Thesis Made Easy: Formatting Requirement

1 Word & Character Count

The unit of measurement for the size of Master’s dissertations is the word count or character count, depending on the language in which the dissertation is written.

What is excluded from the count?

The word or character count excludes the following:

1. Pre-chapter opening pages in Roman numerals, including:
   • Title page
   • Endorsement statement by the student
   • Table of Contents
   • List of Tables
   • List of Figures
   • Acknowledgements
   • 摘要
   • Key Words
   • Glossary

What is included in the count?

The following are included in the main dissertation count:

• Notes, including footnotes and endnotes
• Tables appearing in the main text (tables in appendices are excluded)
• Figures appearing in the main text (figures in appendices are excluded)

Table and Figure Equivalencies

2 Font & Typeface

For consistency, the same 12-point font must be used for the following elements:

• Preliminary pages
• Text / main body of the dissertation
• Table and figure captions
• Chapter titles
• Cover sheets
• References
• Page numbers
• Appendix titles
• Bibliography

Font Selection

The font must be easy to read. Specifically, a TrueType font should be used.

Examples of acceptable fonts include:

• Times Roman
• Helvetica
• Courier

Most standard TrueType fonts are acceptable.

Pitch

The pitch may be either proportional or an established measurement of 10 to 12 characters per inch.

Font Consistency

• Do not vary fonts in the main text of the dissertation.
• Use standard numerals such as 1, 2, 3 in the text and pagination.
• Do not use script, italic, or other typefaces for numerals, except in equations.

Permitted Variations

Tables, figures, appendices, and equations may be reproduced using different font sizes and styles from the main text where appropriate.

Different fonts may also be used for:

• Poetry
• Dialogue
• Other special circumstances

Boldface

Boldface may be used for:

• Headings
• Chapter titles
• Subheadings
• Title and signature pages
• Footnotes
• Bibliographic entries
• Tables and figures
• Table and figure legends

Italics

Italics should be used sparingly and only for special emphasis, foreign words, technical or key terms, mathematical expressions, or book and journal titles.

Special Symbols & Characters

Special symbols should be drawn neatly and uniformly using a template or lettering device and black ink.

Press-on letters may be used, but copies of these pages must be submitted because this type of lettering is not permanent.

Handwritten characters are acceptable only when no other options are available, such as for accents or foreign characters. These must be written using permanent black ink.

3 Margins

The margins must be consistent throughout the dissertation. This requirement applies to all pages, including preliminary pages, main text, appendices, reference materials, tables, and charts.

The left margin is intentionally larger to accommodate the binding process.

Before saving and producing the final version of the dissertation, students should double-check that the margins are correct and consistent throughout the manuscript.

4 Page Numbers

Page numbers must be positioned as follows:

• Position: centred horizontally at the bottom of the page.
• Distance from edge: ½ inch from the edge of the paper.
• Numbering: pages must be numbered consecutively.

Page Counting

Every sheet must be counted for purposes of page numbering. Every page must have a page number printed on it, except the following:

• Title page
• Copyright page
• Signature page
• Dedication page
• Epigraph page

5 行距

Double Spacing

The main text of the dissertation must be double-spaced.

Double spacing also applies to:

• Acknowledgements
• Abstract pages
• Main dissertation text

Single Spacing

Single spacing is required for:

• Footnotes
• Captions
• Identification text related to tables
• Identification text related to figures
• Identification text related to graphs
• Other illustrative materials
• Bibliographic entries
• Block quotations

Footnote & Reference Separation

A double space must be used to separate footnote and reference citations.

Lists, Captions & Appendices

Single spacing is permitted within, but not between:

• Items in lists
• Multiline captions
• Appendices

If single spacing is used in these areas, it must be applied consistently throughout the manuscript.

Spacing Around Headings & Paragraphs

The general rule is to choose a consistent spacing format and apply it throughout the entire dissertation.

• Do not leave large spaces or unnecessary gaps in the text.
• Spacing above and below headings must be consistent.
• If additional spacing is used before paragraphs, the same spacing must be applied consistently throughout the manuscript.

Poetry & Scripts

Irregular or single spacing may be used for poetry and scripts, at the option of the department and the student.