Theoretical dissertation sections
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.