Thread by @fancycomma

Thesis Writing 101

I have edited 100,000+ words and tens of theses in science and history (more than I can keep track of!) over the last ten years.

Here are 17 insights from my experience that can help you improve the quality of your #AcademicWriting 🧵

1. Read aloud: Reading aloud helps to catch errors that were overlooked during silent reading. Find the 'Read Aloud' feature on MS Word under 'Review.'

2. Bring coherency: Make sure that each paragraph flows logically so that the overall #thesis structure is well-organized.

3. Improve formatting: Format your #thesis according to your university's guidelines. Adjust the font type, size, header, and footer.

4. Use citation management tools: Using these tools (Mendeley, EndNote, etc.) can help you save time & avoid errors in writing your bibliography.

5. Editing in phases: Want to avoid being overwhelmed? Edit in smaller stages to catch errors efficiently.

6. Block Distractions: Silent your phone & turn off desktop notifications to create a focused environment that allows you to concentrate on your writing. #WritingTip

7. Plan Ahead: Create a writing framework with headings, subheadings, and bullet points to avoid going off-topic. #PhDVoice

8. Be selective: A writing framework can help you to be selective in citing your sources. Choose a relevant one to make your thesis compelling. #Academia

9. Determine the credibility of your resources: For each source, evaluate the journal's reputation, author's qualifications, and potential biases.

10. Stay connected to your PI: They can help you with the quality of your thesis structure and arguments. Keep in touch with them.

11. Proofread more than once: While correcting spelling & punctuation is important, it's the 2nd or even 3rd round of editing that takes your thesis to the next level.

Short on time? Our services can help you have a high-quality thesis: fancycomma.com/document-editi… #PhDChat

12. Don't ignore your mental health: Focusing only on your research work can lead to burnout. So take breaks & keep yourself motivated. #PhDLife

13. Organize your notes: By keeping organized, you can easily access important information, and stay on track with your writing.

14. Manage time: You can use the Pomodoro technique to break your work into manageable chunks and focus on one task at a time.

15. Use topic sentences: They are one-sentence summaries that start paragraphs. They create curiosity and help readers understand main ideas quickly.

16. Pay attention to tables & graphs: Is there an analysis that's a bit difficult to follow as text? Represent that in tables. Want your readers to identify trends? Use graphs.

Format your tables and graphs well - use captions, titles, and labels! #PhDVoice #PhDChat #Science

17. Check out Fancy Comma's article about thesis editing (fancycomma.com/2022/11/12/the…), and subscribe to our blog so you don't miss our #SciComm and #ScienceWriting posts! fancycomma.com/blog/posts #ScienceTwitter #AcademicTwitter