Reading other theses in your discipline can provide ideas about structure, style and formatting. The Theses Library Guide tells you how to find theses from Monash, other Australian and international universities.
Here are some good blogs on thesis writing and other aspects of research, maintained by academics with a strong interest in research education.
While your main focus as a research student might be writing a thesis, you need to be able to communicate effectively in writing and orally for a range of audiences (academic journals, media, industry and the community).
To develop these skills, attend workshops (see the Classes and consultations box on the right), and follow the links below for thesis writing and presenting at conferences.
Thesis structure Review components of a thesis and some typical thesis structures here
Writing about literature This tutorial focuses on writing a chapter-length literature review. However, the five key points presented here will be useful for other forms of literature review:... more
Writing about methods Every thesis needs to answer these questions: "How did you do your research?" "Why did you do it that way?" ... more
Writing about data and discussing findings This is where you tell your readers the story that has emerged from your findings... more
Introductions and conclusions The introductory chapter, which works with the conclusion to frame the thesis, is very important. It generally includes... more
Targeting conferences
These tools can assist:
Presentation skills
This tutorial will guide you through the process of planning, developing and delivering an oral presentation... more
Writing groups provide a moderated, friendly, collegiate environment for students to share their written work with peers and become better oral and written communicators. Because writing groups involve discussion and critique, they also provide experience in giving and receiving peer feedback. Students may join a writing group to improve various aspects of their writing or to reinforce their confidence and motivation to complete a project. Learning skills advisers moderate the sessions, maintain communication and contribute relevant additional material.
Locations (in alphabetical order) with research areas and contacts
CLAYTON
Hargrave-Andrew Library
Science. Contact tami.castillo@monash.edu
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences: Wednesdays fortnightly. Contact tomas.zahora@monash.edu
Law Library
Law Graduate Research students. See Law HDR Peer Writing Group webpage
Humanities and social sciences: fortnightly on Tuesdays at 11am -1pm. Contact janice.pinder@monash.edu
MONASH ALFRED CENTRE
Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences: fortnightly on Wednesdays, 9:30-11am. Contact aimee.turner@monash.edu
PENINSULA
Contact stephanie.jury@monash.edu
You can access a variety of training videos for word processing and presentation software via the Library's subscription to
Do you need to include material published by others (images, diagrams, recordings, etc.) in your thesis or research publication? The Monash University Copyright Adviser, located within the Library, can provide practical advice on managing copyright during the research and publication process.
Monash University allows Graduate Research students to use a professional editor under certain conditions. See 7.1.4 Acknowledgement of editing assistance in the Handbook for Doctoral Degrees.
There is useful advice on choosing an editor in this post on the Thesis Whisperer blog.
The Library does not provide an editing and proofreading service. The Monash Postgraduate Association maintains a list of editors and proofreaders.
