How to Write a Master's Thesis

Read, read, and read some more. You will spend months reading, so prepare yourself for hours at the library, sitting at your desk, or at a cafe drowning in caffeine. But don't fret—it'll all be worth it once you hand in that bastard that you're both proud of and hate more than season 8 of GoT. Let me provide you with some advice on how to write this devil, and ways I kept myself sane while doing so.

1. Check the bibliography of every source you find

Once you read one source, you'll check the bibliography and find dozens of relevant sources that'll add to your thesis. It's a relief knowing there's more material to beef up your thesis, but also daunting. The thought of spending another six hours at the library is nauseating to some, but the material you'll find is well worth it. I can't tell you how many books I found that helped my thesis by checking the bibliography—and some books cited others that I was reading at the same time. This is the best tip I can provide in terms of finding source material, since sometimes your adviser (like mine) will be absent/not allowed to speak to you while you're writing because that's how England rolls.

2. Write a little every day

Sometimes I would write a single sentence because I couldn't push my brain to think anymore—and that's ok. As long as you write something, you're on the right track to finishing the sucker. Writing a large piece of academic work is daunting, even if it's on a topic you love. Don't stress yourself out if you can't manage to write more than a sentence; it's all part of the process, and you will finish.

3. Do busy work that'll help polish your thesis presentation

When I couldn't manage to get myself to write more than a sentence, I would begin editing my layout for the title page, bibliography, images, etc. Anything that would lift some weight off my shoulders could be done in an hour or less. By the time I did finish my thesis, all of these extra to-do's were perfected and ready to go, allowing me to relax sooner than expected.

4. Invest in a tutor

I met with a kind, smart Londoner named Sophie who was an artist and did tutoring on the side. We met at her apartment each week for a month where she made tea and made me feel like my writing wasn't shit. She seemed genuinely interested in my thesis which was reassuring; and she provided concrete advice for how to perfect my ideas and transitioning sentences. It was a little pricey, but every penny was worth it. I don't know what I would have done without her; having an extra set of eyes to review my ideas was the best thing I did to hone my thesis. If you can't afford a tutor, visit your school's writing center where tutoring is free. The sessions may be shorter depending on their regulations, but it's well worth even 30 minutes of help.

5. Make time for yourself

This is difficult when you're in the midst of researching and writing for hours each day, but it's necessary to keep your stress levels down. Since I had the massive benefit of living in London, there was a breadth of activities to take part in to get my mind off of academia. I frequented museums, strolled through parks, went to the cinema—even hung out at Boots. Do things for you so you don't overload and burn out. And go see your friends—especially friends who are in your program. It'll be nice to vent to one another about the agony of writing, but also lift each other up and support your efforts. One of my friends from my program and I went to a fancy hotel to play pool, and it was fantastic. Keep doing things that make you happy, and the writing process will flow more easily.

6. Read and write when you're the most productive

My roommate/best friend is a night owl, so her writing and reading took place majorly at night. She would be typing furiously on her laptop as I tried to sleep two feet away in our studio apartment; but I didn't mind, I knew this was her best time to work. For me, I cannot stay up late and write a research paper; I need to be well-rested and work on it in the morning. Whether you're a morning or night person, find the time of day that works best for you and your productivity.

7. Ask for samples of past MA theses

The professors in my program passed around MA theses from previous years during one of our classes, and it was beyond helpful to see what certain grades looked like. Seeing a near-perfect score compared to an average score helped clarify the program's expectations, so I didn't feel like I was being thrown into academic hellfire. We had time to read a couple pages of each sample, and that time alone proved to be more than enough to get an idea of how to write for this program. Ask your professors to see past samples if they're available; it's an invaluable resource.

8. Attend a writing workshop specifically for MA theses

I attended an all-day workshop for MA thesis writing held by my university, and it was great for me as a foreigner to the British writing system on expectations for academic writing. I was the only one from my art history program while the rest were either studying psychology or a type of science, so I couldn't relate to their theses. But it was still valuable for me to learn British preferences for layout, format, and citations. By the end of the workshop I had pages of notes that I referenced constantly during the writing process, and my uneasiness about British writing expectations subsided. (Fun fact: a 'master's thesis' is called a 'master's dissertation' or just 'dissertation' in England. Confusing.)

9. Read your thesis out loud

It's terrifying, but helpful. You'll hear how your thesis actually sounds; if the ideas are making sense; catch spelling and grammar mistakes; and feel more confident in your writing. I would do this every couple days after batch writing, so I could hear how the ideas were flowing, and made edits as I read aloud. If you have a willing friend or family member, have them read it aloud to you. Hearing someone else's voice read your ideas can help you see how others understand your writing and material, and help you make crucial edits in the process. You could bribe this person with wine and cheese so they'll participate, which has a high success rate.

10. Don't try to write like how you think you should write

Don't try to write like Derrida or Foucault (especially Foucault, the asshole). Write like you. This is your research paper; give it your voice and flare. Of course pay attention to academic writing standards, but don't try and over complicate your writing to sound smart. You're already smart, so there's no need to prove it. Take inspiration from other research papers in terms of presentation of ideas, but don't copy their voice; it'll add more stress to the writing process if you're trying to write like someone else. If this program accepted you, that means they read a sample of your work, and they liked it. Take the advice they give you on improving your writing, but don't get rid of your voice. You want to read your thesis and know that it's you writing it, not an imitation of someone you're not.

Well, these are all the tips I could think of that proved to be the most helpful for my thesis writing. Writing is tough, but make it academic and it turns into a shit show if you're not careful. Talk to your adviser above all else; they're one of the people grading your thesis. Writing a master's thesis is daunting, but rewarding. I still think my thesis is the best thing I've written, and I will forever be proud of the work I put into it. Whatever subject you're writing about, make it something you can be proud of. And make sure you still have a life during the process.