What to Include in a Thesis: The Complete 2025 Guide for Graduate Students

ByJenny Hill, PhD

Introduction

So, you’re finally writing your thesis. Congratulations! But now that you’ve sat down to start, you’re probably wondering: What exactly do I need to include in my thesis? You’re not alone—many graduate students feel overwhelmed when trying to piece together the perfect structure.

Here’s a surprising stat: According to ProQuest, around 30% of thesis rejections stem from poor formatting or missing components. That’s a painful way to lose hard-earned progress. But the good news? You can avoid that entirely by following a clear and comprehensive structure from the start.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to include in a thesis—from your title page all the way to the appendices. You’ll learn what each section is for, how to organize it, and how to meet academic expectations with confidence. Whether you’re writing a master’s thesis or a PhD dissertation, this roadmap will keep you focused, organized, and on track for success.

Title Page and Abstract

Your title page is the first impression of your thesis—so make it count! Most universities have strict formatting guidelines for this section, and missing a small detail here can cost you.

On your title page, be sure to include:

  • Your full name
  • The full title of your thesis
  • Your academic department and university name
  • The degree you’re earning
  • Submission date

Right after the title page comes your abstract, which is a short, powerful summary of your entire thesis. Think of it as your research elevator pitch—about 150–300 words that capture the key problem, methodology, findings, and significance of your study. This is what committee members or database users will read first, so make it strong and to the point.

Some quick tips:

  • Write the abstract last, after you’ve completed your thesis.
  • Avoid citations—this is a summary, not a mini paper.
  • Use clear, direct language. Avoid jargon unless absolutely necessary.

The abstract also sets the tone for your thesis, so make sure it reflects your clarity of purpose.

Table of Contents and List of Figures/Tables

The table of contents (TOC) is your thesis roadmap. It shows your reader exactly where to find each chapter and subheading, making your work easy to navigate. You don’t need to write this manually—Word or LaTeX can auto-generate it based on your heading structure. Just make sure your formatting is consistent across chapters.

If your thesis includes lots of visuals—such as graphs, tables, or illustrations—be sure to include a List of Figures and List of Tables right after your TOC. These lists make it easier for your reader to locate your data and visuals quickly.

Tips to nail this section:

  • Keep headings and subheadings numbered and clearly labeled.
  • Use consistent formatting (font size, indentation, alignment).
  • Make sure page numbers align perfectly.

This section is all about usability—you’re making your thesis reader-friendly and professional.

Introduction Chapter

Your introduction is where everything begins. It’s your chance to tell the reader:

  • What your research is about
  • Why it matters
  • What you hope to accomplish

Start by clearly stating your research question or hypothesis. Then, explain the context—what inspired your research? What problems or gaps in knowledge are you trying to address?

Next, outline your research objectives and the significance of your work. This is where you convince the reader that your thesis is both necessary and meaningful. You’ll also want to give a brief overview of the structure of your thesis—what each chapter covers and how they connect.

To recap, your intro should include:

  • Background of the study
  • Problem statement
  • Research questions/hypotheses
  • Objectives and significance
  • Overview of thesis structure

Write this section clearly and logically. Make the reader curious about what’s to come.

Literature Review

Your literature review is where you show that you’ve done your homework. You’re not just throwing out a random idea—you’re engaging with existing research, analyzing it, and positioning your work in relation to it.

Start by identifying key themes and schools of thought in your topic area. Group sources either thematically or chronologically to give your review a logical flow. Don’t just summarize each paper—instead, synthesize. What do studies agree on? Where do they disagree? What’s missing?

Your goal is to highlight the research gap—that sweet spot where your work comes in to fill a void. That’s your academic niche.

Include:

  • Critical evaluation of sources
  • Theoretical frameworks (if relevant)
  • Clear connection to your research question
  • Justification for your study

This chapter builds your academic credibility. It’s your chance to join the scholarly conversation.

Methodology Chapter

Here’s where you answer: How did you do your research? The methodology chapter explains your research design so clearly that someone else could replicate your study.

Start by describing your research approach (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods). Then explain:

  • Data collection methods (surveys, interviews, archival research, etc.)
  • Sampling strategy and participant demographics
  • Tools, software, or equipment used
  • Data analysis techniques

Make sure you justify your choices. Why is your method appropriate for your question? Also, address any ethical considerations, such as consent and anonymity.

Finally, acknowledge the limitations of your design. No study is perfect, and identifying limitations shows you understand the complexity of research.

This chapter should be crystal clear, transparent, and logically structured.

Results Chapter

Now you get to show what you found—but don’t interpret the data just yet. Your results chapter is strictly about presenting your findings in an organized, factual way.

Use:

  • Charts, graphs, and tables for numerical or coded data
  • Summaries and quotes for qualitative results
  • Subheadings to organize findings by theme or variable

Avoid editorializing or making conclusions here—that comes in the next chapter. Just stick to what the data says.

Some pro tips:

  • Label visuals clearly and reference them in the text.
  • Keep formatting consistent.
  • If using stats, report significance levels (p-values) where relevant.

This section is all about accuracy and clarity.

Discussion Chapter

Here’s your chance to dig deep. The discussion chapter is where you interpret your results, link them back to your research question, and tie everything together.

Start by summarizing your major findings, then:

  • Compare them with existing literature.
  • Discuss what your results mean and why they matter.
  • Explain any unexpected findings and possible reasons.
  • Acknowledge limitations and how they might impact your conclusions.

You should also explore the implications of your work—how does it contribute to theory, practice, or future research?

This chapter is where your critical thinking skills shine. It’s not just what you found, but what it means in the bigger picture.

Conclusion and Recommendations

You’re almost there! In the conclusion, wrap everything up by:

  • Reiterating your research question and main findings
  • Summarizing the significance of your work
  • Suggesting practical applications or policy changes (if relevant)
  • Recommending areas for future research

Avoid introducing any new arguments or data here—keep it concise and conclusive. Think of this as your academic mic drop.

Your final lines should leave the reader with a clear takeaway. What do you want them to remember most?

References and Appendices

Cite everything you’ve referenced using the citation style required by your department (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). Be consistent, and double-check formatting for every entry.

The appendices come last. This is where you include:

  • Raw data
  • Survey questions
  • Interview transcripts
  • Ethics approval letters

Use clear labels (Appendix A, B, etc.) and refer to them in the main text where relevant.

This final section proves your transparency and supports the integrity of your research.

Conclusion

Writing a thesis is no small feat, but when you know exactly what to include, the process becomes far less overwhelming. Each section—from the abstract to the appendices—serves a specific purpose in building your academic argument. Follow this structure, and you’ll not only meet university requirements but also craft a thesis you can be proud of.

You’ve got the roadmap. Now it’s time to write your story. Let’s go!