SlideShare a Scribd company logo

Writing your Postgraduate Dissertation

•
•
O
onlineresources

This document provides guidance on writing a postgraduate dissertation. It discusses key differences in postgraduate writing, including longer length and greater independence. It outlines stages of the dissertation process like choosing a topic, gathering information, and revising drafts. Tips are provided for time management, title creation, reviewing literature, collecting and organizing references, and elements to include like an introduction, methodology, findings, and conclusion. The document stresses starting writing once enough information is collected and knowing when to stop revising for submission.

1 of 25
Dr Ela Beaumont Writing your Postgraduate dissertation Dr Ela Beaumont Writing your postgraduate dissertation
Writing at postgraduate level You make your own decisions You will discover what works for you You already have learning methods Your tutor expects you to be more independent
What’s different about postgraduate writing It’s longer You will work on it independently You have freedom of choice You will decide on your subject and methodology
Research-what’s the problem? What shall I write about? How do I get started? How do I write a title? What is a methodology? How do I get all the information?
Stages of your dissertation Choosing a question Gathering information Brainstorming Talking to tutors and others Clarifying the structure Drafting Revising Redrafting Writing the final version
Top tips for writing your dissertation Plan so you have plenty of time to organise your sources Choose something that interests you
Time management Remember your motivation Be creative Organise your research and writing schedule Start writing
Choosing a title Key words-subjects and concepts Link these to form a question or state a position Move from the general to the specific
Creating a good title illustrate explain examine evaluate discuss describe define criticise contrast compare assess analyse account for Your investigation Process word Your subject
Reviewing the literature You need: Authoritative sources-whose work is referred to most? Up to date sources-track down recent publications Accurate references-volume numbers, pages, titles NB Has your tutor written on the subject?
How to read
Reading Never read a whole book Read the title page Look at the table of contents Check the index Read the preface Leaf through the whole book Survey a chapter
Collecting your data Keep a note book handy and make a note of: author editor date page number article or book title publisher
Making notes WHY? Reference Preparation Memory aid Organising your knowledge
Reflect and evaluate Do you need this information? What have you discovered? Have you clarified your argument? Do you have enough evidence? Do you have enough examples?
Collecting your references using Harvard Read your course handbook How does your tutor want you to reference? What’s the style in your discipline?
Practice paraphrasing and writing in your own words Practice Harvard in your notes
Use short quotes in “quotation marks”, comment on them in your own words, and give a reference Practice using Harvard in your notes
Reference all your internet sources www.physorg.com/preview12180.html
Think about creating a spreadsheet or database for your references Go to library courses on: Searching for course material Referencing
When you have enough information-start writing The researcher doing endless research
Elements of a good dissertation Title Contents Summary Introduction Methodology Findings Conclusion Recommendations References
A good dissertation (1) Has a good title Deals with key points and arguments Is written in an objective style Has no spelling or grammatical mistakes Shows evidence of wide reading Uses references and quotations
A good dissertation (2) Is analytical and questioning Has a good introduction Is logical and balanced Has a good conclusion Is neat and well-presented Has a bibliography
A dissertation is never finished Know when to stop You get marks for quality not quantity There will always be more you want to add- don’t

More Related Content

Writing your Postgraduate Dissertation

  • 1. Dr Ela Beaumont Writing your Postgraduate dissertation Dr Ela Beaumont Writing your postgraduate dissertation
  • 2. Writing at postgraduate level You make your own decisions You will discover what works for you You already have learning methods Your tutor expects you to be more independent
  • 3. What’s different about postgraduate writing It’s longer You will work on it independently You have freedom of choice You will decide on your subject and methodology
  • 4. Research-what’s the problem? What shall I write about? How do I get started? How do I write a title? What is a methodology? How do I get all the information?
  • 5. Stages of your dissertation Choosing a question Gathering information Brainstorming Talking to tutors and others Clarifying the structure Drafting Revising Redrafting Writing the final version
  • 6. Top tips for writing your dissertation Plan so you have plenty of time to organise your sources Choose something that interests you
  • 7. Time management Remember your motivation Be creative Organise your research and writing schedule Start writing
  • 8. Choosing a title Key words-subjects and concepts Link these to form a question or state a position Move from the general to the specific
  • 9. Creating a good title illustrate explain examine evaluate discuss describe define criticise contrast compare assess analyse account for Your investigation Process word Your subject
  • 10. Reviewing the literature You need: Authoritative sources-whose work is referred to most? Up to date sources-track down recent publications Accurate references-volume numbers, pages, titles NB Has your tutor written on the subject?
  • 12. Reading Never read a whole book Read the title page Look at the table of contents Check the index Read the preface Leaf through the whole book Survey a chapter
  • 13. Collecting your data Keep a note book handy and make a note of: author editor date page number article or book title publisher
  • 14. Making notes WHY? Reference Preparation Memory aid Organising your knowledge
  • 15. Reflect and evaluate Do you need this information? What have you discovered? Have you clarified your argument? Do you have enough evidence? Do you have enough examples?
  • 16. Collecting your references using Harvard Read your course handbook How does your tutor want you to reference? What’s the style in your discipline?
  • 17. Practice paraphrasing and writing in your own words Practice Harvard in your notes
  • 18. Use short quotes in “quotation marks”, comment on them in your own words, and give a reference Practice using Harvard in your notes
  • 19. Reference all your internet sources www.physorg.com/preview12180.html
  • 20. Think about creating a spreadsheet or database for your references Go to library courses on: Searching for course material Referencing
  • 21. When you have enough information-start writing The researcher doing endless research
  • 22. Elements of a good dissertation Title Contents Summary Introduction Methodology Findings Conclusion Recommendations References
  • 23. A good dissertation (1) Has a good title Deals with key points and arguments Is written in an objective style Has no spelling or grammatical mistakes Shows evidence of wide reading Uses references and quotations
  • 24. A good dissertation (2) Is analytical and questioning Has a good introduction Is logical and balanced Has a good conclusion Is neat and well-presented Has a bibliography
  • 25. A dissertation is never finished Know when to stop You get marks for quality not quantity There will always be more you want to add- don’t