Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language: a handbook for Supervisors

Books on thesis and dissertation writing
We have found the following books useful for teaching thesis and dissertation
writing. Some of these books discuss language features of academic writing,
while others focus more on aspects of carrying out, and writing up, research.
●
Bailey 2006: this excellent book has chapters on many of the language
issues with which second-language students have difficulty in academic
writing, such as paraphrasing, referencing, using referring verbs and the
use of articles. Each section has exercises with an answer key for each of
the exercises. If your student wants a book to help them with their
English, this is one of the best there is.
●
Boddington and Clanchy 1999: a very clear, well-laid-out guide to the
more advanced reading skills needed by the postgraduate student in an
English-medium environment.
●
Booth  et al. 1995: this book goes through each of the stages of the
research process, from finding a topic through to generating research
questions, constructing arguments, planning, organizing, drafting and
revising chapters, through to writing a thesis that meets the needs of the
community of readers at which it is aimed.
●
Craswell 2005: while aimed at academic writing in general, this book has
sections on thesis writing that cover a lot of key areas. There are also
chapters on managing academic writing, the mechanics of academic writ-
ing, writing a literature review and other academic texts such as journal
articles and books.
●
Dunleavy 2003: Patrick Dunleavy shares his accumulated wisdom as an
experienced doctoral supervisor and academic writer in the social sci-
ences. Focusing on the links between writing and thinking, his book
takes the student through the process of planning, drafting, writing,
Resources for thesis and dissertation writing
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revising and shaping the thesis in an engaging, insightful and some-
times amusing way.
●
Elphinstone and Schweitzer 1998: this small but comprehensive volume
should be required reading for all commencing postgraduate research
students and their supervisors. It is one of the best there is.
●
Evans and Gruba 2002: a highly recommended, easily accessible and
comprehensive guide that focuses on writing the various sections of the
thesis based on the writers’ extensive experience of supervising and sup-
porting students. Its specific Australian focus does not make it any less
applicable internationally.
●
Hart 1998: a key text that all students in the social sciences should be
familiar with before starting their literature review.
●
Hart 2005: a thorough and comprehensive handbook aimed at support-
ing students doing a master’s dissertation in the social sciences. It has
sections on formulating a topic and finding a format, on research design
and methodology, on ethics and a final section on writing.
●
Holliday 2002: although not specifically aimed at doctoral or master’s
students, this book is one of the few that help qualitative researchers
understand that the writing process is an integral part of doing qualita-
tive research and becoming a qualitative researcher. It considers the