How much is enough for a thesis chapter?

Take a look at the chapter you’re working on.

What is it for? What does it aim to contribute? What do you want to demonstrate, prove or argue?

What supporting things do you need to demonstrate, prove or argue in order to do that?

If you are working with limited time, you might not be able to achieve everything you set out to achieve and you might need to reassess your goals. If you go through the list of things you aim to do, ask yourself if you’d be totally screwed if you don’t achieve it.

This way, you can figure out which elements are critical to producing a minimum viable chapter.

Of course you can add more beyond the minimum, but you can do so safe in the knowledge that you have enough.

What if a critical element is missing?

You have two options:

1. Dedicate all the time and effort you can muster to making sure you achieve it, or
2. Change the aim, or strength of the claim, of the chapter

This is an excerpt from the course “How to write your thesis: a step by step course”. Part 1 available tomorrow to Inner Circle Members!