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Thesis Templates & Instructions
Unless otherwise stated, the templates on this Thesis Resouces website are for all students who use either PCs or Mac's. Please be aware that the instructions are mainly geared for PC users, but Mac users can search for the terminology in Word's Help for guidance. Mac users who attend workshops have been giving input on Mac keystrokes, which are being added to the instructions regularly. If however you have trouble finding anything, please be in touch with the Assistant for Theses.
 

ATTENTION Students:

1. Students already using an OLD Library template
(i.e., downloaded prior to May 2011--it has the "para" style in it).

If you are in the middle of working on your Master's or Doctorate thesis, you do not need to switch to the new Word template, but you do need to check the details on the following four pages.

If, however, you have just started or are needing instruction on using the template, it is best to switch-over to the new template.

2. Students already using a NEW Library template (received directly from Joanie since May 2011 and downloaded since November 2011), please continue with that template rather than trying to switch to the one below.
 

Thesis Templates & Instructions

1. Choose your template and download 3 files (the Template, Instructions, and Default Settings)
  1. According to your preference for either Numbered headings or plain un-numbered headings, choose one of the template-based files below.
  2. Download that template file, its corresponding Instructions, and Word's default settings and save them all to your hard-disk.
To save, one-by-one, right-click each of the three links in the appropriate line below, choose Save Link As or Save Target As, and save to your hard-disk. (NB. Do not open the Word files, then save to your hard-disk--this can corrupt the files.)
  1. Numbered Headings document, its Instructions, and Word's Default Settings
  2. Un-Numbered Headings document, its Instructions, and Word's Default Setting
 

2. Using the Template, Instructions, and Default Settings
  1. Open the template file and save it in your version of Word with a logical filename
    (e.g., depending on the degree, I might use SurnameFirstname_MA01.doc or SurnameFirstname_PhD01.docx). When you do so, if there is a message saying you'll lose formatting, don't be concerned about it, just follow through and save the document as a Word Document in your version of Word (with a .doc or .docx extension but not as a template, e.g., .dot or .dotx). (Note. Those with Word 2010 may need to press Enable Editing.)
  2. Make the changes to Word's default settings according to that file's instructions, which you also downloaded. If you have a different version of Word, you can search in your Word’s Help for the terminology used in this file on how to change the settings.
  3. Read the template's instructions.
  4. Begin working in your thesis file as outlined in the instructions and apply the styles as you go.
  5. If you can, attend a "Thesis Template & Submission Workshop". It will save you time and energy in the long run.