Five Tips for Writing a Good Master’s Thesis
In research-based master’s programs, students must conduct an in-depth research project and be ready to defend their work in front of a panel of faculty members. Writing a thesis is a long process that requires excellent time management and self-discipline. Students work with a research advisor who guides and mentors them along the way.
A thesis is different than an undergraduate research project. In graduate programs, a thesis is an extensive scholarly paper that allows to demonstrate your expertise in your field of study. It will define your area expertise and will be considered an official published piece of research. A copy of the student’s thesis is kept in the university’s library and can be found in certain research databases.
Many times, students feel overwhelmed by this gigantic task, and it is not uncommon that some students never finish writing their thesis. This article provides simple advice on how to successfully complete your thesis:
Tip #1: Write Everyday Students need to train themselves to set aside time to write every day, either for 30 minutes or 2 hours, but it needs to be every day. The quality of writing varies but it can always be editing at a later date. Some days are better than others as we are more focused and can write more clearly. Some days are worse when we cannot concentrate, and it is difficult to write coherently. However, by writing every day, it is like a training program and writing becomes a habit. After a few weeks, writing becomes easier and less daunting for most students.
Tip #2: Work Closely With Your Research Supervisor When writing a thesis, the student is not alone. The research supervisor has a vested interest in making sure that the student succeeds in finishing their master’s program by writing their thesis. By working closely together, the supervisor becomes like a mentor to the student, providing intellectual as well as moral support to the student. The supervisor accompanies the students along the various steps of the thesis, from refining the research purpose to preparing for the oral defense.
Tip #3: Create A Support System: Work, Family, Friends Writing a thesis is challenge for those who struggle with time management. Students are asked to split their time between work, family, and their social circles. However, they need to stay focused on one task: writing. It is important that their friends, family, and colleagues understand the time commitment the student is making to their studies and keep the demand for the student’s time to a minimum. On the contrary, they should take special care that the student is not over burden by activities or extra work.
Tip #4: Find a Space to Write Graduate students need to find distraction free writing space. It is almost impossible to write effectively in a noisy office or at home with family members. The student should consider renting a study space in the library. Many public or university libraries offer small rooms for faculty or students to use. This space is a quiet space and free of distractions where one can concentrate on thinking and writing without any interruptions.
Tip #5: Break Thesis in Manageable Parts With Deadlines Breaking the task into manageable chunks with self-imposed deadlines works well for most and being organized is paramount. The thesis can appear as an impossible goal to reach. By breaking it down in smaller tasks, the student creates more reachable and manageable parts of a bigger piece of research. After each part, the student can request feedback from his/her supervisor to make sure they are on the right track. As the thesis is generally organized by chapters, the student can focus on each chapter as a separate writing module that can be assembled at the end to create the entire research project.
If you would like to know more about thesis writing, please contact the Deanship of Graduate Studies at 02-599-3605 or visit the website