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.

How to Write a Successful Thesis

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

Research Question

The research question is the backbone of a thesis. It determines how long the thesis will be, what secondary research should be considered, what data will be used, and whether the thesis needs a hypothesis or not. The elaboration of an accurate research question takes time, and it may need minor adjustments during the course of the project.

Data

Once the data to answer the research question are identified, they must be collected and analyzed. The method of data collection and analysis determine how the thesis will be structured.

Argument Structure

The structure of the argument varies depending on the data set and method. Most academic theses consist of five larger sections:

1.  Introduction
2.  Literature Review / Background Research
3.  Method and Data
4.  Results
5.  Discussion / Conclusion

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:

  • Presenting a Convincing Argument

  • Connecting the Different Parts

  • Checking for Factual Correctness

  • Securing Consistency of Equivalent Forms

  • Proofreading of Spelling and Punctuation

  • Revising the References

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.

  • We give inspiring keynote speeches for students and talents on how to write a thesis.

  • We support clients with individual coaching to ensure efficiency and focus from the outset.

  • To provide quick answers during the writing process in our writing help sessions.

  • We write concise metatexts in one or several languages for our clients to promote their work.

  • We revise our clients’ text for them to meet highest standards.

You’ll find all information on these services on our science communication page. Or get in touch with us for a free consultation.

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Mauro Moretto

Managing Director