1. Make an outline
Starting from scratch and immediately coming up with a logical, coherent story is almost impossible. What really helps, though, is creating an outline. Especially for long sections, such as the introduction and discussion, this is essential. Write down the main message of each paragraph using keywords or short sentences, and make sure each paragraph focuses on just one key point. Does your outline read like a clear story, and do the paragraphs follow each other logically? Then you can work out your text properly step by step.
2. Just start
This may sound like silly advice, but it really works. Often, you put off writing because you want to get it right straight away: well-written sentences, academic language, a logical structure and statements supported by literature. Spoiler alert: that probably won’t happen in one go. And that's perfectly fine! You will read through your text many times, make adjustments, rewrite parts, and incorporate feedback... So don't put pressure on yourself to get it perfect right away. Sometimes you just have to start writing without thinking too much, and then fine-tune it later. Over time, your text will naturally turn into a logical story!
3. Maintain structure
A thesis is usually quite long and contains complex material. Therefore, make sure you guide your reader (and yourself) through your thesis! Start each chapter with a short introduction explaining what you are going to discuss and why it is relevant. Then end each chapter with a short sub-conclusion. This will ensure that your story remains easy to follow and prevents chapters from feeling like separate pieces of text.
4. Learn from examples
Why reinvent the wheel when you can learn from the work of fellow researchers? The University of Twente has a thesis database where you can download the theses of other students. Don't just look at the content, but also at how others structured and organised their reports. This will also give you an idea of what supervisors look for during the assessment. The same applies to articles you read during your literature research. If you come across a good article with a nice structure, save it! Not to copy it exactly (the plagiarism scanner won't be very happy about that ;)), but to learn from it.
5. Ask for feedback
Feedback moments can sometimes feel confronting, but they also provide an opportunity to improve your work. So, make use of them! Just make sure you approach it in the right way. Sometimes it takes a long time to get feedback, or it takes longer than expected to process it. Therefore, carefully consider who can give feedback, how long they need, and how much time you need to process it. And no, you don't have to wait until your entire thesis is finished. Sending chapters or sections for feedback throughout the process can save you a lot of stress at the end!
6. Stay in touch with supervisors
See your supervisors not only as assessors, but also as colleagues you can brainstorm with and who can support you. So, check in regularly and ask for help on time if you get stuck. Supervisors often appreciate it when you prepare for your meetings. Write down specific questions or make slides to show your findings so far and to discuss your questions. Also, make sure you have the same expectations: how often will you meet? What do your supervisors consider important in your collaboration and in your report? This can prevent a lot of confusion later in the process.
7. Zoom out
In the discussion section, it is tempting to explain every detail. While this is important and shows insight, it is just as important to zoom out from time to time. What do your findings actually mean? How are they related? Why is this relevant? And what does this mean for the bigger picture and for the future? Thinking about these things will make your discussion a lot stronger.
8. Use a reference manager…
Do your future self a favour and keep your sources and references organised from day one. Be sure to use a reference manager, because referencing manually is truly a nightmare. Pro tip: also save articles that you haven't used yet, but expect to need. Nothing is more annoying than knowing you've read something, but then never being able to find that article again ;).
9. And other helpful tools
Besides reference managers, there are plenty of other tools that can make your life as a graduating student just a little bit easier. Wisang has listed some for you!
10. Take care of yourself
Your thesis is important, but so is your (mental) health. Make sure you eat healthy, get enough sleep and schedule free time for fun activities, such as exercising and hanging out with friends. Having things to look forward to helps you stay motivated!
11. Check, check, double-check
Of course, it is important to read your own work critically. Try to check your texts regularly along the way, so that you don't end up having to plough through a 50-page report at the very end. Critically improving your own work is not easy, though, so ask fellow students to read your thesis as well. If they can follow your train of thought, you're on the right track! Someone outside your study programme, such as your parents or other friends, can also check whether your thesis is logically structured and spot spelling and language errors.
Good luck with writing your thesis!
