The structure you give to your PhD thesis influences substantially the amount of time and effort it will take to write it. It is probably worth start thinking of it well ahead of when you arrive at the point to actually write the thesis.
There is no one solution to the question of how to structure your PhD thesis. However, if you look carefully into the work you did up to that point, you might be able to spot a trend that can indicate the most natural way your thesis should be structured. In this video, we will explore how I structured my thesis. Furthermore, we will learn from where I got the inspiration and why my thesis was already structured by the work I had already completed.
In the page How to write your Ph.D. thesis you will have a number of examples from PhD students around the globe on how did they structure their PhD thesis the way they did and why they did so. This is a rare opportunity to have a close look at your peers and see the world with their eyes; not those of someone with much more experience.
The other page Thesis template gives more specific instructions on the actual layout of the thesis according to the University of Cyprus requirements. Check your own university for similar requirements.
Writing your PhD thesis should not be an overwhelming experience. It should not drain you of all the energies you have. And should not take more than a few good months of solid work. Your thesis is the crown jewellery of your work; you do not want to spoil the most visible of the outcome of your efforts. Get to the writing process with a good amount of spare energies left and not in a rush, if possible.
If writing your PhD thesis does drain you of energies, takes very long, and you feel like climbing a mountain of which you cannot see the top, then it is probably time you seek some help. It is like driving a faulty car. If you can fix it until you get to the nearest garage, fine. Otherwise, you should call for a mechanic to fix it.
Starting from the structure of your PhD thesis is like preparing the field before you plough it. You will soon realise how worth was the time you spent preparing that field.
We have published 2 other videos on this same topic. They are How to write a PhD thesis? and Practical TIPs on PhD mindset. There will be 1 more video on this same series.
Stay tuned and Good Luck!
