dissertation planner

• Awards Season
• Big Stories
• Pop Culture
• Video Games
• Celebrities

How to Create an Effective Thesis Statement in 5 Easy Steps

Creating a thesis statement can be a daunting task. It’s one of the most important sentences in your paper, and it needs to be done right. But don’t worry — with these five easy steps, you’ll be able to create an effective thesis statement in no time.

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas

The first step is to brainstorm ideas for your paper. Think about what you want to say and write down any ideas that come to mind. This will help you narrow down your focus and make it easier to create your thesis statement.

Step 2: Research Your Topic

Once you have some ideas, it’s time to do some research on your topic. Look for sources that support your ideas and provide evidence for the points you want to make. This will help you refine your argument and make it more convincing.

Step 3: Formulate Your Argument

Now that you have done some research, it’s time to formulate your argument. Take the points you want to make and put them into one or two sentences that clearly state what your paper is about. This will be the basis of your thesis statement.

Step 4: Refine Your Thesis Statement

Once you have formulated your argument, it’s time to refine your thesis statement. Make sure that it is clear, concise, and specific. It should also be arguable so that readers can disagree with it if they choose.

Step 5: Test Your Thesis Statement

The last step is to test your thesis statement. Does it accurately reflect the points you want to make? Is it clear and concise? Does it make an arguable point? If not, go back and refine it until it meets all of these criteria.

Creating an effective thesis statement doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these five easy steps, you can create a strong thesis statement in no time at all.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

MORE FROM ASK.COM

The Dissertation Planner A4 Booklet

Calling all final year students! Writing your dissertation can be a difficult process, but our dissertation process is here to guide you through it.

With the aim of making the process a little less daunting, and helping you to stay on track of your project - the planner includes 70 pages of useful resources.

It’s A4 in size, consisting of a neutral colour-scheme throughout and a matt soft-touch cover. Inside you’ll find everything you need to stay organised, on 120GSM recycled high-quality paper.

The following resources are included in this booklet:

• 1 Timeline and Key Dates

• 1 Ultimate Checklist

• 1 Mindmap of Potential Title Ideas

• 1 Major To Do List

• 1 Project Plan

• 1 Write-up Structure Plan

• 20 Article Summaries

• 2 Quote Lists

• 4 Reference Trackers

• 2 Correspondence Logs

• 8 Supervisor Meeting Logs

• 2 Presentation Planners

• 2 Presentation Script Planners

• 6 Presentation Q&A Planners

• 5 Lined Notes

It’s got everything you need to stay on top of your dissertation, from the very start - to the very finish.

Dissertation Planner: Dissertation Planner

Dissertation planner.

• Skills for studying online
• Learning online
• Collaborating online
• Using your library
• Staying social
• Using technology
• Academic integrity online
• What is academic integrity?
• Citing and referencing
• Referencing software
• Research ethics
• Integrity Officer/Panel
• Intellectual property and copyright
• Learning from lectures
• Managing your time
• Effective reading
• Evaluating Information
• Critical thinking
• Presentation skills
• Writing home
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Maths and Statistics Support
• Problem solving
• Maths skills by discipline
• Introduction to research skills
• Primary research
• Research methods
• Managing data
• Searching the literature

This Dissertation Planner is a step-by-step guide to help you write a dissertation from starting to think about your question through to final submission. At each stage you will find useful tips and support. You can return to the planner by bookmarking the URL. 

• Last Updated: Nov 22, 2023 2:37 PM
• URL: https://library.soton.ac.uk/sash/dissertation-planner

Dissertation Planner: Getting Started

• Getting Started
• Prepare & Propose
• Plan & Research
• Write & Edit
• Defense & Closure
• Help & Resources

Welcome to the University of Kentucky Libraries' Dissertation Planner!

This dissertation planner is designed to help doctoral students chart the steps to complete a dissertation and earn a doctoral degree.  It is most beneficial to those just beginning to lay the groundwork for their dissertations. 

Please note : This planner does not contain specific information about your doctoral program. You should always consult with your department about any requirements and expectations as you go through the research and writing processes for your dissertation. Remember, the best resource for information on the specific requirements and expectations of your dissertation is YOUR ADVISOR .

This planner is adapted from the University of Minnesota Libraries' Dissertation Calculator . The University of Kentucky Libraries thanks the University of Minnesota Libraries for granting the permission for reusing the content of its Dissertation Calculator. 

This planner is best viewed using FireFox or Chrome.  Some images may not be displayed properly on other browsers or when viewed on mobile devices.  If you have any comments or suggestions for this planner, feel free to contact the University of Kentucky Libraries by e-mail .

• Next: Prepare & Propose >>
• Last Updated: Aug 24, 2023 9:13 AM
• URL: https://libguides.uky.edu/dissertation-planner

Free Download:

Dissertation & thesis template.

If you’re preparing to write your dissertation, thesis or research project, our free dissertation template is the perfect starting point. In the template, we cover every section step by step, with clear, straightforward explanations and examples .

What’s Included In The Dissertation Template

Our free dissertation and thesis template covers all the essential elements required for a first-class piece of research . The template’s structure is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research projects such as dissertations and theses. The template structure reflects the overall research process, ensuring your dissertation or thesis will have a smooth, logical flow from chapter to chapter.

The dissertation template covers the following core sections:

• The title page/cover page
• Abstract (sometimes also called the executive summary)
• Table of contents
• List of figures /list of tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction  (also available: in-depth introduction template )
• Chapter 2: Literature review  (also available: in-depth LR template )
• Chapter 3: Methodology (also available: in-depth methodology template )
• Chapter 4: Research findings /results (also available: results template )
• Chapter 5: Discussion /analysis of findings (also available: discussion template )
• Chapter 6: Conclusion (also available: in-depth conclusion template )
• Reference list

Each section is explained in plain, straightforward language , followed by an overview of the key elements that you need to cover within each section. We’ve also included practical examples to help you understand exactly what’s required in each section.

The cleanly-formatted Word document is fully editable , so you can use it as-is for your dissertation or thesis, copy over the contents to a fresh document, or convert it to LaTeX.

Need a helping hand?

Frequently Asked Questions

What format is the dissertation template (Word Doc, PDF, PPT, etc.)?

The template is provided in a fully editable MS Word document. You’re welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

What types of dissertations/theses can this template be used for?

The template follows the standard best-practice structure for formal academic research projects such as dissertations or theses, so it is suitable for the vast majority of degrees, particularly those within the sciences.

Some universities may have some additional requirements, but these are typically minor, with the core structure remaining the same. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalise your structure.

Is this template for an undergrad, Masters or PhD-level thesis?

This template can be used for a dissertation, thesis or research project at any level of study. It may be slight overkill for an undergraduate-level study, but it certainly won’t be missing anything.

How long should my dissertation/thesis be?

This depends entirely on your university’s specific requirements, so it’s best to check with them. As a general ballpark, Masters-level projects are usually 15,000 – 20,000 words in length, while Doctoral-level projects are often in excess of 60,000 words.

Can I share this dissertation template with my friends/colleagues? 

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template. If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, all we ask is that you reference this page as your source.

Can Grad Coach help me with my dissertation/thesis?

Within the template, you’ll find plain-language explanations of each section, which should give you a fair amount of guidance. However, you’re also welcome to consider our dissertation and thesis coaching services .

You Might Also Like:

19 Comments

This information and format is essential for personal practice and preparation for academic work

I Want to freely download thesis template

Needed completed research samples for science topics

am righting on a topic the impact of culture on organizational performance. case study university of sierra Leone please help me how to go about it.

Am writing on a topic titled: The impact of communication on organisational performance. No case study selected yet. Pls how do I go about this. I need help. Am studying programme and project management. Need this topic refined if possible to suit a manufacturing, construction or Agricultural project if possible. Thanks.

Am writing on a topic titled : Effect of social media on students academic performance.

Am writing on a topic titled: The impact of e-procurement on the performance of an organisation. Kindly,I need help developing a concept note

Please I am writing on Developing a Sustainable Chocolate Industry in Ghana and I need help on the Methodology as the Research is an Analytical Research

Good work! I learned from this article how to organize my thesis.

I need help with my research question and methodology.

Hello I am trying to write a thesis/ dissertation for a master’s degree on the topic : Biblical counseling v psychology counseling and Christianity .

This is so difficult for me because , I am trying to do this after years of not being in school . It would be great to get professional help, thank you in advance.

This template, plus the templates of each section, has been invaluable for me to take my Master’s dissertation draft to a higher level. Thank you so much for such a detailed description that is logical and explains the whys as well as the whats. 🙂

Hello I need help am writing a dissertation on the topic: the prevelance of needle stick injury among health workers in ahospital

I read about your GRAD COACH. It would be great to get professional help; thank you in advance.

Thanks l’ve read with great interest. Thank you so much for your professional advice.

hi im writing on feminist public sphere kindly guide

how can i get access to editing mode?

File -> Make A Copy

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly