STEP TWO: Writing the Thesis or Dissertation
Program-specific Formatting
Different programs have different formatting policies and follow different style manuals. Your Thesis or Dissertation Director will advise you.
University/Library Formatting
The UNF Library has requirements for formatting all theses and dissertations. It is wise to incorporate these elements early in the writing process.
The Library’s GUIDE TO THESIS PREPARATION is found by clicking here. The Library’s guide also covers dissertations.
Some formatting items to keep in mind as you begin writing include:
• Arrangement of contents – items that must be present in a thesis or dissertation must be arranged in the correct order.
• Pagination Sequence – pages must be organized in the correct order.
• Type and Spacing – must be uniform and must conform to the Library’s requirements.
• Margins – Left: 1 1/2" for binding purposes; Top, Right, Bottom: 1", except for chapter headings which should have a 2" top margin.
• Illustrations, Photographs, Graphs, and Tables – must conform to the Library’s requirements.
• Copyright Permissions – all copyrighted material must be used only with permission.
• Title Page – must conform to the Library’s requirements.
• Signature Page – must conform to the Library’s requirements.
There are more Library requirements to note and heed as one writes. The best advice is to review the Library’s GUIDE TO THESIS PREPARATION thoroughly.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as “intentionally or knowingly presenting the work of another as one’s own (i.e., without proper acknowledgment of the source). The sole exception to the requirement of acknowledging sources is when the ideas, information, etc., is common knowledge.” (UNF Student Handbook)
Plagiarism is a very serious matter. If a student represents the ideas or words of another person as his own, this is intellectual stealing, and it is punishable by a range of actions, including even dismissal from pursuit of a degree. Students are warned to take pains to avoid all plagiarism, no matter how minor it may seem.
Editorial Services
The Graduate School requires that all dissertations and theses be submitted in final formats, ready for library submission and publication.
Part of what is required for final submission of dissertations and theses is that such documents be free from any errors related to language use: grammar, spelling, and usage errors must be absent, and clarity must be uniform throughout the document.
To aid in meeting this requirement, the Graduate School recommends that a student employ an editor. The Graduate School does not, however, require employing an editor, nor do we require hiring a particular editor.
The hiring of an editor is a decision that should be made between the student and the Thesis or Dissertation Director. If the decision is to hire an editor, editorial work should occur prior to the defense of the thesis or dissertation.
Checklist
❏ The correct style manual, the one followed by the program, has been used.
❏ The Library’s formatting policies have been followed in their entirety.
❏ All work not originating with the student has been properly cited and referenced.
❏ If the student and Thesis or Dissertation Director deem it warranted, the services of a professional editor have been secured.