MAKING AN OUTLINE

SESSION 3

FUNDAMENTALS OF THESIS WRITING 1

Professor Sarah Lou Ysmael Arriola

HOW SHOULD YOU DIVIDE YOUR THESIS?

FOLLOW THE 30-40-20 RULE
30% is the Introduction

40% is the Body of the Thesis (it would help

to have a chapter analysis in each chapter)
20% is the Conclusion and Recommendation

OR

HOW SHOULD
THESIS?

YOU

DIVIDE

YOUR

Follow the 30-30-20-20 Rule

30% is the Introduction

30% is the Review of Related Literature

20% is the Analysis
20% is the Conclusion and Recommendation

Making an OUTLINE
Chapter 1 sets the framework of the Thesis.
Chapter 1 is always the Introduction. It consists

of:
1. Background of the Study
2. Problem Statement (Thesis Statement)
3. Definition of Terms
4. Objectives
5. Significance of the Study
6. Scope and Limitation
7. Organization of the Thesis
8. Methodology
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How long is the Introduction?

A good Introduction consists of 15-20 pages.
Some even go as far as 30 pages.
If it is not in the Introduction, it should not be
anywhere in the Thesis. No surprises.
Since it is your framework, it should contain
all the salient points. The body should just
expound on those points.
A good Introduction is complete but succinct.

What is the Background?

It introduces the topic.
It gives a brief overview of what the Thesis topic

is all about.
It sets the mood of the whole Study.
By reading the Background, the reader should be
able to get an idea of what are the surrounding
circumstances behind the thesis and why it is
written.
For example, you are talking about campaign
finance, the Background tells you what it is and
how it fits in Philippine political society.
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What is the Problem Statement?

It is the Thesis Statement.
It states your legal issue.
It tells the reader what are the issues which you

wish to prove or disprove in your thesis.

You may have only one legal issue but some
would venture to more than two issues.
For example, if you want to ban premature
campaigning, your thesis statement should say
that there is nothing in the law that bans
premature campaigning although in truth its
practice goes against the equal protection clause
of the Constitution.
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What is the Definition of Terms?

It should define the major terms in your thesis.
The definition can be your own, from the law, an

international instrument, a case or a legal scholar.

It can also use the definition of a pending bill or
Resolution.
You need not define all legal terms in your thesis.
But you have to define major, significant and key
legal terms.
For example, you are doing a thesis on
cyberbullying. You have to define bullying,
cyberspace, and cybercrime.
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WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES?

They are the goals that you wish to achieve in your

thesis.
Most theses have at least two objectives. However,
some can have as many as five. It all depends on how
extensive and complicated your topic is.
For example, your thesis deals with gender based
corruption, you may have these objectives:
1. To show the loopholes in Philippine law regarding
corruption that are related to gender issues; and
2. To propose law reform to address gender-based
corruption.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF

THE STUDY?
It is how important your study is in Philippine
domestic law or in International Law.
It says how it will improve legal scholarship.
It indicates how it can alleviate the present
situation.
It is important to state that the evil you seek
to suppress is greater than the possible evil
that you might create in your proposal.
Significance talks about three things:
IMPORTANCE, IMPACT and RELEVANCE.
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What is the Organization of the

Thesis?
It discusses the contents of each Chapter.
You should be able to give a brief overview of
what can be found in each part of the thesis.
The challenge in the Organization of the
Thesis is that there should be no surprises in
the succeeding Chapters.
If it is not in the Organization, it should not be
in the body.
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What is covered by the

Scope and Limitations?
The Scope and Limitations mentions the
parameters of your thesis. It gives your
assumptions that you no longer need to
prove. It also says what you will not discuss in
your thesis that are matters that may be seen
intimately related to your topic.

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WHAT IS THE METHODOLOGY?

The Methodology is the way you will conduct
your research.
You will mention if you are going to go
through a survey of laws and cases. You can
also say if you are going to interview
personalities as well as if you will attend a
certain forum related to your topic.

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CHAPTER 2
It is always the Review of Related Literature.
It may be:

1. Case Law
2. Discussion of different concepts of law.
3. Discussion of previous works done on the
matter.
4. Discussion of relevant laws.

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Succeeding Chapters
These are still part of the Review of Related
Literature.
These Chapters are the most substantive part
of the thesis.
They are ALMOST ALWAYS legal.
They serve as the substantive support of your
Analysis
or
Conclusion
and
Recommendations.
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ANALYSIS
It is the proponents stand based on his or her
research.
It is the heart of the thesis.

It is the dissection of the basis for the

conclusion and recommendation.
It is the basis of the conclusion
recommendation.

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What can be found in the

Conclusion and Recommendation?
Contains the findings of the Thesis.
Contains any of the following:

1. Proposed law reform

2. Reconciliation of conflicting cases
3. Upholding of a certain legal theory

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THANK YOU
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