THE DOCTORATE DEGREE
How to Write A Doctoral Dissertation
Writing a Dissertation is not the same as writing a report or a theme paper.
It is slightly different in that you will be writing a view point of your
own called an “argument”.
You should argue your point of view and give references (cite the
points of view with a footnote) failed to address this point8 using the footnote help located at
the top of your Microsoft word paper. You can view this important step at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKrhTMHsIi0 or read about it at http://office.microsoft.com/en-
us/word-help/insert-or-create-footnotes-and-endnotes-HA101854833.aspx . Refer to your references
and place the footnote at the end of each reference. Your citation will appear at the bottom of the page
like this:
_________________
8. In a 1998 interview, she reiterated this point even more strongly: “I am an artist,
not a politician!” (Weller 124).
. Use your own wording as much as possible. Just copying multiple
references for your Dissertation may result in a low grade or even causing
your Dissertation to be returned to do over.
. Your Grade for the Dissertation will be one of the following: Excellent A+,
Very Good A, Good A-, Fair B+, Average C, Unacceptable D- Do over. If
you receive a grade of D, you should redo the entire Dissertation for a
higher grade. A degree cannot be given with a grade of “D or F”, so
you need to know this. International Students should spell check
for the correct spelling, there is no excuse for misspelled words
with a spell checker. Sentence structure allowances may be made
with students who speak English as another language.
. You will notice that this paper uses footnotes giving reference to
Eleanor Wakefield. If you will use the same reference over and
over you can use the word “Ibid’ which signifies the reference is already given prior.
. Your Dissertation should be spell checked, double spaced lines, one inch margins, top, left,
bottom, and right.
. Make sure you have more than the minimum amount of words
required for your Dissertation. Do not count words in the footnotes.
“There are several vital elements to any successful college Dissertation. This
Help sheet will define those elements and show you how to put them
together using an outline. Following this format will help you keep your
thoughts (arguments) organized and get your essay underway.
Elements of an Dissertation Introduction: Usually an introduction starts
broad and narrows down to your specific topic, ending in the Dissertation. This
is your opportunity to establish why readers might be curious about your
general topic, catch their attention, or put your Dissertation in context.”
Your introduction should end with a clear, specific
statement, which will tell readers exactly what your paper will be
arguing. Each body paragraph will directly and obviously support your Dissertation.
Body Paragraphs: A Dissertation utilizes body
paragraphs, and these will be the arguments, evidence, or topics that
support your thesis.
Topic Sentences: Each body paragraph will begin with a topic
sentence which introduces its topic. All of the information in that
paragraph will be clearly and logically related to that topic sentence,
which in turn should obviously relate to the Dissertation.
Support: You use arguments, data, facts, analysis, quotes, diagrams and illustrations,
anecdotes, examples, details, etc. to support your topic sentences and
flesh out your body paragraphs. A good rule of thumb is to have at least
three points to support each topic sentence.
Transitions: An effective Dissertation will show the connection between
paragraphs with transitions. These can be the final sentence of each
body paragraph or can be integrated into the next topic sentence with
transition words.
Conclusion: A conclusion should wrap up your essay, but should
not introduce new information or arguments. It should begin with a
sentence that looks a lot like your Dissertation Introduction to summarize the general points
of the paper as a whole, and then draw your paper neatly to a close.
GUIDELINES OF THE ESSAY OUTLINE:–
BEGIN With AN INTRODUCTRY TITLE PAGE LIKE THIS: This page must be centered on the page.
The Divinity of Jesus
A Doctoral Dissertation 20000
Written in partial requirements for the Doctoral Degree
By
__________
I. Introduction: General info about topic, reason for reader to be interested, context, etc.
Dissertation statement:
II. Topic Sentence 1:
A. Support
1. Detail/example/data/explanation
2. Detail/example/etc.
3. Detail/example/etc.
B. Support
1. Detail/example/etc.
2. Detail/example/etc.
3. Detail/example/etc. 5
C. Support
1. Detail/example/etc.
2. Detail/example/etc.
3. Detail/example/etc.
D. Transition
III. Topic Sentence
A. Support
1. Detail/example/data/explanation
2. Detail/example/etc.
3. Detail/example/etc.
B. Support
1. Detail/example/etc.
2. Detail/example/etc.
3. Detail/example/etc.
C. Support
1. Detail/example/etc.
2. Detail/example/etc.
3. Detail/example/etc.
D. Transition
IV. Topic Sentence 3:
A. Support
1. Detail/example/data/explanation
2. Detail/example/etc. 6
3. Detail/example/etc.
B. Support
1. Detail/example/etc.
2. Detail/example/etc.
3. Detail/example/etc.
C. Support
1. Detail/example/etc.
2. Detail/example/etc.
3. Detail/example/etc.
D. Transition
Conclusion
Re-state your final argument
Summary of main points, return to general context, wrap-up of thesis, etc.
The last page of your thesis should contain a bibliography. It should look like this:
Bibliography
1.Almighty,God King James Study Bible (previously published as The Liberty annotated Study Bible
and as The Annotated Study Bible ( King James Version) copyright 1988 by Liberty UniversityISBN-13
9781418545352
2. Wilson, Bill Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous published by AA World Services 2001, NY, NY
ISBN-13: 978-1483907253
3. Bobgan, Martin and Deidre 12 Steps to Destruction Codependency/Recovery Heresies
Copyright © 1991, Published by EastGate Publishers, 4137 Primavera Road ,Santa Barbara,
California Library of Congress Control Number 2012938772 ISBN 978-0-941717-23-6
4. Irvine ,Wm. C.. Heresies Exposed. New York, NY : Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., 1921 Kessinger
Publishing, 2003, ISBN 0766142698 9780766142695
5. Bobgan ,Martin and Deidre Psycho Heresy: The Psychological Seduction of Christianity
Copyright © 2012 Published by East Gate Publishers, Published by EastGate Publishers, 4137
Primavera Road ,Santa Barbara, California Library of Congress Control Number 2012938772
ISBN 978-0-941717-23-6
If you need help creating this bibliography view this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iknHhjGaME8 or you can read
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/create-a-bibliography-HA010067492.aspx
Be Sure you select MLA as your Style. Congratulations on the faithfulness and commitment you have
demonstrated up to this point. You were certainly chosen in this time to be part of the “Great
Commission”. We encourage you to finish what you have started as you remember this scripture.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
