The dissertation is a testament to your research efforts. In research degree programmes, it is the only tangible output upon which you will be assessed, and in most cases, the dissertation is probably your first major publication. To ensure that you do justice to yourself and your work,

• plan the structure well
• be consistent in the format, layout and presentation
• maintain threads between all parts of the dissertation
• justify all assumptions and define all symbols and acronyms - never expect the reader to "read between the lines"
• be aware of important milestones and achievements in your field of research, and keep up to date with developments
• try as much as possible to write in the active voice and be authoritative
• use clear and simple language to explain concepts and present arguments - keep sentences reasonably short and do not try to impress by using bombastic words
• use a spell checker but be aware of its limitations
• be critical when analysing results and be objective when making comparisons
• be aware of your contributions and the impact that your work has in your research field

Writing a dissertation is a substantial undertaking. This series of pages has hopefully made the task less stressful and bewildering. Bearing in mind that different institutions may have dissimilar requirements, you should consult your project supervisor or thesis advisor for more specific guidance.

Remember - to be able to finish a dissertation, you must start writing it. Good luck!