Specific Format Requirements

Theses must contain a minimum of the seven sections listed below in boldfaced type. Additional sections, as listed below and marked by asterisks, are optional. Sections must be assembled in the following order:
I. Cover page
II. Title page
III. Copyright page*
IV. Abstract (in English)
V. Abstract (in Chinese)
VI. Acknowledgments *
VII. Contents
VIII.Lists of figures, graphs, photos, plates, maps or tables *
IX. Text
X. Endnotes, if not in text or at end of chapters *
XI. Works Cited
XII. Appendix *
* Optional

I. Cover page (see the template at the end)

II. Title Page

The title page is mandatory and must be prepared according to the template. Use the template attached as a guide to placement of each element on the page. Insert exactly the same number of blank lines as indicated on the template. Text and decorative lines must be centered between the top, bottom and left and right margins. (Top and bottom margins must be at least 1 1/4". Left margin must be 1 1/2" and right margin must be 1".)

　

MANDATORY PLEASE READ
Notes:
-The title of your thesis must not exceed 85 spaces including the spaces between words and punctuation.
-Decorative lines must be 1 1/2" long.
-Check the University Catalog list of "Graduate Programs" for the official name of your degree (i.e., "M.S. in Biological Science," rather than "M.S. in Biology"). Do not use the name of the degree Option.
-The date on the title page should be the month and year the degree will be awarded (the last month of the quarter you are graduating). For example, Summer quarter 2000 ends September 1, so your thesis should be dated "September 2000".
-The title page is counted as page "i" but do not type this number on the page.

Alignment of the elements on your title page will vary depending upon which font, word processing program and printer you are using.

III. Copyright Page

The inclusion of a copyright page is optional. An additional handout on current copyrighting procedures is available from the Office of Curriculum and Academic Programs. To format your copyright page, choose one of the two following options. In the middle of the blank copyright page center your name and the year of the publication as follows:

Option 1
John Adams © 2002

Option 2
Copyright © 2002 by John Adams

If you do not have a font which includes the copyright symbol, e.g., "Symbol" font, you should type the "c" and draw a circle around it in permanent black ink.

If included, this page is numbered with a lower case Roman numeral "ii" centered between the margins at the bottom of the page.

IV. Abstract (in English)

An abstract is a definitive statement of the problem, a brief description of research method and major findings, and conclusions. It is limited to one or two pages.

Double space the text and use the same margins as the body of your thesis. These pages must be numbered with lower case Roman numerals, centered between the margins at the bottom of the page.

V. Abstract (in Chinese) (omitted)

VI. Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments are not required, but a brief statement may be included to thank supervisors, colleagues, individuals or institutions that supported research, or to give credit to works cited in the text for which permission to reproduce has been granted. Students are cautioned to prevent their statement from being overly long or personal in nature.

The acknowledgments should be double-spaced and have the same margins as the body of your thesis. If included, this page must be numbered with a lower case Roman numeral centered between the margins at the bottom of the page.

VII. Contents

The table of contents is mandatory. Center the title "Contents" at the top of the page and list all parts of the thesis except the blank pages and title page. For the remainder of the table, follow the requirements of the stylebook of your professional field.

　

SAMPLE FORMAT

Contents

Page

1. Acknowledgments...............................................................………................................. ii

2. List of Figures ................................................................................………….................. iv

3.Chapter One ........................................................................................ ........…………..... 1
Subtitle........................ ................................................................ .....................………… 1
Subtitle...........................................................................…. ..............................………....15

4. Chapter Two ....................................................................................................………….25

The table of contents must be numbered with a lower case Roman numeral centered between the margins at the bottom of the page(s).

VIII. Lists of Figures, Graphs, Photos, Plates, Maps or Tables

If your thesis includes figures, graphs, photos, plates, maps or tables, you must include these lists. Center the title (i.e., "List of Tables" or "List of Figures") at the top of the page and list tables or figures with page numbers in aligned columns. In general, follow the requirements of the stylebook for your professional field.

You may choose to use the same format as the "Contents" sample in the previous section. You should, however, double space between each item—i.e., figure or table heading. (You may single space between the lines of the heading.) Note: columns must align neatly—ragged columns are not acceptable.

These lists must be numbered with a lower case Roman numeral centered between the margins at the bottom of the page(s).

IX. Text

The main body of the thesis is usually separated into well-defined divisions, such as chapters, and may begin with a brief chapter entitled Introduction, or simply start with Chapter One. Follow the requirements of the stylebook for your professional field. Note: text must be double-spaced and printed on one side of the paper only.

Begin numbering with Arabic numerals (starting with page 1) at the upper right corner of the page and continue numbering each page to the end of the thesis.

X. End Notes

Include this section only if notes were not in the text or at the end of chapters. Center the title "Notes" or "End Notes" at the top of the page. In general, follow the requirements of the stylebook for your professional field. Text within individual citations/notes should be single-spaced, with double-spacing between each citation/note. Students should refer to the stylebook of their profession for specifics. End notes must use the same font and font size as the text of the thesis.

XI. Works Cited

This section is mandatory, depending upon requirements of the stylebook for your professional field. Center the title "Works Cited" at the top of the page and format the bibliography accordingly. Text within individual citations should be single-spaced, but double-space between each citation. Students should refer to the stylebook of their profession for specifics. The bibliography must use the same font and font size as the text of the thesis.

XII. Appendix/Appendices

Inclusion of appendices is optional. Materials of separate categories should be placed in separate appendixes. If there is more than one appendix, each should be given a number or letter: Appendix 1, Appendix 2, etc., or Appendix A, Appendix B, etc. Center the title of each appendix at the top of the page. Another option is to center the title on a separate sheet (in the middle of the page or at the top) immediately preceding the appendix. In general, format the appendix(es) according to the requirements of the stylebook for your professional field.

Note: All items (i.e., text, figures, tables, etc.) in the appendix(es) must use the same font and font size as the text of the thesis. Text should be double-spaced. Exceptions to this rule may be made as indicated under the appropriate section in the University Thesis Writing Guide. For example, see "Requirements for Charts, Figures, Graphs, Tables, etc." for exceptions allowed in presenting tables. In addition, sample surveys, letters, questionnaires, etc. can be used in their original form.

If the appendix includes charts/graphs or other illustrations, they must be generally consistent with each other in style and presentation.

All pages of the Appendix(es) must have the same margins as the body of the thesis and all pages must be numbered with Arabic numerals in the upper right corner. Photocopies should be clean and sharp.

Begin numbering the appendix(es) with the number which follows the last page of the previous section. If you are using items in their original form, these must be reduced to fit within the prescribed margins. You may choose to have a copy center reduce these for you. Also if you are using items in their original form, white-out old page numbers and recopy the item.

CHECKLIST OF ERRORS TO AVOID
Prevent rejection of the thesis (a return for partial or complete revision) by eliminating common errors.

Avoid the following:

-Incorrectly spaced/formatted title page or approval page
-Use of unapproved font
-Inconsistent use of font, point size, bold, italics, and/or underlining
-Incorrect line spacing
-Incorrect margins
-Pages without numbers or the wrong numbers (including figures, maps, tables, bibliography and appendices)
-Incorrect/ inconsistent placement of page numbers or footnotes
-British spelling (except in quotations)
-Onion-skin paper, or other textured or non-standard paper
-Inconsistent presentation of graphs, charts, illustrations, etc.
-Blurred or messy photocopies of graphs, charts, illustrations, etc.

Title Page Template

THESIS TITLE-ALL CAPS (No more than 85 spaces)

　

A thesis Submitted
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Arts in English

By
(your full name here)

　

Supervisor: (your supervisor’s name here)

　

School of Foreign Languages

Zhengzhou University

(Date)

Cover Page Template

THESIS TITLE-ALL CAPS (No more than 85 spaces)

　

By

(your full name here)

　

Supervisor: (your supervisor’s name here)

　

School of Foreign Languages

Zhengzhou University

(Date)