On this page
- Online tutorials
- Using the Thesis Word Template
- 1. Getting started: Download and setup (1m 45s)
- 2. Organization of the SFU thesis (4m)
- 3. Word styles and organization of the SFU Word styles (8m 25s)
- 4. How to use heading and basic text styles (9m 07s)
- 5. How to transfer text into the thesis Word template (4m 46s)
- 6. How to insert a table (9m 30s)
- 7. How to insert a figure (5m 34s)
- The Thesis Submission Process
- Workshops
Online tutorials
Using the Thesis Word Template
The SFU Library thesis template is a Microsoft Word file designed to assist students in preparing theses, projects, and extended essay(s) in accordance with formatting standards and requirements for submission to the Library. Watch this series of videos and learn how to:
- download the thesis template (a Microsoft Word file) and set up some defaults
- format your text using styles (ie. block quotes, lists, references, etc.)
- update the Table of Contents, List of Tables and List of Figures
- bring in text from other documents
Note: It is recommended that you watch the first 4 videos in the order listed to get a full understanding on how the thesis Word template works.
1. Getting started: Download and setup (1m 45s)
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2. Organization of the SFU thesis (4m)
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3. Word styles and organization of the SFU Word styles (8m 25s)
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4. How to use heading and basic text styles (9m 07s)
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5. How to transfer text into the thesis Word template (4m 46s)
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6. How to insert a table (9m 30s)
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7. How to insert a figure (5m 34s)
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The Thesis Submission Process
Watch a recording of the Thesis Submission Process workshop (approximately 58 minutes). Recorded on 27 July 2023, this information session covers how to submit your thesis, project, or extended essay(s) to the Library after you've defended.
A breakdown of major video sections:
- 0:00 - Introduction
- 1:36 - Overview of the checklist at Thesis submission: Register information online about your thesis and upload your thesis
- 12:00 - Documents that you need to upload; other documents that you might need to upload
- 26:31 - The Thesis Registration System (TRS)
- 49:53 - Things to check for / common errors
Workshops
You are encouraged to attend a workshop on thesis formatting and submitting your thesis to the library before your defence.
Registration for most workshops is free, but required.
Thesis Writing Group [Online]
About Thesis Writing Group
Join Thesis Writing Group to make some serious progress on your thesis (or other academic writing projects) and to develop a sustainable writing practice. Thesis Writing Group runs for ten weeks each term and is modelled after other successful online writing groups that use scheduled time to work on writing with the (quiet) presence and support of other writers. Thesis Writing Group also makes many aspects of our in-person Thesis Writing Retreats available online throughout each term.
What you can expect
Thesis Writing Group is held via Zoom. It is facilitated by members of the Graduate Writing Services team and the Research Commons Librarian, who are available for writing and research support during the weekly sessions. An Assistant for Theses will also be available for some of the sessions for any questions about using the thesis template, formatting, and the thesis submission process. Optional mini workshops on topics such as library research techniques, copyright, and academic publishing may be offered some weeks. For Spring 2025, sessions will be held on Fridays, 9:30 am - 12:30pm for 10 weeks, starting Friday, January 31 and concluding Friday, April 4.
The online writing group format
Some of you may already be familiar with or have participated in online writing groups. For both those with and without experience, we encourage you to join us for this unique experience! The group will begin each session by briefly checking in and setting goals before turning to dedicated writing time. Participants can request support from our team through the chat feature, and consultations/discussions will take place in breakout rooms. The 3-hour sessions conclude with the group coming together and discussing any reflections or areas of interest/concern.
Writers will be asked to keep their microphones muted while writing, and the use of webcams is welcome but entirely optional for each participant.
Registration is for ten weeks
Registration is available for all 10 weeks of sessions combined. We ask that registered participants commit to attending each session to the extent that their schedules allow.
Please register by Thursday, January 30, 2025 before 6:00am in order to receive the Zoom link to join.
If you have any questions about Thesis Writing Group, please contact Julie Jones, Research Commons Librarian, at jsj7@sfu.ca.