How to Write a Successful Thesis
An academic thesis is a document to obtain an academic degree. Its goal is to present the expertise of the author while informing on the results of a study. This happens in accordance with scientific methods and in a language that meets scientific conventions, i.e., it is specific, factual, and correct.
The process of writing a thesis consists of three parts:
During the course of the project, time management is key. It includes the management of all resources. Read here how we support our clients in achieving this.
Content Structuring
The Writing Process
Academic theses are written in academic language. Academic language is precise, unequivocal, and factual. A good academic text only contains information that is relevant for the argument, and its language is clear to the point of not allowing any doubts on what is meant. This requires the use of full sentences and the avoidance of synonyms, as well as faultless spelling and punctuation. Also, professional text revision is crucial. It may take a substantial amount of time because it includes the following tasks:
We do not recommend relying exclusively on a spell-check software. A software may spot typos, yet many words in English are spelt similarly (like “quiet” and “quite”) and thus undetectable as mistakes for the software. Also, the software cannot check whether the content is connected logically and in academic terminology, and it may fail at detecting inconsistencies. Also, in case of highly specialized vocabulary, the software may not know the terms, so autocorrection may ruin your text. In a thesis, it is also crucial to pay attention to the text format, such as italics. A professional proofreader will do a better job than a software.
Optional Metatexts
Most theses need metatexts, i.e. texts that surround the thesis. The most important type of metatext is the abstract or management summary. An abstract is a succinct summary of the entire thesis written in a format that is adjusted to the interests of the audience. In countries where English isn’t the (only) official language, a translation of the abstract into the official language or into English often makes sense because it makes the paper accessible to a wider community. Other optional metatexts are prefaces, blurbs, personal statements, and the appendix. Even if these texts use similar wordings as the main text, writing them usually takes longer than expected, so they often delay the submission of a thesis.
How we Help Clients Write an Excellent Thesis
At Anaphora, we have vast experience helping clients in a customized format. Our expertise in research and publishing allows us to provide comprehensive support during each phase of the process, from individual research advisory to writing consulting and publishing support.
You’ll find all information on these services on our science communication page. Or get in touch with us for a free consultation.