======= Date Modified 12 38 2010 15:38:41 =======
I've spent hours at my desk pondering a better way to introduce the chapters in the introduction that "Chapter one discusses....explores...etc " Does anybody in the humanities have any different ways on introducing their chapter themes/contents in the thesis introduction. I feel like "this chapter..." is a wee bit awkward.

Edit: yes this is an inane question, but my mind is ridiculously distracted by the minutae right now!

not in humanities, but I plan to have an intro - for mine that's background stats about the 'problem' and then a "therefore this thesis has the following structure" and then a list

Chapter 1: background

Chapter 2: looks at how procrastination can be easier than work

Chapter 3: examines different forums and their use for procrastination

Chapter 4: procrastinated here, so not written

Chapter 5: hmm maybe they won't read this far and I can get away without doing anything.

I didn't introduce all my chapters individually in the introduction. Instead, I gave an overall view of the flow of the thesis and what would be set out (this is what my thesis is about, i look at what other people did first, here's some work i did, here are some novel contributions i made), then gave a brief introduction to each chapter within each chapter, and say how it linked to the previous chapter(s). I then recapped in my final discussion what I had actually done overall.

I want to read your thesis Sneaks - have this one on me for the giggle (sprout)

======= Date Modified 12 Jun 2010 16:36:11 =======
Sneaks, that's sooo funny! A very worthwhile thesis, I think.

I haven't written my introduction proper yet, but I have written an overall outline of the thesis which includes an introduction. I did say what each chapter would be about and I used the phrase 'In this chapter I will' or 'this chapter will include' etc. I'm happy with that. I don't write 'this chapter explores/discusses etc' because it's not grammatically correct, a chapter cannot discuss or explore, that's what you are doing. I say 'this chapter will provide a context etc' though, because a chapter can do that.

How about something like: Chapter 1 opens the discussion of ___/ poses the question___/The opening chapter begins by detailing
                                    From____, the discussion turns to___
                                    The line of questioning/analysis so far, invites scrutiny/reappraisal of ____, tackled in Chapter N

Probably not much better than the stock ones you mentioned, sorry. That's always a tricky bit I find, especially if you're a nit-picker like me!
                                 

======= Date Modified 12 Jun 2010 17:50:40 =======
If you look at edited books they follow a fairly linear structure of "In chapter x person Y discusses z", then a bit about it before going on to the next person and the next chapter and so on

I was thinking exactly the same thing about writing the thesis structure, but in the end decided to leave it fairly standard and linear. This is because I found this boring/typical style very useful when looking for info on other people's thesis recently. I think rather than making it interesting, it is important to make it easy for examiners to find what they are looking for.

By the way I can't help thinking Eska and I should go to "a" party in these outfits ;-)

Hey 404 I'd love to go to a party, but not sure what the connection is, maybe being a bit dim...

======= Date Modified 12 Jun 2010 20:21:30 =======
I'm in the humanities. I usually use the below format for abstracts:

"Chapter 1 gives an analysis of___________. It will be argued that_________. This then leads to___________, which is explored in Chapter 2 where the focus will on ________. Finally, Chapter 4 draws on recent___________ in order to/with the aim of __________."

For your actual intro. you can use the above, but if you think it'd be too repetitive to have an abstract and intro with the same format, then you can replace 'In this Chapter' with the actual 'concepts', 'issues', 'focus', 'problem', etc. that each chapter deals with. So:

"I will begin by giving an analysis of X. This will then lead to Y where it will be argued that Z. I will finally discuss the implications that this has for criticism of X such that A", or something along those lines using 'sign-posts' to indicate the next step in your argument (i.e. your next chapter) such as "this will then be contrasted with...", "following this it will..", "this ought to bring us to....", "finaly, ....".

So instead of saying chapter 1, 2, 3, etc. Just give a summary of your steps (i.e. your argument) and try to show how your chapter division follows a logical structure: that each concept naturally or logically, a) flows from the previous chapter, and b) leads to the one discussed in the next. This should give your thesis outline/plan a matter-of-fact feel.

I think it is helpful to the reader to say the actual chapter so that if they are only interested in certain aspect they can find them easily.  Don't forget that your thesis isn't just for your examiners who will read it in its entirety, future researchers may want / need to look at it and it will be easier if things are more explicitly signposted.

======= Date Modified 12 Jun 2010 20:37:20 =======
Good point Jepsonclough. Chrisrolinski, may be it would be a good idea to ask your supervisor what's standard practice in your particular discipline. The format I have offered below is commonly used in my field so it might not apply to yours.

My thesis is arranged on the following way:

Introduction
Chapters
one - contex
two - context
three - context
four - case study one
five - case study two
six - case study three

So I've used phrases like 'the first context chapter includes' and 'in the second case study chapter, I will'.

======= Date Modified 12 Jun 2010 22:25:59 =======

Thanks for all your useful and detailed posts! Lots to be getting on with here, cheers. My supervisors have been very very helpful, but they are kind of at their wits end with the introduction and want me to hand them another copy before any more comments. The quality of my chapters is much better than my introduction, they say, and the intro is much less - I'm just worn out and fed up. Anyway, will crack on tmrw!! :) Spent this evening sorting out the endless illustration appendices.

Historian weighing in to agree with jepsonclough. In the intro, explicit signposting is needed, so say 'In Chapter One, supervisory issues with introductions are explored to provide a context...'

I'm writing my intro now and finding it hard too. My supervisor told me that it will feel clunky and awkward because it has to. It is not the place for elegant style, but has to be very matter of fact. This is hard for us arty-farty types, I think! Good luck.