How to write a thesis / Rowena Murray.

Previous ed.: 2002.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

structure--Introductory paragraphs--Writing about the method(s)--Study buddy--Regular writing--Problems with writing--Writer\'s block--Incremental writing--Writing binges--Developing a writing strategy--Checklist: Becoming a serial writer--6. Creating closure:- What is closure?--Interim closure--Don\'t put it off any longer--Research journal--Writing habits--Halfway point--Brown\'s eight questions--Pulling it all together--A design for writing--Frustration--Writing conclusions--Checklist: creating closure--7. Fear and Loathing: revising:- Why \'fear and loathing?\' -- Repetition--Forecasting--Signalling--Signposting--Conceptualizing and reconceptualizing--Managing your editor--End of the second phase--Look back to the proposal--Checklist: Revising--8. It is never too late to start--Step l: Take stock--2.Start writing--3. Outline your thesis--4. Make up a programme of writing--5. Communicate with your supervisor(s)--6. Outline each chapter--7. Write regularly-Does the fast-track mode work?--8. Revise--9. Pull it all together--10. Do final tasks--9. The Last 385 Yards:- The marathon--\'Done-ness is all\'--Concentrated writing phase--Well-being-- Peer support--Discussion chapter--New goal--Style tips--Finishing--Enough is enough--It is good enough--You have made a contribution--Convince your reader--\'Polish\' the text--Motivation--Presentation of final copy--Timetable for writing--Checklist: Polishing--10. After the Thesis examination: more writing?:- More writing?--What is a viva?--Pre-viva--Defining tasks--Talking about your writing--Practice--Anticipate the questions--Mock viva--Fear--The external examiner--During the viva--Post-viva--Endurance--Revisions and corrections--Anti-climax--Is there life after a thesis?--Was it really worth it?--Recovering--Getting your thesis published--Audience and purpose (again)--Looking for topics--The end--Checklist: before and after the viva.

Introduction:How to write 1000 words an hour:- The need for this book--What the students say--A writer\'s \'toolbox\'--Principles of academic writing--The literature on writing--Disciplinary differences--Thinking about structure--Prommpts--Enabling student writing--Writing in a second language--Grammar, punctuation, spelling--Goal setting--Lifelong learning--Audience and purpose--Timetable for writing--Checklist: defining the writing task--1. Thinking about writing a thesis:- Doctorate or Masters?--What is a doctorate?--New routes to the PhD--Why are you doing a doctorate?--Internal and external drivers--PhD or professional doctorate?--Full-time or part-time?--What will you use writing for?--Regulations--How will it look on the page?--Demystification: codes and guides--How will my thesis be assessed?--What are the criteria?--Defining \'originality\'--What is the reader looking for?--IT processes and needs--Reasons for not writing--Peer discussions and support--Your first meeting with your supervisor--Questions for reflection--Prompts for discussion--Writing timetable--Checklist: pre-planning--2. Starting to Write:- Can\'t it wait till later?--Audiences and purposes--Primary audience--Secondary audience--Immediate audience--The role of the supervisor--A common language for talking about writing--Writing to prompts--Freewriting--Generative writing--Checklist: starting to write--3. Seeking Structure:- Revising your proposal--Outlining--Finding a thesis--Writing a literature review--Plagiarism--Designing a thesis--\'Writing in layers\'--Writing locations--Writing times--Checklist: seeking structure--4. The first Milestone:- First writing miletone--The first-year report--From notes to draft--Dialogue--Monitoring--Pressure--What is progress?--Work-in-progress writing--A writers\' group--Checklist: the first milestone--5. Becoming a Serial Writer:- What is a serial writer?--Scaffolding for an arguement--Paragraph

This work evolved from 15 years' experience of teaching thesis writing. The contents have been tried and tested with postgraduates and academics. Early chapters explore the ambiguities and subtleties of thesis writing in detail. Later chapters are more compact, listing steps in the writing process.