After three months of intensive research and writing, I have finally finished my first dissertation draft! It still needs a ton of revising (I am about 1,000-2,000 words over the 15,000 word limit), but I am glad to be done with the bulk of it.
To mark this momentous occasion, I’d like to share several dissertation tips:
- If you have writer’s block, don’t be afraid, just start writing — even if it’s just, “I have writer’s block and I don’t feel like writing.” You’ll be surprised how quickly you start fleshing out your thoughts and ideas.
- If you get stuck on a section, move on and then come back to it. No point in forcing it.
- Read your dissertation aloud. This will help you ensure everything flows.
- In addition to your supervisor, get a friend or two to edit it for you. Ideally, you should get one editor from your field and one from outside.
- Once you’ve finished a chapter or a major section of your paper, treat yourself to something special.
- Once you’ve finished a draft, take a break for a few days, so that you can revise and edit with fresh eyes.
Happy Dissertationing!
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Tags: dissertation, research, writing
