How to Write a Dissertation Quickly| Format, Steps, & Tools

06 Aug 2025 3589 Views Share

Share it:

A dissertation is a lengthy research paper that is submitted to earn an academic degree. But you may have heard, 'you cannot write a dissertation quickly', probably, too many times. But what if it's not true? With the right strategies, you can absolutely finish your dissertation faster than you think.

In this blog, we will guide you on how to write a dissertation in record time, covering the typical structure, essential formatting tips, and helpful tools. In addition, we have created a simple seven-day plan to help you sprint through your writing efficiently. So, let's get started to prove the myth wrong and get the dissertation done faster.

Introduction

A dissertation is an elaborate academic document that presents the research process and findings on a specific topic. It is typically required at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

You might wonder why the dissertation writing process is such a big deal. Well, it's important because it shows you can think critically, conduct thorough research, and present your ideas clearly.

It is your opportunity to prove that you have mastered your subject. Plus, it often plays a significant role in your final grade or degree. With this, you are setting yourself up to achieve your academic degree as well as future success.

If you're a student about to start or struggling with your dissertation, this resource breaks down everything in simple steps so that you do not feel overwhelmed. Additionally, if you get stuck, you can take assignment writing services from academic professionals and stay ahead.

Now that you know the 'what' part, let us explore the types of dissertations as well as their respective format. It will assist you in better topic selection and craft an academic paper that is worth the distinction.

Crack the Dissertation Format

In this section, you will learn how to write a dissertation structure and what each section needs. Also, it will help you organise your ideas and will save you from stress.

There are different types of dissertations, and it depends on your course. So, selecting the correct type is crucial as the entire research strategy depends on it. Majorly, dissertations are categorised into empirical and non-empirical. But what are their differences? Find in the table below.

Word Count Expectations- Typically, the word count varies according to your academic level.

1. For Undergraduate, 8,000 to 10,000 words is the range.
2. For a Master's degree, 12,000 to 20,000 words are required.
3. In higher degrees like PhD level, 80,000 to 100,000 words are in the range. However, the word count may also vary in universities. So, it is best to check with your supervisor and the guidelines.

Step-by-Step Process of Writing a Dissertation

It might feel overwhelming to write a dissertation, but breaking the process into clear, manageable steps can help you stay focused and confident. You can follow these steps for a more organised approach and complete your task on time:

Steps to Write a Dissertation:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Topic

Step 2: Creating a Dissertation Proposal

Step 3: Conducting In-Depth Research

Step 4: Structuring the Dissertation

Step 5: Writing Each Section in Detail

Step 6: Editing and Proofreading

Step 7: Formatting & Referencing

Step 1: Choosing the Right Topic

The first crucial step is to find a topic that is right for your field of study.

• Find a Researchable topic: You need to ensure that the topic is clear, focused, and not too broad. You can look for gaps or unanswered questions in current studies.
• Align with Field of Study: You need to pick a topic that fits within your academic subject area. Also, make sure it is interesting and relevant to your academic degree and goals.
• Get Topic Approval: Before you finalise your topic, it is wise to discuss with your supervisor. Also, be ready to explain your topic, how you would approach it and then make any adjustments if needed.

After this, you can proceed to the next step, which is to create a proposal that will need approval from the department or the research committee.

Step 2: Creating a Dissertation Proposal

A dissertation proposal is a short plan that outlines your dissertation topic and how you will research it. In this, you will outline your study questions, goals, and the methods you plan to use.

A strong dissertation proposal helps you stay focused and shows others that your research is worthwhile and feasible before you dive into the whole dissertation.

Once you have chosen your topic, it is time to create your proposal. This step is crucial because it will serve as a roadmap for your entire project. If you don't know how to write a dissertation proposal, you can find many samples online. You may think of it as pitching your idea to your advisors or committee; they need to understand why your topic matters and how you will approach it.

a.) Key Components of a Proposal

• It should reflect your study topic
• Objectivesexplain what you aim to achieve in your study
• Research questions guide the focus of your investigation

b.) Sample Outline of a Proposal

• Include a review of the literature
• Start with an introduction of your topic
• Finish with a timeline and reference.
• Add your objectives, research question and methodology

Once your proposal is done and has received approval from the committee, it is time to get started with in-depth research.

Step 3: Conducting In-Depth Research

You have selected a topic and your proposal got approved, the critical steps begin here. We say critical because errors here can cost you your marks.

In this part, you will conduct extensive research using primary and secondary sources. Also, you will explore numerous academic journals, books, databases and other credible sources to build a solid ground. It is vital to stay organised during this stage to avoid hassles later on.

Want to Craft a Dissertation Worth Distinction?

Partner With Our Seasoned Experts to Precisely Refine Your Research.

Connect Now!

It is the main area of your dissertation.

Primary research involves the collection of your data through surveys, interviews and experiments.

Secondary research uses existing data from books, articles and reports.

Using Academic Databases.

You can use trusted academic databases for finding credible sources. Also, you can filter your results by date and relevance. Furthermore, you need to keep a list of all sources you read or plan to use. When you record these details early, it saves you time when you write citations later.

Step 4: Structuring the Dissertation

After you conduct your research, it is time to divide and structure your work into chapters and further sections. As a dissertation is a long project, you will need to categorise it into different sections and chapters.

It will be mainly divided into six chapters. You will write some sections last and some sections first due to data collection and analysis.

• Introduction

The introduction of your dissertation established the foundation of your entire study. The goal here is to explain briefly why this research is being conducted and what problems it will address. However, you need to only provide an overview and avoid too many details here.

• Literature Review

In this section, you will critically examine the existing knowledge related to your topic. Moreover, you will highlight the need for your study. You can map out these questions :

1. Are there any gaps/limitations?
2. What are the main findings and arguments?
3. How does this source relate to my research question?

• Methodology

Here, you need to :

1. Justify your chosen methods by linking them to your research question.
2. Clearly explain whether your research follows a qualitative/quantitative method or a mixed method approach.
3. Explain in detail about the ways of data collection(survey, interviews, etc.)
4. Identify the participants/ sources and explain why they are suitable.

• Results / Findings

You need to present your findings clearly (without interpretation, we will do it later in the discussion).

1. Use relevant tables or charts to display data
2. Highlight key trends and patterns.
3. Organise your results in a logical way, align with your main question.

• Discussion / Analysis

In discussion, you interpret what your results mean in relation to your research question.

1. Address limitations of your study.
2. Compare your findings with existing literature from your literature review
3. Discuss unexpected results and possible reasons behind them.
4. Suggest the implications of your results for future research.

• Conclusion

Here, you need to summarise your findings in a clear and concise way.

1. Restate how your work addresses your research question
2. Highlight the contribution of your study to the field.
3. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression.

• References / Bibliography

In this section, you need to:

1. List all the sources that you have cited throughout your work.
2. Organise alphabetically by the author's last name.
3. Follow your university's required citation style

• Appendices

1. This section has supplementary material that supports your study but is too lengthy for the main content.
2. This includes surveys, interviews, transcriptions, raw dataand ethics forms.

Step 5: Writing Each Section in Detail

There are some crucial tips that you should keep in mind while writing your dissertation. This section explores how to develop each part with precision and produce a focused, well-structured work.

• Tips for Writing a Strong Introduction

• • Your introduction should be engaging and purposeful. Then, you need to clearly state the research problem your study addresses.
  • Then, outline your main research aim and specific objectives or questions.
  • You need to provide background information and then state your study question.

• Crafting a Comprehensive Literature Review

The literature review shows that you know what other studies have been done on your topic.

• • It is like a critical discussion where you point out the gaps in existing or previous studies and pick out the areas that have not been explored.
  • It helps you to justify your study and shows how it contributes to new knowledge.

• Presenting Data in Results

• • It is vital to be transparent and objective in this section. You can use tables, graphs and charts to effectively present your data.
  • It will also help readers to understand the raw data. However, you will need to ensure that everything is labelled and that the data support the research question.

• Analysing & Interpreting Results

Once your data is presented, it is time to explain what it means.

• • You need to look for patterns, relationships, or surprising findings.
  • Compare your results to what other researchers have found.
  • Discuss whether your results support or challenge existing knowledge.

• Writing a Persuasive Conclusion

Your conclusion is your final chance to be impressive and remind readers why your study matters.

• • Summarise your findings clearly.
  • Reflect on the significance of your research.
  • Discuss the limitations of your study.
  • Suggest further exploration ideas.

Step 6: Editing and Proofreading

Writing is a significant part of the process. Editing and proofreading can turn a good draft into an outstanding dissertation. These are some common mistakes to catch in your draft.

• Grammar
• Spelling
• Awkward Phrasing
• Repeated Words

Also, check that your ideas flow logically from one paragraph to the next. Pay attention to formatting details such as consistent font sizes, margins, and heading styles.

These steps not only improve the readability of the dissertation but also reflect a high level of professionalism and academic rigour.

• Tools for Editing

Editing tools can be a big help. Grammarly checks spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and even suggests better word choices. Hemingway highlights complex or hard-to-read sentences, helping you simplify your writing. Using these can save you time and improve clarity.

• Peer Review & Supervisor Feedback

Getting someone else to read your dissertation is invaluable. A fresh pair of eyes can pinpoint errors you missed and offer new perspectives. Your supervisor's feedback is critical because they know the standards expected in your field. Be open to their suggestions; it will make your work stronger.

Step 7: Formatting & Referencing

Proper formatting and referencing are essential parts of fast dissertation writing tips. It helps you save time while maintaining academic integrity.

APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago Style

Different subjects and universities require diverse citation styles. APA is common form in social sciences, MLA in humanities, and Harvard and Chicago are used in various fields.

Learn the rules for the style you need, especially how to format in-text citations and your bibliography. Consistency here is key to avoiding losing marks.

Creating a Table of Contents and Title Page

A clear table of contents helps readers easily find different sections of your dissertation. It usually includes chapter titles and page numbers. Your first page should include the dissertation title, your name, the institution, the course, and the submission date. These elements give your work a polished, official look.

Generating Citations and Bibliography

When you keep a track of all your sources as you go, it will make referencing much easier. Also, you can use citation management software like Zotero or Mendeley. These help you to store references and automatically generate citations in your chosen style, and also reduce errors.

Time Management Tips

Effective time management for students plays a crucial role in the completion of a dissertation in record time. So, it becomes essential to balance research and revision within tight deadlines with utmost discipline.

But how long does it take to write a dissertation? Well, this depends on your topic, research method, and how much time you can dedicate each week. Usually, students spend anywhere from 3 to 12 months. You should keep this timeline in mind to plan realistic goals and avoid last-minute stress.

• Weekly Planning Template

This weekly planning template will help with writing a dissertation in a week.

This weekly plan will help you write your dissertation in short periods of time. Now, let us explore tool and resources that you can use in the process.

Tools and Resources for Dissertation Writing

Access to the right tools and resources for dissertation writing can significantly improve the process and make it less daunting. This section explores essential resources that will help you write more efficiently.

1. Writing Tools

These are some writing tools that you can use for writing your dissertation. In addition, you learn how to write a dissertation methodology from these tools.

• Scrivener
• Grammarly
• Evernote
• Notion
• FocusWriter

2. Research Tools

These tools help you organise your research articles, PDFs, and notes. Also, they can automatically create citations and bibliographies in your chosen style.

• JSTOR
• PubMed
• Mendeley
• ResearchGate
• Google Scholar

3. AI Tools

AI tools can assist with brainstorming ideas when you feel stuck and proofreading your writing for grammar and style. They won't replace your critical thinking, but can speed up parts of the writing process and improve your work's clarity.

• ChatGPT
• Grammarly
• QuillBot
• Writesonic
• Jasper AI
• ai

These are essential tools and resources to support your dissertation writing. Now, let's explore common mistakes to avoid to ensure your research is clear, accurate, and academically strong.

Common Dissertation Mistakes to Avoid

Writing a dissertation can be challenging, and it is easy to make mistakes along the way. So, we have listed some common errors that you must avoid in your work.

• Starting Late- One main error that students make is starting their work too late. Dissertation writing is a lengthy and arduous task, so time management is the key.

• Picking a Broad Topic- You should avoid selecting a topic that is broad, vague, or lacks focus. It would be difficult to research it.

• Weak Structure or Outline- You must avoid poor structure and weak arguments. If you are making claims, then back them with evidence.

• Inconsistent Citation Style- You must not forget to follow formatting and citation guidelines, as you can lose marks.

• Lack of Critical Analysis- You need to analyse and interpret your findings in detail in the detailed chapter.

• Plagiarism- You must cite sources that you used in your work. It will demonstrate academic integrity and ethical practices.

Now that you know which mistakes to avoid, you are better equipped to create a dissertation that is polished, coherent, and ready to achieve distinction. In addition, you can also get assistance with how to write a dissertation abstract to summarise your research clearly.

Need Help With a Dissertation? Get Expert help

Now you know how you can write a dissertation quickly with a seven-day plan. However, it is not an easy task; it requires extensive research, endless writing and drafting to complete it. A little mistake can ruin your hard work.

This is where our seasoned experts in dissertation writing services step in. Our seasoned professionals adhere to your requirements and will deliver 100 % plagiarism-free work on time. Along with this, you will get 24/7 customer support for all your doubts and confusions.

What makes us apart from others is our pricing that doesn't burn a hole in people's pockets. So, make haste and grab your golden chance to succeed. Learn how to write a dissertation from our experts.

Also Read: 20+ Dynamic Formative Assessment Examples