recommended dissertation books

Best dissertation books that will help you

BY READERS DIGEST

6th Apr 2021 Life

Best dissertation books that will help you

Academic writing can be very challenging and when you’re writing a thesis, you require a particular set of skills. Your dissertation may be the longest piece of work you have ever done but there are ways to make it more manageable and less overwhelming.

There are some dissertation books that can help you to prepare, plan and write your dissertation. They cover issues such as research design, the mechanics of writing and formatting, and how to present and publish the final work.

How to prepare a dissertation proposal

A dissertation proposal usually includes an introduction, a literature review, an outline of the proposed methodology, a discussion of the possible implications of the research and a bibliography of relevant sources. It basically explains what you want to study, how you will study it, why it needs to be studied and its usefulness.

“How to prepare a dissertation proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences” is not just a step-by-step guidebook. Authors, David Krathwohl and Nick Smith, start off by defining the basics of a dissertation proposal but they go on to explore how to build a chain of reasoning and review various study designs.

Chapters of the book cover qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies . Other key issues the book addresses are the core elements of a strong proposal, accenting the strengths of study design and how computer use can facilitate a literature review. Students find out the best way to get a proposal reviewed and approved. The annotated proposals of three former students of the authors are included.

How to write your First Thesis

“How to write your first thesis: A practical guide for the entire process of producing a thesis for the first time” by Paul Gruba and Justin Zoel is a reader-friendly book that guides students who need to undertake original research and write a thesis for the first time. These experienced researchers help students to understand how to scope a topic, manage references and interpret data.

The book explains how to work with a supervisor and approach the work in an organized, productive manner. It helps students to structure a thesis and explains how to avoid mistakes like inadvertent plagiarism. It also covers the methods and results crucial for original research. There is also a useful checklist of all the details students need to check before final submission.

When writing a dissertation, university students from the UK can use a site called Uk.EduBirdie for help. Professional writers are available with the type of knowledge and experience to help students who may ask, “Is there anyone who can write dissertation for me ?” The company hires only expert writers in specific topics and they usually have PHDs themselves so they know how it’s done. The dissertation writing service is completely anonymous and there is a large team of experts.

Writing a winning thesis or dissertation

Since 1998 this book, originally by Allan Glatthorn, has been a go-to resource for students who want guidance on the best practices for dissertation writing. It has been revised or updated several times and includes insights on how to leverage new technologies to maximize efficiency and current case studies that show this in action. It includes tested principles on how to plan effectively, write in an engaging style, and much more in a writing style that makes the material easy to digest.

Online help is available for students wanting an essay writing service. At writix.co.uk, students can find available writers who offer online help. This is an essay writing service for all courses and the dedicated team of writing experts can help write quality papers on an endless variety of topics. They deliver 100% original content and can turn a paper over quickly if this is required. Expert dissertation writers have verified academic degrees and go through detailed training.

Students looking for dissertation ideas, such as sports dissertation ideas , should only choose ideas that can help progress their careers in the future.

Helping doctoral students write

Kamler and Thomson’s “Helping doctoral students write: pedagogies for supervision” tackles some complicated issues like modality and nominalization but it does so in an uncomplicated way. This reason is that it contains many practical suggestions and exercises. It manages to achieve a balance between theoretical insights into the complexities of doctoral writing and yet offers practice writing strategies.

It has a humanities bent but it covers a broad range of issues that arise while writing a thesis and has a light touch. A chapter like “Modality: The Goldilocks Dilemma” may be beyond some students but this is a good book for an advanced student who wants to produce a great dissertation.

Writing a dissertation is not easy and may require great dedication to finish it. However, there are ways to make writing easier and the above books offer some excellent advice, from how to write a dissertation proposal, how to write a first thesis and how to make it a winning one. There is also some advice for more advanced students. Every aspect of writing a dissertation is addressed in detail.

Author’s Bio:

Joshua Robinson works for a marketing agency in a senior role and looks after the audit and compliance functions. He’s a brilliant writer as well and contributes part-time to a writing agency known for its high-quality essay services. In his free time, he loves going for long drives, reading autobiographies and watching classical films.

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The Dissertation Journey A Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Planning, Writing, and Defending Your Dissertation

Laura Hyatt
Carol Roberts
Description

Reach the summit of the dissertation mountain.

In many ways, the journey of completing a dissertation is like climbing a mountain. It requires planning, research, teamwork, and perseverance. In this fourth edition of their best-selling book, authors Laura Hyatt and Carol Roberts address the challenges that students will face as they journey to the peak of their academic career and complete their dissertation.

Completing a dissertation is a transformative and fulfilling life experience. It requires knowledge, tenacity, and preparation for the inevitable uncertainties that will arise along the way. It also necessitates strategies and techniques for dealing with the unanticipated events that many dissertation writers face, such as procrastination, writer’s block, and the uncertainty of how to conduct a literature review or approach a methods section. This newly revised edition addresses those elements and also includes:

Indispensable information for organizing and writing a dissertation
Recommendations for identifying and writing research methods
Expanded coverage of research ethics
Insightful reflections from students who have effectively written and defended their dissertations

From preparing for the climb to enjoying the view from the summit, this book will assist you to successfully complete The Dissertation Journey .

See what’s new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email [email protected] . Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html .

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The Dissertation Journey s the quintessential dissertation text for doctoral students. Dr. Hyatt and Dr. Roberts have produced the consummate dissertation guidebook that assists the student throughout the rigorous, yet rewarding experience. The book contains sound academic research writing guidance in a format that is understandable and accessible. This essential book is thorough and offers benefits that extend beyond the dissertation to subsequent scholarly research that the reader undertakes.

This book is a best-seller and a must-read for doctoral students working on their dissertation. Th e Dissertation Journey by Dr. Hyatt and Dr. Roberts is a wonderful teaching tool for helping new researchers prepare for the complex process of developing and executing a formal research study. The clear and easy to follow style helps to demystify what can otherwise be a daunting process for completing a doctorate degree. I highly recommend the Dissertation Journey to all my students.

Very helpful and potentially essential book for anyone undertaking a level 7 and above dissertation. For undergraduates it has some very helpful tips and hints to assist them in their journey.

I think this text is a really helpful guide for students undertaking their dissertation journey. I find that it's a good reference text that I can direct students to when they have any worries about their projects.

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Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 185703662X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1857036626
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.35 x 0.33 x 8.47 inches
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Resources for Dissertation Writing

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UBC Library Research Commons

About This Section of the Guide

In this section, UBC Research Commons staff have compiled a number of books available through UBC Library that might help you in your dissertation writing. In addition to the general books on this page, there are also pages with books related to writing in the Humanities and the Arts , the Social and Behavioural Sciences , the Sciences , and Business . For disciplines that fall under more than one of these broad areas, such as education or social work, we've included the books in all the broad disciplines that seem to be most appropriate.

If there's a book you've used that doesn't appear on any of these pages, please e-mail us and let us know!

General Dissertation Writing Books and E-Books

Older Books and E-Books

These books may be somewhat dated now, but can still provide useful tips for writing theses and dissertations.

<< Previous: Literature Reviews
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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2021 9:58 AM
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Dissertation

How to Write a Dissertation | A Guide to Structure & Content

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter).

The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes:

An introduction to your topic
A literature review that surveys relevant sources
An explanation of your methodology
An overview of the results of your research
A discussion of the results and their implications
A conclusion that shows what your research has contributed

Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources . Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies.

Other important elements of the dissertation include the title page , abstract , and reference list . If in doubt about how your dissertation should be structured, always check your department’s guidelines and consult with your supervisor.

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Acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review / theoretical framework, methodology, reference list.

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation’s title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo. Many programs have strict requirements for formatting the dissertation title page .

The title page is often used as cover when printing and binding your dissertation .

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you.

The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150-300 words long. You should write it at the very end, when you’ve completed the rest of the dissertation. In the abstract, make sure to:

State the main topic and aims of your research
Describe the methods you used
Summarise the main results
State your conclusions

Although the abstract is very short, it’s the first part (and sometimes the only part) of your dissertation that people will read, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re struggling to write a strong abstract, read our guide on how to write an abstract .

In the table of contents, list all of your chapters and subheadings and their page numbers. The dissertation contents page gives the reader an overview of your structure and helps easily navigate the document.

All parts of your dissertation should be included in the table of contents, including the appendices. You can generate a table of contents automatically in Word.

If you have used a lot of tables and figures in your dissertation, you should itemise them in a numbered list . You can automatically generate this list using the Insert Caption feature in Word.

If you have used a lot of abbreviations in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

If you have used a lot of highly specialised terms that will not be familiar to your reader, it might be a good idea to include a glossary . List the terms alphabetically and explain each term with a brief description or definition.

In the introduction, you set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should:

Establish your research topic , giving necessary background information to contextualise your work
Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
Clearly state your objectives and research questions , and indicate how you will answer them
Give an overview of your dissertation’s structure

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant to your research. By the end, the reader should understand the what , why and how of your research. Not sure how? Read our guide on how to write a dissertation introduction .

Before you start on your research, you should have conducted a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic. This means:

Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant ones
Critically evaluating and analysing each source
Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an overall point

In the dissertation literature review chapter or section, you shouldn’t just summarise existing studies, but develop a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear basis or justification for your own research. For example, it might aim to show how your research:

Addresses a gap in the literature
Takes a new theoretical or methodological approach to the topic
Proposes a solution to an unresolved problem
Advances a theoretical debate
Builds on and strengthens existing knowledge with new data

The literature review often becomes the basis for a theoretical framework , in which you define and analyse the key theories, concepts and models that frame your research. In this section you can answer descriptive research questions about the relationship between concepts or variables.

The methodology chapter or section describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to assess its validity. You should generally include:

The overall approach and type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
Your methods of collecting data (e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)
Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
Your methods of analysing data (e.g. statistical analysis, discourse analysis)
Tools and materials you used (e.g. computer programs, lab equipment)
A discussion of any obstacles you faced in conducting the research and how you overcame them
An evaluation or justification of your methods

Your aim in the methodology is to accurately report what you did, as well as convincing the reader that this was the best approach to answering your research questions or objectives.

Next, you report the results of your research . You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or topics. Only report results that are relevant to your objectives and research questions. In some disciplines, the results section is strictly separated from the discussion, while in others the two are combined.

For example, for qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, the presentation of the data will often be woven together with discussion and analysis, while in quantitative and experimental research, the results should be presented separately before you discuss their meaning. If you’re unsure, consult with your supervisor and look at sample dissertations to find out the best structure for your research.

In the results section it can often be helpful to include tables, graphs and charts. Think carefully about how best to present your data, and don’t include tables or figures that just repeat what you have written – they should provide extra information or usefully visualise the results in a way that adds value to your text.

Full versions of your data (such as interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix .

The discussion is where you explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research questions. Here you should interpret the results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data and discuss any limitations that might have influenced the results.

The discussion should reference other scholarly work to show how your results fit with existing knowledge. You can also make recommendations for future research or practical action.

The dissertation conclusion should concisely answer the main research question, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your central argument. Wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you did and how you did it. The conclusion often also includes recommendations for research or practice.

In this section, it’s important to show how your findings contribute to knowledge in the field and why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known?

You must include full details of all sources that you have cited in a reference list (sometimes also called a works cited list or bibliography). It’s important to follow a consistent reference style . Each style has strict and specific requirements for how to format your sources in the reference list.

The most common styles used in UK universities are Harvard referencing and Vancouver referencing . Your department will often specify which referencing style you should use – for example, psychology students tend to use APA style , humanities students often use MHRA , and law students always use OSCOLA . M ake sure to check the requirements, and ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.

To save time creating the reference list and make sure your citations are correctly and consistently formatted, you can use our free APA Citation Generator .

Your dissertation itself should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents you have used that do not fit into the main body of your dissertation (such as interview transcripts, survey questions or tables with full figures) can be added as appendices .

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5 books to help you with your PhD

There’s so many, many books on the market that claim to help you with your PhD – which ones are worth buying? I have been thinking about it this topic for some time, but it’s still hard to decide. So here’s a provisional top 5, based on books I use again and again in my PhD workshops:

I wish I owned the copyright to this one because I am sure they sell a shed load every year. Although it seems to be written for undergraduates, PhD students like it for its straight forward, unfussy style. Just about every aspect of research is covered: from considering your audience to planning and writing a paper (or thesis). The section on asking research questions is an excellent walk through of epistemology: an area many people find conceptually difficult. I find it speaks to both science and non science people, but, like all books I have encountered in the ‘self help’ PhD genre, The Craft of Research does have a bias towards ‘traditional’ forms of research practice. You creative researcher types might like to buy it anyway, if only to help you know what you are departing from.

2. How to write a better thesis by Paul Gruba and David Evans

This was the first book I ever bought on the subject, which probably accounts for my fondness for it. I have recommended it to countless students over the 6 or so years I have been Thesis Whispering, many of whom write to thank me. The appealing thing about this book is that it doesn’t try to do too much. It sticks to the mechanics of writing a basic introduction> literature review> methods> results> conclusion style thesis, but I used it to write a project based creative research thesis when I did my masters and found the advice was still valid. Oh – and the price point is not bad either. If you can only afford one book on the list I would get this one.

3. Helping Doctoral Students to write by Barbara Kamler and Pat Thomson

I won an award for my thesis and this book is why. In Helping doctoral students to write Kamler and Thomson explain the concept of ‘scholarly grammar’, providing plenty of before and after examples which even the grammar disabled like myself can understand. I constantly recommend this book to students, but I find that one has to be at a certain stage in the PhD process to really hear what it has to say. I’m not sure why this is, but if you have been getting frustratingly vague feedback from your supervisors – who are unhappy but can’t quite tell you why – you probably need to read this book. It is written for social science students, so scientists might be put off by the style – but please don’t let that stop you from giving it a go. Physicists and engineers have told me they loved the book too. If you want a bit more of the conceptual basis behind the book, read this earlier post on why a thesis is a bit like an avatar.

4. The unwritten rules of PhD research by Marian Petre and Gordon Rugg

I love this book because it recognises the social complexities of doing a PhD, without ever becoming maudlin. Indeed it’s genuinely funny in parts, which makes it a pleasure to read. The authors are at their best when explaining how academia works, such as the concept of ‘sharks in the water’ (the feeding frenzy sometimes witnessed in presentations when students make a mistake and are jumped on by senior academics) and the typology of supervisors. It’s also one of the better references I have found on writing conference papers.

5. 265 trouble shooting strategies for writing non fiction Barbara Fine Clouse

This book is great because it doesn’t try to teach you how to write – you already know how to do that. What you need more is something to help you tweak your writing and improve it. This book is basically a big list of strategies you might like to try when you are stuck, or bored with the way you are writing. This book is so useful I have literally loved it to death – the spine is hopelessly broken and pages are held in by sticky tape. There are many wonderful tips in here from ‘free writing’ and ‘write it backwards’ ideas, to diagramming methods and analytical tools. Opening it at almost any page will give you an idea of something new to try.

What books would be on your top 5 list and why?

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PhD/Doctorate

5 must-reads for doctoral students

January 11, 2016

The decision to pursue a doctoral degree can be exciting and scary at the same time.

Good preparation will ease the path to writing a great dissertation. Reading some expert guide books will expand your knowledge and pave the way for the rigorous work ahead.

Capella University faculty, doctoral students, and alumni recommend these five books for doctoral students in any discipline.

1. How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler

âOne book fundamental to my doctoral education that my mentor had my entire cohort read, and which I still recommend to this day, is How To Read a Book , which discusses different reading practices and different strategies for processing and retaining information from a variety of texts.â â Michael Franklin, PhD, Senior Dissertation Advisor, Capella School of Public Service and Education.

Originally published in 1940, and with half a million copies in print, How to Read a Book is the most successful guide to reading comprehension and a Capella favorite. The book introduces the various levels of reading and how to achieve themâincluding elementary reading, systematic skimming, inspectional reading, and speed-reading.

Adler also includes instructions on different techniques that work best for reading particular genres, such as practical books, imaginative literature, plays, poetry, history, science and mathematics, philosophy, and social science works.

2. Dissertations and Theses from Start to Finish by John D. Cone, PhD and Sharon L. Foster, PhD

This book discusses the practical, logistical, and emotional stages of research and writing. The authors encourage students to dive deeper into defining topics, selecting faculty advisers, scheduling time to accommodate the project, and conducting research.

In clear language, the authors offer their advice, answer questions, and break down the overwhelming task of long-form writing into a series of steps.

3. Writing Your Dissertation in 15 Minutes a Day by Joan Balker

This book is recommended for its tips on compartmentalizing a large project into actionable items, which can be helpful when working on a project as mammoth as a dissertation. Balker connects with the failure and frustration of writing (as she failed her first attempt at her doctorate), and gives encouragement to students who encounter the fear of a blank page.

She reminds dissertation writers that there are many people who face the same writing struggles and offers strong, practical advice to every graduate student. Writing Your Dissertation in 15 Minutes a Day can be applied to any stage of the writing process.

4. From Topic to Defense: Writing a Quality Social Science Dissertation in 18 Months or Less by Ayn Embar-Seddon OâReilly, Michael K Golebiewski, and Ellen Peterson Mink

As the authors of this book state, âEarning a doctorate degree requires commitment, perseverance, and personal sacrificeâplacing some things in our lives on hold. It is, by no means, easyâand there really is nothing that can make it âeasy.ââ

This book provides support for the most common stumbling blocks students encounter on their road to finishing a dissertation. With a focus on a quick turnaround time for dissertations, this book also outlines the importance of preparation and is a good fit for any graduate student looking for support and guidance during his or her dissertation process.

From Topic to Defense can be used to prepare for the challenges of starting a doctoral program with helpful tools for time management, structure, and diagnostics.

5. What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Morningsâand Life by Laura Vanderkam

According to author and time management expert Laura Vanderkam, mornings are key to taking control of schedules, and if used wisely, can be the foundation for habits that allow for happier, more productive lives.

This practical guide will inspire doctoral students to rethink morning routines and jump-start the day before itâs even begun. Vanderkam draws on real-life anecdotes and research to show how the early hours of the day are so important.

Pursuing a doctoral degree is a big decision and long journey, but it also can be an exciting and positive experience. Learn more about Capellaâs online doctoral programs .

What's it like to be a doctoral student?

Learn more about the experience, explore each step of the journey, and read stories from students who have successfully earned their doctorate.

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November 25, 2019

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Best Books on Writing Research and Dissertation Proposals

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Published: May 17, 2023 | Updated: February 7, 2024

As an educator and budding researcher, I’ve trodden the path of academic writing more times than I can count. From my nascent days as a doctoral student to my current role guiding others through their research journeys, I’ve penned dissertations, research papers, grants, research proposals, and more – each with its unique challenges and rewarding moments of breakthrough.

Taking the first steps into writing a research or dissertation proposal can seem like standing at the foot of an imposing mountain. The steep climb ahead, adorned with the rigors of extensive reading, nuanced academic writing, and a commitment level that would put marathon runners to shame, can be intimidating, to say the least.

Fear not, though. This journey, while rigorous, isn’t one you have to embark on unprepared or alone. I’ve discovered, through years of experience, that the secret to transforming this daunting task into a manageable one lies in the art of breaking it down.

Consider your research proposal or dissertation as a puzzle, with each section – the introduction, literature review, aims and objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, and so on – a piece of the larger picture. Focusing on one piece at a time, treating each as an individual project, can turn an overwhelming mountain into a series of small, conquerable hills.

Related: Best books on how to write a dissertation

A word to the wise: you might find it helpful to leave the crafting of the introduction until after you’ve completed the other sections. This way, you have a complete understanding of your research landscape, making it easier to introduce your work compellingly.

Let’s be candid: embarking on your first research or dissertation proposal may stir feelings of frustration, procrastination, and even imposter syndrome. These are not anomalies, but rather, common companions on the academic journey. The good news is, over time, you’ll learn to navigate these challenges with increasing dexterity. They may never disappear entirely, but believe me, you’ll become an expert in outsmarting them.

Related: Books on how to write a literature review

With this in mind, my intention for this blog post is to offer a lifeline in the form of practical, tried-and-true books that have aided me throughout my academic voyage. Check them out below and share with us your feedback!

Books on Writing Research and Dissertation Proposals

Here are some very good books to help you learn to write dissertation and research proposals:

1. Writing Successful Science Proposals , by Andrew J. Friedland, Carol L Folt, Jennifer L. Mercer

Books Writing Research and Dissertation Proposals

“Writing Successful Science Proposals” by Andrew J. Friedland, Carol L Folt, and Jennifer L. Mercer is a comprehensive guide brimming with professional insights for navigating the proposal writing process. The authors break down every step of proposal writing in an accessible manner, detailing everything from conceptualizing and designing a project to analyzing data, synthesizing results, estimating a budget, responding to reviewer comments, and even resubmitting.

3. Research Proposals: A Practical Guide , by Martyn Denscombe

“Research Proposals: A Practical Guide” by Martyn Denscombe is a comprehensive manual guiding readers through the crucial stages of crafting a research proposal – from selecting a topic to the final write-up. It’s a step-by-step companion that transforms the intimidating task of proposal writing into a manageable and organized process.

4. Writing a Proposal for Your Dissertation: Guidelines and Examples , by Steven R. Terrell

Steven R. Terrell’s “Writing a Proposal for Your Dissertation: Guidelines and Examples” offers indispensable guidance for each component of your dissertation proposal. From crafting compelling problem statements, purpose statements, research questions and hypotheses, to conducting literature reviews and laying out detailed data collection and analysis plans, Terrell has you covered. The book is enriched with case studies from diverse disciplines, interactive checklists, end-of-chapter quizzes, and exemplary proposals illustrating different research approaches.

5. Grant Writer’s Handbook: How To Write A Research Proposal And Succeed , by Gerard M Crawley

“Grant Writer’s Handbook: How To Write A Research Proposal And Succeed” by Gerard M Crawley is a comprehensive guide that offers invaluable advice on all aspects of proposal writing, including idea development, proposal drafting, referee interaction, and budgeting. The authors leverage their extensive experience in writing and reviewing proposals from various countries and scientific maturity levels, making this handbook globally relevant.

6. Research Proposal: Little Quick Fix , by Zina O′Leary

Zina O′Leary′s “Research Proposal: Little Quick Fix” is a smart, engaging workbook filled with real-life examples that keep you on track. This invaluable resource guides you through the elements of a proposal and helps you craft your unique research proposal quickly and effectively, using insightful exercises.

7. Designing Your First Research Proposal , by Renuka Vithal, Jonathan Jansen

“Designing Your First Research Proposal: A Manual for Researchers in Education and the Social Sciences” by Renuka Vithal and Jonathan Jansen presents a clear and coherent strategy for creating a research proposal suitable for various disciplines. This updated manual offers step-by-step instructions on writing proposals for both basic and advanced research projects.

8. Proposal Planning & Writing , by Miner

“Proposal Planning & Writing” by Miner draws on the authors’ extensive grantseeking experience to deliver a guide for creating successful proposals. From strategic project planning to targeted proposal writing, the authors provide a systematic approach, introducing a template for writing letter proposals and offering tips for crafting a realistic budget.

9. Grant Writing: The Complete Workbook for Writing Grant Proposals that Win , by Mary Gladstone-Highland

“Grant Writing: The Complete Workbook for Writing Grant Proposals that Win” by Mary Gladstone-Highland addresses the essential questions that arise during the grant writing process. It guides you from project planning to application writing, providing clear, comprehensive answers and helping you weave a compelling narrative and craft a convincing budget.

10. How to Design, Write, and Present a Successful Dissertation Proposal, by Elizabeth A. Wentz

Elizabeth A. Wentz’s “How to Design, Write, and Present a Successful Dissertation Proposal” is an indispensable resource for any graduate student in the social or behavioral sciences. The book underscores the importance of ethical research, CV development, effective reading and writing skills, literature review completion, and the translation of a research idea into a viable proposal using research methods.

Final thoughts

Wrapping up this journey through the landscape of academic writing, especially the crafting of research and dissertation proposals, I would like to reiterate that the books I shared above are more than just guides, they’re companions for the trek, offering insights gleaned from years of experience, trial, and error. They stand as beacons, illuminating the often murky process of turning a complex research idea into a coherent and compelling proposal.

I encourage you, whether you’re setting out on your first research proposal or looking to refine your approach, to dive into these texts. And keep in mind that the mountain of academic writing is not insurmountable. With the right tools, a bit of perseverance, and a willingness to learn, you’ll find that what once seemed like an imposing peak becomes a series of manageable steps. And who knows? Along the way, you might just discover new landscapes of understanding, both about your subject and about yourself as a researcher.

Demystifying Dissertation Writing Summary and Takeaways

Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Thesis Books for Research Students

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: May 14, 2024

Embarking on a thesis or dissertation journey is one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of academic life. Whether you’re a novice researcher just starting out or a seasoned student ready to tackle your final project, having the right resources can make a world of difference. The books listed here are invaluable guides that cover every aspect of the process, from proposal preparation to writing and defending your dissertation. They offer practical advice, proven strategies, and reassuring insights to help you navigate the complexities of academic writing and research.

Related resources: academic writing guides and research methodology textbooks .

Thesis Books

Let’s explore these essential reads that will support you in crafting a thorough, well-argued, and polished dissertation.

1- The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) 4th Edition , by Wayne C. Booth et al.

This fundamental guide, conceived by experienced researchers and educators, offers a comprehensive roadmap for conducting research. It elucidates the process of finding and evaluating sources, anticipating and responding to reader reservations, and crafting an argument that withstands critical scrutiny, making it an essential resource for anyone aiming to produce robust, well-supported research.

2- ”They Say / I Say”: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, with 2016 MLA Update (Third Edition) by Gerald Graff (Author), Cathy Birkenstein (Author)’

This influential book demystifies the key rhetorical moves essential for academic writing. It teaches students how to frame their arguments within the context of existing discourse and offers practical templates to facilitate these moves. With chapters addressing writing in the sciences, social sciences, and literature, this edition is a versatile tool for students across various disciplines.

3- Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 4th Edition , by John W. Creswell (Author)

The fourth edition of this pioneering work provides a detailed comparison of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research designs. Creswell delves into philosophical assumptions, literature review, theory application, and the ethical and writing considerations crucial to scholarly inquiry. This book remains a cornerstone for researchers seeking a thorough understanding of diverse methodological approaches.

4- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6th Edition , by American Psychological Association (Author)

This authoritative manual is the go-to style guide for writers in the behavioral and social sciences, though its utility extends to any non-fiction prose writer. It offers clear guidelines on writing, citation, and formatting, helping authors present their work with clarity and professionalism.

5- How To Prepare A Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education & the Social and Behavioral Sciences by David Krathwohl (Author)

This practical guide addresses critical questions like “What are the core elements of a strong proposal?” and “How can computer use facilitate my literature review?” Providing a unique “assembly manual” approach, it helps students craft a comprehensive and convincing dissertation proposal, highlighting how to accentuate the strengths of study design and navigate the proposal review and approval process.

6- The Dissertation Journey: A Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Planning, Writing, and Defending Your Dissertation 2nd Edition by Carol M. Roberts (Author)

This comprehensive guide demystifies the dissertation process with the aid of graphics, checklists, and sample forms. It prepares students for each step, from selecting the committee to acclimating to academic writing, preparing for the oral defense, and publishing their research, ensuring a smoother and more manageable journey through dissertation challenges.

7- Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day: A Guide to Starting, Revising, and Finishing Your Doctoral Thesis 1st Edition by Joan Bolker (Author)

Joan Bolker, who has helped over a hundred students complete their dissertations, offers practical and reassuring advice for dissertation writers. This guide emphasizes that struggles are not unique and provides invaluable suggestions for starting, revising, and finishing a doctoral thesis, making the daunting task of dissertation writing more approachable and manageable.

8- How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing (Lifetools: Books for the General Public) 1st Edition by Paul J. Silvia (Author)

Paul Silvia’s practical and encouraging book debunks the myth that productive writing requires innate talent. Instead, he offers specific tactics and actions to overcome motivational roadblocks and increase writing output. Using examples from his field of psychology, Silvia provides detailed advice on writing, submitting, revising, and resubmitting articles, enhancing writing quality, and maintaining productivity without sacrificing personal time.

9- Dissertations And Theses from Start to Finish: Psychology And Related Fields 2nd Edition , by John D. Cone (Author), Sharon L. Foster (Author)

This essential guide supports students through the practical, logistical, and emotional stages of writing dissertations and theses. It offers clear guidance on defining topics, scheduling project time, and conducting, analyzing, writing, presenting, and publishing research, making it an invaluable resource for students in psychology and related fields.

Final thoughts

Completing a dissertation or thesis is no small feat, but with the right guidance, it can be a manageable and even enjoyable process. The books we’ve highlighted provide comprehensive support, addressing everything from proposal preparation to the final defense and publication. These resources offer practical tools, insightful advice, and motivational support to help you overcome the hurdles and achieve your academic goals. Whether you need help with structuring your research, writing productively, or navigating the emotional landscape of dissertation writing, these guides will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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The Dissertation-to-Book Workbook

Exercises for developing and revising your book manuscript.

Katelyn E. Knox and Allison Van Deventer

Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing

Reference and Bibliography

Table of contents
Author Events

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“ The Dissertation-to-Book Workbook not only succeeds but excels in guiding scholars through this process of revision. This pragmatic workbook walks an author through clear steps to identify the organizing principle of the book, write and revise the book’s central claims, and then ensure that the chapters actually function well together before the author sends the book to a press. Since scholars often only have one opportunity to convince a press to publish their book, working through this process before sending to editors is crucial—and this is an essential guide.”

Rebecca K. Marchiel, University of Mississippi

“Based on their years of helping academics revise their dissertations into books, Knox and Van Deventer have distilled their incredible depth of knowledge into a beautifully thought-out book that takes you step by step through the process of revising your dissertation. Too many writing books give vague advice without any practical guidance. This is not that book. From advice on crafting your book’s arc and organizing principle to drafting your book questions and producing chapter answers, this book takes all the guessing out of one of the most stressful tasks academics face. This is the best book I have seen on the topic.”

Wendy Belcher, author of Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks

Dissertation to Book Workbook 01 - click to open lightbox

On Revision

William Germano

Behind the Book

Chris Mackenzie Jones

The Business of Being a Writer

Jane Friedman

Getting It Published, Third Edition

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How to Turn Your Dissertation Into a Book: A Step-By-Step Guide for New Authors

Whether you are just starting graduate school, writing your dissertation, or the proud recipient of a recent Ph.D., you may be thinking about turning your dissertation into a published book. There are many reasons why this might be a good idea. In some fields, a published scholarly book is a preferred method for presenting a comprehensive view of pivotal research. A book gives you the space to discuss details, complications, connections, and ramifications in a way that is not possible in a journal article. In these fields, a well-reviewed book gives you instant credibility when applying for faculty positions, tenure, and related positions. A published book also has a much longer shelf life than an unpublished dissertation, and will occupy a respected place on your CV or resume for years to come.

In other fields, good dissertations are expected to produce one or more published journal articles, and many tenured faculty at top research institutions never publish a book. In these fields, publishing a book may still be an asset for those pursuing a traditional academic career, and can be a great way to transition into other careers such as science communication, education, or public policy. So if turning your dissertation into a book is something you are considering, here are some steps to get started.

Step 1: Identify your audience

Publishers are businesses that make money by selling books. This is true of "trade" publishers that sell books for the general public, and "academic" publishers that sell books primarily for students and scholars. Therefore, in order for a publisher to consider publishing your book, there must be a sufficiently large audience to buy your book. This audience will strongly influence how you organize and write your book, and may cause your book to be massively different from your dissertation. After all, the purpose of a dissertation is to show that you are knowledgeable about your field of study, and have made a significant contribution to it. In contrast, the purpose of a book is to serve a need for the reader.

Some dissertation topics may work well as required reading for college and university courses. In that case, you need to identify the types of courses that would be appropriate (e.g. courses in sociology that cover gender identity), and develop an understanding of how many students take such courses. For example, you might find that almost all colleges in the California State system have a sociology department. At California State AnyTown, there are 20,000 undergraduate students, and 400 students a year take a sociology course that focuses on gender identity. Other dissertation topics might appeal to people in specific professions (e.g. people who work with children who suffer concussions), and you might look at the number of people in relevant professional organizations (e.g. associations for coaches or pediatric nurses). At the other end of the spectrum, you might imagine a book that appeals to a fairly wide audience (e.g. a book that addresses recent events linked to gender identity, or a broader discussion of concussion in youth sports). For these books, the intended audience may be harder to define, so you can estimate its size in the next step.

Step 2: Identify competing books

Once you have identified a potential audience, you need to familiarize yourself with the books they are reading. Your book will be competing with these books, so you need to determine how your book will fill a gap for this audience. Here you have the opportunity—and the obligation—to read widely in your intended niche. If this opportunity doesn't excite you, do not try to write a book for this niche. The process of writing a good book is laborious and time consuming, so if you are not interested in exploring similar books for what works and what doesn't, you will not enjoy writing your own book for this category.

As you identify and read competing books, you should pay attention to the topics that they cover, and how the author writes about these topics. Consider whether the text is instructive or narrative, what details are included, how the text is organized, and whether visual aids such as photographs, diagrams, or tables are included. Also find out when the book was published, how long it is, how much it sells for, and how many copies have been sold (or at least what its Amazon sales rank is).

You may find books that are very similar to your book, or that are different in significant ways (such as the specific topic) but that have characteristics you want to emulate (e.g. a good strategy for presenting technically challenging research to a broad audience). As you gain a good understanding of related books, you'll need to develop a list of 3-10 books that will compete with your book. You will use this list to support two points:

Books similar to your book have been successful with your intended audiences; and
Your book fills an unmet need for this audience, so they will buy it.

That unmet need might be a more recent book that incorporates new knowledge, or a book that takes a different approach to a question that has already been addressed.

This survey of related books will also help you plan your book. If you find that multiple books already exist for your intended topic, you may need to shift your emphasis so that your book offers something new. If you find that there are few successful competing books, it may be that your intended audience is too small, and that you need to shift your emphasis to fit into a more productive niche.

Step 3: Create an outline for your book

Once you have an intended audience, an excellent understanding of successful books in the same category, and an idea for how you can fill a need in that category, you can start planning your book in detail. Put together an outline, starting with the major topic for each chapter, and thinking about how the overall theme will progress through the entire book. Even for a purely academic book, there must be an overall arch to your story.

While it may be tempting to slip into the same mindset that you used for planning and writing your dissertation, remember that the purpose of your book is to serve a need for the reader. So rather than focusing on your specific research contributions (which is essential for a dissertation), focus on what the reader needs to know. To facilitate this mindset, it may be useful to put away your dissertation for a bit (assuming that it is already complete) and focus on other projects. Then revisit your dissertation topic when you have fresh eyes and a better understanding of what would be useful for your intended audience.

As you flesh out the details for each chapter, set a target word count and think about any images or tables that should be included. Keep in mind that book publishers must pay for every page, image, and footnote to be edited, prepared, and printed. Books that are only available electronically still have most of these per-page expenses. Therefore, use successful books in your category as a guide for how long your book should be, and how many images should be included. Color images also add significantly to the production costs .

As you are preparing your outline, you will likely reach a point where you are unsure if the details of your plan will work. Then it is time to write.

Step 4: Write a sample chapter

If you want a publisher or agent to consider your book, you will typically need to submit a sample chapter or two. You may be asked to submit your first chapter or your "best" chapter, so I recommend starting with your first chapter and making it excellent.

While there are many different approaches to successful writing, one common theme is that the first draft is usually terrible. So write the first draft of your first chapter and let it be terrible. Then read and revise, and repeat. As you are writing and revising, I recommend regularly taking time to read some of your competing titles. How do they deal with some of the challenges you are facing? Are their approaches successful or can you envision a better way?

As you write your first chapter or two, you may find that you need to revise your outline. Pay attention to what you can effectively cover for your audience in the space available.

Step 5: Identify appropriate publishers or agents

Once you have a strong plan and a sample chapter or two, you need to identify potential publishers. Start by looking at your list of competing titles, and learn about those publishers. Also talk to colleagues who have published books, and ask if they would be willing to put you in contact with their publisher or agent. The process can be quite complicated, and for a comprehensive guide I recommend The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry. Many publishers also post guidelines for potential authors on their websites. For most publishers, you will need to show that you understand your audience and competing books, and provide a detailed book outline and convincing sample chapter.

Here is an infographic that breaks down all of these major points:

Your Step-By-Step Guide To Writing a Case Study

7 Time Management Tips for Academic Writers

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May 15, 2024

Tips and Resources for a Successful Summer of Dissertation Writing

By Yana Zlochistaya

Summer can be a strange time for graduate students. Gone are the seminars and workshops, the student clubs, and the working group, that structured the semester and provided us with a sense of community. Instead, we’re faced with a three-month expanse of time that can feel equal parts liberating and intimidating. This double-edged freedom is only exacerbated for those of us in the writing stage of our dissertation, when isolation and a lack of discipline can have a particularly big impact. For those hoping not to enter another summer with lofty plans, only to blink and find ourselves in August disappointed with our progress, we’ve compiled some tips and resources that can help.

According to Graduate Writing Center Director Sabrina Soracco, the most important thing you can do to set yourself up for writing success is to clarify your goals. She recommends starting this process by looking at departmental requirements for a completed dissertation. Consider when you would like to file and work backwards from that point, determining what you have to get done in order to hit that target. Next, check in with your dissertation committee members to set up an accountability structure. Would they prefer an end-of-summer update to the whole committee? A monthly check-in with your chair or one of your readers? Setting up explicit expectations that work for you and your committee can cut through the aimlessness that comes with a major writing project.

For those early on in their dissertation-writing process, a committee meeting is also a valuable opportunity to set parameters. “One of the problems with the excitement for the discipline that happens post-quals is that it results in too many ideas,” says Director. Soracco. Your committee members should give you input on productive research directions so that you can begin to hone in on your project. It is also important to remember that your dissertation does not have to be the end-all-and-be-all of your academic research. Ideas that do not fit into its scope can end up becoming conference papers or even book chapters.

Once you have a clear goal that you have discussed with your committee, the hard part begins: you have to actually write. The Graduate Writing Center offers several resources to make that process easier:

The Graduate Writing Community. This is a totally remote, two-month program that is based on a model of “gentle accountability.” When you sign up, you are added to a bCourses site moderated by a Graduate Writing Consultant. At the beginning of the week, everyone sets their goals in a discussion post, and by the end of the week, everyone checks in with progress updates. During the week, the writing consultants offer nine hours of remote synchronous writing sessions. As a writing community member, you can attend whichever sessions work best for your schedule. All that’s required is that you show up, set a goal for that hour, and work towards that goal for the length of two 25-minute Pomodoro sessions . This year’s summer writing community will begin in June. Keep your eye on your email for the registration link!
Writing Consultations : As a graduate student, you can sign up for an individual meeting with a Graduate Writing Consultant. They can give you feedback on your work, help you figure out the structure of a chapter, or just talk through how to get started on a writing project.
Independent Writing Groups: If you would prefer to write with specific friends or colleagues, you can contact Graduate Writing Center Director Sabrina Soracco at [email protected] so that she can help you set up your own writing group. The structure and length of these groups can differ; often, members will send each other one to five pages of writing weekly and meet the next day for two hours to provide feedback and get advice. Sometimes, groups will meet up not only to share writing, but to work in a common space before coming together to debrief. Regardless of what the groups look like, the important thing is to create a guilt-free space. Some weeks, you might submit an outline; other weeks, it might be the roughest of rough drafts; sometimes, you might come to a session without having submitted anything. As long as we continue to make progress (and show up even when we don’t), we’re doing what we need to. As Director Soracco puts it, “it often takes slogging through a lot of stuff to get to that great epiphany.”

Yana Zlochistaya is a fifth-year graduate student in the Department of Comparative Literature and a Professional Development Liaison with the Graduate Division. She previously served as a co-director for Beyond Academia.

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10 Must-Read Retellings of the Best Classic Books

These great reads put delightful and provocative twists on familiar stories and characters..

The classics are the classics for a reason. To rewrite them runs the risk of producing something that pales or fails in comparison. And, yet, the best retellings of the classics are like fanfic, less a copy of the original than a way of both honoring the original work and creating something new.

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Plenty of literary works retell the classics—after all, the classics form part of our cultural inheritance, for better or worse, and their familiar stories offer fruitful avenues for imaginative wanderings. Some books that retell the classics stick to the same parameters as their source material, with instantly recognizable characters and settings. Others shift time periods, points of view, elements of the plot and even genres, or take minor characters from the wings and place them center stage.

SEE ALSO: 10 Must-Read Fantasy Novels for AANHPI Heritage Month

Strong retellings can stand on their own, but our top ten picks for the best retellings of the classics do more, transcending their source material to become worthy works of art in their own right.

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

In The Chosen and the Beautiful , Nghi Vo retells The Great Gatsby from the point of view of Jordan Baker. While Fitzgerald’s Baker is fairly flat, Vo’s version is a queer adoptee from Vietnam. Her beauty and charm dazzle the wealthy 1920s American society in which she moves, playing golf and casting spells. Magic and ghosts abound, lending an otherworldliness to the original tale of excess and lost love. “ Redo all the classics ,” wrote author P. Djèlí Clark, on Instagram. “And do them like this!”

CIRCE by Madeline Miller

To hear Homer tell it, Circe was an isolated witch with a love of hedonism. When Odysseus washes ashore, she converts most of his crew into pigs, then uses magic to lure the sailor into bed. In the hands of Madeline Miller , however, Circe is herself transformed—into a complex, feminist hero who stands up to immortals and mortals alike. Before she became a bestselling author, Miller earned classics degrees from Brown and taught Greek and other subjects to high schoolers. Her knowledge of antiquity bursts from the page.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Born to a teenage single mom in southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead narrates the highs (young love, athletic feats) and lows (child labor, foster care, addiction) of his attempts to be the architect of his life. Like David Copperfield, on whom he’s based, Demon is alternately angry, exuberant, anxious, patient and vengeful. Kingsolver won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for this almost universally acclaimed novel. She credits Charles Dickens for showing her how to convey the ravages of the opioid epidemic and entrenched institutionalized poverty in rural America with immediacy and sensitivity.

Destroyer by Victor LaValle

Within the first few pages, a skeletal creature punches a person’s heart through their back, putting the “graphic” in “graphic novel.” Created, and abhorred, by Victor Frankenstein, he’s turned into the Destroyer over the past 200+ years. As envisioned by Victor LaValle, the creature channels his anger into hurting whale hunters, industrial farmers, vigilantes and other evildoers. Soon he senses another enemy: the brilliant scientist who has resurrected her twelve-year-old son, a victim of a grisly police shooting. She also just happens to be descended from Frankenstein.

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev

In 2019, Sonali Dev published Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors , the first book in her series of Jane Austen-inspired romances. Since then, she’s published three more titles, each focusing on the Rajes, an Indian family descended from royalty and now living in Northern California. Incense and Sensibility features a tightly wound gubernatorial candidate, Yash Raje, whose panic attacks threaten to derail his political career. Enter India Dashwood, a stress management coach who hooked up with Yash a decade ago. Will sparks ignite between the former flames?

James by Percival Everett

James retells The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of the enslaved Jim. Percival Everett reread Twain’s classic fifteen times in a row, then put it aside and let a new vision emerge. A fundamental feature of the novel is James’s linguistic gymnastics. This ability to switch from the elevated discourse he speaks with his family and other individuals of color to the dialect expected by the white people he encounters is key to his survival. Everett has written a propulsive page-turner about language and literature.

Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

There are a lot of ways to update the classics, but converting a meek Victorian orphan into a serial killer has to be among the most creative. “Reader, I murdered him,” announces Jane Steele, early in the novel that bears her name. Lyndsay Faye harnesses the rage women feel, both on and off the page, at being at the mercy of the patriarchy. The resulting work of satirical historical fiction not only channels Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre but also Charles Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby and Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca . Wicked fun.

Macbeth by Jo Nesbø

The Hogarth Shakespeare series gives contemporary novelists the opportunity to modernize Shakespeare across genres. Handing Macbeth to Jo Nesbø was an inspired choice, allowing the master of Norwegian noir to revel in a dank atmosphere of corruption, paranoia and murderous ambition in 1970s-era Scotland. In Macbeth , the eponymous protagonist is a police inspector and former drug addict struggling with hallucinations. He’s manipulated by his lover, referred to as Lady. His city, besieged by gang warfare and a drug named “brew,” has become a hellscape. Spoiler: things go badly.

March by Geraldine Brooks

For fans of Little Women , March answers a fundamental question: what was Mr. March up to while his wife and daughters were struggling and striving in Concord, Massachusetts? Geraldine Brooks’s novel follows Mr. March, a chaplain and abolitionist. He joins the Union side of the Civil War, where he suffers from illness and witnesses horrific violence and injustice. To add richness and detail to her Pulitzer Prize-winning fictional portrait, Brooks relied on the journals of Bronson Alcott, transcendentalist, advocate for women’s rights, educator and father of Louisa May.

The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley

“Bro!” So begins Maria Dahvana Headley’s spirited translation of Beowulf. A similar irreverence infuses The Mere Wife , Headley’s retelling of the epic poem as a furious satire of suburbia. After escaping from a mental hospital, a former soldier hides in the hills, where she gives birth to a son named Gren. In time, Gren befriends a rich boy who lives in nearby Herot Hall, a gated community. Issues of class, sexuality and motherhood are all explored. But what’s truly at stake are the many ways in which monsters get made and portrayed.

10 Must-Read Retellings of the Best Classic Books

SEE ALSO : Will Keen On Playing Vladimir Putin On Broadway in ‘Patriots’

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editors’ choice

6 New Books We Recommend This Week

Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times.

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It’s a happy coincidence that we recommend Becca Rothfeld’s essay collection “All Things Are Too Small” — a critic’s manifesto “in praise of excess,” as her subtitle has it — in the same week that we also recommend Justin Taylor’s maximalist new novel “Reboot,” an exuberant satire of modern society that stuffs everything from fandom to TV retreads to the rise of conspiracy culture into its craw. I don’t know if Rothfeld has read Taylor’s novel, but I get the feeling she would approve. Maybe you will too: In the spirit of “more, bigger, louder,” why not pick those up together?

Our other recommendations this week include a queer baseball romance novel, an up-to-the-minute story about a widower running for the presidency of his local labor union, a graphic novelist’s collection of spare visual stories and, in nonfiction, a foreign policy journalist’s sobering look at global politics in the 21st century. Happy reading. — Gregory Cowles

REBOOT Justin Taylor

This satire of modern media and pop culture follows a former child actor who is trying to revive the TV show that made him famous. Taylor delves into the worlds of online fandom while exploring the inner life of a man seeking redemption — and something meaningful to do.

“His book is, in part, a performance of culture, a mirror America complete with its own highly imagined myths, yet one still rooted in the Second Great Awakening and the country’s earliest literature. It’s a performance full of wit and rigor.”

From Joshua Ferris’s review

Pantheon | $28

YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY Cat Sebastian

When a grieving reporter falls for the struggling baseball player he’s been assigned to write about, their romance is like watching a Labrador puppy fall in love with a pampered Persian cat: all eager impulse on one side and arch contrariness on the other.

“People think the ending is what defines a romance, and it does, but that’s not what a romance is for. The end is where you stop, but the journey is why you go. … If you read one romance this spring, make it this one.”

From Olivia Waite’s romance column

Avon | Paperback, $18.99

ALL THINGS ARE TOO SMALL: Essays in Praise of Excess Becca Rothfeld

A striking debut by a young critic who has been heralded as a throwback to an era of livelier discourse. Rothfeld has published widely and works currently as a nonfiction book critic for The Washington Post; her interests range far, but these essays are united by a plea for more excess in all things, especially thought.

“Splendidly immodest in its neo-Romantic agenda — to tear down minimalism and puritanism in its many current varieties. … A carnival of high-low allusion and analysis.”

From David Gates’s review

Metropolitan Books | $27.99

THE RETURN OF GREAT POWERS: Russia, China, and the Next World War Jim Sciutto

Sciutto’s absorbing account of 21st-century brinkmanship takes readers from Ukraine in the days and hours ahead of Russia’s invasion to the waters of the Taiwan Strait where Chinese jets flying overhead raise tensions across the region. It’s a book that should be read by every legislator or presidential nominee sufficiently deluded to think that returning America to its isolationist past or making chummy with Putin is a viable option in today’s world.

“Enough to send those with a front-row view into the old basement bomb shelter. … The stuff of unholy nightmares.”

From Scott Anderson’s review

Dutton | $30

THE SPOILED HEART Sunjeev Sahota

Sahota’s novel is a bracing study of a middle-aged man’s downfall. A grieving widower seems to finally be turning things around for himself as he runs for the top job at his labor union and pursues a love interest. But his election campaign gets entangled in identity politics, and his troubles quickly multiply.

“Sahota has a surgeon’s dexterous hands, and the reader senses his confidence. … A plot-packed, propulsive story.”

From Caoilinn Hughes’s review

Viking | $29

SPIRAL AND OTHER STORIES Aidan Koch

The lush, sparsely worded work of this award-winning graphic novelist less resembles anything recognizably “comic book” than it does a sort of dreamlike oasis of art. Her latest piece of masterful minimalism, constructed from sensuous washes of watercolor, pencil, crayon and collage, pulses with bright pigment and tender melancholy.

“Many of these pages are purely abstract, but when Koch draws details, it’s in startlingly specific and consistent contours that give these stories a breadth of character as well as depiction.”

From Sam Thielman’s graphic novels column

New York Review Comics | $24.95

Explore More in Books

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As book bans have surged in Florida, the novelist Lauren Groff has opened a bookstore called The Lynx, a hub for author readings, book club gatherings and workshops , where banned titles are prominently displayed.

Eighteen books were recognized as winners or finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, in the categories of history, memoir, poetry, general nonfiction, fiction and biography, which had two winners. Here’s a full list of the winners .

Montreal is a city as appealing for its beauty as for its shadows. Here, t he novelist Mona Awad recommends books that are “both dreamy and uncompromising.”

The complicated, generous life of Paul Auster, who died on April 30 , yielded a body of work of staggering scope and variety .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

Free 'Buzz Book' compilation includes excerpts from Dava Sobel, Jami Attenberg

New fiction from Jami Attenberg and books from young adult authors Kwame Mbalia and Robert Beatty and the latest book on science from best-selling writer Dava Sobel are among the upcoming works excerpted for a free e-compilation

NEW YORK — New fiction from Jami Attenberg and from young adult authors Kwame Mbalia and Robert Beatty and the latest book on science from best-selling writer Dava Sobel are among the upcoming works excerpted for a free e-compilation.

The industry newsletter Publishers Lunch on Tuesday released “Buzz Books 2024: Fall/Winter,” which includes previews from dozens of fiction, nonfiction, young adult and debut books.

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The best book on the dissertation itself is "The Dissertation Journey" by Roberts. It's a great book. A bit selfishly, I do recommend the book that I wrote ("The Dissertation Warrior") to learn about how to be the kind of person who finishes a dissertation. Additionally, I recommend you utilize Proquest (or applicable database) to download ...
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Step 1: Identify your audience. Publishers are businesses that make money by selling books. This is true of "trade" publishers that sell books for the general public, and "academic" publishers that sell books primarily for students and scholars. Therefore, in order for a publisher to consider publishing your book, there must be a sufficiently ...
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According to Graduate Writing Center Director Sabrina Soracco, the most important thing you can do to set yourself up for writing success is to clarify your goals. She recommends starting this process by looking at departmental requirements for a completed dissertation. Consider when you would like to file and work backwards from that point ...
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Doctoral Journey. From Dissertation to a Book on a Doctoral Journey. May 15, 2024 by Dr. Joseph Balskus in [ Doctoral Journey ] It was October of 2015, and after a 36-year military career during which I was blessed to have reached the rank of major general, it was over. Work following the military was and has continued to be good, but something ...
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5 must-reads for doctoral students

1. How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler

2. Dissertations and Theses from Start to Finish by John D. Cone, PhD and Sharon L. Foster, PhD

3. Writing Your Dissertation in 15 Minutes a Day by Joan Balker

4. From Topic to Defense: Writing a Quality Social Science Dissertation in 18 Months or Less by Ayn Embar-Seddon OâReilly, Michael K Golebiewski, and Ellen Peterson Mink

5. What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Morningsâand Life by Laura Vanderkam

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Best Books on Writing Research and Dissertation Proposals

Books on Writing Research and Dissertation Proposals

1. Writing Successful Science Proposals , by Andrew J. Friedland, Carol L Folt, Jennifer L. Mercer

3. Research Proposals: A Practical Guide , by Martyn Denscombe

4. Writing a Proposal for Your Dissertation: Guidelines and Examples , by Steven R. Terrell

5. Grant Writer’s Handbook: How To Write A Research Proposal And Succeed , by Gerard M Crawley

6. Research Proposal: Little Quick Fix , by Zina O′Leary

7. Designing Your First Research Proposal , by Renuka Vithal, Jonathan Jansen

8. Proposal Planning & Writing , by Miner

9. Grant Writing: The Complete Workbook for Writing Grant Proposals that Win , by Mary Gladstone-Highland

10. How to Design, Write, and Present a Successful Dissertation Proposal, by Elizabeth A. Wentz

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Thesis Books for Research Students

Thesis Books

1- The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) 4th Edition , by Wayne C. Booth et al.

2- ”They Say / I Say”: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, with 2016 MLA Update (Third Edition) by Gerald Graff (Author), Cathy Birkenstein (Author)’

3- Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 4th Edition , by John W. Creswell (Author)

4- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6th Edition , by American Psychological Association (Author)

5- How To Prepare A Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education & the Social and Behavioral Sciences by David Krathwohl (Author)

6- The Dissertation Journey: A Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Planning, Writing, and Defending Your Dissertation 2nd Edition by Carol M. Roberts (Author)

4. From Topic to Defense: Writing a Quality Social Science Dissertation in 18 Months or Less by Ayn Embar-Seddon OâReilly, Michael K Golebiewski, and Ellen Peterson Mink

5. What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Morningsâand Life by Laura Vanderkam