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Thesis and Dissertation Guide

• « Thesis & Dissertation Resources
• The Graduate School Home

• Introduction
• Copyright Page
• Dedication, Acknowledgements, Preface (optional)
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables, Figures, and Illustrations
• List of Abbreviations
• List of Symbols

Non-Traditional Formats

Font type and size, spacing and indentation, tables, figures, and illustrations, formatting previously published work.

• Internet Distribution
• Open Access
• Registering Copyright
• Using Copyrighted Materials
• Use of Your Own Previously Published Materials
• Submission Steps
• Submission Checklist
• Sample Pages

II. Formatting Guidelines

All copies of a thesis or dissertation must have the following uniform margins throughout the entire document:

• Left: 1″ (or 1 1/4" to ensure sufficient room for binding the work if desired)
• Right: 1″
• Bottom: 1″ (with allowances for page numbers; see section on Pagination )
• Top: 1″

Exceptions : The first page of each chapter (including the introduction, if any) begins 2″ from the top of the page. Also, the headings on the title page, abstract, first page of the dedication/ acknowledgements/preface (if any), and first page of the table of contents begin 2″ from the top of the page.

Non-traditional theses or dissertations such as whole works comprised of digital, artistic, video, or performance materials (i.e., no written text, chapters, or articles) are acceptable if approved by your committee and graduate program. A PDF document with a title page, copyright page, and abstract at minimum are required to be submitted along with any relevant supplemental files.

Fonts must be 10, 11, or 12 points in size. Superscripts and subscripts (e.g., formulas, or footnote or endnote numbers) should be no more than 2 points smaller than the font size used for the body of the text.

Space and indent your thesis or dissertation following these guidelines:

• The text must appear in a single column on each page and be double-spaced throughout the document. Do not arrange chapter text in multiple columns.
• New paragraphs must be indicated by a consistent tab indentation throughout the entire document.
• The document text must be left-justified, not centered or right-justified.
• For blocked quotations, indent the entire text of the quotation consistently from the left margin.
• Ensure headings are not left hanging alone on the bottom of a prior page. The text following should be moved up or the heading should be moved down. This is something to check near the end of formatting, as other adjustments to text and spacing may change where headings appear on the page.

Exceptions : Blocked quotations, notes, captions, legends, and long headings must be single-spaced throughout the document and double-spaced between items.

Paginate your thesis or dissertation following these guidelines:

• Use lower case Roman numerals (ii, iii, iv, etc.) on all pages preceding the first page of chapter one. The title page counts as page i, but the number does not appear. Therefore, the first page showing a number will be the copyright page with ii at the bottom.
• Arabic numerals (beginning with 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) start at chapter one or the introduction, if applicable. Arabic numbers must be included on all pages of the text, illustrations, notes, and any other materials that follow. Thus, the first page of chapter one will show an Arabic numeral 1, and numbering of all subsequent pages will follow in order.
• Do not use page numbers accompanied by letters, hyphens, periods, or parentheses (e.g., 1., 1-2, -1-, (1), or 1a).
• Center all page numbers at the bottom of the page, 1/2″ from the bottom edge.
• Pages must not contain running headers or footers, aside from page numbers.
• If your document contains landscape pages (pages in which the top of the page is the long side of a sheet of paper), make sure that your page numbers still appear in the same position and direction as they do on pages with standard portrait orientation for consistency. This likely means the page number will be centered on the short side of the paper and the number will be sideways relative to the landscape page text. See these additional instructions for assistance with pagination on landscape pages in Microsoft Word .

Format footnotes for your thesis or dissertation following these guidelines:

• Footnotes must be placed at the bottom of the page separated from the text by a solid line one to two inches long.
• Begin at the left page margin, directly below the solid line.
• Single-space footnotes that are more than one line long.
• Include one double-spaced line between each note.
• Most software packages automatically space footnotes at the bottom of the page depending on their length. It is acceptable if the note breaks within a sentence and carries the remainder into the footnote area of the next page. Do not indicate the continuation of a footnote.
• Number all footnotes with Arabic numerals. You may number notes consecutively within each chapter starting over with number 1 for the first note in each chapter, or you may number notes consecutively throughout the entire document.
• Footnote numbers must precede the note and be placed slightly above the line (superscripted). Leave no space between the number and the note.
• While footnotes should be located at the bottom of the page, do not place footnotes in a running page footer, as they must remain within the page margins.

Endnotes are an acceptable alternative to footnotes. Format endnotes for your thesis or dissertation following these guidelines:

• Always begin endnotes on a separate page either immediately following the end of each chapter, or at the end of your entire document. If you place all endnotes at the end of the entire document, they must appear after the appendices and before the references.
• Include the heading “ENDNOTES” in all capital letters, and center it 1″ below the top of the first page of your endnotes section(s).
• Single-space endnotes that are more than one line long.
• Number all endnotes with Arabic numerals. You may number notes consecutively within each chapter starting over with number 1 for the first note in each chapter, or you may number notes consecutively throughout the entire document.
• Endnote numbers must precede the note and be placed slightly above the line (superscripted). Leave no space between the number and the note.

Tables, figures, and illustrations vary widely by discipline. Therefore, formatting of these components is largely at the discretion of the author.

For example, headings and captions may appear above or below each of these components.

These components may each be placed within the main text of the document or grouped together in a separate section.

Space permitting, headings and captions for the associated table, figure, or illustration must be on the same page.

The use of color is permitted as long as it is consistently applied as part of the finished component (e.g., a color-coded pie chart) and not extraneous or unprofessional (e.g., highlighting intended solely to draw a reader's attention to a key phrase). The use of color should be reserved primarily for tables, figures, illustrations, and active website or document links throughout your thesis or dissertation.

The format you choose for these components must be consistent throughout the thesis or dissertation.

Ensure each component complies with margin and pagination requirements.

Refer to the List of Tables, Figures, and Illustrations section for additional information.

If your thesis or dissertation has appendices, they must be prepared following these guidelines:

• Appendices must appear at the end of the document (before references) and not the chapter to which they pertain.
• When there is more than one appendix, assign each appendix a number or a letter heading (e.g., “APPENDIX 1” or “APPENDIX A”) and a descriptive title. You may number consecutively throughout the entire work (e.g., 1, 2 or A, B), or you may assign a two-part Arabic numeral with the first number designating the chapter in which it appears, separated by a period, followed by a second number or letter to indicate its consecutive placement (e.g., “APPENDIX 3.2” is the second appendix referred to in Chapter Three).
• Include the chosen headings in all capital letters, and center them 1″ below the top of the page.
• All appendix headings and titles must be included in the table of contents.
• Page numbering must continue throughout your appendix or appendices. Ensure each appendix complies with margin and pagination requirements.

You are required to list all the references you consulted. For specific details on formatting your references, consult and follow a style manual or professional journal that is used for formatting publications and citations in your discipline.

Your reference pages must be prepared following these guidelines:

• If you place references after each chapter, the references for the last chapter must be placed immediately following the chapter and before the appendices.
• If you place all references at the end of the thesis or dissertation, they must appear after the appendices as the final component in the document.
• Select an appropriate heading for this section based on the style manual you are using (e.g., “REFERENCES”, “BIBLIOGRAPHY”, or “WORKS CITED”).
• Include the chosen heading in all capital letters, and center it 1″ below the top of the page.
• References must be single-spaced within each entry.
• Include one double-spaced line between each reference.
• Page numbering must continue throughout your references section. Ensure references comply with margin and pagination requirements.

In some cases, students gain approval from their academic program to include in their thesis or dissertation previously published (or submitted, in press, or under review) journal articles or similar materials that they have authored. For more information about including previously published works in your thesis or dissertation, see the section on Use of Your Own Previously Published Materials and the section on Copyrighting.

If your academic program has approved inclusion of such materials, please note that these materials must match the formatting guidelines set forth in this Guide regardless of how the material was formatted for publication.

Some specific formatting guidelines to consider include:

• Fonts, margins, chapter headings, citations, and references must all match the formatting and placement used within the rest of the thesis or dissertation.
• If appropriate, published articles can be included as separate individual chapters within the thesis or dissertation.
• A separate abstract to each chapter should not be included.
• The citation for previously published work must be included as the first footnote (or endnote) on the first page of the chapter.
• Do not include typesetting notations often used when submitting manuscripts to a publisher (i.e., insert table x here).
• The date on the title page should be the year in which your committee approves the thesis or dissertation, regardless of the date of completion or publication of individual chapters.
• If you would like to include additional details about the previously published work, this information can be included in the preface for the thesis or dissertation.

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Home » Thesis Outline – Example, Template and Writing Guide

Thesis Outline – Example, Template and Writing Guide

• Table of Contents

A well-structured thesis outline is a critical step in the research process. It serves as a roadmap, organizing ideas and guiding the writing process to ensure clarity and coherence. Whether you are writing a dissertation, master’s thesis, or undergraduate research paper, a strong outline provides a clear framework for presenting your arguments, evidence, and findings. This article explains how to create a thesis outline, offers a template, and provides practical tips to craft a comprehensive and effective thesis.

Thesis Outline

A thesis outline is a detailed plan that organizes the structure and content of a thesis or dissertation. It breaks down the document into sections and subsections, specifying the main points and supporting details for each part. This structured approach ensures that the thesis has a logical flow and that all required elements are included.

For example, a typical thesis outline might include an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion, with subheadings for key aspects of each section.

Importance of a Thesis Outline

A well-developed thesis outline offers several benefits:

• Clarity: Provides a clear structure for organizing ideas and arguments.
• Efficiency: Saves time by streamlining the writing process.
• Focus: Helps maintain alignment with research objectives.
• Consistency: Ensures that all required sections are included and logically connected.
• Professionalism: Reflects a structured and disciplined approach to research.

Components of a Thesis Outline

1. title page.

The title page includes essential information such as the thesis title, your name, institution, department, and submission date.

2. Abstract

A concise summary of the research, highlighting the objectives, methods, key findings, and conclusions. Typically 150–300 words.

3. Table of Contents

Lists all sections, subsections, and page numbers to provide a navigational guide for readers.

4. Introduction

• Purpose: Introduce the research topic, provide background information, and state the research problem or question.
• Research objectives and significance.
• Research questions or hypotheses.
• Scope and limitations of the study.

5. Literature Review

• Purpose: Summarize and critically evaluate existing research related to your topic.
• Identification of gaps in the literature.
• Theoretical frameworks or models.
• Relevance to the research question.

6. Methodology

• Purpose: Describe how the research was conducted to ensure replicability and validity.
• Research design (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
• Data collection methods (e.g., surveys, experiments, interviews).
• Data analysis techniques.
• Ethical considerations.
• Purpose: Present the findings of the research objectively.
• Tables, charts, or graphs to illustrate data.
• Summary of key results.

8. Discussion

• Purpose: Interpret the results and relate them to the research questions or hypotheses.
• Explanation of findings.
• Comparison with previous studies.
• Implications of the results.
• Limitations of the study.

9. Conclusion

• Purpose: Summarize the main findings and their significance.
• Restate research objectives and outcomes.
• Recommendations for future research.
• Final thoughts or implications.

10. References

A comprehensive list of all sources cited in the thesis, formatted according to the required citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

11. Appendices

Supplementary material such as raw data, questionnaires, consent forms, or detailed calculations.

Thesis Outline Template

Below is a standard thesis outline template that can be customized for specific disciplines:

• List of Figures and Tables (if applicable)
• Background and context
• Research problem and objectives
• Research questions or hypotheses
• Scope and limitations
• Overview of existing research
• Identification of gaps
• Theoretical framework
• Research design
• Data collection methods
• Data analysis techniques
• Ethical considerations
• Presentation of data (tables, charts, etc.)
• Key findings
• Interpretation of results
• Implications
• Limitations
• Summary of findings
• Recommendations
• Final thoughts

Example of a Thesis Outline

Title: The Impact of Remote Work on Employee Productivity

• Brief summary of research objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions.
• Background on remote work trends.
• Problem statement: Productivity challenges in remote work.
• Research objectives: Identify factors influencing productivity.
• Research questions: How does remote work affect employee productivity?
• Scope: Focus on IT companies.
• Summary of existing studies on remote work.
• Theoretical framework: Work-life balance and job satisfaction theories.
• Gap: Limited research on long-term productivity effects.
• Research design: Mixed methods.
• Data collection: Surveys and interviews with IT professionals.
• Data analysis: Statistical analysis and thematic coding.
• Ethical considerations: Informed consent and confidentiality.
• Survey results: Productivity trends across demographics.
• Interview insights: Common challenges faced by remote employees.
• Interpretation: Factors like time management and communication influence productivity.
• Comparison: Findings align with prior research on remote work benefits and drawbacks.
• Implications: Recommendations for companies to improve remote work policies.
• Limitations: Focused on IT sector; may not generalize to other industries.
• Key findings: Remote work can enhance productivity with proper support systems.
• Recommendations: Implement regular feedback and robust communication tools.
• Future research: Explore cross-industry differences in remote work impacts.
• Survey questionnaire.
• Interview guide.

Guide to Writing a Thesis Outline

• Understand the Requirements: Review your institution’s guidelines and format requirements.
• Define Your Research Objectives: Clearly articulate your research problem, questions, or hypotheses.
• Organize Your Ideas: Use brainstorming or mind-mapping techniques to structure your main points and subpoints.
• Use Headings and Subheadings: Break down each section into manageable components.
• Prioritize Logical Flow: Arrange sections in a sequence that logically supports your argument.
• Be Specific: Include key points and details under each heading to ensure clarity.
• Revise and Refine: Review your outline for completeness and coherence before you start writing.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Lack of Detail: An overly vague outline can lead to confusion during the writing process.
• Inconsistent Structure: Ensure that all sections align with the overall flow of the thesis.
• Overloading Sections: Avoid cramming too much information into a single section; distribute it logically.

A well-crafted thesis outline is essential for guiding the research and writing process. By structuring the thesis into clearly defined sections and subsections, researchers can ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with their objectives. Using the provided template and example as a guide, students can create a comprehensive outline that simplifies the writing process and enhances the quality of their work.

• Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches . Sage Publications.
• Turabian, K. L. (2018). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations . University of Chicago Press.
• Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2016). The Craft of Research . University of Chicago Press.
• Glatthorn, A. A., & Joyner, R. L. (2018). Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide . Corwin Press.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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