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Thesis/Dissertation Formatting

Content/Chapters

Beginning a new chapter

  • Always start a new chapter on a new page.  Use the page break function to insert a blank page; do not use the Enter key multiple times.
  • Type Chapter 1: Title of Chapter at the top of the page; your chapters will be numbered sequentially starting at 1.  Be sure to label each title as a chapter title heading to format it properly; see the headings section below for instructions.
  • Leave the next line blank.
  • Start your chapter.
  • Chapter 1 needs to start on an odd-numbered document page according to Microsoft Word (not according to your page numbers). This may or may not happen naturally. Use the page break function to insert a blank page if it does not happen naturally; do not use the Enter key multiple times.
  • Insert two double-spaced blank lines after the Chapter Title.
  • In addition, you wil insert two double-spaced blank lines before and after the center headings within the text and before and after freestanding side headings within the text.

Headings

  • The headings will populate your table of contents.
  • Follow these instructions to set up and label headings in your document. 
  • There are six possible levels of headings described in the table below.
  • The title level is for page titles and chapter titles.
  • Level 1 headings are for main sections within a chapter, level 2 headings are subsections of level 1, level 3 headings are subsections of level 2, etc.
  • Your paragraphs will "sway" throughout the paper to accomodate binding.  
  • You will only use bold and italics when it's a level heading, table or figure.  You will not bold any or italicize any words within a paragraph.
  • Pay close attention to word spacing in your heading and paragraphs  Review for potential spacing errors.
page title
or chapter title

CENTERED, BOLD, ALL CAPS

level 1

Centered, Bold, Title Case for the Heading

Next paragraph begins indented as usual....

level 2

Flush Left, Bold, Title Case for the Heading Text

Next paragraph begins indented as usual....

level 3

Flush Left, Bold, Italics, Title Case for the Heading Text

Next paragraph begins indented as usual....

level 4

Indented, Bold, Title Case for the Heading Text, End with a

Period.  Next paragraph begins right after heading.

level 5

Indented, Bold, Italics, Title Case for the Heading Text,

End with a Period.  Next paragraph begins right after heading.

example of content page 1 of 3 example of content page 2 of 3 example of content page 3 of 3

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