The greatest challenge when writing a thesis is choosing a topic that works well. Together with a committee of professors from your program, you will select a topic that you can tackle in the expected thesis length, which varies from school to school. A topic too ambitious will simply overwhelm you, and a topic too specific will not have enough meat for a multi-chapter paper. When choosing your topic, it is important to consider how you will research it and, just as important, how the document will contribute to your field.
A standard component of most theses, the literature review looks to identify trends in your field and identify any research gaps. Long before you start writing your thesis, you will read journal articles and books from a variety of authors in your field, giving you insight into what research exists. Keeping track of readings that relate specifically to your research topic can save you time as you write the literature review chapter of your thesis.
Graduate schools have specific guidelines for formatting your thesis. Many schools, like the University of Florida Graduate School, retain electronic copies of students' theses in their library catalog. As a result, these documents must meet specific formatting guidelines. Thus, it is essential that your thesis conforms to your school's formatting requirements before submission. Check items like page numbering, headers and footers, reference lists and heading levels against your school's guidelines. A poorly formatted thesis might not gain acceptance from your graduate school.
The oral defense is the final process in the thesis and, thus, an essential one. During the defense, you will present your thesis to your committee of faculty members. Then, they will ask you questions about your thesis to ensure your research is sound. While this can be the most nerve-wracking part of the process, it also can be a highly anticipated one, as it signals the end of the thesis process. Check your school's academic calendar to find out when you can defend each semester to graduate.