Creating Your Dissertation Outline. Tips + Example

Writing an informative and consistent dissertation that can serve as decent proof of your academic integrity is not an easy undertaking. However, there are multiple tips students should take into account while working on the project. 

Knowing what a dissertation is and what parts should be included are the fundamental aspects to consider. According to the information offered at the University of Leeds Library, analyzing dissertation examples may be another way to expand the vision and get closer to the desired results. Take your time to read a dissertation, preferably on a related topic, and single out the core parts of the paper. It will be the dissertation outline that will guide your writing process and help you keep the paper well-structured and its parts linked.

A dissertation thesis is the critical part of the writing process, as it helps you lay out the ideas and keep them organized throughout the undertaking. Reading the dissertation outline example, you will be able to single out the key sections of the dissertation, such as the title, abstract, and chapters. 

Although an outline is not a part of the dissertation, it can sometimes be included at the end of the introduction. It will set the expectations and will inform the readers about the structure of the thesis. 

Purpose of an Outline

A dissertation outline is a roadmap that helps you succeed with the paper writing. There are multiple objectives that can be specified when it comes to the dissertation plan, but the main one is definitely the creation of a well-structured, consistent, and relevant paper that aligns with the college requirements and keeps the student on track. 

When you start planning the outline, you get a broader picture and know how the theoretical information you collected supports your review. The goal of the passage is to simplify the student’s task and keep the paper consistent. 

Before Drafting the Outline

The outline is the result of thorough research and data analysis. It is important to follow multiple rules and guidelines to come up with an effective and helpful piece. Check out some of the steps you need to take before writing the outline draft. 

• Read guidelines and college formatting rules. Start with the college requirements that may influence the process a lot. Focus on the mandatory dissertation sections, required formatting style, number of sources to cite, and other peculiarities that will guide you through the first stages of the writing process. As you familiarize yourself with the college rules, you will be able to meet the scientific goals much faster and more easily. 
• Research the academic context. Solid groundwork is the foundation of strong dissertation writing. Thus, the analysis of the topical review and relevant literature is a must. It will expand your vision and help you grasp the context of the field you are working in. Make a comprehensive list of sources you can potentially use in the dissertation, make notes about the available data types, and set the expected outcomes. These little elements will save you a lot of time during the dissertation writing. 
• Define the research questions. This is the time to proceed to the outline writing tips. This way, you will be able to focus on the research questions and keep every objective tight. Decide on the research questions, the reasons you choose them, and the methods you will use to achieve the set goals. The aims of your work should be very clear and specific, so that the outline you create is well-structured and meaningful. 

These are the elements that will help you understand how to write an outline for a dissertation. At the same time, these are only the basic options that prepare the students for the upcoming process. Keep reading for more practical tips and examples on how to succeed with the outline creation. 

Remember that hiring a professional dissertation writing service is always an option. Check out the EssayMarket page before you start working on the outline and hire experts to do the job for you. Stay in touch with the support team if you have any questions about the pricing, safety, or other peculiarities of the process. Anyway, as you follow the recommendations, you are likely to receive an impeccable outline that complies with all your requirements.  

Steps + Tips for Crafting Your Dissertation Outline

The overwhelming majority of students are convinced that outline writing is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, they change their minds the moment they proceed to the assignment. Lots of specific requirements and peculiarities should be taken into account during the work. As a result, learners get stuck at the pre-writing stage without a vague idea of how to move on. 

If you have faced the same challenge and are lost on this stage, check out numerous tips and recommendations that will help you move on faster and achieve meaningful results more easily. Stay flexible and remember that all the steps are generalized, so they can be modified in accordance with your needs and preferences.

Start with the university guidelines

There is no way you will succeed with the dissertation outline creation unless you are aware of the basic college requirements. Read the instructions and guidelines carefully so that you are aware of the formatting conventions, citation style, and other obligatory aspects. They will help you keep the paper compliant with the university rules. 

Analyze the literature on the topic

Once you know the topic of your dissertation and the college requirements, you should proceed to one of the most time-consuming undertakings here. Collecting relevant data on the topic is an exceptionally important but daunting process. It will help you come up with a meaningful dissertation outline that consists of the meaningful parts. Additionally, this way you will be sure the outline addresses only the key concepts and topics within the scope of your research. 

Define the research questions

Be precise as you state the research issue, main questions, and objectives. If you manage to define the problems, you are likely to keep each aspect of the dissertation outline focused on the topic and compliant with the final goal of the writing. 

Divide the paper into main sections

The first draft of the outline is the foundation of your further actions. Take your time to read multiple dissertation examples and single out some of the most helpful tips and guidelines. Additionally, read the information about the mandatory and optional elements of the dissertation, so that you miss none of the critical points. 

Use the outline templates available online, or the one mentioned below, to create the dissertation outline draft that will guide you throughout the writing process. Here are the fundamental elements to include. 

• Introduction
• Literature review
• Methodology
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion

Check the logical flow of the ideas

While some parts of the dissertation are not directly linked to others, they should all be tied up together with the same topic. Once you are finalizing the outline, double-check the logical flow of its parts. Every single element should be consistent, extending the already mentioned details.

Be flexible

The outline is the most adjustable and flexible part of the writing process. You can tweak and change the key elements and their characteristics throughout the process. Focus on your research progress and align the dissertation outline points accordingly. This way, your dissertation will remain relevant, and its structure intact. 

Avoid too many details in the outline, as it is just a guide to the bigger piece of writing. Be ready for the unexpected changes that will contribute to the quality of your paper. 

Get professional assistance 

Following the guidelines and understanding all the recommendations does not guarantee success with the outline writing. Instead, there is a huge number of students who keep struggling with the assignment regardless of their unlimited efforts to succeed. 

Is there a solution? Or are these students destined to fail? With the advancement of technology and development of online markets, there are hardly any assignments that students cannot deal with. Hiring professional dissertation writers is the way to achieve the desired results quickly, easily, and affordably. The EssayMarket team, for instance, knows everything about the dissertation structure and its peculiarities. You will have a chance to chat with the writer, discuss the details of your assignment, and track the progress of the work. 

Impeccable paper with all the core dissertation chapters included, perfect formatting, and zero plagiarism are the results you are likely to get as you purchase the outline or the whole paper online. 

Example Of A Dissertation Outline

How do you come up with the outline that simplifies your work and helps you create a meaningful and influential paper? Check out the template that contains all the key dissertation chapters. Follow the example and come up with a custom draft for your academic project.

Title page

• Dissertation title
• Student name
• Name of the institution
• Degree program
• Submission date

Abstract

• A short summary of the research question, methodology, aims, key findings, and conclusion. On average, it does not exceed 300 words. 

Acknowledgements 

• An optional piece that contains thanks to advisors, professors, family, and other supporters who helped cope with the assignment. 

Introduction

• Background content
• Statement of the problem
• Hypotheses
• Research objectives
• Prominence of the study
• Scope and limitations
• Dissertation structure

Literature review

• Key definitions and theories
• Gaps in the existing studies
• Other valuable sources of information on the topic

Methodology

• Research design
• Research approach
• Strategy of the sampling
• Data collection and analysis techniques
• Ethical considerations
• Limitations

Findings

• Presentation and analysis of data
• Patterns and themes of statistical results
• Summary

Discussion

• Interpretation of findings
• Drawing parallels with the existing literature
• Implications and contributions

Conclusion

• Summary of the study
• Answers to the research questions
• Further recommendations
• Final thought 

References

Appendices

Conclusion

Creating an impeccable dissertation outline takes a lot of time, skills, knowledge, and effort. Following the detailed guidelines, students have an opportunity to succeed with the undertaking, creating a quantitative or qualitative dissertation outline that will fulfill its goal and help learners thrive with the assignment. 

Analyze the samples and get professional assistance if working on the project becomes overwhelming. Rely on reputable and appreciated custom paper writing services only, so that you achieve the desired results with zero safety risks or concerns.