Demystifying Dissertation Writing

Dr. Single really does "demystify" the dissertation (and Master's thesis) writing process and provide a great deal of very useful information on how to WRITE a dissertation. She doesn't get into the research process (we get trained pretty well for that already), rather she focuses on what is needed to put words on "paper" and get this important milestone in an academic career written.The ability to write the actual dissertation (thesis) appears to be something that is taken as a given by administrators in many PhD (Masters) programs. Perhaps it is because the students have actually made it into the program and to do so, they must have written many papers. The work required to write a (multi?) hundred page work is an order of magnitude higher than writing a class paper. Fortunately, Dr. Single breaks it down into manageable pieces. A series of ~forty page "papers", if you will. The dissertation becomes approachable and something that can be accomplished.She also dispenses with two (IMO, fatal) "myths" that (1) you need to have a large block of time to write and (2) you should know everything about your topic before you start writing.I have a family and between the family and other obligations, finding large blocks of time was almost impossible, thus dramatically slowing down my writing. Now I grab every opportunity to write, no matter how short. For me, the real benefit was that I am now always writing and because I am always writing, I am always thinking about my dissertation! And because I'm always thinking about my dissertation (even on a sub-conscious level), I am gaining insights and MAKING PROGRESS I was not before buying this book. I enjoy writing again!Now, I am always writing. I no longer worry about knowing everything about the field or making it perfect. I just get the words down and know that I will be able to edit/revise them later. If I find a hole in my knowledge, I can fill it while writing. Most importantly, I am now giving my chair and committee members something to read and provide feedback on. It is good for them because they can see the work I am doing and I can get much needed feedback!In addition, Dr. Single emphasizes creating writing support groups with your peers to help with various issues that come up during the dissertation and to provide useful constructive criticisms, advice, and information.Finally, in what was the biggest surprise for me in the book, she provides a very efficient way to take useful "Citeable Notes" that are immediately useful in your dissertation. I had not realized how inefficient I was in note taking and how my focus when taking notes was not assisting me in finishing my dissertation. Learning her method for reading articles and note taking while using a reference program like Endnote, Reference Manager, etc. was truly an epiphany. For me, learning this one thing was easily worth the price of the book by itself.IMO, the only shortcoming in the book is that it needs a full chapter on the dissertation proposal process and the differences in approach and process for writing the proposal vs. the final dissertation. Fortunately, there are currently a couple highly rated books here on Amazon.com on how to complete the proposal process.However, do not take this as a reason to not buy this book! Rather, it is just an area I would like to see Dr. Single address in her next edition.This book provides Dr. Single's 15+ years of experience guiding students through their dissertation and teaching the writing course at the University of Vermont. She has the experience and insights to help you know you too can finish your dissertation! Best of all, the price is such that it should not break the budget of students on a tight budget.The bottom line is this book is about WRITING the dissertation. It is focused on that topic. Whether you are a PhD student in the middle of your coursework, ABD, an adviser/committee member, someone teaching a graduate-level research writing seminar, or a family member/friend of someone who is working on their dissertation, you should get this book! You would be sorry if you did not.

This book is intended for graduate students preparing their thesis or dissertations in the fields of the social sciences, the humanities, and similar professional areas. The language is friendly, while at the same time the book is very informative, practical, and helpful.The writer has chosen the book title quite appropriately: she succeeds in demystifying the process of dissertation writing by suggesting practical incremental steps to having the job done, in a balanced and productive way: how to overcome the mental and every-day obstacles, while writing your dissertation or thesis.Dr. Single skipped the whole question of how to prepare the dissertation proposal, which was quite unexpected, as no dissertation is done without a proposal. By the content and the focus of this book, one could make the assumption that perhaps in her own vocation as a graduate research advisor, the author has seen far more people stumbling during the dissertation writing process, and leaving this work unfinished, than those who were at the proposal stage.Nevertheless, Dr. Single offers ample practical guidance on selecting the dissertation topic, on how to work with an advisor and dissertation committee members. She urges graduate students to be acquainted with the expectations of their dissertation committee, and warns the readers about the crucial importance of a good match between these experts and the chosen dissertation topic and method of research.In several chapters, the author gives very detailed ideas on how to organize one's outline and how to transform it into a long outline which, in its essence, is the backbone of the whole dissertation. This is followed by number of tactics on how to organize the full literature review chapter by creating a citable bibliography, taking good notes, annotating, etc. In this manner, the book is exceptionally helpful in advancing one's writing fluency and efficiency skills, regardless their field of interest.By employing anecdotal and almost conversation type language, Dr. Single suggests various strategies to overcome the multi-headed (five-headed, according to chapter 9) monster called "writer's block". As dissertations are usually hundreds of pages long each, the very thought of that could be overwhelming to many. In this book, by demystifying the process, the author gives numerous practical strategies and small steps how to transform such a demanding in its volume written work not only into a finished one, but the reader find it as a breath of fresh air that satisfaction and enjoyment can be part of the process. Even if it is not the most comprehensive source on the subject, this book is certainly worth buying and using alongside others - for its practical wisdom and helpful ideas on how to make the process of writing dissertation manageable and even enjoyable.

Whether you are a doctoral student or not; you need this book. It’ll help you set up writing routines that will help you in the writing process. I thought I was a good writer until I met Single through her book. In class we refer to this awesome book as the “12-step.” WALK THE TALK! You got this!

Peg Boyle Single offers practical advice about choosing an advising relationship, how to choose a topic and enter ”the” conversation, and how to keep a meeting with an advisor moving forward. Her approach empowers the student and demystifies the process (just remembered that’s actually in the title of the book). The Single System takes the guess work and the game of reinventing the wheel on these skills out of the equation. I liked the concrete examples she gave and her “a day in the life” of her own writing process. I wish I read this book the summer before entering my PhD program though her system is useful for any scholar (bachelors, masters) who is expected to write and research even if they aren’t tackling a large piece of writing like a dissertation.

Some useful advice to take onboard as I begin a dissertation for an MA. Its aimed at PhD students but is mostly relevant all the same.

Excellent book! Highly recommended for graduate students!