Prospectus Structure

Here is a template for the individual sections that your dissertation prospectus should include, as well as an explanation of what each section should accomplish. Expectations for the format and length of your dissertation prospectus should be discussed with your advisor. They may also ask that you amend this structure to include other sections….Continue Reading Prospectus Structure

Prospectus Planning Questions

One of the most difficult things about writing your prospectus is that there isn’t a clear template for what you’re expected to produce. Some of this is for good reason: different fields/sub-fields handle proposed work differently, expect different levels of engagement with prior scholarship and theory, and demand varying levels of justification of your questions…Continue Reading Prospectus Planning Questions

Introductions and Literature Reviews

Writing literature reviews is one of the trickiest things you’ll have to do in graduate school.  It is even more tricky because a lot of professors will want you to do things that are pedagogically valuable but so tailored to the specific class they are teaching that it can be hard to generalize the lessons…Continue Reading Introductions and Literature Reviews

Introductions Done Three Ways

Some professors will tell you that the introduction should be the last thing that you write.  Some will tell you that it should be the first.  Both strategies probably have merits, but what’s most important is keeping in mind the purpose of your introduction.  Your introduction should “introduce” your paper, sure, but what does that…Continue Reading Introductions Done Three Ways