Chapter 1 English Thesis Writing:An Introduction 1
1.1 The needs for thesis writing 1
1.2 Paper,thesis or dissertation? 7
1.3 Ways to classify English theses 9
1.3.1 By academic degrees 9
1.3.2 By research disciplines 10
1.3.3 By research methods 10
1.3.4 By research topics 11
1.4 Standards of a good English thesis 12
1.5 Eyes on a well-written thesis 16
1.5.1 Attention to pre-writing 16
1.5.2 Attention to in-writing 20
1.5.3 Attention to re-writing 21
Chapter questions 22
Chapter 2 The Writing Process of English Thesis 23
2.1 Locating a topic 24
2.1.1 Tracing personal interests 25
2.1.2 Seeking advice 25
2.1.3 Brainstorming 26
2.1.4 Self-questioning 26
2.2 Specifying the topic 27
2.2.1 Library research 28
2.2.2 Forming research questions 29
2.3 Writing a research proposal 31
2.3.1 The definition of"research proposal" 31
2.3.2 Components of a research proposal 32
2.4 Outlining 34
2.4.1 Types of outline 35
2.4.2 General rules for outlining 37
2.5 Putting pen to paper 39
2.5.1 Taking notes 39
2.5.2 Drafting 40
2.5.3 Revising 43
Chapter questions 46
Chapter 3 Elements of English Graduation Thesis 47
3.1 Title page 47
3.1.1 The included information 47
3.1.2 Thesis title 47
3.2 Abstract 55
3.2.1 Types of abstract 56
3.2.2 Models of abstract 56
3.2.3 Writing an abstract 62
3.3 Table of contents 64
3.3.1 MLA 1isting style 65
3.3.2 APA listing style 66
3.4 Introduction 67
3.4.1 Models of Introduction 68
3.4.2 Writing an introduction 73
3.5 Thesis body 76
3.5.1 "Literature review" 76
3.5.2 "Theoretical background" 77
3.5.3 "Methods" 77
3.5.4 "Results" 80
3.5.5 "Discussion" 82
3.5.6 Other organizational patterns 84
3.6 Conclusion 86
3.6.1 Models of conclusion 86
3.6.2 Writing a conclusion 87
3.7 Other indispensable elements 88
3.7.1 "Bibliography","Works Cited"or"References" 88
3.7.2 Acknowledgements 89
3.7.3 Appendices 91
Chapter questions 93
Chapter 4 Documenting Styles and Mechanics 94
4.1 General information on documentation 94
4.2 The Chicago Manual of Style 95
4.2.1 The Notes-Bibliography system 95
4.2.2 The in-text author-date system 110
4.3 MLA style 118
4.3.1 In-text citation format 118
4.3.2 MLA"Works Cited"format 122
4.4 APA style 126
4.4.1 Parenthetical citations in text 127
4.4.2 APA"References"format 128
4.5 An eclectic style 130
4.6 Technical matters 131
4.6.1 Title capitalization 131
4.6.2 Abbreviation and italics 132
4.6.3 Numbers and punctuations 134
4.6.4 Tables and figures 134
Chapter questions 136
Chapter 5 Language Features of English Theses 137
5.1 Lexical features 138
5.1.1 Professional words 138
5.1.2 Formal style 140
5.1.3 Precision and clarity 143
5.1.4 "Economical principle"in thesis title 144
5.2 Syntactical features 148
5.2.1 Full,long and complex sentences 148
5.2.2 Simple present tense and passive voice 151
5.2.3 Academic sentence structures 157
5.3 Discoursal features 162
Chapter questions 168
Chapter 6 Research Methodology:An Overview 170
6.1 Definitions of research 170
6.1.1 Definitions 170
6.1.2 The aims of research 172
6.1.3 Steps of research process 174
6.2 Classifications of research 176
6.2.1 Types 176
6.2.2 The parameters 178
6.3 Qualitative research and quantitative research 179
6.3.1 Qualitative research 179
6.3.2 Quantitative research 181
6.3.3 Distinctions between qualitative and quantitative researches 183
6.3.4 An eclectic approach 185
6.4 Survey study 186
6.4.1 Types of surveys 186
6.4.2 Procedures of surveys 189
6.4.3 Comments on survey study 195
6.4.4 An example of a survey questionnaire 196
6.5 Experimental research 200
6.5.1 Basic concepts 200
6.5.2 Procedures:Five steps 202
6.5.3 Comments on experimental research 205
6.6 Case study 207
6.6.1 Introduction and definition 207
6.6.2 Procedures:Six steps 208
6.6.3 Comments on case study 213
Chapter questions 214
Chapter 7 Oral Defense 215
7.1 Thesis presentation 216
7.2 Questions and answers 217
7.3 Dos and Don'ts in oral defense 219
Chapter questions 220
Chapter 8 Sample of Graduation Thesis and Grading Remarks 221
8.1 A sample of graduation thesis 221
8.2 Grading remarks 244
Appendix A 247
Appendix B 257
Appendix C 265
Bibliography 269