FREEPRINTABLE CHECKLIST
Thesis formatting checklist
A generic checklist for the formatting side of a thesis or dissertation. It does not replace your institution's rules: use it to make sure you have checked each area against them.
FREE · NO SIGN-UP
UPDATED · MOREMIND
Before you start formatting
- I have the current thesis regulations and the official template, if there is one
- I know the word limit and what counts towards it (for example, whether references, appendices and footnotes are included)
- I know the required citation style
- I know the submission format (print, PDF or both) and any file requirements
- I am using my word processor's built-in heading styles, so the table of contents and numbering update automatically
Front matter
- Title page contains everything the regulations list (commonly title, name, degree, department, institution, date) in the required order
- Declaration, originality or authorship statement, if required, is completed and signed
- Abstract is within the word limit and summarises the aims, methods, findings and conclusions
- Acknowledgements, if included, are in the required position
- AI-use disclosure, if your institution requires one, is included where it says
- Table of contents is generated automatically and up to date
- Lists of figures, tables and abbreviations are included if required, and match the text
Page layout
- Page size and margins match the regulations, including any extra binding margin
- Font, font size and line spacing match the regulations throughout
- Page numbering follows the regulations (some institutions number front matter differently from the main text)
- Paragraph style (indentation or spacing between paragraphs) is consistent
- Chapters start on a new page, if required
- No stray blank pages, widowed headings or orphaned single lines at page tops
Chapters and headings
- Heading levels are used consistently and do not skip a level
- Numbering of chapters and sections (if used) is consistent and correct
- Heading text in the table of contents matches the headings in the text
Figures and tables
- Every figure and table is numbered in order and cited in the text before it appears
- Captions and titles are in the position and style the regulations or citation style require
- Every axis has a label with units; error bars and n are explained in the caption
- Figures are legible at printed size and readable in greyscale
- Images are high enough resolution for print
- Permission is obtained and credited for any figure reproduced or adapted from someone else's work
- Tables fit the page width, or are rotated as the regulations allow
Citations and references
- One citation style is used consistently throughout
- Every in-text citation has a reference-list entry, and every entry is cited
- Each reference has been checked against the original source
- DOIs or URLs are included where the style requires them
- Quotations are exact, with page numbers where the style requires them
Appendices
- Appendices are labelled and ordered as the regulations require, and referred to in the text
- They contain supporting material only, not results needed to follow the argument
- Questionnaires, consent forms and other materials are included if the regulations or ethics approval require them
The final file
- Exported to the required format (for example PDF, or PDF/A if your repository requires it)
- Fonts are embedded and the PDF looks the same on another computer
- Hyperlinks, cross-references and bookmarks work
- File name and document properties (title, author) follow the instructions
- Supervisor sign-off or other required approvals are complete
- I have proofread the final file, not just the draft
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