CTS Library: CTS Library: Formatting Your Dissertation or Thesis

Formatting Your Dissertation or Thesis

The directors of the relevant degree programs at Christian Theological Seminary have agreed on the attached style guide to assist you in formatting your dissertation or thesis properly. Specific formatting questions can be directed to Dr. Scott Seay, Director of Library and Information Services, by emailing him at sseay@cts.edu.

Style Guide for Dissertations and Theses

In addition, examples of properly formatted dissertations and theses can be found here: Recent Dissertations and Theses.

Below is a downlaodable and editable Micosoft Word version of a properly formatted title page for a dissertation or thesis. Simply replace the [bracketed] items with the correct information.

Properly Formatted Title Page

Video Tutorials on Using Microsoft Word

Produced by editor and technical writer Erin Wright, the following tutorial videos provide step-by-step instructions on how to set specific formatting functions in the latest version of Microsoft Word (PC and Mac). These videos cover the most commonly used formatting functions for CTS dissertations and theses. Many more tutorial videos are available on her website at www.erinwrightwriting.com and on her Youtube channel.

How to Use Microsoft Word
Learn how to use Microsoft Word today! This quick start guide teaches 10 core skills including adding page numbers, adjusting line spacing and margins, adding headers and footers, adding images, changing fonts, and running the Editor (spelling and grammar check).
How to Adjust Page Margins in Microsoft Word
Learn how to adjust page margins in Microsoft Word by using the ruler, choosing from preset margins, and setting custom margins.
How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word
Learn how to add page numbers in Microsoft Word. Plus, learn how to format page numbers, remove the page number from the first page, and start the second page with page number one.
How to Start Page Numbers on a Specific Page
Learn how to start page numbers on a specific page in Microsoft Word.
How to Indent Paragraphs in Microsoft Word
Learn how to indent paragraphs in Microsoft Word using the Tab key, the ruler, and the Paragraph dialog box. We will indent single paragraphs, multiple paragraphs, and the entire document.
How to Adjust Line Spacing in Microsoft Word
Learn two ways to change the line spacing in Microsoft Word for individual lines and paragraphs. Plus, learn how to single-space an entire document.
How to Insert Page Breaks in Microsoft Word (PC and Mac)
Learn three ways to insert page breaks in Microsoft Word. We’ll also look at how to delete page breaks.
How to Create Hanging Indents in Microsoft Word
Learn two ways to create hanging indents in Microsoft Word. Hanging indents are common in bibliographies, reference lists, and works cited pages.

Citations

Those writing dissertations and theses are expected to follow the citation formatting guidelines of the current edition of the Chicago Manual of Style and Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.

It is likely that the free "quick guides" of these resources will be sufficient for most students as they write their theses and dissertations at CTS. Follow the links below for access:

Turabian Citation Quick Guide Notes and Bibliography Samples

Chicago Manual of Style Formatting and Style Guide (at Purdue University's Online Writing Lab)

While many citation "generators" are helpful, they often introduce errors. If you use a citation generator, please double-check the results for accuracy and correct any errors before submitting your dissertation or thesis.