6.7 PhD Thesis Writing Tips

Although the writing of your thesis has been covered in some detail here, this one page guide may prove useful for quick reference:

• Plan carefully and thoroughly at every stage.
• Have a working title for each chapter.
• Write your thesis in the order that seems best to you.
• Use your introduction to establish your methodology and adhere to it throughout the course of your thesis.
• Ensure that you stay close to your central thesis despite veering off on different aspects in the different chapters of your thesis.
• Use your evidence wisely and imaginatively, always supporting points made and providing counter arguments.
• Write critically but be aware of your own position as central.
• Ensure that you make use of both established and recent publications.
• Keep checking that your research has not been pre-empted.
• Analyse your evidence to help supplement your future research as well as that in progress.
• Make certain that your grammar, spelling and punctuation are impeccable.
• Make your thesis a cohesive whole, it must not appear disjointed.
• Remember that you are building an argument throughout your thesis.
• Construct your conclusion as a summary, synthesis and indication of future possible research.
• Add to your bibliography as you write and continue to research – do not leave it until the last minute (see section of this guide on constructing your bibliography).
• Reference correctly (see section of this guide on referencing).
• Use appendices for supplementary material (see section of guide on using appendices).
• Ensure that every aspect of your thesis is constructed precisely according to the style required by your college or university.