Set of actions to make your thesis/ dissertation a consistent piece of writing are presented. Cases to evaluate consistency are included.

1. What
You
Can
Do
to
Write
Your
Thesis/Dissertation
Consistently
!

2. What
Does
“Write
Consistently”
Mean?
!
IT
MEANS
TO
KEEP
COHERENCE
AMONG
THE
DIFFERENT
PARTS
OF
YOUR
THESIS/
DISSERTATION.
IN
OTHER
WORDS,
ALL
ITS
PARTS
SHOULD
FIT
TOGETHER
AS
A
WHOLE.!

3. Types
of
Consistency
!
• Coherence
of
Ideas
• Coherence
of
Wording
• Coherence
of
Habits
!

4. Coherence
of
Ideas
(I)
!
It
is
also
called
logical
coherence.
All
ideas
should
be
related
so
as
to
contribute
to
achieve
the
purpose
of
the
thesis/
disserta;on.
Ideas
can
either
support
or
challenge
the
points
of
view
that
cons;tute
the
main
focus
of
the
study
,
but
they
cannot
be
unrelated
to
it.
In
other
words,
ideas
should
be
harmonically
connected
like
sound
waves
in
a
song.

5. Coherence
of
Ideas
(II)
!
Ideas
must
be
coherent
throughout
the
whole
thesis/
disserta;on.
Their
discussion
has
to
follow
the
same
line
of
thought
in
each
chapter
and
very
especially
with
pivotal
elements
like:
• Problem
• Purpose
• Research
Ques;on
• Theore;cal
Framework
• Methodology

6. Counterexample
of
Consistency
of
Ideas
!
Problem: High school students of a Texan school district who are
taught using a traditional lecture approach get low scores in Science
tests.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to know why students do not
like Science subjects.
Research Question: Why do Science teachers prefer lectures?
Theoretical Framework: This study will be based on theories like
the drive theory of motivation and constructivism.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental research design will be used.
!

7. Can
you
identify
the
inconsistencies
of
the
previous
slide?
Hints to identify the
inconsistencies:
1. Establish the focus of each
pivotal element.
2. Do all pivotal elements
have the same focus? Are
they harmonically
connected?

8. Coherence
of
Wording
(I)
!
It
is
also
called
textual
coherence.
Some
texts
are
perceived
as
easy
to
read
while
others
require
too
much
effort
to
interpret.
Text
readability
is
the
result
of
the
interconnec;on
between
text
surface
(elements
like
words,
grammar,
style,
etc.)
and
the
concepts
and
rela;ons
that
underlie
it.
In
other
words,
wording
should
not
only
be
right
from
the
gramma;cal
point
of
view
but
also
express
the
right
appropriate
concepts
and
their
rela;onships.

9. Coherence
of
Wording
(II)
!
Consistency
of
wording
is
achieved
by
means
of
ac;ons
like:
• Applying
the
rules
associated
to
the
type
of
text
that
is
expected
in
a
thesis/
disserta;on.
• Using
the
language
devices
that
assure
a
cohesive
text
surface
(for
example,
signal
words
and
phrases).
• Linking
concepts
and
rela;ons
explicitly
or
implicitly.
• Using
the
same
wording
for
pivotal
concepts.
• Paraphrasing
other
elements.
Ac;ons
to
assure
consistency
of
wording
will
be
discussed
in
the
c o n f e r e n c e
W r i 0 n g
C h a p t e r s ,
Paragraphs,
and
Sentences
on
November
16th,
2013.

10. Counterexample
of
Consistency
of
Wording
!
Wordings of what a study intends to do (purpose)
In chapter 1: This study wanted to know how effective
differentiation is to teach Science in High School.
In the literature review: This study was focused on effective
strategies to teach Science.
In chapter 5: Since this study intended to find out a way to improve
Science teaching, ….

11. Hints to identify the
Can
you
identify
the
inconsistencies:
inconsistencies
of
the
previous
slide?
1. Determine the focus of
each established purpose.
2. Do all they have the same
focus? Do they mean the
same from the research
point of view (same
associated problem,
research question,
methodology?

12. Coherence
of
Habits
(I)
!
It
can
also
be
called
wri0ng
rou0ne.
It
refers
to
a
set
of
ac;ons
that
you
can
do
whenever
you
have
to
write
a
sec;on
of
your
thesis/disserta;on
in
order
to
achieve
consistent
results.
Although
each
writer
may
find
a
different
set
of
ac;ons
that
beXer
fits
her/his
style,
academic
wri;ng
is
usually
approached
using
some
basic
procedures.

13. Coherence
of
Habits
(II)
!
Possible
set
of
ac;ons
when
wri;ng
each
sec;on
of
your
thesis/disserta;on
1. Prewriting Activities
2. Write Draft
3. Review Draft

14. Prewriting
Activities
• Think about what you want to communicate in the
thesis/ dissertation section in order to establish its
focus.
• Review literature to find support for your arguments
and also counterarguments that may challenge your
points of view.
• Identify citations that can be used.
• Create an outline for the section.
• Review the outline to know if its ideas flow well.

15. Write
Draft
• Write a first draft of the section using the outline as a
guide.
• Do the actions suggested to assure text and logical
coherence.
• Read the draft to check readability.
• Check if it follows the outline.
• Write as many drafts as you consider necessary to be sure
the text reflects your ideas accurately.

16. Review
Draft
• Check the coherence of the section in relation to
other parts of the thesis/dissertation.
• Proofread draft.
• Have other people read draft to check readability.
• Edit draft as needed.

17. !
Now
You
Know!
• What
“write
consistently”
means
•
Types
of
consistency
• Coherence
of
Ideas
• Coherence
of
Wording
• Coherence
of
Habits
• How
to
recognize
them
Any
question?
You
are
invited
to
use
the
DoctoralNet
Academy
Map
at
hXp://www.gliffy.com/publish/
3116574/
and
see
the
different
stages
that
you
should
follow
to
develop
your
thesis/disserta=on

18. 3. Upcoming conferences:
Upcoming
News/Events
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Sun 3rd – Dissertation or Thesis Drift and How to
Combat It
Sat 9th - How You Can Approach Each Chapter of
Your Thesis or Dissertation
Sun 10th – Linking Literature & Methods
Sat 16th – Writing Thesis/ Dissertation Chapters,
Paragraphs, and Sentences
Sun 17th – All About Abstracts

19. Thanks
for
reading!
Hope you find this conference useful and
want to meet us soon!