Author Resources
We've gathered a number of resources useful to dissertation and thesis authors on this page. If you're searching for something not listed here, or have questions about the writing, formatting, and submitting process, please contact Laura at dteditor@nd.edu.
Graduate School Formatting Resources
Consult the Graduate School's Guide for Formatting and Submitting Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses for formatting requirements and file conversion guidelines. The Guide is based in part on Kate Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations and the Chicago Manual of Style.
- Graduate School's Guide for Formatting and Submitting Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses (PDF)
- Graduate School Dissertation and Thesis Formatting Checklist (PDF)
General resource files:
- Formatted Example File (PDF)
- Common Mistakes and Helpful Hints (PDF)
- Title page with co-directors (PDF)
- Title Pages: Valid graduate programs and corresponding degrees (if your specific program or Banner code is not in this list, contact dteditor@nd.edu for assistance)
Word Template and LaTeX Class File
We strongly encourage use of a Graduate School template in either LaTeX or Microsoft Word. The templates should already include the necessary structure and content styles to correspond with the formatting guide and streamline the formatting process. Refer to the example file above for visual reference.
MS Word
The Word template is available in three versions to reflect the most common fonts used in submissions, Calibri, Garamond, and Times New Roman. Any standard non-ornamental font is acceptable, but authors who select a different font should modify the template accordingly to minimize font conflicts.
- Word Template: Calibri version (DOTX; last updated July 2021)
- Word Template: Garamond version (DOTX; last updated July 2021)
- Word Template: Times New Roman version (DOTX; last updated July 2021)
If you have not yet used the Word template, please consult the quick start guide or workshop documentation below for additional assistance.
- Word Template Quick Start Guide (PDF)
- Word for Research Writing I: Text and Structure (PDF)
- Word for Research Writing II: Figures and Tables (PDF)
LaTeX
Refer to Github for the latest version of the class file; the one preloaded on your TeX implementation is likely from 2005. Additional resources are available on the Designing Documents with LaTeX guide page on the Hesburgh Libraries website. If you are new to LaTeX or would like to participate in the campus email group for *TeX users, please join the group at https://groups.google.com/a/nd.edu/g/latex-users-list. Users of all skill levels are welcome!
Campus Resources
Commercialization and Patent Filing
Notre Dame’s Commercialization Engine team in the Idea Center can assist authors in science and engineering with:
- Exploring opportunities for translating cutting-edge research into the marketplace
- Filing patent applications
Hesburgh Libraries
Every student should be well acquainted with the Subject Librarians who specialize in their chosen field(s) of study by the time they begin writing a dissertation or thesis. Additional support offered by the Hesburgh Libraries includes a variety of Scholarly Communications tools and guides:
- Publishing Models
- Peer Review Models
- Intellectual Property (see also Copyright and Fair Use)
- Research Impact
- Data Management
- Predatory Publishing
- Resources & Tools (institutional repository, citation management software, and much more)
The Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship provides modern collaboration spaces, evolving technologies, and subject experts in digitalization, data analysis, video presentations, digital humanities and much more.
Writing Support
- The Writing Center provides consultations, tutoring, and workshops for students working in the written word or preparing for an important presentation.
- Dissertation and Thesis Camp, hosted jointly by Hesburgh Library and the Writing Center, offers students a chance to dedicate a solid week to making progress on their writing project during fall or spring break.
- English for Academic Purposes in the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures supports students whose primary language is not English through tutoring, consultations, and writing and presentation workshops.
- Writing Accountability Groups hosted through Graduate Student Life are a great way to share progress, challenges, encouragement, and advice with other graduate students and postdocs who are also in the writing and editing phase of a long-term project. Students who are feeling particularly stuck or overwhelmed by the dissertation writing process are encouraged to consider joining Dr. Megan Brown's ABD to PhD Coaching Group.
Writing Tools
- Turnitin is a plagiarism-checking software accessible to any ND student with access to the ND Google Suite or Canvas — you can use it to protect your academic integrity in papers, articles, and dissertation chapters. Refer to the OIT Knowledge Base article #KB0014703 to find out how to access the app.
- Grammarly is a free browser plug-in or computer download to use with Gmail, Google Docs, Microsoft Office, social media posts, and more. The free version provides writing assistance (spelling and grammar); the premium version includes additional services including a plagiarism checker, source checker, and more.
Ordering Personal Copies
Although the Graduate School no longer subsidizes printed and bound personal copies of dissertations and theses, we have compiled a resource PDF of independent binderies who are happy to work with students directly: Dissertation and Thesis Personal Copies: Bindery Contact Information.