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How to Write a Dissertation: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Writing a dissertation can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it's a great way to show what you’ve learned and explore a topic you care about.
A dissertation is one of the biggest projects in your academic life. It shows that you can:
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do your own research
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understand complex ideas
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write a strong and clear argument
No matter if you're working on an undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degree, the 7 steps below will help you stay focused and organized from start to finish.
1. Pick a Topic You Care About
Your topic is the base of your whole project. Start with a broad area you like, then narrow it down with research and advice from your adviser.
Choose a topic that is:
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related to your studies and interests
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interesting enough to spark questions or new ideas
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wide enough to find enough information, but not too broad
Think about your future career and pick a topic that may be useful later. It's okay if your topic changes along the way.
2. Know What’s Expected
Before you start planning, make sure you understand all the rules. Check:
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if you need to include a project plan or ethics form
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how to structure and format your work
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how to submit it (PDF, printed copy, etc.)
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the word count and referencing style (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.)
Tip from a lecturer: Many students lose marks by skipping required parts. For example, forgetting a project plan could cost you 20% of your grade.
3. Do Your Research
This part is often called the literature review. Look into past research to see what’s already known and how your work fits in.
Use sources like:
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Google Scholar
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JSTOR
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Your university library
Make sure your sources are reliable and relevant. Think critically about what you read and form your own opinions. Talk to your adviser for help finding sources and staying on track.
4. Create a Strong Thesis Statement
Your thesis statement is the main point of your dissertation. It’s the idea your whole paper is built around.
A good thesis should be:
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clear and specific
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something you can prove with research
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possible to complete within your deadline
Don’t worry if your research doesn’t prove your original idea. That’s okay—what matters is how you explain your process and findings.
5. Start Writing
Once your structure is ready, start writing. Don’t wait to make it perfect—your first draft is just a starting point.
Most dissertations include these sections:
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Introduction – What your study is about and why it matters
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Literature Review – Summary of past research and what’s missing
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Methodology – How you collected and analyzed data
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Results – What you found (use charts or tables if needed)
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Discussion – What the results mean and how they connect to past research
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Conclusion – Wrap-up of key points, any limits, and ideas for future work
Be sure to use the right citation style and avoid plagiarism by giving credit when you use others’ ideas.
Helpful tools for references:
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EndNote
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Mendeley
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MyBib
Zotero
6. Edit and Finalize
Give yourself at least a week to edit before the deadline. This gives you time to make changes and fix any issues.
To proofread better:
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Read your work out loud
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Work in a new place to stay alert
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Focus on grammar, spelling, or structure one at a time
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Ask someone else to review your work
Use grammar tools, but also check it yourself for style and subject accuracy. Make sure you follow the formatting rules (font size, line spacing, etc.).
Get feedback from your adviser or peers. Ask them to focus on parts like structure, clarity, or argument strength—and be open to their suggestions.
7. Submit Your Dissertation
Once you’ve made all your changes, it's time to submit.
Usually, you’ll upload a PDF to your university’s online system. Follow all instructions carefully—you may need to include your name, ID, or title.
Some schools still ask for a printed copy. If that’s the case, take it to your department office, and be ready to pay a small fee for binding.
Check if you need to include extra pages, like a title page, abstract, or table of contents.
Final Tip
Stay organized, stick to your plan, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Writing a dissertation is a big task, but step-by-step, you’ll get there.
References
- How To Write A Dissertation or Bedtime Reading For People Who Do Not Have Time To Sleep. (Purdue University)
- Discussing Affordable and Reliable Dissertation Writing Services for Students. (Writtent)
- What Is a Dissertation? | Guide, Examples, & Template. (Scribbr)