Taking Control of Writing Your Thesis - by Kay Guccione & Jerry Wellington (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Taking Control of Writing Your Thesis offers a clear account of the how, what, why and who of working together so that you can produce, finish and submit a successful thesis. Guccione is a Thesis Coach and Thesis Mentoring Programme Designer and is currently researching the barriers to thesis completion; Wellington has supervised and examined numerous dissertations at MA and doctoral level. They draw on these experiences throughout in providing you with expert guidance for your thesis, informed by real student testimonies and with 'Points to Ponder' and a wealth of online resources to support you along the way.

Guccione and Wellington show that planning, writing and support for thesis writers is a collaborative venture but also one which you can take ownership of and manage. They show that there are ways to become more connected to what and who you need, and explore the collegial and peer-support structures that are there to be utilised. They situate the student within an educational context viewing them not as the lone researcher able or not able, skilled or unskilled, but as the navigator of the writing process. The authors draw on their experience to provide ways of thinking, and tools for empowering students to feel more in control of the practices of writing about research.

Review Quotes

"Chock full of practical wisdom from seasoned professors who have shepherded numerous students through the process ... The guidelines and instructions are constantly interspersed with the practical wisdom and insights of students as to what has and has not worked well for them ... If you have a student who is floundering, this book may just be the source of wisdom and motivation they need." --Anglican and Episcopal History

"The easy-to-read and conversational style of the book will definitely draw readers to it ... The more I read this book, the easier it has been for me to acknowledge the fears and the challenges I face and eventually believe that I don't have to be terrified of my dissertation ... I read this book about six months ago for the very first time, and have been skimming through it ever since ... Overall, I strongly recommend this book to all doctoral students and even to early career professors. Following the suggestions made by the authors will certainly allow doctoral students to take control of writing their thesis and get it done." --LSE Review of Books

"This is the book that research students and their supervisors have been waiting for. Much more than a mere guide to thesis writing, it offers wise and practical advice on every aspect of the journey from research to publication." --Susan Wallace, Emeritus Professor of Education, Nottingham Trent University, UK

About the Author

Kay Guccione is Researcher Mentoring & Coaching Programme Designer at the University of Sheffield, UK.

Jerry Wellington is Professor in Education at the University of Sheffield, UK.