Title page

The title of your dissertation and the author – you!

Abstract

A summary of your dissertation. See abstracts. 

Table of contents

Set up your table of contents at the start – go to ITS for workshops on creating long documents in Word.

Acknowledgements

Thank the people who helped you with your dissertation.

Introduction

Analytical writing 

• Grab your reader’s attention – why is this study of interest?
• Context – show how your study fits within your discipline in general
• Focus in on the narrower context, within the sub-discipline
• Introduce your argument
• Overview of structure of dissertation
• Depending on your discipline, the literature review might be included in the introduction.  

Literature review

Analytical writing

• Show how your work fits within the context of others' work. Select and comment on the relevant literature.

• This is a substantial section of your dissertation - 25 to 30%

Chapters

Analytical writing

• The main body of your dissertation will probably have about 3 chapters. 
• Treat each chapter like a mini-essay. In the introduction, explain what you’re going to cover and its importance to your overall question. Summarise in the conclusion.

Conclusion 

Analytical writing 

• Summarise your overall argument; make sure you’ve answered the research question/s; discuss implications.