A Guide to Dissertation Writing: 7 Rules You Should Never Forget

Every year there are hundreds of graduate students looking for any advice they can get on how to write a proper dissertation. There are several writing guides available but most students don’t have the time or energy to sort through the best ones or even read through the each chapter. We made this short and easy to follow guide on the 7 rules one should never forget when writing a dissertation. Here’s what you need to know:

• Select a manageable research topic

The first rule in writing a great dissertation is selecting a research topic that is manageable and will give you the greatest chance of success. Choose something original but be sure there is enough content available for you to find evidence to support your argument.

• Develop a plan and schedule

Once you have a good idea about what you want to conduct research on you should develop a long-term plan and schedule for the upcoming year. Break up your project into smaller tasks and schedule enough time to complete each one over the entire work period.

• Conduct some pre-research

Take your dissertation topic and conduct a little background research. Take note of the resources you will need to track down in the upcoming year. Also write down questions you will want to answer with your project.

• Submit an approval to your advisor

Before starting with the hard work, you’re going to have to get an approval from your advisor. This is generally a 1 to 2 page document which explains your reasons for choosing the topic, your plan for research and the materials you aim to find in your study.

• Start early with your in-depth research

Stick with your schedule and get started on your research right away. Some materials will need to be recalled from other researchers in the field. This can take several weeks or even months, so it’s good to know what will be immediately available to you versus those items that won’t be.

• Write a first, revised, and final draft

This will likely be the most important writing project you will undertake in your academic life. It’s essential that you write as many drafts as possible, but at the very least you should have a first, a revised and a final draft. Give yourself plenty of days between each one to ensure you approach each version with a fresh set of eyes.

• Consider a professional writing company

Be sure to use all available resources. Use this company for expert writing advice, professional review of any of your drafts, and even help in composing portions of your dissertation all for a low, affordable price.