- Academic Research and Writing Tips / Tutorial





Why Writing Dissertations in Sections?

If your instructor told you that your dissertation is due in a week, would you feel overwhelmed? Some students who begin the dissertation process become frightened because there is so much to do. The best way to handle the problem is to divide it into smaller steps. Sectioning the dissertation process will make it easier and it will get finished before you even know it. Well, not quite. The point is that it is always easier to do one step and then another one.

Dissertation Section

One of the first steps in writing a custom dissertation is to read other dissertations. Study the different parts of the dissertation. Most are divided into the following sections:

- Chapter 1. The Introduction

- Chapter 2. Review of the Literature

- Chapter 3. Methodology

- Chapter 4. Recommendations and Expectations.

- Chapter 5. Conclusion.

While this is only five sections, it is suggested to make them into even smaller sections. Five large sections can be quite overwhelming. The first stage should be more like a thinking state or the thinking process. This begins with brainstorming any ideas for the dissertation. Once you select your topic, and then begin about setting goals to reach a little at a time. Set a time line where you can obtain different steps in the dissertation process.

The next step is writing the proposal. This should include a thorough literature review of the topic. It is important to show the advisor the importance of your topic. A literature review also helps divide a broad topic into a narrow one. When possible copy all the articles including books if possible. Be sure to keep a note of where all the sources came. The proposal is actually the first three chapters of the dissertation. The proposal should begin with a statement of the problem and why it is important to research.

The best way to divide different sections of the dissertation into smaller sections is to select the areas of the topic that you know the best. Begin with these and they will increase your understanding of some of the difficult areas.

Before we get too far into breaking down sections of the dissertation, it is important to think about who you want to use as your advisor. Select someone who can motivate you while listening to your problems and questions. Select a faculty member that will be willing to support you when you need it.

Back to dividing sections of the dissertation. Some examples of breaking the dissertation into smaller sections are:

- Write the sections you know best

- Break the literature review into smaller sections

- Research

- Methodology

- Creating the title of the dissertation

- Creating the hypothesis

- Creating the thesis statement

- Making an outline

- Writing the dissertation sections

- Revising

These are only a few suggested sections to divide your custom-written dissertation into. The most important reason for dividing it into sections is so you can set goals that are obtainable and not become depressed because you have so much more work to do. Remember to do one step at a time and reward yourself for being successful with the sections you finish.