CAW LibGuides: Finishing a Thesis - Checklist of Thesis Features

This resource is intended for PGR students who are writing a doctoral thesis. It comprises a list of common features expected of a doctoral thesis.  This resource complements ‘Finishing a Thesis: Suggested To-Do List’.

Components of a Thesis:

Well in advance of submitting your thesis check the submission guidelines from the Doctoral College and your Research Centre and be clear of the expectations of contents, components, and format. The following is a list of features commonly expected of a thesis:

• Declaration (and any other submission documentation)
• Title page
• Abstract
• Ethics form*
• Disclaimer or note on terms*
• Acknowledgments
• List of figures/illustrations/calculations/artefacts/appendices*
• Contents list (which indicates chapters and major subdivisions)
• Introduction
• Literature review*
• Chapter abstracts*
• Chapters (arranged according to discipline and topic: e.g., IMRAD model)
• Conclusion
• Bibliography/List of References (subdivided according to discipline and sources)
• Appendices*
• Artefacts*
• Glossary*

*Features marked with an asterix are found in some but not all theses, or may be integrated into other genres e.g., the introduction).

Formal features:

• Titles, subtitles, subheadings
• Citations
• Page numbers
• Page headers (usually your name and the title of your thesis)
• Footnotes* (according to discipline, citation method, and content)

Rhetorical (argument) features:

For expectations of academic rigour, refer to the assessment criteria as put forward by the Doctoral College.

• Clearly defined argument which is developed throughout
• Signposting and exposition (e.g., chapter introductions and conclusions)
• Explanation of terms
• Clearly defined methodology linked to research context, and ethical considerations
• Analysis and discussion of evidence
• Judicious use of evidence to support and advance arguments throughout
• Judicious use of secondary material to support and advance arguments throughout
• Formal language

CAW offers writing development workshops across all genres of academic writing, including critical writing and argument structure. CAW’s workshops take place online on Teams. To view available workshops and book online, visit: https://libcal.coventry.ac.uk/calendar/caw   

To book a one-to-one tutorial with the Centre for Academic Writing: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/cawlibcalhome   

To find who your subject Academic Liaison Librarian is, visit: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/ALL    

Guide to Referencing: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/referencing