8 Dissertation formatting mistakes that get Doctoral drafts Returned by Committees | The Two Dissertation Moms
Dissertation formatting problems can delay submission even when the research itself is sound. Incorrect page numbering, inconsistent headings, and front matter that does not follow university guidelines can lead to requests for correction before a dissertation moves forward.
Many of these problems are avoidable. Here are eight formatting issues to check before submitting your thesis or dissertation.
1. Incorrect Heading hierarchy
Dissertations require a consistent heading structure that helps readers follow the organization of each chapter. Problems arise when headings at the same level use different capitalization, alignment, bolding, or spacing.
Follow your institution's formatting guidelines and the designated style manual. If the university provides a dissertation template, use it to establish the heading hierarchy and apply the corresponding styles consistently throughout the document.
2. Footnote formatting errors
In Chicago and Turabian styles, footnotes must follow the applicable rules for indentation, spacing, and citation order. Mixing formats or applying inconsistent paragraph settings can make notes difficult to read and create unnecessary corrections.
Check both the appearance of your footnotes and the accuracy of their bibliographic details. If your dissertation contains hundreds of notes, review a sample from different chapters and verify that the formatting remains consistent.
3. Title Page and Approval Page errors
Title and approval pages often follow institution specific requirements that go beyond the general style manual. Common problems include incorrect degree information, missing committee details, misplaced text, and inconsistent submission dates.
Use the current template or instructions provided by your graduate school. Check the required wording, page layout, margins, and treatment of these preliminary pages before finalizing the manuscript.
4. Inconsistent Paragraph Indentation
Paragraphs should follow a consistent indentation pattern, subject to the requirements for particular elements. Indentation errors often appear after headings, block quotations, lists, or figures when formatting has been applied manually.
Use paragraph settings rather than repeated spaces to control indentation. Review the document for paragraphs that unexpectedly begin at the margin or have a different first line from surrounding paragraphs.
5. Page Numbering problems
Dissertations commonly use Roman numerals for preliminary pages and Arabic numerals for the main text, but the exact sequence and treatment of individual pages depend on institutional requirements.
In Microsoft Word, incorrect section breaks can cause numbering to restart, continue unexpectedly, or use the wrong numeral format. Check the front matter, chapter openings, and appendices to confirm that the numbering follows your university's instructions.
6. Headings stranded at the bottom of a page
A heading that appears at the bottom of a page while its section begins on the next can disrupt readability. In Word, the Keep with next paragraph setting can help keep a heading with the text that follows it.
Apply the setting to appropriate heading styles and inspect page breaks throughout the document. Avoid solving these problems with repeated blank lines, which can create further layout inconsistencies.
7. Incorrect Spacing
Spacing requirements may differ between body text, block quotations, footnotes, tables, captions, and preliminary pages. Applying one spacing setting to every element can produce a manuscript that does not meet the required format.
Check the rules for each element in your designated style manual and university guidelines. Use consistent paragraph settings and review the document after making changes, since spacing adjustments can affect pagination.
8. Reference List and Bibliography errors
Reference lists and bibliographies must follow the applicable citation style consistently. Errors may include incorrect hanging indents, inconsistent punctuation, missing publication details, and entries that do not match their in text citations.
Check both formatting and correspondence between citations and references. APA, Chicago, and Turabian have different requirements, so use the style specified by your program rather than combining rules from different manuals.
Review your Thesis or Dissertation formatting before submission
Formatting is not just a matter of appearance. It affects navigation, consistency, and compliance with your institution's submission requirements. A final review should cover the entire manuscript, including preliminary pages, headings, tables, figures, page numbering, citations, and references.
The Two Dissertation Moms provides dissertation and thesis editing and formatting support, including reviews of document consistency and style requirements. If you need a final check before submission, request a dissertation formatting review.
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