How to write a thesis How to write

How to write a thesis

How to write a thesis § § § § General comments Good communication Motivate the reader Structure thesis Common required sections of a thesis Issues concerning length The opening chapter Surveying related work 2

How to write a thesis § § § § Scene-setting and critical Criticizing the work of others Scenarios and examples Criteria for evaluating your thesis Program style, output, and tracing Proof-reading references 3

General Comments § The object of thesis is to demonstrate to the examiners that you can do research of a quality that should lead to one refereed journal publication § It is not enough to develop some useful software or programming technique. § A thesis must advance knowledge in some way § An analysis of the new knowledge must included 4

General Comments § § You must compare your work with work down by others You must provide an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of your technique, I. Clearly identifying its limitation II. Why it succeeds III. Is it something new 5

Good Communication § It should demonstrate that you can communicate effectively not only to narrow specialists in your field but also to others who can be expected to find the results interesting § It is a good idea to give English translations of formula that is at all complex § You should have a special section summarizing the terminology with cross references to places where terms are defined 6

Motivate the reader § An important aspect of communication is always making sure that the reader wants to read on § It solves some important theoretical problems § It solves an important practical problem § It reveals an underlying unity in a variety of previous theories and techniques 7

Motivate the reader § What and Why you are doing this work? § Good illustration examples are important § A general characterization of the scope of your work is a good point of motivation § State clearly what your research cannot do, which facts theories cannot explain 8

Structure thesis § The work should structured so that important points (e. g. definitions, examples, proofs, etc. ) are easy to find if one looks at thesis § They are all numbered or labeled in some way that facilitates cross reference 9

Structure thesis § It is important to have lots of section heading with numbering scheme that shows the structure § Headings should be listed in the main table of contents giving page numbers § Tables of figures should be numbered according to the chapters they are in 10

Structure thesis § If you define technical terms or abbreviations or acronyms make sure you have a list giving page numbers where they are defined § It is good idea to include an alphabetic index of subjects in your thesis 11

Common Sections of a Thesis § § § Introduction Review of related work Detailed statement of the research problem Which chapters outlining your own solution Present your solution in pages, describing different techniques or partial solution separately 12

Common Sections of a Thesis § Demonstrations of what the solution achieves § this may be solutions to theoretical problem § Use the new notation you have developed 13

Common Sections of a Thesis § Discussion of possible further developments, concept, theory, technique, or program § Discussion of how to evaluate thesis, this could be part of the introduction and conclusion chapters § Conclusion should summaries the main points of thesis, and evaluate what have been achieved 14

Common Sections of a Thesis § Conclusion should also mention limitations and failings, and sketch possible future development § Acknowledgements section conventionally stated people who have helped, inspired, advise you, institutions that have supported you, …. 15

Common Sections of a Thesis § If you have taken someone else’s idea and developed it, this should be stated in the main text § Every item referred to in thesis must be included in bibliography § Appendices may include mathematical proofs, detailed definitions of formalisms, detailed descriptions of programs or techniques used and examples of program’s execution § Don’t include all the trivial details of your program 16

Issues Concerning Length § If the main text of your thesis is over 150 pages or 5500 words, it is too long § If thesis plus appendices much over 220 pages or 80, 000 words then it is too long and you risk making busy examiners upset at having to be burdened with it § Include the interesting parts of the program in an appendix 17

Issues Concerning Length § Do not include obvious and trivial procedures § Ask your supervisor for advice § Use your own judgment- it is your thesis 18