find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

Refine courses

Posted Sept. 11, 2024

Surviving the thesis: A step-by-step guide

As the final piece of the postgraduate puzzle, the thesis is the pinnacle of your studies, not to mention a tough mountain to climb!

The average masters thesis is between 50 and 100 pages long – that’s up to 50,000 words in length! – which is a whole lot of writing, even when you’re passionate about the subject matter. With this in mind, surviving the thesis, and emerging the other side with a noteworthy academic paper that goes far beyond the dissertation, is a challenge for almost every postgraduate student. Here we share a step-by-step guide to thesis writing to help you on your way.

Step 1 - Be selective

While the thesis structure is rather rigid, your choice of subject matter doesn’t have to be. You have the freedom to choose the topic of your MSc or MA thesis, so select your subject wisely. It should of course be connected to your discipline and be as specific as possible to allow for the depth expected in an academic paper. Many postgraduate students also link their thesis topic to their desired career path.

Your chosen subject matter should be interesting to you and any would-be readers or assessors, with the topic itself sparking ideas, insights and intrigue long after it has been read.

Step 2 - Review the criteria

While the average length of a masters thesis is mentioned above, it is not set in stone. Marking criteria, including word count and structure, varies from course to course. Take the time to digest the criteria that apply to your thesis, and plan your structure and associated research accordingly.

Step 3 – Understand the essentials

Every thesis should include a robust thesis statement, an introductory paragraph that succinctly conveys what the purpose and topic of your paper is all about. We’ll let Writing Right explain why a thesis statement is important to the writer and the people reading it:

The role of a thesis statement is like the role of the sun in the solar system. Just as the planets orbit the sun in the solar system, the different parts of an essay orbit the thesis statement. The planets feed off of the sun, just like the body paragraphs and conclusion feed off of the thesis... The thesis statement should be clear and concise so the reader can identify it and efficiently understand the meaning of the paper.

Step 4 - Treat it like any project

With a clear purpose and segmented structure, you can break down the writing of your thesis into more manageable chunks as well as create a document that your audience can understand. By treating the writing of your thesis like any other project, you can prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed by the sheer volume of words.

Map out which sections you need to write and when. Set yourself milestones and deadlines to keep the whole project on track, and use project management tools (like Asana, Trello, Smartsheet, Monday and Notion) to stay organised.

Step 5 – Put self-care first

Those milestones and deadlines have to be realistic. You shouldn’t plan to write around the clock, and must make time for other activities to keep the focus there throughout the writing of your thesis.

Take regular breaks away from writing to keep things fresh – your brain will thank you for it! Don’t forget about the everyday tasks you need to undertake to stay fit, healthy and engaged either. Your body and mind need sleep, relaxation, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and socialisation to stay in peak condition and help you perform (and write) to the highest standard.

Related articles

How To Decide On A Topic For Your Postgraduate Thesis

Academic Writing In English

How To Get Your Postgrad Thesis Printed

 

Leave a comment

All contributors must be over 16 year olds

By submitting your comment you agree to our privacy policy.

Categories