Guidelines to Dissertation Writing

This section deals with topics raised in the course of ENG504 lectures and “clinics” (as outlined in the Timetable). The views expressed here are those of the co-ordinator and do not attempt an exhaustive treatment of the subject.

Start-up Tips Getting Help
Clinics Guidelines

Start-up Tips

Here is a check-list of things-to-do at the start-up stages of your dissertation:

— Acquire a copy of the Module Handbook
— Get to know procedures on the Module
— Choose or confirm a topic and start working
— Find a supervisor and make first contact
— Enroll for an introduction to Library Resources
…. &c.


Now you have started work, here are some things to check:

— Have you got a chapter plan?
— Have you got an outline bibliography?
— Have you finished primary reading?
— Can you get the secondary texts?
— Are you keeping accurate references?
— Are you getting the best out of computers?
— Any problems (i.e., what’s the problem)?
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Getting Help

It is obviously important to settle down confidently with your topic at the earliest possible date. Your first port of call is your supervisor. S/he who will advise on the scope of your research and your approach of the topic chosen as well as looking at any drafts that you supply before making tghe final submission.

In more general matters relating to dissertation formats, writing and presentation skills, &c., please do not hesitate to contact the Co-ordinator. While face-to-face advice in my office (B251c) may be the best way to address your problem, I will always aim to incorporate a response to the difficulty you mention in a forthcoming session. Either way, don't allow the matter to drift, however!

Use these contact details to reach me:

Contact details

Dr Bruce Stewart MA PhD RSA (Dip)
EGN504C!/2 Module Co-Ordinator
Room B251C / UU Coleraine
tel. 028 703 24355 [day-time]
mob. 07977469256 [emergency]
email

Clinics

The ENG504 clinics are designed to assist prospective and current dissertation writers with with general problems and specific queries. General issues dealt with include

— Planning & Progress
— Library & Research
— Writing Skills & Style
— Wordprocessing Skills
— Identifying Problems
…. &c.

  ENG504 clinics are not compulsory for those enrolled on the module but you are strongly recommended to attend one at least in order to assess their suitability to your own needs.
  You can also use the clinic to propose topics for discussion at a future date. Topics suggested in the classroom will be covered at a time stated on the Timetable.
  Records of the main points made at any session are placed on the Guidelines page [see below].

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Guidelines
Clinic Topics
The function of the dissertation module Academic apprenticeship & independent scholarship; kinds of dissertation; literary-critical response; reading & writing skills; research skills; publishing issues (bibliography & typography).
Choosing a formats for your dissertation
 Examples of printed dissertations; bindings and covers; title-pages; acknowledgements & disclaimers; summaries; tables of contents; typographical lay-out; footnotes and reference (bibliography).
Using references & making bibliographies What, where, when and how of bibliographies; relationship to footnotes; alphabeticisation and section-building; library-based and web-based bibliography; author-citations; titles and pagination; repetition and abbreviation.
Using quotations & commenting on them What to quote and how to quote it; quoting authors and quoting critics; ‘in-text’ quotation and separate (indented) quotation; introducing quotes and commenting on them; ownership and acknowledgement; footnotes & repetition.
Choosing a structure (appreciation or debate?) Description and ‘appreciation’; commentary and judgement; argument and debate; developing your point; identifying correspondents (friends and enemies); countering opposition; conclusions (open v. final).
...  


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ENG504C1/C2 - University of Ulster