How do you write a good introduction to a thesis or dissertation?

The introduction to a university dissertation or thesis https://www.designspiration.com/hotdiytutorial/ is an essential part of a final year project.It is the first connection you will make with your reader.It is therefore important to write a well-written introduction to your dissertation in order to

• interest the reader or the examiner,
• capture their attention,
• give them a clear idea of the subject covered in the dissertation.

A reader or examiner in a hurry generally reads your thesis diagonally. In this case, they are particularly interested in the following 3 elements: the introduction to the thesis, the outline of the thesis and the conclusion of the thesis. It is therefore important to take care with these 3 elements to highlight the quality of your work. 

In this article, we present the main elements to be included in a thesis introduction, with an example of an introduction valid for different levels of study: bachelor's thesis (bac+3), master's thesis (bac+4 and bac+5), doctoral thesis, etc.

1. Writing a thesis introduction at the right time

There are 2 schools of thought on the ideal time to write a thesis introduction:  

• Write your introduction after the writing plan has been finalised (at the start of the dissertation or thesis project).
• Write your introduction after you have finished writing your thesis (at the end of the project).

Writing a thesis introduction after finalising the outline

Drawing up a detailed outline for your dissertation or thesis is a crucial stage in the preparation of a university project.

It follows the definition of the subject, the choice of a thesis supervisor and the formulation of the problem statement. 

Drawing up an outline for your thesis is important, because your outline sets out your response to the problem.

As soon as you have finalised and validated your dissertation or thesis plan, you can start writing your project, particularly the introduction to your thesis or dissertation.

Be careful to adjust your dissertation or thesis introduction according to the elements you include in your dissertation as you go along.

Writing a thesis introduction after you've written your thesis

Writing your thesis introduction at the end may seem counter-intuitive, but in reality it is recommended practice for a number of reasons: 

Overview

When writing the different parts of your thesis, you usually have a vague idea of the points you want to cover. As you go along, your thoughts evolve and you refine your ideas. Writing the introduction at the end gives you an overview of the work as a whole, so that you can write a more precise and relevant introduction to your thesis.

Clarifying your objectives

At the end of your research, you will have a clearer idea of your objectives and the means and tools you will use to achieve them. Writing your introduction at the end makes it easier to explain your objectives.

Adjusting the problem

During the course of a research project, the subject may evolve. By writing the thesis introduction at the end, you can be sure that you are presenting the problem to which you are responding.

Consistency with the conclusion

Writing your thesis introduction at the same time as your conclusion ensures that they are aligned. This way, you can be sure that they are coherent and that they provide a good framework for your thesis.

Even if you choose to write your thesis introduction at the end of your work, you should be aware that you can write a draft introduction at the beginning of the project. This first draft will allow you to clarify your ideas and give your dissertation or thesis a direction. You can revise and finalise it once the rest of the thesis has been completed.

2. The 5 main elements of a thesis introduction

There are several elements to include in your thesis introduction, whether it's a research or professional thesis. 

Make sure your introduction is structured, brief and concise. The aim is to communicate the essential information to your reader in no more than one or two pages. 

The structure of a thesis introduction is also crucial in capturing the reader's attention. This structure may vary according to the requirements of your field of study or your institution.

Here are the 5 parts to be included in your thesis introduction and adapted according to the guidelines received:

Contextualisation

Start with a hook (statistics, key facts or concrete examples) to draw your reader's attention to the subject. Then go on to introduce the subject in a general way, highlighting its importance in the current context and its relevance to your field of study. 

Problematic

Clearly identify the question you wish to answer. Explain why this problematic is interesting and why you have chosen to address it. A good problematic should be simple, precise and understandable! 

Research objectives

Frame your study by presenting its objectives. What are you trying to measure? What are the main hypotheses you want to examine? Also describe your research methodology in this paragraph. 

Structure of the thesis

Give an overview of the overall structure of your dissertation or thesis by announcing your plan. Explain your choice of sections and parts to familiarise the reader with your organisation. 

Announcement of results (optional)

Finally, give a brief overview of the results you have reached at the end of your research. Indicate the main conclusions to pique the reader's interest and encourage them to want to find out more.

Focus on the presentation of research methodology

What is the research methodology for a thesis?

The choice of academic research methodology depends on the nature of the project: research dissertation, professional dissertation, doctoral thesis.

There are several academic research methods: quantitative studies, qualitative studies, empirical studies, comparative studies, etc.

Why present your research methodology in the thesis introduction?

By presenting your research methodology in your thesis introduction, you situate your work in a specific methodological context. You give the reader more information to understand your approach and assess the validity of your results.

Focus on announcing the plan in a thesis introduction

Why include the outline in the introduction to a thesis?

To orientate the reader, we strongly advise you to announce the overall plan of your thesis in your introduction. This gives them an overview and helps them to follow your argument coherently. 

By announcing the plan, you also help the reader to understand what to expect in each part. This can be particularly useful when your work is long.

How do you announce a thesis plan in the introduction?

Here are some ideas for announcing the plan in the introduction to your thesis: 

1. Simple enumeration

List the main parts of your thesis.

For example: "This thesis is divided into four main parts: Part I – Background and problematic, Part II – Review of the literature, Part III…".

2. Explanatory sentences

To give more context to each part, you can add a brief explanatory sentence for each of them. 

For example: "This thesis is structured in four main parts. In the first part, we will examine the context and problematic of our research. The second part will be devoted to an in-depth review of the existing literature on the subject…".

3. Highlighting the thesis introduction: the layout

It is important to highlight the thesis introduction. To do this, an appropriate layout is necessary. 

The layout of the thesis introduction must be carefully thought out and well structured in order to capture the reader's attention and guide them through the text clearly and concisely. 

Here is an example of the layout for the first few pages of a thesis (including the introduction): 

Page 1: cover page of the thesis 

• name of the university or institution,

• title of the thesis,
• first name and surname of the author,
• date of submission.

Page 2: acknowledgement page 

• acknowledgements to all the people who contributed to the smooth running of your academic year,

• thanks to all those who contributed to the writing of your dissertation or university thesis.

Page 3: table of contents

• A detailed list of the sections and subsections of the thesis, with the corresponding page numbers.

Page 4: thesis introduction 

• title of the introduction,

• catchphrase or relevant quotation to capture the reader's attention (contextualisation),
• context in which the research topic is justified (contextualisation),
• problematic and research questions (problematic), 
• research objectives and methodology used,
• outline of the plan.

4. Example of a thesis introduction

The following is an example of a thesis introduction that can be adapted to deliverables for different levels of study: bachelor's thesis, master's thesis, doctoral thesis, etc. 

Example of a thesis introduction for a dissertation or doctoral thesis on the subject of artificial intelligence and its impact on education:

Contextualisation

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up new perspectives in many fields, including education. AI-based technologies have the potential to transform educational practices, improve learning processes and prepare learners for the challenges of our digital society. In this doctoral thesis, we propose to explore the impact of artificial intelligences on education, taking an in-depth look at the opportunities, challenges and implications of these emerging technologies.

Problematic

The problematic of this research lies in the growing need to adapt education to the demands of the 21st century, integrating technological innovations to deliver a more effective, personalised and relevant learning experience. Artificial intelligences represent a promising response to this problematic, but their integration into the field of education raises fundamental questions about the pedagogical, ethical and social consequences of these technological advances.

Research objective

The main objective of this thesis is therefore to analyse in depth the impact of artificial intelligences on education, focusing on their applications, their potential benefits, and the challenges and concerns they raise. To achieve this aim, we will adopt a multidisciplinary approach, combining conceptual analyses, case studies and empirical investigations.

Structure of the dissertation

This thesis is structured in six main parts. In the first part, we present the context and the problematic linked to the use of artificial intelligences in education. We will raise the current educational issues and the needs that AIs can meet, identifying the research questions that guide our work.

The second part will be devoted to an in-depth literature review, where we will analyse previous work and existing research on the impact of artificial intelligences in education. We will examine the different applications of AIs, such as intelligent tutoring systems, learning data analysis, personalisation of teaching, etc.

In the third part, we will describe our research methodology, explaining how we designed our case studies and empirical investigations. We will discuss the tools and methods used to collect and analyse the data, as well as the measures taken to ensure the validity and reliability of our research.

Then, in the fourth section, we will present the results of our case studies and surveys, analysing them in the light of our research problematic. We will examine the potential benefits of AI in terms of improved learner performance, adaptation to individual needs, personalised feedback, and so on.

In the fifth part, we will address the challenges and concerns associated with the use of AI.

To sum up, the introduction is an important part of the thesis. It captures the reader's attention by presenting the context, subject, problematic and structure of the thesis. By following these few tips, you can write an effective and relevant thesis introduction to encourage your reader or your examiner to read your deliverable. 

How to structure a thesis

Starting a thesis can be daunting https://glitch.com/@sherrywise. There are so many questions in the beginning:

• How do you actually start your thesis?
• How do you structure it?
• What information should the individual chapters contain?

Each educational program has different demands on your thesis structure, which is why asking directly for the requirements of your program should be a first step. However, there is not much flexibility when it comes to structuring your thesis.

Abstract: a brief overview of your entire thesis.

Literature review: an evaluation of previous research on your topic that includes a discussion of gaps in the research and how your work may fill them.

Methods: outlines the methodology that you are using in your research.

Thesis: a large paper, or multi-chapter work, based on a topic relating to your field of study.

A typical thesis structure

1. Abstract

The abstract is the overview of your thesis and generally very short. This section should highlight the main contents of your thesis “at a glance” so that someone who is curious about your work can get the gist quickly. Take a look at our guide on how to write an abstract for more info.

Tip: Consider writing your abstract last, after you’ve written everything else.

2. Introduction

The introduction to your thesis gives an overview of its basics or main points. It should answer the following questions:

• Why is the topic being studied?
• How is the topic being studied?
• What is being studied?

In answering the first question, you should know what your personal interest in this topic is and why it is relevant. Why does it matter?

To answer the "how", you should briefly explain how you are going to reach your research goal. Some prefer to answer that question in the methods chapter, but you can give a quick overview here.

And finally, you should explain "what" you are studying. You can also give background information here.

You should rewrite the introduction one last time when the writing is done to make sure it connects with your conclusion. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our thesis introduction guide.

3. Literature review

A literature review is often part of the introduction, but it can be a separate section. It is an evaluation of previous research on the topic showing that there are gaps that your research will attempt to fill. A few tips for your literature review:

• Use a wide array of sources
• Show both sides of the coin
• Make sure to cover the classics in your field
• Present everything in a clear and structured manner

For more insights on lit reviews, take a look at our guide on how to write a literature review.

4. Methods

The methodology chapter outlines which methods you choose to gather data, how the data is analyzed and justifies why you chose that methodology. It shows how your choice of design and research methods is suited to answering your research question.

Make sure to also explain what the pitfalls of your approach are and how you have tried to mitigate them. Discussing where your study might come up short can give you more credibility, since it shows the reader that you are aware of its limitations.

5. Results

Tip: Use graphs and tables, where appropriate, to visualize your results.

The results chapter outlines what you found out in relation to your research questions or hypotheses. It generally contains the facts of your research and does not include a lot of analysis, because that happens mostly in the discussion chapter.

Clearly visualize your results, using tables and graphs, especially when summarizing, and be consistent in your way of reporting. This means sticking to one format to help the reader evaluate and compare the data.

6. Discussion

The discussion chapter includes your own analysis and interpretation of the data you gathered, comments on your results and explains what they mean. This is your opportunity to show that you have understood your findings and their significance.

Point out the limitations of your study, provide explanations for unexpected results, and note any questions that remain unanswered.

7. Conclusion

This is probably your most important chapter. This is where you highlight that your research objectives have been achieved. You can also reiterate any limitations to your study and make suggestions for future research.

Remember to check if you have really answered all your research questions and hypotheses in this chapter. Your thesis should be tied up nicely in the conclusion and show clearly what you did, what results you got, and what you learned. Discover how to write a good conclusion in our thesis conclusion guide.

8. Reference list

At the end of your thesis, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX

Thesis writing tips

Use these tips to help you improve your thesis writing https://forum.adrenaline.com.br/members/sara_escritora.2791755/ skills for your HDR program.

Before you begin writing your thesis, make sure you've read our advice on thesis preparation for information on the requirements you'll need to meet.

Structure your ideas

If you're struggling with how to structure your ideas, it can help to create a concept map – this way you don't have to worry about the order of your work while you brainstorm. Once you've finished your map, you can put your ideas into a logical order.

You may also want to read our general advice on how to structure your thesis.

Write as you go

It takes time and effort to write a thesis, so it's best to spread your writing out over the length of your research degree, rather than trying to rush it all at the end – writing as you go gives you time to refine the structure and content.

As you start to write, you may discover gaps in your reasoning or things you need to consider further. Use this as an exercise to focus on your ideas – it's better to find problems earlier rather than later.

If you're struggling to work out what you want to say, try:

• explaining yourself aloud or to a friend – this can help you discover why you're having problems
• writing dot points on key ideas – this gives you something to work from
• free writing – write whatever pops into your head without worrying about grammar, punctuation, complete sentences or a logical flow.

Don't worry about your writing being perfect: once you have something to work with you can identify how to improve it.

Be aware of examiner expectations

When reading your thesis, your examiners will be looking for:

• a coherent, well-written argument
• logical, reasonable links between theoretical perspectives
• a solid understanding of the theory
• original, creative and clever work
• confidence in your own work.

Overall, your examiners will expect your thesis to demonstrate:

• advanced knowledge of the research methods and principles relating to your discipline
• work that engages with the literature and work of others
• for PhD theses, a significant and original contribution to knowledge
• for MPhil theses, originality in the application of knowledge.

Provide evidence for personal experience

Relevant personal experience, such as extensive experience working in a government agency or as a practitioner in a field, may help you to describe what motivated you to pursue a certain line of research.

While it's okay to refer to your personal experience, remember that statements without any supporting evidence or arguments are unacceptable – you'll need to be able to describe your experience and back up your observations with research.

Learn from others

Reading other theses can help you understand what you're expected to produce. You can search for UQ theses on the Library website. For prime examples, search for theses that received commendations from their examiners.

When reviewing others' theses, pay attention to:

• how they introduce and link ideas
• how they structure their arguments
• how they indicate their level of confidence in the conclusions they draw from their evidence
• what sort of questions they address in different sections.

It can be helpful to build up a collection of standard phrases for your writing, such as:

• "these results suggest that"
• "a second approach to addressing the problem of X is to do Y".

Check for logic and clarity

Ensure that there is a logical flow of ideas in your writing and that your arguments are clear.

To help you check your logic, you can:

• create an outline – either when you are initially planning, or when you have started structuring your ideas
• plan out your paragraphs in a logical sequence of questions that need answering
• create a flow chart of your main ideas to see how they link together.

You can also ask someone to read your thesis to check for a logical flow and to make sure you are explaining your research clearly.

Ask for feedback

All writers can benefit from feedback on their writing. To get useful feedback on your thesis, ask your advisor specific questions, such as:

• Do you think the structure is okay?
• Are my explanations clear?
• Is the argument in this section convincing enough?
• Do you think I need more supporting data in this section?

Make sure you clarify any feedback you don't understand and continue to ask for feedback as you progress through your thesis.

Proofread your work

You should always proofread your work to look for spelling and grammatical errors. Proofreading requires close, careful reading.

To help you thoroughly proofread your thesis:

• work from a paper copy rather than on a screen – it's can be easier to find errors this way
• read your work aloud – reading aloud helps you to focus on every word
• look out for sentences that sound odd, incomplete or are awkward to say – this can help identify grammatical problems.

You should always proofread your work last, after other structural changes have been made, so you haven't wasted time proofreading sections that may be removed later.

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement https://community.tubebuddy.com/members/233949/ is a sentence in a paper or essay (in the opening paragraph) that introduces the main topic to the reader. As one of the first things your reader sees, your thesis statement is one of the most important sentences in your entire paper—but also one of the hardest to write! 

In this article, we explain how to write a thesis statement in the best way possible. We look at what to include and the steps to take for writing your own, along with plenty of thesis statement examples to guide you. 

What is a thesis statement?

The goal of a thesis statement is to let your reader know what your paper or essay is about. It helps your reader understand the greater context and scope of your topic, plus it lets your readers know what to expect from the rest of the work. 

A secondary benefit of a thesis statement is that it makes it easier to search for papers on a particular topic, especially in the realm of academic writing like research papers and thesis papers (which are sometimes known as dissertations when written for doctoral degrees). For example, if you’re writing a paper of your own, you’ll want to look up other papers to use as evidence and sources. You can simply scan the thesis statements of several papers to see which match your topic and could be worthwhile sources to cite. 

How to write a thesis statement: Basics

Before we get into details, here are the basic steps for how to write a thesis statement: 

1.  Develop the best topic to cover in your paper
2.  Phrase your topic as a question-and-answer
3.  Add some polish

We’ll describe each of those steps in more detail below, but we wanted to share a quick guide. Also, we’ll provide some thesis statement examples and talk about how to write a thesis statement for different kinds of essays: persuasive, compare-and-contrast, expository, and argumentative essays.

The thesis statement is located at the beginning of a paper, in the opening paragraph, making it an essential way to start an essay. A thesis statement isn’t necessarily the first sentence in an essay; typically you’ll want to hook the reader in an engaging way in the opening sentence before inserting your central idea or argument later in the first paragraph. A thesis statement is often confused with a topic sentence, the first sentence in a paragraph, because they both introduce the central idea of what follows. You can think of thesis statements as the topic sentence of your entire paper. 

What to include in a thesis statement (with examples)

Thesis statements are a necessary part of paper and essay writing, but different formats have different rules and best practices. Below, we break down how to write a thesis statement for the most common types of papers. 

How to write a thesis statement for expository and argumentative essays

Expository and argumentative essays are some of the most common types of academic papers. Because they don’t have a formal abstract like research papers, they rely on their thesis statements to provide an overview of what’s discussed. 

Thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays should use strong and decisive language; don’t be wishy-washy or uncertain. You want to take a stand right in the opening so that your readers understand what your paper is trying to show. 

Moreover, thesis statements for these essays should be specific, with some minor details to hint at the rest of the paper. It’s not enough to merely make your point; you also want to provide some basic evidence or background context to paint a full picture. 

If your paper dives into different subtopics or categories, try to fit them into the thesis statement if you can. You don’t have to get into details here, but it’s nice to mention the different sections at the top so that the reader knows what to expect. 

Thesis statement examples

Despite the taboo, insects make an excellent food source and could stem humanity’s looming food shortage, based on both their protein output and the sustainability of farming them. 

The backlash to rock ’n’ roll music in the ’50s by religious groups and traditionalists actually boosted the genre’s popularity instead of diminishing it as intended.

How to write a thesis statement for persuasive essays

Similar to argumentative essays, persuasive essays follow many of the same guidelines for their thesis statements: decisive language, specific details, and mentions of subtopics. 

However, the main difference is that, while the thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays state facts, the thesis statements for persuasive essays state clear opinions. Still, the format is the same, and the opinions are often treated like facts, including conclusive language and citing evidence to support your claims. 

Furthermore, unlike with other essays, it’s appropriate to make emotional connections in a thesis statement in persuasive essays. This can actually be a clever strategy to start your essay off on a more personal, impactful note. 

Thesis statement examples

Advertising should not be allowed in public schools because it’s a distraction from studies and may lead to misguided priorities among the school board, to say nothing of the materialist culture it promotes. 

Exotic pets provide the same love and companionship as conventional pets, so the laws regulating which animals can and cannot be kept as pets should be more relaxed.

How to write a thesis statement for compare-and-contrast essays

Thesis statements for compare-and-contrast essays are tricky because you have at least two topics to touch on instead of just one. The same general guidelines apply (decisive language, details, etc.), but you need to give equal attention to both your topics—otherwise, your essay will seem biased from the start. 

As always, your thesis statement should reflect what’s written in the rest of your essay. If your essay spends more time comparing than contrasting, your thesis statement should focus more on similarities than differences. 

It sometimes helps to give specific examples as well, but keep them simple and brief. Save the finer details for the body of your essay. 

Thesis statement examples

Sean Connery and Daniel Craig are the two most popular actors to portray James Bond, but both have their own distinct and at times contradictory interpretations of the character. 

While capitalism and communism are often viewed as diametric opposites, the truth is that, in practice, both ideologies tend to “borrow” principles from one another.

How to write a thesis statement in 3 steps

Now that you know what you’re aiming for, it’s time to sit down and write your own thesis statement. To keep you on track, here are three easy steps to guide you. 

1 Brainstorm the best topic for your essay

You can’t write a thesis statement until you know what your paper is about, so your first step is choosing a topic. 

If the topic is already assigned, great! That’s all for this step. If not, consider the tips below for choosing the topic that’s best for you:

• Pick a topic that you’re passionate about. Even if you don’t know much about it, it’ll be easier to learn about it while writing if you’re genuinely interested. 
• Narrow down your topic to something specific; otherwise, your paper will be too broad and perhaps too long. Just make sure it’s not too specific, or you won’t have enough to write about. Try to find a happy medium. 
• Check beforehand that there are enough strong, credible sources to use for research. You don’t want to run out of referential material halfway through. 

Once you’ve chosen a topic—and the angle or stance you want to take—then it’s time to put the idea for your thesis sentence into words. 

2 Phrase your topic as a question and then answer it

It’s not always easy to fit your entire thesis into just one sentence, let alone one that’s written clearly and eloquently. Here’s a quick technique to help you get started. 

First, phrase your topic as a question. For example, if you want to write about Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, ask yourself, “What influences did Gandhi have on society after his death?” 

If you already know the answer, write it down—that’s a good start for your thesis statement. If you don’t know the answer, do some preliminary research to find out; you can certainly use what you discover as evidence and sources in your essay’s body paragraphs. 

3 Add some polish

Chances are, your first attempt at a thesis statement won’t be perfect. To get it to its best, try revising, editing, and adding what’s missing. 

Remember the core traits for thesis statements we mentioned above: decisive language, a happy medium of specific but not too specific details, and mention of subtopics. If you’re struggling to contain everything in a single sentence, feel free to move the secondary information to the following sentence. The thesis statement itself should only have what’s most necessary. 

If you’re in doubt, read your thesis statement to a friend and ask them what they think your paper is about. If they answer correctly, your thesis statement does its job. 

Next comes the hard part—writing the rest! While the bulk of the writing lies ahead, at least you’ve nailed down your central idea. To plot out your supporting argument, follow our advice on essay structure and let your ideas flow. 

Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

Check for plagiarism & grammar mistakes

Wipe out writing errors that can affect your grade

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement https://lorcania.com/profile/coalcares somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.

The paper that follows should:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

The paper that follows should:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

How to Write a University Thesis step by step?

Dissertation or research papier is an exercise whose name sounds in the minds of many students. It is a major step in a student's higher education programme, in order to successfully complete a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree and thus obtain a diploma. It is also an opportunity for the student to showcase his or her understanding of the teaching received.

Dissertation or paper research is often a year-long process, so we encourage you to get organised and write it in a timely manner.

Whether you are writing a thesis https://app.hellothematic.com/creator/profile/908966, a doctorate, a paper research or a dissertation, here are the essential steps for your research work.

Step 1: Define a research topic that motivates you

All students who wish to write an academic thesis go through this initial stage, the search for a thesis topic. 

In some universities, topics are offered to you. When choosing, favour the subject that inspires you the most and that is most relevant to your professional ambitions. 

A tip: remember to contact the professor in charge of dissertations early on to discuss your chosen topic. He or she may be able to provide you with advice and research leads. 

In other cases, here is a list of criteria to consider to help you find your topic:

• Accessible: Choose the topic that you think is the most accessible, the least complex in terms of your abilities/knowledge/desires
• Achievable: Select a topic that is easier to access documentation and interviewees
• Relevant: To highlight the courses you are taking and/or your professional ambitions
• Acceptable: Validate the essay topic by your institution
• Inspiring: Choosing a topic that inspires you will be one of the keys to your success and motivation

Step 2: Choose an available and supportive supervisor

In the Master's programme, once you have chosen your subject, you are responsible for selecting a thesis supervisor.

The main functions of the supervisor are to help you, guide you and advise you on the relevance of the subject. He or she will assess with you the feasibility of your topic, suggest other avenues and help you to define the subject.

To choose your team member for this academic project, you should take into account his or her availability to supervise you by checking whether he or she does not already have many other students to supervise. You should also be interested in their speciality and make sure that it is close enough to the field of your subject.

Finally, choose a supervisor with whom you have a good rapport. Trust your instincts. You will share your questions, your progress in this project and sometimes your moments of doubt. Your advisor is a real support in this research work.

Keep in mind that your advisor is there to guide you and not to do the work for you, so it is up to you to prepare the questions you want to ask.

Step 3: Formulate your problem and the limits of your subject

In order to write a good or even excellent dissertation, the choice of the problematic plays an essential role. The problematic is the central question that your dissertation answers. Thus, it structures the dissertation and constitutes the guiding thread. It is the question that brings out the issues of the subject. The problematic is the result of your thinking, it shows how you will deal with the subject.

Having said that, we strongly advise you to do some preliminary research to get an overview of the subject and to analyse the documents you have read in order to build up a personal reflection. In this way, you will identify the most important and relevant issues for your field of study. From all this reflection, your big question naturally follows: the problematic.

To make sure that you have defined the subject from all angles, the 5 W's and H Questions is effective. It is also called the mind map method. By answering the questions how, what, who, how much, where, when and why, you will be able to develop a large number of ideas and then define the chosen treatment.

In concrete terms, this is how to go about it and what the above questions answer:

• How? List the themes and sub-themes of your topic
• What? Define the fields concerned by the topic: physics, economics, sociology etc.
• Who? Explain the type of population you are considering in your essay
• How many? Determine the quantitative and qualitative indicators to be taken into account to support your essay
• Where? Locate your topic in a geographical area
• When? Delineate your topic in time
• Why? Determine the relevant causes to be mentioned

Step 4: Construct a detailed plan

The construction of the plan is based on a rigorous logic. It is directly linked to your problematic. It is advisable to contact your dissertation supervisor once the plan has been drawn up so that he or she can validate it or advise you on any corrections to be made. 

Your plan gradually answers the main question that is your problematic. Also, the sequence between paragraphs is natural. 

How should your dissertation plan be structured?

You have several methods, it is up to you to choose the one that makes sense in relation to your subject: 

• Start with a simple idea and work towards its complexity;
• Expressing a general topic and continuing to an example;
• Develop the "yes" in response to the problem, then the "no" and finally a mix of the two.

Two tips: a good plan is a balanced plan. Each of your titles answers the problem and provides information. 

If the headings are correctly identified in Google doc or Word as "heading 2", "heading 3"… You can easily visualise your plan and make corrections if necessary.

Step 5: Search for relevant information

During this stage, you wear the hat of an investigator. This work requires you to consult many types of documents and to conduct interviews. Your task is to find relevant and reliable information, in particular by checking the sources.

To avoid falling into infobesity (too much information), do precise research and keep only the information relevant to your problem.

If you find interesting information but it does not answer your question, you can always mention it in your annexes.

Throughout your documentary research, it is advisable to analyse and classify the information and record the sources carefully. This research phase is important because the quality of your research work depends to a large extent on the relevance of the data collected as well as on a careful analysis.

To avoid losing the references you use when searching for information, remember to write them down as you go along. This also makes it easier to write your bibliography.

 

Step 6: Write and structure your dissertation

The structure of the plan may vary depending on your institution. But as an example and to make it clearer, here is a typical structure.
 

The cover or title page

The cover page of your dissertation or thesis is the first page of your academic report. It is the reader's first impression of your work. It generally includes: 

• The name of your academic institution,
• The city of your university,
• Your academic year,
• Your major in your academic program,
• The title of the research work,
• Your first and last name,
• The name and surname of your thesis director,
• The first and last names of the jury members,
• The name and logo of the company for which you carried out this study (if alternating).

Thank you page

This is the page where you thank the people who contributed to the realisation of your work (your thesis director, your teachers and your professional contacts for example).
 

Table of contents

Also called the "summary" or "detailed plan":

• Titles of the parts of your research paper,
• Titles of the sub-parts,
• Numbers of the corresponding pages,
• Links to these pages (if digital version).

Glossary

Abbreviations, scientific or specific words sometimes need an explanation. This page aims to list and define them in order to understand the terms of your thesis. This page is not mandatory.

Introduction

The introduction of a thesis is dedicated to the presentation of your subject, your problematic and the way in which you will answer it. It is an opportunity to arouse the reader's interest.

 

Body of the research paper

Research papers are generally organised in 3 or 4 parts. Paragraphs are balanced. A line break is considered whenever there is a change of idea.
Conclusion

It answers the problematic by making a mini summary of each part developed and opens the reflection towards a widening on other research tracks. 

The bibliography

Bibliographic sources follow citation standards and vary depending on the nature of the source (book, site or article). Quotations, images, graphics… all sources need to be mentioned to credit your thoughts and invite the reader to learn more about your subject. It is essential to properly reference your sources to avoid being accused of plagiarism. Plagiarism is quickly spotted by dissertation editors thanks to the use of anti-plagiarism software, which detects textual similarities, such as Compilatio. It is advisable to indicate in your dissertation that you have submitted your dissertation text to plagiarism software, such as Compilatio Studium for students, to gain credibility. Your academic institution may only accept one standard of citation. Your dissertation advisor can advise you on this. 

Annexes

If you have a lot of appendices, you may want to write a summary before listing them. Appendices contain details of qualitative and quantitative questionnaires conducted as part of quantitative study or qualitative research, and also additional information related to your topic.

 

Step 7: Check and adjust your brief

Once your dissertation is completely written with the appendices and bibliographic sources correctly referenced, we recommend that you proofread it. It is even better if you do it as you go along to avoid inconsistencies, spelling, grammar and syntax mistakes. 

In addition, the careful layout makes it easier for your proofreader to read. In concrete terms, you pay attention to the uniformity of the font, to the bolding of key words, to the beauty of your precious research work… Don't hesitate to use color and images to make your dissertation more enjoyable. 

Your thesis advisor also has a role to play in proofreading your academic work.

Step 8: Prepare oral presentation
 

Once this work is done, one might want to take a breathe. However, there is still one last step to take, which is just as important as writing the thesis: oral presentation.

This oral presentation is the moment when you can defend your work done during the year. The jury is generally made of your thesis director and one or more guests from the academic world (lecturers for example).

This oral presentation generally lasts about thirty minutes and it is not necessary to go into details of your thesis, since the members of the jury will have read it beforehand. Keep in mind that the objective is to explain the choice of the subject, the problematic and the way you proceeded to answer it. Finally, you will discuss the conclusions you have reached.

It may be interesting to discuss the difficulties you encountered during your work and how you overcame them. You need to step back and think critically.

Finally, you will answer the questions asked by the members of the jury. They will also give you their criticism of your thesis.

You will have to prepare a visual presentation (Power Point or Google Slide type).

To make this presentation easy, use : 

• Key words (not sentences),
• Images (with their references),
• Graphs (with their references),
• Figures (with their references),
• Light animations between the slides.

Then, the jury will ask you some questions. You can try to anticipate them so that you will be more comfortable answering them.

To summarise, writing a thesis is an important step in validating your knowledge. It takes time to build, so it is better to be organised. But it is worth it because the research work allows you to validate your university course. Put your heart into your research and writing, be authentic and appreciate the value of the work you do.

Happy dissertation, thesis or doctoral writing. It's up to you.

How to structure a thesis

Starting a thesis can be daunting https://www.swap-bot.com/user:luispereira. There are so many questions in the beginning:

• How do you actually start your thesis?
• How do you structure it?
• What information should the individual chapters contain?

Each educational program has different demands on your thesis structure, which is why asking directly for the requirements of your program should be a first step. However, there is not much flexibility when it comes to structuring your thesis.

Abstract: a brief overview of your entire thesis.

Literature review: an evaluation of previous research on your topic that includes a discussion of gaps in the research and how your work may fill them.

Methods: outlines the methodology that you are using in your research.

Thesis: a large paper, or multi-chapter work, based on a topic relating to your field of study.

A typical thesis structure

1. Abstract

The abstract is the overview of your thesis and generally very short. This section should highlight the main contents of your thesis “at a glance” so that someone who is curious about your work can get the gist quickly. Take a look at our guide on how to write an abstract for more info.

Tip: Consider writing your abstract last, after you’ve written everything else.

2. Introduction

The introduction to your thesis gives an overview of its basics or main points. It should answer the following questions:

• Why is the topic being studied?
• How is the topic being studied?
• What is being studied?

In answering the first question, you should know what your personal interest in this topic is and why it is relevant. Why does it matter?

To answer the "how", you should briefly explain how you are going to reach your research goal. Some prefer to answer that question in the methods chapter, but you can give a quick overview here.

And finally, you should explain "what" you are studying. You can also give background information here.

You should rewrite the introduction one last time when the writing is done to make sure it connects with your conclusion. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our thesis introduction guide.

3. Literature review

A literature review is often part of the introduction, but it can be a separate section. It is an evaluation of previous research on the topic showing that there are gaps that your research will attempt to fill. A few tips for your literature review:

• Use a wide array of sources
• Show both sides of the coin
• Make sure to cover the classics in your field
• Present everything in a clear and structured manner

For more insights on lit reviews, take a look at our guide on how to write a literature review.

4. Methods

The methodology chapter outlines which methods you choose to gather data, how the data is analyzed and justifies why you chose that methodology. It shows how your choice of design and research methods is suited to answering your research question.

Make sure to also explain what the pitfalls of your approach are and how you have tried to mitigate them. Discussing where your study might come up short can give you more credibility, since it shows the reader that you are aware of its limitations.

5. Results

Tip: Use graphs and tables, where appropriate, to visualize your results.

The results chapter outlines what you found out in relation to your research questions or hypotheses. It generally contains the facts of your research and does not include a lot of analysis, because that happens mostly in the discussion chapter.

Clearly visualize your results, using tables and graphs, especially when summarizing, and be consistent in your way of reporting. This means sticking to one format to help the reader evaluate and compare the data.

6. Discussion

The discussion chapter includes your own analysis and interpretation of the data you gathered, comments on your results and explains what they mean. This is your opportunity to show that you have understood your findings and their significance.

Point out the limitations of your study, provide explanations for unexpected results, and note any questions that remain unanswered.

7. Conclusion

This is probably your most important chapter. This is where you highlight that your research objectives have been achieved. You can also reiterate any limitations to your study and make suggestions for future research.

Remember to check if you have really answered all your research questions and hypotheses in this chapter. Your thesis should be tied up nicely in the conclusion and show clearly what you did, what results you got, and what you learned. Discover how to write a good conclusion in our thesis conclusion guide.

8. Reference list

At the end of your thesis, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX

How to structure a thesis

Starting a thesis can be daunting https://www.passes.com/martintoney. There are so many questions in the beginning:

• How do you actually start your thesis?
• How do you structure it?
• What information should the individual chapters contain?

Each educational program has different demands on your thesis structure, which is why asking directly for the requirements of your program should be a first step. However, there is not much flexibility when it comes to structuring your thesis.

Abstract: a brief overview of your entire thesis.

Literature review: an evaluation of previous research on your topic that includes a discussion of gaps in the research and how your work may fill them.

Methods: outlines the methodology that you are using in your research.

Thesis: a large paper, or multi-chapter work, based on a topic relating to your field of study.

A typical thesis structure

1. Abstract

The abstract is the overview of your thesis and generally very short. This section should highlight the main contents of your thesis “at a glance” so that someone who is curious about your work can get the gist quickly. Take a look at our guide on how to write an abstract for more info.

Tip: Consider writing your abstract last, after you’ve written everything else.

2. Introduction

The introduction to your thesis gives an overview of its basics or main points. It should answer the following questions:

• Why is the topic being studied?
• How is the topic being studied?
• What is being studied?

In answering the first question, you should know what your personal interest in this topic is and why it is relevant. Why does it matter?

To answer the "how", you should briefly explain how you are going to reach your research goal. Some prefer to answer that question in the methods chapter, but you can give a quick overview here.

And finally, you should explain "what" you are studying. You can also give background information here.

You should rewrite the introduction one last time when the writing is done to make sure it connects with your conclusion. Learn more about how to write a good thesis introduction in our thesis introduction guide.

3. Literature review

A literature review is often part of the introduction, but it can be a separate section. It is an evaluation of previous research on the topic showing that there are gaps that your research will attempt to fill. A few tips for your literature review:

• Use a wide array of sources
• Show both sides of the coin
• Make sure to cover the classics in your field
• Present everything in a clear and structured manner

For more insights on lit reviews, take a look at our guide on how to write a literature review.

4. Methods

The methodology chapter outlines which methods you choose to gather data, how the data is analyzed and justifies why you chose that methodology. It shows how your choice of design and research methods is suited to answering your research question.

Make sure to also explain what the pitfalls of your approach are and how you have tried to mitigate them. Discussing where your study might come up short can give you more credibility, since it shows the reader that you are aware of its limitations.

5. Results

Tip: Use graphs and tables, where appropriate, to visualize your results.

The results chapter outlines what you found out in relation to your research questions or hypotheses. It generally contains the facts of your research and does not include a lot of analysis, because that happens mostly in the discussion chapter.

Clearly visualize your results, using tables and graphs, especially when summarizing, and be consistent in your way of reporting. This means sticking to one format to help the reader evaluate and compare the data.

6. Discussion

The discussion chapter includes your own analysis and interpretation of the data you gathered, comments on your results and explains what they mean. This is your opportunity to show that you have understood your findings and their significance.

Point out the limitations of your study, provide explanations for unexpected results, and note any questions that remain unanswered.

7. Conclusion

This is probably your most important chapter. This is where you highlight that your research objectives have been achieved. You can also reiterate any limitations to your study and make suggestions for future research.

Remember to check if you have really answered all your research questions and hypotheses in this chapter. Your thesis should be tied up nicely in the conclusion and show clearly what you did, what results you got, and what you learned. Discover how to write a good conclusion in our thesis conclusion guide.

8. Reference list

At the end of your thesis, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX

How to Write a University Thesis step by step?

Dissertation or research papier is an exercise whose name sounds in the minds of many students. It is a major step in a student's higher education programme, in order to successfully complete a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree and thus obtain a diploma. It is also an opportunity for the student to showcase his or her understanding of the teaching received.

Dissertation or paper research is often a year-long process, so we encourage you to get organised and write it in a timely manner.

Whether you are writing a thesis https://forums.tombihn.com/member/28612-fashionfanny/about, a doctorate, a paper research or a dissertation, here are the essential steps for your research work.

Step 1: Define a research topic that motivates you

All students who wish to write an academic thesis go through this initial stage, the search for a thesis topic. 

In some universities, topics are offered to you. When choosing, favour the subject that inspires you the most and that is most relevant to your professional ambitions. 

A tip: remember to contact the professor in charge of dissertations early on to discuss your chosen topic. He or she may be able to provide you with advice and research leads. 

In other cases, here is a list of criteria to consider to help you find your topic:

• Accessible: Choose the topic that you think is the most accessible, the least complex in terms of your abilities/knowledge/desires
• Achievable: Select a topic that is easier to access documentation and interviewees
• Relevant: To highlight the courses you are taking and/or your professional ambitions
• Acceptable: Validate the essay topic by your institution
• Inspiring: Choosing a topic that inspires you will be one of the keys to your success and motivation

Step 2: Choose an available and supportive supervisor

In the Master's programme, once you have chosen your subject, you are responsible for selecting a thesis supervisor.

The main functions of the supervisor are to help you, guide you and advise you on the relevance of the subject. He or she will assess with you the feasibility of your topic, suggest other avenues and help you to define the subject.

To choose your team member for this academic project, you should take into account his or her availability to supervise you by checking whether he or she does not already have many other students to supervise. You should also be interested in their speciality and make sure that it is close enough to the field of your subject.

Finally, choose a supervisor with whom you have a good rapport. Trust your instincts. You will share your questions, your progress in this project and sometimes your moments of doubt. Your advisor is a real support in this research work.

Keep in mind that your advisor is there to guide you and not to do the work for you, so it is up to you to prepare the questions you want to ask.

Step 3: Formulate your problem and the limits of your subject

In order to write a good or even excellent dissertation, the choice of the problematic plays an essential role. The problematic is the central question that your dissertation answers. Thus, it structures the dissertation and constitutes the guiding thread. It is the question that brings out the issues of the subject. The problematic is the result of your thinking, it shows how you will deal with the subject.

Having said that, we strongly advise you to do some preliminary research to get an overview of the subject and to analyse the documents you have read in order to build up a personal reflection. In this way, you will identify the most important and relevant issues for your field of study. From all this reflection, your big question naturally follows: the problematic.

To make sure that you have defined the subject from all angles, the 5 W's and H Questions is effective. It is also called the mind map method. By answering the questions how, what, who, how much, where, when and why, you will be able to develop a large number of ideas and then define the chosen treatment.

In concrete terms, this is how to go about it and what the above questions answer:

• How? List the themes and sub-themes of your topic
• What? Define the fields concerned by the topic: physics, economics, sociology etc.
• Who? Explain the type of population you are considering in your essay
• How many? Determine the quantitative and qualitative indicators to be taken into account to support your essay
• Where? Locate your topic in a geographical area
• When? Delineate your topic in time
• Why? Determine the relevant causes to be mentioned

Step 4: Construct a detailed plan

The construction of the plan is based on a rigorous logic. It is directly linked to your problematic. It is advisable to contact your dissertation supervisor once the plan has been drawn up so that he or she can validate it or advise you on any corrections to be made. 

Your plan gradually answers the main question that is your problematic. Also, the sequence between paragraphs is natural. 

How should your dissertation plan be structured?

You have several methods, it is up to you to choose the one that makes sense in relation to your subject: 

• Start with a simple idea and work towards its complexity;
• Expressing a general topic and continuing to an example;
• Develop the "yes" in response to the problem, then the "no" and finally a mix of the two.

Two tips: a good plan is a balanced plan. Each of your titles answers the problem and provides information. 

If the headings are correctly identified in Google doc or Word as "heading 2", "heading 3"… You can easily visualise your plan and make corrections if necessary.

Step 5: Search for relevant information

During this stage, you wear the hat of an investigator. This work requires you to consult many types of documents and to conduct interviews. Your task is to find relevant and reliable information, in particular by checking the sources.

To avoid falling into infobesity (too much information), do precise research and keep only the information relevant to your problem.

If you find interesting information but it does not answer your question, you can always mention it in your annexes.

Throughout your documentary research, it is advisable to analyse and classify the information and record the sources carefully. This research phase is important because the quality of your research work depends to a large extent on the relevance of the data collected as well as on a careful analysis.

To avoid losing the references you use when searching for information, remember to write them down as you go along. This also makes it easier to write your bibliography.

 

Step 6: Write and structure your dissertation

The structure of the plan may vary depending on your institution. But as an example and to make it clearer, here is a typical structure.
 

The cover or title page

The cover page of your dissertation or thesis is the first page of your academic report. It is the reader's first impression of your work. It generally includes: 

• The name of your academic institution,
• The city of your university,
• Your academic year,
• Your major in your academic program,
• The title of the research work,
• Your first and last name,
• The name and surname of your thesis director,
• The first and last names of the jury members,
• The name and logo of the company for which you carried out this study (if alternating).

Thank you page

This is the page where you thank the people who contributed to the realisation of your work (your thesis director, your teachers and your professional contacts for example).
 

Table of contents

Also called the "summary" or "detailed plan":

• Titles of the parts of your research paper,
• Titles of the sub-parts,
• Numbers of the corresponding pages,
• Links to these pages (if digital version).

Glossary

Abbreviations, scientific or specific words sometimes need an explanation. This page aims to list and define them in order to understand the terms of your thesis. This page is not mandatory.

Introduction

The introduction of a thesis is dedicated to the presentation of your subject, your problematic and the way in which you will answer it. It is an opportunity to arouse the reader's interest.

 

Body of the research paper

Research papers are generally organised in 3 or 4 parts. Paragraphs are balanced. A line break is considered whenever there is a change of idea.
Conclusion

It answers the problematic by making a mini summary of each part developed and opens the reflection towards a widening on other research tracks. 

The bibliography

Bibliographic sources follow citation standards and vary depending on the nature of the source (book, site or article). Quotations, images, graphics… all sources need to be mentioned to credit your thoughts and invite the reader to learn more about your subject. It is essential to properly reference your sources to avoid being accused of plagiarism. Plagiarism is quickly spotted by dissertation editors thanks to the use of anti-plagiarism software, which detects textual similarities, such as Compilatio. It is advisable to indicate in your dissertation that you have submitted your dissertation text to plagiarism software, such as Compilatio Studium for students, to gain credibility. Your academic institution may only accept one standard of citation. Your dissertation advisor can advise you on this. 

Annexes

If you have a lot of appendices, you may want to write a summary before listing them. Appendices contain details of qualitative and quantitative questionnaires conducted as part of quantitative study or qualitative research, and also additional information related to your topic.

 

Step 7: Check and adjust your brief

Once your dissertation is completely written with the appendices and bibliographic sources correctly referenced, we recommend that you proofread it. It is even better if you do it as you go along to avoid inconsistencies, spelling, grammar and syntax mistakes. 

In addition, the careful layout makes it easier for your proofreader to read. In concrete terms, you pay attention to the uniformity of the font, to the bolding of key words, to the beauty of your precious research work… Don't hesitate to use color and images to make your dissertation more enjoyable. 

Your thesis advisor also has a role to play in proofreading your academic work.

Step 8: Prepare oral presentation
 

Once this work is done, one might want to take a breathe. However, there is still one last step to take, which is just as important as writing the thesis: oral presentation.

This oral presentation is the moment when you can defend your work done during the year. The jury is generally made of your thesis director and one or more guests from the academic world (lecturers for example).

This oral presentation generally lasts about thirty minutes and it is not necessary to go into details of your thesis, since the members of the jury will have read it beforehand. Keep in mind that the objective is to explain the choice of the subject, the problematic and the way you proceeded to answer it. Finally, you will discuss the conclusions you have reached.

It may be interesting to discuss the difficulties you encountered during your work and how you overcame them. You need to step back and think critically.

Finally, you will answer the questions asked by the members of the jury. They will also give you their criticism of your thesis.

You will have to prepare a visual presentation (Power Point or Google Slide type).

To make this presentation easy, use : 

• Key words (not sentences),
• Images (with their references),
• Graphs (with their references),
• Figures (with their references),
• Light animations between the slides.

Then, the jury will ask you some questions. You can try to anticipate them so that you will be more comfortable answering them.

To summarise, writing a thesis is an important step in validating your knowledge. It takes time to build, so it is better to be organised. But it is worth it because the research work allows you to validate your university course. Put your heart into your research and writing, be authentic and appreciate the value of the work you do.

Happy dissertation, thesis or doctoral writing. It's up to you.

How do you write a good introduction to a thesis or dissertation?

The introduction to a university dissertation or thesis https://etextpad.com/sgphwvpwob is an essential part of a final year project.It is the first connection you will make with your reader.It is therefore important to write a well-written introduction to your dissertation in order to

• interest the reader or the examiner,
• capture their attention,
• give them a clear idea of the subject covered in the dissertation.

A reader or examiner in a hurry generally reads your thesis diagonally. In this case, they are particularly interested in the following 3 elements: the introduction to the thesis, the outline of the thesis and the conclusion of the thesis. It is therefore important to take care with these 3 elements to highlight the quality of your work. 

In this article, we present the main elements to be included in a thesis introduction, with an example of an introduction valid for different levels of study: bachelor's thesis (bac+3), master's thesis (bac+4 and bac+5), doctoral thesis, etc.

1. Writing a thesis introduction at the right time

There are 2 schools of thought on the ideal time to write a thesis introduction:  

• Write your introduction after the writing plan has been finalised (at the start of the dissertation or thesis project).
• Write your introduction after you have finished writing your thesis (at the end of the project).

Writing a thesis introduction after finalising the outline

Drawing up a detailed outline for your dissertation or thesis is a crucial stage in the preparation of a university project.

It follows the definition of the subject, the choice of a thesis supervisor and the formulation of the problem statement. 

Drawing up an outline for your thesis is important, because your outline sets out your response to the problem.

As soon as you have finalised and validated your dissertation or thesis plan, you can start writing your project, particularly the introduction to your thesis or dissertation.

Be careful to adjust your dissertation or thesis introduction according to the elements you include in your dissertation as you go along.

Writing a thesis introduction after you've written your thesis

Writing your thesis introduction at the end may seem counter-intuitive, but in reality it is recommended practice for a number of reasons: 

Overview

When writing the different parts of your thesis, you usually have a vague idea of the points you want to cover. As you go along, your thoughts evolve and you refine your ideas. Writing the introduction at the end gives you an overview of the work as a whole, so that you can write a more precise and relevant introduction to your thesis.

Clarifying your objectives

At the end of your research, you will have a clearer idea of your objectives and the means and tools you will use to achieve them. Writing your introduction at the end makes it easier to explain your objectives.

Adjusting the problem

During the course of a research project, the subject may evolve. By writing the thesis introduction at the end, you can be sure that you are presenting the problem to which you are responding.

Consistency with the conclusion

Writing your thesis introduction at the same time as your conclusion ensures that they are aligned. This way, you can be sure that they are coherent and that they provide a good framework for your thesis.

Even if you choose to write your thesis introduction at the end of your work, you should be aware that you can write a draft introduction at the beginning of the project. This first draft will allow you to clarify your ideas and give your dissertation or thesis a direction. You can revise and finalise it once the rest of the thesis has been completed.

2. The 5 main elements of a thesis introduction

There are several elements to include in your thesis introduction, whether it's a research or professional thesis. 

Make sure your introduction is structured, brief and concise. The aim is to communicate the essential information to your reader in no more than one or two pages. 

The structure of a thesis introduction is also crucial in capturing the reader's attention. This structure may vary according to the requirements of your field of study or your institution.

Here are the 5 parts to be included in your thesis introduction and adapted according to the guidelines received:

Contextualisation

Start with a hook (statistics, key facts or concrete examples) to draw your reader's attention to the subject. Then go on to introduce the subject in a general way, highlighting its importance in the current context and its relevance to your field of study. 

Problematic

Clearly identify the question you wish to answer. Explain why this problematic is interesting and why you have chosen to address it. A good problematic should be simple, precise and understandable! 

Research objectives

Frame your study by presenting its objectives. What are you trying to measure? What are the main hypotheses you want to examine? Also describe your research methodology in this paragraph. 

Structure of the thesis

Give an overview of the overall structure of your dissertation or thesis by announcing your plan. Explain your choice of sections and parts to familiarise the reader with your organisation. 

Announcement of results (optional)

Finally, give a brief overview of the results you have reached at the end of your research. Indicate the main conclusions to pique the reader's interest and encourage them to want to find out more.

Focus on the presentation of research methodology

What is the research methodology for a thesis?

The choice of academic research methodology depends on the nature of the project: research dissertation, professional dissertation, doctoral thesis.

There are several academic research methods: quantitative studies, qualitative studies, empirical studies, comparative studies, etc.

Why present your research methodology in the thesis introduction?

By presenting your research methodology in your thesis introduction, you situate your work in a specific methodological context. You give the reader more information to understand your approach and assess the validity of your results.

Focus on announcing the plan in a thesis introduction

Why include the outline in the introduction to a thesis?

To orientate the reader, we strongly advise you to announce the overall plan of your thesis in your introduction. This gives them an overview and helps them to follow your argument coherently. 

By announcing the plan, you also help the reader to understand what to expect in each part. This can be particularly useful when your work is long.

How do you announce a thesis plan in the introduction?

Here are some ideas for announcing the plan in the introduction to your thesis: 

1. Simple enumeration

List the main parts of your thesis.

For example: "This thesis is divided into four main parts: Part I – Background and problematic, Part II – Review of the literature, Part III…".

2. Explanatory sentences

To give more context to each part, you can add a brief explanatory sentence for each of them. 

For example: "This thesis is structured in four main parts. In the first part, we will examine the context and problematic of our research. The second part will be devoted to an in-depth review of the existing literature on the subject…".

3. Highlighting the thesis introduction: the layout

It is important to highlight the thesis introduction. To do this, an appropriate layout is necessary. 

The layout of the thesis introduction must be carefully thought out and well structured in order to capture the reader's attention and guide them through the text clearly and concisely. 

Here is an example of the layout for the first few pages of a thesis (including the introduction): 

Page 1: cover page of the thesis 

• name of the university or institution,

• title of the thesis,
• first name and surname of the author,
• date of submission.

Page 2: acknowledgement page 

• acknowledgements to all the people who contributed to the smooth running of your academic year,

• thanks to all those who contributed to the writing of your dissertation or university thesis.

Page 3: table of contents

• A detailed list of the sections and subsections of the thesis, with the corresponding page numbers.

Page 4: thesis introduction 

• title of the introduction,

• catchphrase or relevant quotation to capture the reader's attention (contextualisation),
• context in which the research topic is justified (contextualisation),
• problematic and research questions (problematic), 
• research objectives and methodology used,
• outline of the plan.

4. Example of a thesis introduction

The following is an example of a thesis introduction that can be adapted to deliverables for different levels of study: bachelor's thesis, master's thesis, doctoral thesis, etc. 

Example of a thesis introduction for a dissertation or doctoral thesis on the subject of artificial intelligence and its impact on education:

Contextualisation

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up new perspectives in many fields, including education. AI-based technologies have the potential to transform educational practices, improve learning processes and prepare learners for the challenges of our digital society. In this doctoral thesis, we propose to explore the impact of artificial intelligences on education, taking an in-depth look at the opportunities, challenges and implications of these emerging technologies.

Problematic

The problematic of this research lies in the growing need to adapt education to the demands of the 21st century, integrating technological innovations to deliver a more effective, personalised and relevant learning experience. Artificial intelligences represent a promising response to this problematic, but their integration into the field of education raises fundamental questions about the pedagogical, ethical and social consequences of these technological advances.

Research objective

The main objective of this thesis is therefore to analyse in depth the impact of artificial intelligences on education, focusing on their applications, their potential benefits, and the challenges and concerns they raise. To achieve this aim, we will adopt a multidisciplinary approach, combining conceptual analyses, case studies and empirical investigations.

Structure of the dissertation

This thesis is structured in six main parts. In the first part, we present the context and the problematic linked to the use of artificial intelligences in education. We will raise the current educational issues and the needs that AIs can meet, identifying the research questions that guide our work.

The second part will be devoted to an in-depth literature review, where we will analyse previous work and existing research on the impact of artificial intelligences in education. We will examine the different applications of AIs, such as intelligent tutoring systems, learning data analysis, personalisation of teaching, etc.

In the third part, we will describe our research methodology, explaining how we designed our case studies and empirical investigations. We will discuss the tools and methods used to collect and analyse the data, as well as the measures taken to ensure the validity and reliability of our research.

Then, in the fourth section, we will present the results of our case studies and surveys, analysing them in the light of our research problematic. We will examine the potential benefits of AI in terms of improved learner performance, adaptation to individual needs, personalised feedback, and so on.

In the fifth part, we will address the challenges and concerns associated with the use of AI.

To sum up, the introduction is an important part of the thesis. It captures the reader's attention by presenting the context, subject, problematic and structure of the thesis. By following these few tips, you can write an effective and relevant thesis introduction to encourage your reader or your examiner to read your deliverable.