How to Write a Thesis

by Teitelbaum, Harry

• ISBN13: 9780768910810
• ISBN10: 0768910811
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: ARCO
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Great as do-it-yourself starters, pocket references, or exercise books, these 3 new Step-by-Step volumes help students, business professionals, and anyone keen on self-improvement become more productive in school, work, and everyday life. Written in clear, no-frills language, they offer practical instruction, helpful hints, concrete advice, and numerous examples and exercises so that readers can approach each subject with confidence and learn to improve their skills.

College and grad students receive a welcome boost of support with this clearly written, concise manual. They'll find not only style tips, but also nuts-and-bolts information writers often overlook, such as library use and creating note cards.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
The Thesis Paper vs. the Research Paper	1	(6)
Why Research Papers?	1	(1)
Types of Research	2	(1)
Finding the Right Topic	3	(1)
How Do I Limit My Topic?	3	(4)
The Library Search	7	(10)
Card Catalog	8	(4)
General Indexes	12	(1)
Using Computer Terminals for Research	13	(1)
Reference Books	14	(1)
Reserve Books	15	(1)
Evaluating Sources	15	(2)
The Working Bibliography	17	(6)
Reasons for a Working Bibliography	17	(1)
Procedure	17	(3)
Sample Bibliography Cards	20	(3)
Note Taking	23	(10)
Thesis Statement	23	(1)
Preliminary Outline	24	(2)
Note Card Format	26	(2)
Types of Notes	28	(3)
Sample Types of Note Cards	31	(2)
Writing the Paper	33	(10)
Working from Note Cards	33	(1)
The First Draft	33	(2)
Coherence and Unity	35	(1)
Point of View	35	(1)
Some Aspects of Style	36	(5)
Proofreading and Revision	41	(2)
The Format of the Thesis Paper	43	(8)
Materials Preceding the Text	44	(2)
The Text	46	(1)
References and Appendices	47	(1)
Pagination	48	(1)
Titles and Subtitles	48	(3)
Quotations	51	(8)
When to Quote	51	(1)
Direct Prose Quotations	52	(1)
Poetry Quotations	53	(1)
Ellipses	54	(1)
Interpolation	55	(1)
Incorporating Quotations into Your Words	55	(1)
Punctuating Quotations	55	(1)
Footnoting Quotations	56	(1)
Secondary Source Quotations	56	(1)
Ethics of Quoting	57	(2)
Documenting Sources	59	(12)
Purpose of Documenting Sources	59	(1)
Reference Notes	59	(1)
Content Notes	60	(1)
MLA Style	60	(2)
University of Chicago Style	62	(1)
Placing and Numbering Footnotes	62	(1)
First Mention of a Reference	63	(1)
Punctuating Footnotes	63	(1)
Publication Facts	64	(1)
Footnote Entries for First Reference to a Source	64	(3)
Second or Later Mention of a Reference	67	(3)
Quick Tips to Remember	70	(1)
The Bibliography	71	(6)
Bibliographical Order	71	(1)
Spacing	72	(1)
Contents of Bibliographical Entries	72	(3)
Annotation	75	(1)
Sample Bibliography	76	(1)
Tables, Graphs, Illustrations	77	(6)
Placement	77	(1)
Tables	77	(5)
Graphs	82	(1)
Illustrations	82	(1)
The Final Manuscript	83	(4)
General Directions	83	(2)
Collating	85	(2)
The Shorter Theme	87	(12)
Topic Limitation	87	(1)
Outlining	88	(2)
Paragraphing	90	(5)
Introductory Paragraph	95	(1)
Development	95	(2)
Concluding Paragraph	97	(1)
Unity and Coherence	97	(1)
Title	97	(2)
Appendix One	99	(24)
Sample Research Paper, University of Chicago Style	101	(12)
Sample Pages, MLA Style	113	(10)
Appendix Two	123	(6)
Sample Table of Contents	125	(2)
Sample List of Tables	127	(2)
Appendix Three	129	(2)
Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Footnotes and Bibliographies	131