Thesis Preparation Instructions

The final approved version of the thesis on acid-free paper must be submitted to the Chair of Honors Council by Monday, May 3, 2010. This copy of the thesis must be prepared in accordance with the Guidelines. It will be bound by the library at University expense. Personal copies can be obtained by dealing directly with the library by completing the Honors Thesis Form.

The following guidelines have been prepared because of the need for consistent standards in format and in the quality of paper in order to insure the permanence of the work. Many of the guidelines are for practical reasons. Paper must be acid free and of good quality to last; margins must be wide enough for proper binding without the loss of information; bibliographies must give data clearly so that future scholars can profit from past work. Thesis not conforming to these guidelines will not be accepted.

I. Style

Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writer's of Term Papers, Theses, Dissertations, 6th ed., University of Chicago Press, 1996, will be followed for style unless your department stipulates otherwise. Also used are the MLA Style Sheet and APA Publication Manual. Writers of scientific papers follow styles set down by scholarly societies in their fields.

II. General Regulations

A. Thesis is required for candidates for honors. Candidates in creative arts sometimes submit other works in place of a thesis. In such cases a formal exhibition is required.

B.Copies: One copy must be delivered to the Director of the Honors Program (for eventual deposit in the library).

C. Paper: Paper is available at the Bookstore or at Duplicating Services for photocopying. Paper must be:

  • standard size 8 1/2 x 11 inch white bond,
  • smooth finish,
  • 20 pound weight, minimum
  • 25% cotton fiber content, acid free

    Erasable, chemically treated paper is NOT acceptable because it smears.

D. Printing: Thesis may be printed single-sided or double-sided.

  • Margins: (1) left or inside and bottom margins: 1 1/2 inches (2) others: 1 inch (3) these measurements must be respected for graphs, charts, illustrations, etc., without exception.
  • For theses printed double-sided, make sure to choose mirror margins
  • Spacing of Text: (1) double-spaced for body of text (2) triple-spaced for all headings (3) footnotes are single-spaced
  • Type: 10 or 12 point fonts will be acceptable

E. Illustrations, tables, charts, graphs, etc.: When possible, they should be the same size and on the same quality paper as the text.

  • Computer sheets should be folded to conform to page size. If this is not possible, then the Duplicating Services can photo reduce tables, charts, printouts, etc. This may be necessary because it is essential that the left margin conform to standards set above, thereby insuring that no material will be lost when the binding is done.
  • Photographs or illustrations should be scanned and added to you original document file. Students should make an appointment with the Tech Desk staff for assistance. Do not use rubber cement, Elmer's glue or spray adhesive to attach an original photograph or illustration to your thesis.
  • If you need help to meet specifications with graphic imaging, please make an appointment with at the Technology Desk.
  • India ink or letter quality lines should be used for all graphs, charts, drawings, illustrations, etc. Identification of these items should either be in India ink or typed. Ball point or magic marker type pens are not acceptable.

F. Pagination:

  • A blank page should precede the title page. It is not numbered.
  • Prefatory material: Lower case Roman numerals. Title page counted as iii but not numbered. Subsequent prefatory pages will have Roman numeral in the upper right hand corner 1/2 inch from the top and 1 inch from the right edge of the paper.
  • Text: Arabic numerals begin with the text itself.

III. Order of the thesis

A. Title Page (see sample) - The names of the advisor and the department chair must be typed below the signature.

B. Acknowledgments (if any)

C. Table of Contents

D. List of Tables (if any)

E. List of Figures (if any)

F. Abstract-The abstract is a 1-2 page description of the thesis project and major findings. Do not omit the abstract, as it is crucial for librarians cataloguing the thesis.

G. Body of Thesis

H. Bibliography

I. Appendix (if any)

 

Library Guidelines for Binding Personal and Departmental Copies