Writing your Thesis
The sections below will guide you how to properly develop and write the different chapters of your thesis.
As you get started on your thesis writing, you are advised to consider the following points:
- What is a thesis?
- How is a thesis evaluated?
- Who are you writing for?
- What are the different thesis formats? and which one is the right one for you?
- Simple Traditional Thesis (IMRaD)
- Complex Traditional Thesis
- Article Compilation Thesis
- Topic-based Thesis
- What is a writer-responsible text?
- The thesis hourglass
Refer to the PDF document below to know more about each point and prepare well to start writing your thesis.
The first part of your thesis is the introduction section.
- What is the role of the Introduction
- How to structure the Introduction – Create a Research Space (CARS):
- Establish a research territory
- Identify a niche (gap) in the territory
- Signal how your study occupies that niche
Refer to the PDF document below for detailed information about each point to ace your introduction.
The next part of your thesis would be the literature review section.
The review of literature pertinent to your research involves the structured process of searching for and identifying literature that contributes to your research. It also involves critically incorporating information collated to support or challenge information being addressed through your research, identify trends, and enhance arguments.
- What is a literature review?
- How to evaluate the sources that you retrieve
- Reporting previous research
- Critiquing previous research
-
Structuring the literature review
More details on writing your literature review section can be found in the UWrite Writing Center handout below:
Reference
Volpe, L. (2008). Completing your qualitative dissertation: A roadmap from beginning to end. SAGE
Do you need a methodology chapter?
Depending on the type of thesis you are writing, you may not need a stand-alone chapter.
- Why is this Chapter Important?
- How did you do your research?
- Why did you decide to do it in that way?
- How should this chapter be structured?
- Language and Style Considerations in a Methodology Chapter
For more details and examples, refer to the PDF document below.
To better write a results chapter, get familiar with:
- What is a Results Chapter?
- Creating a Results Story
- Organizing a Results Chapter
- Language Considerations
Refer to the PDF document below for detailed information.
As you wrap up your thesis, you come to the final chapters, discussion and conclusion:
- Thesis Organizational Patterns
- The Discussion Chapter
- The Conclusions Chapter
- Moving from Discussion to Conclusions
- Language Point
Refer to the PDF document below for more information on those chapters.