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A thesis or dissertation consists of three main parts: the preliminary pages, the text, and the reference matter. Each part contains several sections. Some sections may be omitted, but the order of the following outlines must be observed.

Parts of a Thesis

    Preliminary Pages | View sample with formatting details

• Title page (required; see Appendix A. Do not number this page.)
• Blank page (required; becomes copyright page if manuscript to be copyrighted. Do not number this page)
• Acceptance page (required; see Appendix A. Number this page ii)
• Dedication page (optional)
• List of abbreviations or symbols (required when symbols used are not self-explanatory)
• Acknowledgments (required)
• Table of contents (required; titles of each section listed must concur exactly with body of the paper. Do not list this page among the contents.)
• List of tables (required when tables are used)
• List of figures (required when figures are used)
• List of illustrations (required when illustrations are used)
• Abstract (required; must be last page(s) in preliminary pages) - must not exceed 350 words

    Main Manuscript

• Body of paper
• Bibliography
• Appendices

Parts of a Dissertation

    Preliminary Pages | View sample with formatting details

• Signed abstract (required; see Appendix B. This is not bound with the manuscript and is numbered only if your abstract is more than one page) - must not exceed 350 words
• Title page (required; see Appendix A. Do not number this page)
• Blank page (required; becomes copyright page if manuscript is to be copyrighted. Do not number this page)
• Acceptance page (required; see Appendix A. Number this page ii)
• Dedication page (Optional)
• List of abbreviations or symbols (required when symbols used are not self-explanatory)
• Acknowledgments (required)
• Table of contents (required; titles of each section listed must concur exactly with body of the paper. Do not list this page among the contents)
• List of tables (required when tables are used)
• List of figures (required when figures are used)
• List of illustrations (required when illustrations are used)
• Abstract (optional; this unsigned version of the abstract must be last page in preliminary pages) - must not exceed 350 words

    Main Manuscript

• Body of paper
• Bibliography
• Appendices

Illustrative Materials

Drawings, figures, tables, and graphs may be included only if they are of high quality. Prepare your illustrative materials on paper that is the same type and weight as used elsewhere in your manuscript. All materials must conform to the margin requirements outlined in this manual.

All lettering on your illustrative materials must be done on a computer or typewriter, or by using a lettering guide. Freehand lettering is unacceptable.

Photographs should be printed from negatives on 8½ x 11 inch photographic paper, which eliminates the need to attach photographs to manuscript paper. Charts, maps, drawings, and similar items can be copied onto 8½ x 11 inch photographic paper. Make sure that reproduction of these items is of a permanent nature.