Dissertation Writing in Practice: Turning Ideas into Text

Introduction

1. Identifying the Research Gap
Writing an Introduction: Main Steps
Writing an Introduction: Additional Steps
Writing an Introduction: Language Features
Tense
Vocabulary
Reviewing the Literature
Key Features of a Literature Review
The Literature Review: An Additional Feature
Hypotheses and Research Questions
Bringing It All Together
Introducing Academic Papers
Further Advice
Follow-up Tasks

2. Making Use of Source Materials
Reasons for Referring
Methods of Referring
Referring to Sources: Language Features
Choice of verb
Adjectives and adverbs
Verb tense
Criticising others
Bringing It All Together
Use of Sources in Academic Papers
Further Advice
Follow-up Tasks

3. Stating Facts, Interpreting Data and Making Claims
Stating Facts
Stating Facts: Language Features
Describing actions
Referring to tables and figures
Interpreting Data and Making Claims
Interpreting Data and Making Claims: Language Features
Hedging Devices
Combing Facts and Claims
Making Claims throughout the Dissertation
Acknowledging Limitations
Bringing It All Together
Hedging in Academic Papers
Follow-up Tasks

4. Drawing to a Close
Writing a Conclusion: Main Steps
Writing a Conclusion: Additional Steps
Writing a Conclusion: Language Features
Subordination
Writing the Abstract
Length of an Abstract
Writing an Abstract: Language Features
Tense
Bringing It All Together
Concluding Academic Papers and Writing Abstracts
Follow-up Tasks

5. Structuring and Signposting
Structuring the Dissertation
Signposting
Titles as Signposts
Subtitles as Signposts
Signposting: Hierarchical Organisation of Text
Signposting within Text
Summaries as Signposts
Signposting: Language Features
Bringing It All Together
Signposting in Academic Papers
Further Advice
Follow-up Tasks

6. The Final Touches
Creating Cohesive Text
Cohesive Text: Information Structure
Cohesive Text: Vocabulary Choice
Cohesive Text: More on Vocabulary
Use of synonyms
Sentence connectors
Cohesive Text: Pronoun reference
Stylistic Factors to Consider
Paragraph length
Sentence length and complexity
Checklist
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Task

Answer Key
Sources
Index