Writing the Graduation Thesis

On the flow of an academic paper:

For want of a title, the abstract was not read
For want of an abstract, the introduction was not read
For want of a introduction, the analysis was not read
For want of analysis, the conclusion was not read
For want of a conclusion, the next paper was not read
For want of an audience, you're working register at 7-11.

In other words, since writing for the academic audience is your job, you need to attract and keep that audience.

Writing a graduation thesis is somewhat different because it's more of a test, and (in Shako at UT) the primary audience is your advisor alone (other professors rarely comment negatively on, let alone oppose, a decision to accept the thesis.

Still, it is an academic audience and you want to look good in the presentation, and your kohai will be able to read your paper and often do read sempai's papers.

Structure

Neither the university nor Shako imposes a required structure. There is a suggested title page and that's about it. I want you to follow the outline of the Master's thesis for Shako (you need to be on campus or to use the VPN to access):

  1. Title page

  2. Abstract

  3. Table of contents (sections, tables, figures on separate pages)

  4. Main paper, sections as appropriate, usually:

    1. Introduction

    2. Literature survey

    3. Methodology (analytical method, data sources and preparation

    4. Analytical process and technical results (including hypothesis testing)

    5. Conclusions

    (start from p. 1)

  5. Acknowledgements (unnumbered, new page, optional)

  6. Bibliography (unnumbered)

  7. Appendices (use letters if more than 1, all optional)

    1. Programs

    2. Survey questions

    3. Descriptive statistics for all questions, full correlation table

    4. Alternative analyses

    5. Raw data tables, images of sources, etc

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