You must first write a well-organized dissertation proposal and receive approval for it. A typical proposal is about 20 pages long, and covers in summary or outline form the topics and points you intend to explore in your dissertation. It should clearly present the evidence for your thesis and how you intend to prove or defend it.
A doctoral dissertation begins with an abstract, a short summary of what you are about to present to your readers, typically no longer than 150 words. The abstract should include your thesis statement, a succinct declaration of the original idea you intend to prove or defend in your dissertation. Don't proceed with your dissertation until you can express your thesis clearly and succinctly.
List the contents of your dissertation. Identify not only chapters but divisions within chapters if it is relevant or helpful. Include specific page numbers for all contents.
Before proceeding to your detailed argument, review the existing literature and research of your chosen topic in your field. Don't try to cover everything in great detail; a short synopsis of most points will do, but emphasize and elaborate on the most important points relevant to your research.
Explain your methods of research and analysis and why you used them. If dealing with quantitative analysis or surveys, provide the margins of error for your empirical data or polls. If suited to your subject, use graphics such as charts and diagrams.
The argument is the meat of your dissertation. Here, present any real or possible objections to your thesis and rebut them one by one. As you do so, however, you must also present your own detailed argument and explain exactly why you consider it superior to the other arguments.
The conclusion is a succinct but comprehensive summary of the main points of your dissertation. Briefly review the questions you have explored and the answers to those questions. Finish by clearly and explicitly stating, in a sentence or two, what you consider to be conclusive proof of your thesis and its importance to your field of study.
Use a bibliography to list your sources in alphabetical order and standard bibliographical format. Make sure you know which style your doctoral committee wants for the bibliography; the two most common are Modern Language Association (MLA) style and American Psychological Association (APA) style.
If you include a section of footnotes, you must adhere similarly to either MLA or APA style.
Use appendices for any additional information not appropriate for the dissertation itself, such as details of a study cited, a glossary of specialized terms or a historical time line.