ETDs: Formatting
Standard Format
Style Formatting Requirements
Standard ETD Format Most theses and dissertations have followed the same format for decades and is the one your committee members used and the one with which they are the most familiar.
Sections:
a) Front Matter
The "Front Matter" refers to the pages in the beginning of your ETD. It usually includes the title and abstract pages. The title page contains the front matter items from title through copyright statement and is followed by the abstract page. The dedication appears on its own page, as does the author's acknowledgments. The table of contents and each list of multimedia objects appears on its own page.
Elements of front matter:
Title [See Template: Word , Latex]
Abstract (academic)
General Audience Abstract
Dedication (optional)
Acknowledgements (optional)
Table of contents
List of figures (if figures are included in the document) [optional]
List of tables (if tables are included in the document) [optional]
List of abbreviations (optional)
b) Body Matter
The chapters of the ETD, in logical order and each with its own title, constitute the body matter. Chapter titles usually include:
Introduction
Review of Literature
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Summary
c) Back Matter
At the end of your ETD are the references, appendices, and other back matter.
Manuscript Format
Manuscript ETD Format allows the use of articles, book chapters, and the like to replace some of the standard dissertation/thesis chapters. Prior publication of the manuscript(s) is not a requirement for using this format. In addition to the standard or traditional format for dissertations and theses, the Virginia Tech Graduate School accepts an alternative, manuscript, format. The Manuscript ETD Format allows the incorporation of your articles, book chapters, and the like to replace some of the standard chapters. Prior publication of the manuscript(s) is not a requirement for using this format.
The following guidelines apply:
At least one manuscript (i.e., article, chapter) for the Master’s degree, or at least two manuscripts for the Doctoral degree. The manuscript(s) should be based on research done at Virginia Tech. The manuscript(s) can be previously published, to be published, or in preparation for submission.
The graduate student is the major contributor and writer of the manuscript(s), as usually represented by sole author. In the case of multiple authorship, the contribution of each author is detailed in the Introduction or separate Attribution section.
The graduate student provides the Graduate School with a letter of copyright release for previously published and/or copyrighted material.
Whether previously published or to be reviewed, the manuscript is formatted to fit within the margins acceptable by the Graduate School and satisfies all requirements for ETD submission.
Sections:
a) Front Matter
Elements of front matter:
Title
Abstract (academic)
General Audience Abstract
Dedication (optional)
Acknowledgements (optional)
Table of contents
List of figures (if figures are included in the document) [optional]
List of tables (if tables are included in the document) [optional]
List of abbreviations (optional)
Preface/ Attribution (required only if the manuscripts are co-authored)
b) Body Matter
Usually, the chapters are organized in a logical manner, which may include the following titles:
Introduction
Literature Review (optional)
Title for Manuscript 1
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
References
Title for Manuscript 2
Conclusions
Summary
Overall model if appropriate (text or illustration if appropriate)
c) Back Matter
At the end of your ETD are the references, appendices, and other back matter.
Page Numbering
The page number formatting is the same whether you are doing a standard or manuscript format. Use continuous pagination throughout the document.
File Format
Your ETD must consist of at least one file in PDF/A-2b (archival) format. The first page of each file must be your ETD title page. (See also file naming as part of the Submission Process.)
PDFA-1b Tutorial for Mac Users
Educopia Guidance Brief: File Formats
Graduate School Review Items
Templates
Templates for front matter
Title page and abstract template for unanimous approval
MS Word Template
LaTeX Template
If one or more of your committee members do not approve your work, use this title page template for split approval
Tutorials
Acrobat
Combining multiple PDF files
LaTeX
Overview and information: http://www.latex-project.org/
Useful LaTeX resources:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Latex
http://www.tug.org/tutorials/tugindia/
http://www.andy-roberts.net/misc/latex/index.html
http://www.math.vt.edu/people/borggajt/files/latex.html
Microsoft Word
Formatting Page Numbers
Combining multiple documents in MS Word