THESIS WRITING: Plan, Style and

Format
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Zainab binti Abdul Razak
Dept of Modern Languages
FPPSM

19 February 2010
N24

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

 Definition of a Thesis

Thesis refers to a documented report of the

process followed and the results of original
research conducted by a student in
fulfillment of the requirements for a
graduate degree.

The thesis should be presented in a manner

that will reflect credit on the student, the
faculty, and the University.
UTM Thesis Manual (2007)

Different ways of reporting, thus
resulting different formats.

Need to follow UTM thesis Manual.

 FORMAT OF A THESIS
• Title Page
• Abstract
• Acknowledgement
PRELIMINARY • Table of Contents
SECTION
• List of Tables/Figures
• List of Abbreviations

1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
MAIN
SECTION 3. Research Methodology
4. Findings and Discussion
5. Conclusion
6. Recommendation

SUPPLEMENTARY • References
SECTION • Appendices
 STAGES IN PREPARING A
REPORT/THESIS
1. PLAN THE WORK
2. COLLECT INFORMATION
3. ANALYSE INFORMATION
4. WRITE DRAFT
5. REVISE DRAFT
6. EDIT REPORT
7. PROOF READ
 STEP 1:
PLAN THE WORK
 PLAN

GANTT CHART
Task Activity Week 9
1 2 -- -- 24
8
1 Identify Topic

2 Carry out
secondary/library
research
3 Design Questionnaire

4 Distribute Q’naire
• STEP 2: COLLECT INFORMATION

STEP 2:
COLLECT INFORMATION
 STEP 3:
ANALYZE DATA
 STEP 4:
WRITE THE DRAFT
 MAIN PART of the Thesis
1. INTRODUCTION
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
5. CONCLUSION
6. RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION
LITERATURE REVIEW
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Description of the Data
4.3 Description of the Findings
4.4 Discussion/Analysis of
Findings
CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATIONS
STEP 5:
REVISE
STEP 6: EDIT
STEP 6: PROOFREAD
Preliminary Section
 PRELIMINARY SECTION

Title Page
Appendix D (Page 47-48)
 PRELIMINARY SECTION

Declaration Page

Appendix F (Page 49)

 PRELIMINARY SECTION

Acknowledgement

Appendix H (Page 51)

 PRELIMINARY SECTION

Table of Contents Page

Appendix K (Page 54)

 List of Tables/Figures

Appendix L (Page 55)

 List of Tables/Figures
Appendix Q
 PRELIMINARY SECTION

Abstracts

Abstracts must be bilingual.

Supplementary Section
 List of References

List the references alphabetically.

 Appendix

• Supplementary materials to the text.

• Appendix can be named as Appendix A,

Appendix B, and so on.
SIZE AND FORMAT
 UTM THESIS MANUAL
http://www.sps.utm.my/

• Spacing, Size and Margin

• Sample of numbering a chapter and

sub-heading in the chapter

• Labeling Tables and Figures

 Decimal Numbering System
Numbering the Chapters and Sub-sections
 UTM THESIS MANUAL

http://www.sps.utm.my/

UTM Thesis Manual 2007.pdf

PLAGIARISM
Quotation/ Citation