This session is directed at all English writers, but more specifically at graduates and students who are required to submit a thesis to their academic institution as part of a degree. A large part of our work as editors and proofreaders requires us to edit and proofread theses. There are certain issues that crop up time and time again, that we have to correct - here they are:
"a" and "an"
(Which I am sure that all who have been following this course will know are known as indefinite articles)
"a" comes before a consonant (i.e. all letters in the alphabet except the vowels, ( a,e,i o and u)
"an" comes before a vowel.
example 1: an ox, an aeroplane, an excellent meal. These words all precede vowels so you use "an."
example 2: a horse, a very large crowd, a motorbike. These words all precede consonants.
voiced
the word "Voiced" stands on its own. it does not need to have "out" tacked onto it.
example 1: The speaker "voiced out" his opinion on the subject - Wrong! - the sentence should read:
The speaker "voiced" his opinion on the subject.
Few
Incorrect use of the word "few".
Example 1: There were "few" reasons for their loss of business - Wrong!
The word "few" written on its own, is very vague. It needs to be qualified by adding a preposition or adverb or be replaced by another word.
Example 2: "There were several valid reasons for their loss of business"; or " very few reasons were given for their loss of business"
in so far and insofar
There is no such word or phrase in English as in so far. The correct word is "insofar".
example 1: Insofar as he was still a minor, he still had no right to steal. Here the word alternatively means "even though"
Here are some general rules in respect of the thesis writing.
You should only put references in the present tense in a thesis or academic document when they refer to the current year. In all other cases, they must be put in the present tense.
Because you are referring to a research paper when you quote a reference, you must always put references into the past tense because the research or quotation happened in the past.
Example 1: "Bloggs Van Hoorn et al. stated that …. You must use stated because the statement was made in the past.
Likewise, in a thesis, when you refer to anything that has already taken place, you must put it into the past tense.
You, as the author of a thesis, must never refer to yourself in the present tense.
For example: I am of the opinion that … or, It was my responsibility to put chairs out for the respondents.
It should read "the researcher" is of the opinion …. or … "it was the researcher's responsibility …
The author of the thesis must never refer to himself/herself as"I" or "me". It must always be quoted as "the researcher."
The only exception to this rule is when the student or graduate student is authorised by the supervisor or professor to deviate from the above rules.
These two are the only issues I can think of right now, regarding theses.
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