Writing an MA Dissertation: 2 · 2019-09-23 · Focus of this presentation 1. Some relevant general principles of dissertation writing 2. Producing a structured framework 3. Writing

Writing an MA Dissertation: making the transition from reading to writing

Desmond Thomas LTU/[email protected]

http://www.soas.ac.uk/ltu/study_support/help_yourself_study_resources.htm

mailto:[email protected]

IFCELS/LTU: D.Thomas 2006 2

Some Useful Source Materials• Booth, C. et al, 1995, “The Craft of Research”, Chicago:

University of Chicago Press

• Dunleavy, P., 1986, “Studying for a Degree in the Humanities & Social Sciences”, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan

• Williams, J.1995, Style:Towards Clarity and Grace, Chicago:University of Chicago Press

• Wisker, G., 2001, “The Postgraduate Research Handbook”, Houndmills: Palgrave

• Departmental Guidelines & Assessment Criteria


Assumptions about progress so far …

• 500 word outline of your dissertation submitted to your supervisor (?)

• Exploratory review of relevant literature (?)• Some kind of clear focus for the dissertation

developing as a result of reading and meetings with supervisor (?)

• Some ideas about a possible structure (?)• Adjusting to “freedom” of posing the question”


Focus of this presentation

1. Some relevant general principles of dissertation writing

2. Producing a structured framework3. Writing draft sections: practical issues4. Introductions & conclusions5. Academic style6. Re-drafting & editing your work


MA/MSc Dissertation Writing: Some General Principles

• Writing helps clarify thinking – get ideas down on paper at every stage and think in terms of different drafts

• Develop reading and writing in tandem: reading does not precede writing

• Develop argumentation hierarchically: thesis → main arguments/counterarguments → reasons → evidence from multiple sources

• Think about managing reader expectations

• Focus on analysis rather than description


Four principles of “Academic Communication”

• HONESTYState only that which you can support with factual evidence. Always acknowledge the source of both evidence and ideas.

• CLARITYBe clear and direct in your style. Be direct about your aims and objectives. Don't use more words than are necessary.

• REALITYExplain what needs to be explained, for example, which particular definition of patriarchy you are using in your argument, but assume your reader has basic knowledge of the world.

• RELEVANCEConsider only that which is relevant to the topic, focus and objectives of your argument or discussion. Do not include anything that you cannot link to your argument or show its impact on the topic discussed.

• (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/languages)


Producing a structured framework

A framework working from overall title to chapter title to section/sub-sectionheadings means:

• Mapping unknown territory for the reader

• A constant point of reference for the reader

• A structural guide for the writer


Drafting a title

• Comprehensive: at the top of the structural ‘hierarchy’ …

• But at the same time succinct• Focused, specifying the exact topic• Double-barrelled, if necessary• Memorable, if possible


Doesn’t look like …this“The use of ceramics in Chinese imperial architecture of the Ming dynasty & the choice and adoption of innovation: a study addressing the various ceramic architectural materials used in the construction of imperial palaces and temple buildings, and examining within the context of the Ming dynasty the impact of innovations in technology”


Or this …

“The use of ceramics in Chinese architecture”


Drafting a Table of Contents

• Introductory section?• Literature review section?• Methodology section?• Presentation & analysis of data?• Conclusions?• Bibliography & appendices?


Not like this …

1. Timeline of key events2. International news and world events3. The Chinese media system4. The media system in the West5. Objectivity and the news producer6. Media and ideology7. Media and the truth8. Chinese media and the struggles for reform9. Coverage and participation10. Roles and impact11. Issues with the coverage12. Conclusion


But like this …

• Structure reflected through table of contents• Sequence of chapters must be logical, well-

organized and cumulative• Structure must keep your argument on track• Number of chapters needs to be considered• Balance of chapters needs to be considered• Overall length to be kept in mind


Planning a Clear Chapter Structure via Headings

• Substantive and informative• Avoid repetition and ambiguity• Provide a sense of progression• Accurate & relevant• Can be further broken down into section

headings• End result: a clear table of contents


General organizational principles for draft chapters

• Writers need to split chapters into parts linked by a common theme. Readers need this too

• Headings and subheadings are chapter organizers which should convey a sense of the key arguments in the chapter

• Avoid over/under-organization of chapters• Build into your text clear signals or signposts

that will help guide the reader


Planning the introductory chapter

• Research focus• Make the precise focus of the research clear• Set the boundary lines so it is clear what is to be included • Provide brief background information to make it clear why you

are conducting this research and why you think it will be significant.

• Research question(s) & thesis• State the main questions which the research seeks to answer.• In one sentence present a clear thesis (your main hypothesis).• Overview• Give a brief description of the content of the other sections of

the research paper.


Integrating the literature review

• Writing begins while reading: importance of critical reading skills & keeping careful records

• Importance of presenting a rounded debate: all the relevant arguments and the counterarguments

• Most important of all is to make your own voice heard eg via interim conclusions


Possible consequences of this …

• Sometimes necessary to use first person “I” to avoid ambiguity

• But check your discipline’s conventions!• Danger of being overwhelmed by the

counterarguments distracting the reader• Interim conclusions can keep things on

track


Interim conclusions look like this …

“So far I have argued that when X occurs there are three main causes, namely A, B and C. Meanwhile a fourth possible cause, suggested by Smith (1990:23), has to be rejected for the following reasons …

The implications of this now need to be examined carefully … “


The ‘methodology section’

• Important to make very clear the rationale for data collection: justification for primary vs secondary

• Important to make clear the stages of data collection and the context

• Aim towards ‘triangulation’ of data• Put data collection tools in appendices


Collecting primary data:formulating questions

• Do you go to work by car or by bus?• Do you like going to pubs and

restaurants in the evenings?• Don’t you agree that there is too much

violence on TV?• How many cups of tea have you drunk

in the past week?


More problem questions …

• How much salary do you earn?• Does your family like shopping in big

supermarkets?• Do you have a video recorder? Yes/No.• What pets do you have at home? Dog (

) Cat ( ) Bird ( ) Fish ( ) None ( )


A few notes on Academic Style

• Consult departmental ‘style guides’ for advice on language use, punctuation, layout and other writing conventions

• Make use of good models within your own discipline

• But if it is a choice between clarity and coherence or style – choose the former


Good Style?

• Decisions in regard to the administration of medication despite the inability of irrational patients voluntarily appearing in Trauma Centres to provide legal consent rest with a physician alone.

• Our lack of knowledge about local conditions precluded determination of committee action effectiveness in fund allocation to those areas in greatest need of assistance.


An important balancing act …

Academic style Clarity & coherence


Bibliographies & referencing

• Check the departmental or faculty style guide for reference

• Use software such as “Endnote”• Be consistent in your referencing: keep to the

same system throughout• Be accurate in matching references in the text

to your bibliography• No ‘big claims’ without a supporting reference

of some sort


Writing problem areas: a summary

• Harder for readers to follow your thoughts as the text grows in size.

• Seeing things from a reader’s perspective not easy: you can become so close to your topic that you cannot stand back to see it as others do.

• Getting your own position across.• Reader responsibility vs writer responsibility.• Writing can be a lonely and isolating

experience – but it need not be …


Editing your work

• The first draft is only a beginning – not an end to the writing process

• How many drafts? It depends on feedback given by yourself & others.

• Basic feedback: does the text make sense?

• Specialist feedback: supervisor/others• Editing checklists for self-feedback


An editing checklist

• Length of text?• Clear structure and signposting?• Clear thesis? Coherent argumentation?• Balance of arguments & counterarguments?• Clarification of key concepts?• Clear and consistent referencing?• Complete bibliography?• Appendix material & table of contents?


Finally … the LTU can help!

For more details of 1-to-1 support for dissertation writing go to:

http://www.soas.ac.uk/ltu/study_support/one_to_one.htm

Documents

Writing an MA Dissertation: 2 · 2019-09-23 · Focus of this presentation 1. Some relevant general principles of dissertation writing 2. Producing a structured framework 3. Writing