Thesis Writing Techniques

technical way
MOHD. ZAMRI OSMAN
PHD CANDIDATE
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
SKUDAI, JOHOR
MALAYSIA
EMAIL. MZAMRI27@GMAIL.COM
NO. TEL: 019-9126239

Siri #1 UTM, Skudai

Siri #2 UTM, Skudai

Siri #3 UTM, Skudai

Siri #4 UTM, Skudai

Siri #5 UTM, Skudai

Software Needed
#1 Microsoft Word (version 2010 and above
recommended)
#2 Mendeley (article manager. Download link here
http://www.mendeley.com/download-mendeley-desktop/)
#3 Microsoft Visio (version 2007 recommended). Note,
dont worry if your version Microsoft Word is not same as
Visio. Its compatible

For UTM student, you can download original Microsoft product from UTM Dreamspark.
Its free 2 years subscription (OS, MS Visio, MS Project.
Download link here : http://tinyurl.com/utmdreamspark

Mastering Word tricks

in just 3 hours

Microsoft Word (Outline)

These are the things your need to set-up
Margin
Navigation Pane/Document Map
Multi-level list
Chapter Heading
Modify Normal setting
Subsection, sub-sub section

Insert Figure, Table, Equation

Page break/Section break
Page number
Table of content (TOC), list of figure (LOF), list of table (LOT)
Publishing your thesis

Step 1
SETTING MARGINS, PAPER SIZE

Step 1: Setting Margins, Paper size

This margin is based on UTM Thesis Format (2007)

Left (4cm), right (2.5cm), top (2.5cm), bottom (2.5cm)

Paper size (A4). By default the paper size is Letter
Spacing (1.5 spacing between lines with no space before
and after paragraph)

Step 1.1: Set Margin

Page layout > Margins > Custom Margins

Step 1.2: Set Margins

Step 1.3: Paper Size

Step 1.4: View gridlines

View > Gridlines

Step 2
NAVIGATION PANE / DOCUMENT MAP

THIS IS PART IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT WILL EFFECT YOUR WHOLE

DOCUMENT IF YOU DIDNT MASTER IT.

Navigation Pane
Advantages
Manage large document (in 1 file only)
Shorten searching time
Automatic generate chapter number (CHAPTER 1..2..3..4/
BAB 1..2..3)
Automatic formatted

Step 2.1: View Navigation Pane

View > Navigation Pane

Step 2.2: Multi-level list

If you didnt set the multi-level list, you will get trouble
when inserting the caption number for figure, table and
also equation. You will get something like
Figure 1: This is my figure or
Figure 0.1: This is my figure
But for UTM format figure, table represented in;

Figure 1.1: This is my figure

Step 2.2: Multi-level list

Home > Numbering (multi-level) > Multi-level list

style

Step 2.2: Multi-level list

Text Chapter 1 automatically added into your doc.

Step 2.3: Modify the Heading

Modify Heading 1 setting (font and paragraph

properties) according to UTM Thesis Format

1.5 Spacing
Make sure there is no add space before and after paragraph

Step 2.4: Modify Heading

Step 2.4: Modify Heading

Format > Paragraph

Format > Font

 Your Chapter Heading 1 is already formatted with

ALL CAPS and centered!

 Enter once, and then click on the Heading 1 style.

See what will happened

You will get the chapter number is automatically
increment (CHAPTER 2) with alignment centered,
all caps, font 12pt and Times New Roman.
This will save a lot of your time during thesis writing
Look at the navigation pane entry. CHAPTER 2 is
added

Step 2.4: Modify Normal Setting

Previous slide shows the step 2.2 on modify the Heading 1

style.
Now we modify the Normal style. Normal style is the
normal setting that Word provide by default. Once you type
any content, the FONT will be CALIBRI, with there is
space before and after paragraph.
We need font Times new Roman, font size 12pt,
justified content and no space before/after paragraph

Step 2.4: Modify Normal Setting

Step is same as in Step 2.3 Modify the Heading.

Follow the UTM Thesis format

Right Click on Normal Style > Modify
Font = Times new roman
Font size = 12pt
Font > Paragraph
Dont add space before/after paragraph
Line spacing 1.5
Alignment = justified

Step 2.5: Subsection, Sub-subsection

Let say your Chapter 1 outline is;
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview
1.2 Background of the Problem
1.3 Statement of the Problem
1.4 Purpose of the Research
1.5 Objectives
1.6 Scope
1.7 Significant of the Research
1.8 Research Framework
1.9 Research Organisation

Navigation Pane or Document Map

 CHAPTER 1 = Heading 1
INTRODUCTION = Heading 2
1.1 Overview = Heading 3

1.2.3 = Heading 4
1.2.3.1 = Heading 5
*Note: for UTM thesis format, the sub section only until level 4 (Heading
5)

Chapter Name (Heading 2)

Enter once after the Chapter Number.
Type Chapter Name, for this example is

INTRODUCTION.
Select INTRODUCTION and then click on Heading
2 style
Noted that the colour changed. Now, modify the font
colour, font size, alignment and also line space as in
Step 2.3.

Chapter Name (Heading 2)

Modify Heading 2
Modify Heading 2 according to UTM Thesis Format
Font times new roman, font size 12pt
Centered
All Caps
Noted that, there are Heading 3 at the right of

Heading 2.
Clicking on Heading 3, Word will add Heading 4 and
so on.
At the navigation pane, index introduction added

subsection, sub-sub section

Subsection is the second level, example 2.1.
Sub-sub section is your third level, example 2.1.1.1

subsection, sub-sub section

The step of setting subsection and sub-subsection is

same as in Step 2.3.

Set the Heading number for;

subsection (1.1) Heading 3

Sub-subsection (1.1.1) Heading 4
Sub-sub-subsection (1.1.1.1) Heading 5

Then, modify the style;

Font size = 12pt
Colour = black
Alignment = left
No space before and after paragraph

Step 3
INSERT FIGURE / TABLES AND EQUATION

Insert Figure / Table and Equation

This step highly related to in Step 2.2 Multi-level list.
The figure/table/equation number must according to

the chapter number. For example figure in

CHAPTER 1 must in Figure 1.1, Figure 1.2 and so on.
Normally you will insert the figure/table/equation
number manually. But, you will put an extra time
and effort (scrolling down line by line, page by page)

Step 3.1 Preparing the Figure

For best practise, put your drawing/figure inside the

table.
Insert a 1x2 table (1 column, 2 rows)

Note the line is appear, we need adjustment by

hiding the line. Set no border

Step 3.1 Preparing the Figure

Your table will be like above. Show Gridlines to

view the hidden lines (dotted line).

Step 3.2 Inserting the Figure Caption

Place your mouse below the table (as created in Step

3.1).
References > Insert Caption. Dialog box as shown
below appeared

Step 3.2 Inserting the Figure Caption

Click on the Numbering

Step 3.2 Inserting the Figure Caption

Then, check the Include chapter number and

change the separator to . (period). Then ok

Step 3.2 Inserting the Figure Caption

The Caption is changed to Figure 1.1 !!
Click ok. See what happened

Step 3.2 Inserting the Figure Caption

You will get something like below;

Now, modify the Caption Style. Right click >

Modify

Step 3.2 Inserting the Figure Caption

Font Times new roman, size 12pt, colour black,

centered alignment, 0pt before and after paragraph,

1.5 lines spacing.
Then select Figure 1.1 and drag into the second row
of the table. Now, your figure is ready. Fuhh!!

Step 3.3 Inserting Table number

Step same as in Step 3.2. Different is the table

caption is at top of the table.

References > Caption. Change the Label to table.
And again, set the Numbering.. also.

Step 3.3 Inserting Table number

Note, if your insert the caption, the Table 1.1 is

formatted!

Step 3.4 Inserting Equation number

Use 2x1 table (2 column, 1 row)
Exclude label from caption
Put bracket (), example (2.1)

Step 4
PAGE BREAK / SECTION BREAK

2.6 Page break/ Section break

Page break is for entering new page. Normally, you

will press enter many times until reach to next page.

This technique will curse you when doing editing.
Better way is;

Insert > Page break

or

Shortcut key = Ctrl + Enter

Section break
Section break is for applying:
different layout style (landscape mode may be for larger
table) or
different numbering style (acknowledgement part and content
part)
Note that in thesis, there are two (2) different

numbering styles (i,ii,iii and 1,2,3)

Section break
How to set section break?

Page layout > Breaks > Section break (next

page)

Step 5
PAGE NUMBERING

Page numbering
There are two (2) styles for numbering (as mention in

page 50 (section break).

Here, we will learn on breaking the thesis into 2 parts
The acknowledgement and content parts
The acknowledgement

Abstract
Table of content
List of figure

Content

Chapters
Appendix
References

Insert tab> Page Number > Top of page > plain

number 3
Change the font to Times new roman, size 12pt

Step 6
TABLE OF CONTENT (TOC)
LIST OF FIGURE (LOF)
LIST OF TABLE (LOT)

Step 6.1 Insert TOC

References > Table of content > Insert

Step 6.1 Insert TOC

Step 6.1 Insert TOC

Wallaaa!! This is your TOC

 The TOC is not like UTM format? Best practise, TOC

is the last thing we do after having a thesis

draft/proposal.
Create the table (next page), drag and drop
Use techniques hide the lines, show gridlines
Same as for LOT, LOF

Step 6.2 Insert LOF/LOT/LOE

Reference tab > Caption (Insert table of figures)

This step can be apply for List of table and list of

equation

Step 6.2 Insert LOF/LOT/LOE

Step 6.2 Insert LOF/LOT/LOE

Example of automated LOT with page number

Every time dealing with figure/table/equation (adding or deleting) page number

automatic updated.
Just right click > update field

Step 7
PUBLISHING YOUR THESIS (PRINTING)

Step 7.1 Printing

Normally you print using Word (.doc/.docx) file and

sometimes in .pdf file.

Did you faced any changes in your thesis file
(.doc/.docx)? The alignment changed suddenly.
My tips is convert your final thesis into .pdf file. And
be AWARE the page handling default is Extend to
fill printable are.
Change it to None, then the format is same as in
your thesis file.

Extra
CROSS-REFERENCE

Cross-reference
Refers to items such as Headings, figures, and tables

by inserting a cross reference such as, See Table 6

below or Turn to page 8
Cross reference are automatically updated if the

content is moved to another location. By default,

cross reference are inserted as hyperlinks.

Reference tab > Cross reference

Insert Cross-reference

Any suggestion/comment/critique.
Contact me at :
email: mzamri27@gmail.com
Phone: 019-9126239

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