existing ideas related to the chosen topic. In other words, these are the concepts used. This part is found in the introduction and development.

K – Write the practical part of a thesis

To carry out your thesis, you had to carry out observations, interviews, carry out questionnaires… The results of these different types of research allow you to confirm or not your hypotheses , this is the practical part of the thesis. It refers to the empirical aspect of your work and how to integrate your research results into your thesis.

L – Write the conclusion and discussion of a thesis

How to make a conclusion from memory? We take back most of what has been said, we respond to the problem and we open the subject. To help you, here are our examples !

M – What are the recommendations of a thesis?

Your thesis can provide a client (business or administration) with useful information for its future development. It will then be a question of setting out your advice in a separate section.

N – Postface to a dissertation

What is the afterword of a dissertation? This is a reflection on the period of writing your thesis. Like the preface , the text of the postscript brings a personal look to your memory.

O – Respect the rules of bibliography

An essential part, the bibliography of a dissertation is subject to specific standards that must be followed. To reference your sources and classify the bibliography in a conventional way, here are the rules to follow .

P – Integrate the appendices into a thesis

After writing a thesis, integrating the appendices seems to be the easiest part of the job. Be careful not to rush it! It will be a matter of intelligently adding the materials that you have used and that will help your readers understand the brief.

3. After writing the dissertation

As soon as one finishes writing a thesis, new questions arise. Which layout to choose? Is my title suitable ? How to prepare for the defense ? As promised, we support you all the way! In this last part, you will find everything you need to complete your memory perfectly.

Here are the different elements of this last step:

Choice of final title.
The layout of the thesis.
Proofreading and correction of the document.
How to print your thesis.
Prepare the defense of the thesis.

A- The choice of the final title

Finding a catchy title for a dissertation is not always easy. Fortunately, there are tips. Here are our tips for finding a punchy and relevant title.

B- The layout of a thesis

The rules for the layout of a thesis cannot be invented. To know everything about the font, the format of the pages of the document, or the numbering of the pages, follow the guide !

C- Proofreading and correction of a thesis after writing

No matter the quality of your work, if your text contains syntax, spelling, grammar or conjugation errors, it will discredit your words. To be sure that the job is clean and error-free, have any mistakes corrected before handing in the document.

D- How to print a thesis ?

Your memory is also a physical object that deserves your full attention. Avoid pixelated images, cropped page footers, cut headers… The impression of a memory is getting ready!

E- Prepare the defense of a thesis

After writing and printing your brief, comes its oral presentation. The defense of a thesis must follow its own plan. This means that it is not a repeat of your memory, but synthesizes the information, gets to the point and meets the expectations of the jury. To be sure you are properly prepared, follow our advice !