7 steps to help you finish your dissertation with pride

Choose your research topic carefully

Your dissertation is an opportunity to showcase your thoughts and ideas, investigate an area in greater depth and consolidate previous knowledge. Picking something you're genuinely interested in will keep you motivated.

Check what's required of you

How is a dissertation structured?

What types of source material are used?

How are these sources used?

What forms of analysis are perceived as appropriate?

Write as you go

Keeping track of what you’ve been reading and where it came from will save you hours of work later on

Have a clear goal and structure

Reading and researching, Gathering and analysing data, Structuring and restructuring, Drafting and redrafting, Proofreading.

Continue to question

Remember to ask yourself how strongly you’re convinced by a particular explanation or interpretation and why, or whether there are any potentially valid alternatives.

Don’t underestimate the editing stage

Leave yourself sufficient time to engage with your writing at a number of levels – from reassessing the logic of the whole piece to proofreading to checking you’ve paid attention to aspects such as the required referencing format.

Enjoy the achievement

Yes! Completing your dissertation will be difficult at times, but make the most of it and you will look back with pride.