A and an are different forms of the same word, the indefinite article that often precedes a noun.
A is used before a noun that starts with a consonant sound (e.g., “s,” “t,” “v”).
An is used before a noun that starts with a vowel sound (e.g., “a,” “o,” “i”).
Note that the rule is not whether they start with a consonant or vowel, but whether they start with a consonant or vowel sound. This can help you decide which to use in difficult cases like words beginning in “u” or “h.”
Examples: A in a sentence
Examples: An in a sentence
He had a dog when he was a child.
Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C.
She had an aneurysm when she was a child.
Many employees of the company owned an iPhone.
A usurper to the throne was imminent.
Following an SOP is a good way to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Published on
September 21, 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
October 13, 2022.
When starting your thesis or dissertation process, one of the first requirements is a research proposal or a prospectus. It describes what or who you want to examine, delving into why, when, where, and how you will do so.
As you conduct your research and analyze the data you collected, perhaps there are ideas or results that don’t quite fit the scope of your research topic. Or, maybe your results suggest that there are further implications of your results or the causal relationships between previously-studied variables than covered in extant research.
NoteRecommendations are generally included both in your conclusion (briefly) and in your discussion section. However, if your research is more business-oriented or practical in nature, you can also present them in a separate chapter or advisory report.
A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master’s program or a capstone to a bachelor’s degree.
Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation, it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete. It relies on your ability to conduct research from start to finish: crafting a proposal, designing your research, collecting data, developing a robust analysis, drawing strong conclusions, and writing concisely.
Thesis template
You can also download our full thesis template in the format of your choice below. Our template includes a ready-made table of contents, as well as guidance for what each chapter should include. It’s easy to make it your own, and can help you get started.
It can be difficult to know where to start when writing your thesis or dissertation. One way to come up with some ideas or maybe even combat writer’s block is to check out previous work done by other students.
This article collects a list of undergraduate, master’s, and PhD theses and dissertations that have won prizes for their high-quality research.
NoteAs you read the examples below, bear in mind that all universities have their own guidelines for writing theses and dissertations. The requirements for length, format, and structure often vary by faculty and department. Different disciplines have different research conventions and use different citation styles.
We highly recommend that you review your own university’s policies, and discuss any questions with your supervisor.
During the process of writing your thesis or dissertation, it can be helpful to read those submitted by other students.
Luckily, many universities have databases where you can find out who has written about your topic previously and how they approached it. While some databases are only accessible via your university library, more and more universities are making these databases public.
The introduction is the first section of your thesis or dissertation, appearing right after the table of contents. Your introduction draws your reader in, setting the stage for your research with a clear focus, purpose, and direction.
Your introduction should include:
Your topic, in context: what does your reader need to know to understand your thesis dissertation?
Published on
September 6, 2022
by
Tegan George
Revised on
October 10, 2022.
The conclusion is the very last part of your thesis or dissertation. It should be concise and engaging, leaving your reader with a clear understanding of your main findings, as well as the answer to your research question.
Published on
August 31, 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
September 14, 2022.
A preface is your opportunity to inform your audience about your experiences during the writing of your thesis or dissertation.
A preface is much more personal than other types of academic writing. It is written mainly in the first person and is one of the few places where using first-person is considered acceptable. Your preface is typically written upon completion of your thesis or dissertation, as a final step.
A results section is where you report the main findings of the data collection and analysis you conducted for your thesis or dissertation. You should report all relevant results concisely and objectively, in a logical order. Don’t include subjective interpretations of why you found these results or what they mean—any evaluation should be saved for the discussion section.
