Thesis Formatting – Some Ground-Breaking Rules

Different universities have different thesis formatting rules. However, there are some basic rules for formatting theses, which are standard throughout the world. Each dissertation must be formatted according to them so that the theses look uniform and neat. Here are some of the ground breaking rules of thesis formatting.

Spacing and Indentation

You must format the thesis such that the text must appear in a single column on every page. The spacing must be double and you must indicate new paragraphs by a consistent indentation throughout your document. The text of the document must not be right or centre justified but left justified. Make sure that the headings on the bottom of a prior page are not left hanging alone. You should either move the heading down or up. This is something you should check towards the end of the formatting.

Pagination

Use only Roman numerals in small case on every page that precedes the first chapter. The title page is considered as page number one. However, no number appears on that page. The copyright page will be considered as the second page with small Roman numeral ii. You should then begin using Arabic numerals for the pages that are a part of the very first chapter. Then, the other chapters will also have Arabic numerals, whose numbering would continue from the very last page of the first chapter. However, do not use page numbers with parentheses.

Footnotes

You must place footnotes at the bottom of every page. They must be separated from the main text by a line that is one or two inches long. Begin at the margin that is on the left page, which is located directly below the solid line. Between each footnote, there must be double space. Number each and every one of the footnotes with Arabic numerals.