How to Write a Dissertation: 5 Tips to Get Good Grades

Writing a dissertation is a long and tedious process. It becomes interesting if you know how to write a dissertation as the way it is accepted in the institutes. So, here’s all about the process of writing a dissertation. Also, learn to avoid common mistakes with these tips about the aspects that you need to consider while penning the dissertation. ~ Ed.

The definition of a dissertation is a long piece of writing on a particular, especially one that is done in order to receive a degree at college or university according to the Cambridge Dictionary.

Different institutes and colleges have different requirements for successfully writing a dissertation. There are some mandatory guidelines for writing a dissertation which the author must follow without fail. Neglecting to follow these guidelines could cost the author heavily when being academically evaluated.

There are also some discretionary requirements for successfully writing a dissertation. Whether or not the author needs to follow these optional stipulations will be determined by the standards set by the author’s academic institute.

If you’re confused about how to write a dissertation that can get you good grades then read on.

5 Tips for Writing Dissertation

Writing a dissertation will become an interesting task if not easier if you know the basics. Here are the five basic tips or stages of how to write a dissertation or improve your academic writing if you’re a beginner.

Designate an Unambiguous Main Argument

The entire dissertation writing needs to revolve around a single main topic. Each institute will administer different compulsory requirements which need to be observed when selecting a main subject for the dissertation. Almost all institutes will require that the topic be clearly defined.

Writers undertaking dissertation writing for the first time can get excessively enthusiastic and choose a topic which initially may seem like a good idea. After realizing all the research and investigation which is required based on the main subject and all the various subtopics associated with it, the entire project can become overwhelming for the author to complete on time.

Before finalizing on the main argument for a dissertation speak to a dissertation advisor to get some insight. Try to choose a topic which you find appealing because you will be engaged in the composition process for a long time.

A certain topic which you find appealing may or may not have the potential of being investigated thoroughly. Avoid being excessively passionate about a topic without getting professional advice from the dissertation advisor.

Follow an Organized Research Process

Once you have finalized the main hypothesis for the dissertation, the research process will begin.

Not all the information based on your subject will be included in the final dissertation. This does not mean that you do not need to keep your work organized.

A dissertation will repeatedly refer to other author’s writing and ideas. Not all ideas and concepts of other authors will make it to the final version of the dissertation. Remember that each section should have the main idea, and similarly, each chapter should have the main focus.

Being unorganized can also cause the writer to veer off the subject and give unnecessary importance to ideas and concepts which need to be ignored. There is no harm in brainstorming and meticulously organizing your thoughts and ideas.

Regardless of whether or not you are going to include a specific idea in your dissertation, all of the research needs to be organized. Be careful not to spend excessive time on staying organized rather than actually completing the composition. Find a way to keep track of all of the publications you have accessed for referencing purposes.

Write an Effective Introduction & Title

The introduction of a dissertation is the section of writing which is often written last. Having to summarize so much information in the introduction, writers often get confused on exactly what to include.

After having completed such a comprehensive research project based on a specific subject, they find that the introduction does not provide ample room to purvey their thoughts fully. Some writers leave a bit of suspense requiring the reader to read on to find out the main subject of the dissertation.

The introduction should answer the questions what, why and how. It should clearly define what will be your main focus or your principal argument. The introduction should also clearly define why your work is unique and original.

It should also define how you will approach the subject and present highlights of the methodology. The main subject should be disclosed to the reader in the introduction without the need for any suspense.

Satisfy Academic Stipulations

Each institute will submit specific writing requirements for the academic dissertation. Institutes will administer guidelines for the length of the entire dissertation.

Some institutes will also mandate which sections need to be included in a dissertation for it to be considered complete. They will also administer guidelines for the deadline of the entire project.

Each segment of writing has its own definite function. Once the entire composition is complete a table of contents section, labels for diagrams and figures and appropriate numbering needs to be included.

All institutes will require the author of a dissertation to provide all the necessary assurances to ensure that their final work is completely free of plagiarism. Make sure that you employ the appropriate referencing method to establish zero plagiarism.

Institutes will require students to update their dissertation advisor throughout the course of the composition of the dissertation. Make sure that you meet all the Institute requirements for the dissertation as well as keeping in communication with your dissertation advisor.

Make sure you keep a schedule and highlight all the important dates and meetings with your dissertation advisor.

Follow Formatting Requirements

Different subjects will have different formatting requirements. For example, a computer science pupil might be required to include coding which needs to be compiled in a specific programming language. On the other hand, a psychology student might be required to present a dissertation and research in a completely different way.

Make sure you are completely aware of all the different prerequisites which have been administered by your institute for a dissertation in your specific area of specialty. Deadlines will be enforced scrupulously by educational institutes.

Make sure that you have enough time prior to the assigned deadline, to make sure that the entire dissertation follows all the academic formatting requirements. Any figures, charts or pictures also need to be verified that they follow the formatting requirements administered by your institute.

Give yourself enough time to verify that each citation corresponds to a reference in the bibliography section.

Summing Up

Depending on the amount of effort and hard work you have put in your dissertation, it will be graded accordingly by your academic institute.

A deficient dissertation which is unable to successfully prescribe a research question and unable to convey a valid argument with the use of appropriate research methodology will receive a bad assessment.

A satisfactory dissertation will present a definitive research question with the appropriate background information but is unable to maintain the argument. The dissertation will be considered only just satisfactory because it is unable to present a clear reasoning of the argumentative sources.

An excellent dissertation will present an original research question with superlative knowledge of current knowledge related to the main argument. The presentation will be done exceptionally with a special eye for detail.

The research methodology will comprehensively address all the related issues to present a contemporary point of view on the subject. The line of reasoning is easily understandable with each argument leading to the next. Each argument is accompanied with the appropriate evidence to substantiate the point of view.

This knowledge of the process of writing a dissertation should help you get good grades at your institute.

Over to You

Does writing a dissertation to meet academic deadlines unnecessarily put students under the pressure of competing with each other?