The document outlines a graduate school training course aimed at aiding students in finishing their theses. It covers key topics such as the structure of an argument, thesis planning, writing tips, and key formatting guidelines. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of evidence and original contributions to knowledge in the thesis content.

1. Friday, June 14, 2013 1Graduate School Training Courses
Finishing your Thesis

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Objectives
By the end of this course you will have
– reviewed the structural features of an argument
– identified some strategies for helping with the
writing-up process
– written an individual timetable for submission
– collected some tips on formatting your thesis

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The structure of an
argument
(From Toulmin, 1958)
Data Qualifier Claim/conclusionSo, ,
Since Unless
On account of
Warrant
Backing
Rebuttal
For a detailed description see:
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/argument/making_argument/toulmin.htm

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An example of an
argument
(From Toulmin, 1958)
Claire was
born in
Northern
Ireland
presumably
Claire is a
British subject
So,
Since
Unless
On account of
A person born in
Northern Ireland will
be a British subject
The following statutes
and legal provisions…
Both her parents were
born in Eire, or She has
become an Irish citizen
,

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The structure of an
argument
DATA CONCLUSION
GROUNDS FOR MAKING THIS LINK

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Other argument models
• Sequential or narrative
– Small logical steps through the argument
– Likely to be longer
• Different perspectives
– Problem area is examined from different aspects
– Can be difficult to come to a concise conclusion

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What is the Thesis for?
To establish the grounds for believing a claim or
conclusion.
The grounds should be based on
– evidence (i.e. your results)
– plus (usually) other evidence or accepted claims
warranting you to draw the conclusion from your
evidence

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So…
• Make clear what your central claim/conclusion is
• Make it clear how your research supports the
claim/conclusion
• Keep the background (e.g. lit. review) relevant to
your argument linking data with conclusions

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Tips on structure…
• Logical structure (not necessarily chronological order)
• Make it clear why and how your results/design/analysis
etc. solves the problem you set out to solve
• Provide a concise outline and summary of the thesis
• Tell them what you’ve discovered and why it’s important,
original etc.
– at the beginning
– and again at the end

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Planning the writing up
• Work out how much time you have
• Be realistic: what constraints are there?
• Set yourself concrete objectives
• Establish milestones and allow for slippage
• Work backwards!
– plan from the end up to now
– start with your results; leave the introduction to last
• Allow time for feedback on drafts, proofing,
formatting, copying , binding, etc.

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SMARTA Objectives
Specific Prepare first draft of chapter two
Measurable How will I know when it’s done?
Achievable Can I do it in the time I’ve allowed?
Realistic Have I considered all the constraints?
Trackable Can I ensure I’m on target for completion?

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The process of
developing your Thesis
Establish your Central
Aim and objectives
Choose an
appropriate method
Develop your ideas with
information and
support from published
papers and
other references
Put your ideas into
practice using your
chosen method
What did you find out?
Establish your findings and
draw your conclusions
Check and re-check

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Key formatting tips (1)
• Follow guidelines for presentation of thesis from your Faculty
Office, if any.
• Check out some recently completed theses:
http://etheses.nottingham.ac.uk
• Be familiar with the language and typesetting conventions of
your discipline
• Keep records of individual data so that you can go back to
them if necessary
• Keep backup copies on USB/memory sticks, CDs/DVDs,
documents sent to yourself or family on email etc.

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Key formatting tips (2)
• Be careful about recording the sequence of any changes to the
data
• Keep control over different versions
• Buy or borrow a good dictionary and thesaurus
• Number your pages, figures and tables. It is also a good idea
to number sections for cross-referencing
• Consider putting a brief introduction at the start, and a
summary at the end, of each chapter
• Define styles using “Word”:
– this will help make your formatting consistent
– you can automatically generate tables of content/figures etc.
• Use EndNote or another bibliographic management software to
store and output your references

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General skills
• Knowledge of the general field of scholarship to
which the particular subject belongs
• Critical judgement in a particular subject
• Competence in designing and executing a theoretical
or empirical enquiry
• Capacity to assume responsibility for independent
research in the field

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Content of Thesis
• A work of substance, representing not less than 2
years (normally 3) of full-time research
• Distinct addition to knowledge
• Originality (discovering new facts, critical
examinations of existing facts or ideas; devising and
conducting investigations into ideas supplied by
others)

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