How to write a dissertation?

What is a dissertation ? 

A dissertation is an academic work, a university one, This is a crucial step in a student's journey.

It is a work of research, a critical and enlightened analysis of a subject and a response given to an initial problem. 

This work is often written as part of an assignment, or to obtain a diploma, so this makes it a particularly important exercise whose rigor and method must be mastered to succeed. 

It allows students to develop both their ability to argue, but also their critical thinking. The rules of writing, especially at university, can change depending on the course chosen, as well as the length of the document. 

The dissertation is not an essay. It is not only a question of providing theoretical knowledge seen in class. It is not a recitation, but an in-depth reflection on a subject.

The dissertation is not a master thesis either, However, the two works are very often confused.

In a dissertation, the objective is to bring added value to the research, whereas in an essay, it is the more critical synthesis provided on a subject. A dissertation is written in a doctorate while the essay in a master's degree. The essay will not exceed 30000 words while the dissertation can contain up to 100000 words. An essay must also include more complete, more in-depth research, and the supervision is also more autonomous. The essay is most often found in Europe, the dissertation is a more frequent exercise in Anglo-Saxon countries. 

How to write a dissertation, the complete and detailed method

As we said above, it is important to follow a rigorous method for writing a dissertation in an academic setting. 

As far as the typical structure is concerned, it is most often composed of an introduction, a two- or three-part development and a conclusion. It is possible to add a cover page, acknowledgements as well as a bibliography or even a literature review. 

Thus, the introduction is an important part because it reflects all the work done, it is the famous first impression that will be made on the reader. 

The first steps are to choose a topic if it is not already imposed and to highlight a clear issue; finally, we must find a plan that will serve as a guide for the writing.

Generally, the introduction should not be too long, about 10% of the whole, with a margin that is tolerated according to the complexity of the subject to be treated. 

Should we do a literature review? 

Depending on the case and the subject covered, students may be asked to carry out a literature review. He can even take the initiative if he wishes and if it is relevant to the whole. 

For example, in some areas, it may be interesting to know the work that has already been carried out, the progress, to better situate the subject and choose a more original issue. 

What structure for the introduction?

We spoke earlier about the need to take care of its introduction, because it is in a way a reflection of the work as a whole. It must make a good first impression and literally capture the reader's attention. Among the key elements that must be included in the general context of the work, the problem is always clear and precise. The introduction also contains the objectives, any hypotheses affirmed, the methodology used and finally, the announcement of the plan. The plan itself must be logical and coherent, as it acts as a kind of guide during the drafting process. 

Should you write a title page? 

In some cases, the student had to add a title page, and it is this page that the jury will see first. It must therefore be useful and relevant, and above all, it must comply with the standards that will have been set beforehand by the institution. 

On this page, the title of course, the name of the student, the university or school, the chosen field, the date of submission of the essay and the number of words, only if requested, because this is in no way mandatory. Generally, the title page should be uncluttered and be careful not to be too fancy on the layout. 

The Table of Contents 

When the dissertation starts to have a certain number of pages, it may be interesting to establish a table of contents, which will allow readers to go directly to the desired page. 

For example, this page will contain the title page, with the number of the corresponding page, the summary of the dissertation, any acknowledgements, the list of documents, the literature review, methodology, results, the conclusion but also the bibliography and appendices if there are any. Be careful with pagination, because it is very important, the table of contents would be meaningless without it.

References, word count, and AI detectors

It is customary to say according to the rules that the number of references is relative to the level of study and the field of activity. Sometimes, there will be more of them in science than in literature, for example. For 10000 words, you need about 70 references. Be careful to favor only the most reliable sources. 

Also be careful to use word count tracking on the word processor. This allows for better compliance with the instructions. 

Finally, many students help themselves in their research with an AI detector, so it is recommended to use a detector like MyStudies to ensure the authenticity of its rendering. 

What tools for better dissertation? 

Today, there are many tools for writing dissertation. It is a question of using it with discernment. It is therefore relevant to correct your mistakes with software intended for you, or to be accompanied by tutors, such as those offered by the MyStudies platform, in particular. Indeed, the latter can have a positive impact on all the work done, students can be helped by tutors specializing in each field, and benefit from a truly personalized follow-up. 

Conclusion 

Writing a dissertation today is a real challenge for several reasons. Indeed, it is a question of proving one's ability to analyze and argue, while knowing how to carry out relevant research among the multitude of existing resources.

Fortunately, even if it is a work that requires rigor and organization, it is possible to write a very good dissertation, by benefiting from appropriate support such as that offered by My Studies if necessary.