Creating A Dissertation Outline: Handy Writing Tips

How to create an outline for a dissertation thesis?

• Step One: Select the topic for the dissertation by brainstorming possible ideas for the topic.
• Step Two: Make a selection of the topic for the thesis from the possible ideas.
• Step Three: Begin to do research on the topic by gathering notes, information, materials, and source material.
• Step Four: Take notes on the topic from the sourced material and resources gathered on the topic.
• Step Five: Organize the research notes, in the manner, they will be used in the dissertation thesis.
• Step Six: Create an outline of the research notes and research materials to get a grasp of how the dissertation will be written and will flow.
• Step Seven: The outline of the research notes should contain the main points including facts and evidence to support the main points.
• Step Eight: The outline should provide a brief description of the writer’s viewpoint or position on the topic.
• Step Nine: The outline will provide a general overview of the main components of the dissertation thesis.
• Step Ten: The outline should provide a general grasp of the topic and how the topic will be addressed in the dissertation thesis.

What is the general format for the dissertation thesis’ outline?

• The outline must have an Introduction that provides the thesis statement.  Three sentences giving a general overview of the topic and what will be discussed in the dissertation thesis.
• The Body of the outline will have three sections for the three main points that support the position of the writer on the topic.
• Each main point will have three supporting facts and supporting evidence.
• The Conclusion of the outline will have three sentences to summarize the topic, thesis statement, and main points to support the writer’s position.
• The outline for the dissertation thesis will be sectioned in Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, etc.)
• Under each Roman numeral, there will be letters for the subsections (A, B, C, D, E, etc.)
• Under each capital letter, will be numbers for subcategories (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.)
• The Introduction, Body, and Conclusion shall be a Roman numeral.
• The main points of the topic shall be Capitalized Letter.
• The supporting facts and supporting evidence for each main point shall be a number.
• Each section of the outline should be no more than six sentences.
• The outline should be no more than five pages long.