Getting started Moving on Dissertation workshop for Coursework

The beginning A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step Lao-tzu,

Getting started • Plan • Read • Review existing work – What’s the topic

Researching & writing - the benefits • Encourages constructive thinking about your ideas •

Writer’s block? Overwhelmed by the enormity of information you have gathered? Ask yourself •

Flooded with ideas? – keeping focussed • Do you have so much information you

Tips • Know the criteria by which your thesis will be marked • Write

Common thesis structure Evans, D & Gruba, P 2002 (2 nd ed. ) How

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Getting started - Moving on Dissertation workshop for Coursework Postgrads Dr Cheryl Lange

The beginning A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu (604 BC - 531 BC)

Getting started • Plan • Read • Review existing work – What’s the topic (your choice or assigned? ) – Structuring the review • • – – History Major developments Current situation Gaps in research Defining topic –what’s the aim of your research? Limiting topic Developing tentative hypothesis/research question Considering methods This process is the beginning stage of WRITING your thesis so make sure you actually WRITE during this stage.

Researching & writing - the benefits • Encourages constructive thinking about your ideas • Helps shape your research program early • Helps structure your thesis (but revise when needed) • Encourages supervisors to give feedback from the start Tip Set up different folders for each section of your thesis

Writer’s block? Overwhelmed by the enormity of information you have gathered? Ask yourself • What are the most important (theoretical) ideas that have shaped my topic? – How can I use these ideas as chapter or section headings? • Am I clear about the aim of my thesis? Unable to get your ideas down on paper? Try the following: – mind mapping – free writing for 5 -20 mins – invisible writing • Write something/anything on your thesis topic and don’t immediately delete it. Reward yourself.

Flooded with ideas? – keeping focussed • Do you have so much information you can’t focus on one area? • Do you keep writing and rewriting the same section? • Do you think you must get it right before you move on? Tip Ask yourself: • what are the 3 areas I’m MOST KEENLY interested in? – do they relate to the aim of my thesis? • how can I develop each into a section?

Tips • Know the criteria by which your thesis will be marked • Write early; write often (every day if possible) • Talk about your ideas and research • Get used to getting feedback on your drafts and re-writing • Back up your work constantly

Common thesis structure Evans, D & Gruba, P 2002 (2 nd ed. ) How to write a better thesis, Melbourne University Press p. 13