Getting started with your ETDR

As you begin to write your thesis, dissertation, or report, note these important points.

1. The ETDR overview gives a quick outline of the entire ETDR program. PDF version
2. Graduate School guidelines contain requirements for formatting, margins, page numbering, and more.
3. Use Word effectively. Instructions and videos for using Word to write your ETDR.
4. Copyright. You must understand copyright and your responsibilities in using copyrighted material.
5. Prior publication guidelines. Use when parts of your ETDR are published prior to submission.
6. Supplemental files can be created and submitted as additional files with audio, video, datasets, tutorials, and multimedia.
7. Graduation deadlines include the final steps for completing degree requirements.

Contact the IT Service Desk: Search the Knowledge Base, Submit a Ticket, or Start a Live Chat. ETDR consultants are available to meet, help you get started, and answer questions.

Microsoft Word users

1. Use the ETDR template. Although not required, it has many features that save you time. Download the master's or doctoral template and use it with all current versions of Word for Mac and PC.
2. Learn about styles in Word, which makes it much easier to work with long documents (for Word 2003, Word for Mac 2004, Word 2007, Word for Mac 2008, Word 2010, Word for Mac 2011, and Word 2013).
3. Using Word to write your ETDR covers how to add new chapters, insert captions, fix page numbers, convert to PDF, and more.

LaTeX users

• A LaTeX template and brief instructions are available for download, although the template is not required.
• Each component of your ETDR (abstract, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.) is handled as a separate file in LaTeX. However, many students prefer to write their ETDR as a single file.
• The LaTeX template compiles only with PDF LaTeX. It uses BibTeX to organize citations and references.