How to Write an Exceptional Thesis or Dissertation A Step-By-Step Guide from Proposal to Successful Defense: A Step-By-Step Guide from Proposal to Successful Defense - Softcover

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, only 57 percent of students who start their Ph.D.s complete them within ten years, and many times it's the thesis or dissertation that is holding them back.

In this book, you will gain insight regarding the entire research process, from organizing your literature and materials most effectively to analyzing and evaluating the big picture for defense. You will learn how to locate and recognize a topic that is appropriate for your thesis or dissertation, and you will discover how to expand on the subject matter to ensure it's unique and distinct from any other research out there. This book will ensure that your argument is strong, sound, and persuasive throughout your entire thesis or dissertation, from the introductory chapter through the summarizing conclusive statements, and you will learn how to do so without plagiarizing or cutting corners. You will master how to write ethically, objectively, and properly according to your academic subject's standards. With this book as your guide, you will even find out how your research can take you from a proposal to a published writing career.

With this book, you will learn everything from the ground-level basics to the more detailed breakdown of the research process. You will gain a strong understanding of the difference between a thesis and dissertation, and you will grasp the components expected of your work - regardless of the subject matter of your research. This book will walk you through the entire process step-by-step, teaching you how to structure a planning and writing schedule that will keep the process manageable and not overwhelming.

J.S. Graustein earned a master's in Ecology from Northern Illinois University and then taught college-level Biology for two years at College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California. She switched her focus to writing after starting a family. She now writes poetry, nonfiction, and flash fiction for children and adults. Her work has appeared in print and online publications. She inherited Folded Word, a small indie press, from Founding Editor Jessie Carty in April 2009. Since then, J.S. has edited and produced Folded Word's first chapbooks and books. She also serves as Submissions Chair for Surprise Valley Writers Conference in Cedarville, California