Manuscript Construction
This has been adapted from FIU University Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation website at http://www.fiu.edu/ugs/thesis_dissertation_manual.htmlPlease refer to that webpage for clarification on formatting issues cited in the text below. I.E: "See sample pages in Appendices 8-9"
Part 1: Typing, Illustrations and Reproduction
A. Materials
Paper
The quality of paper for submission of the final copy of the thesis is white bond. Please note that no other quality or color of paper will be accepted. Examples of acceptable papers are Southworth, 25% cotton fiber, fine business paper (403C); and Hammermill, 25% cotton, laser bond paper.
Standard size of 8-1/2 x 11 inches.
The same kind of paper must be used throughout the entire manuscript.
Bond for Oversize Pages
Bond paper of the same quality measuring 11 x 17 inches may be used in preparing oversize pages.
Graph Paper
Drawings, text, and gridlines must be kept within the FIU required margins. The gridlines on blue grid tracing paper usually do not reproduce; green gridlines reproduce lightly, and red gridlines reproduce as dark lines. Visible gridlines are acceptable. Lines on a graph should be identified by labels or symbols rather than colors.
B. Preparing the Original Copy
Appearance - Corrections
The manuscript must be neat in appearance and without error. It is the responsibility of the candidate to proof and make sure the manuscript does not have typographical or content errors before submission to the The SRAI Office. All corrections must be made before the manuscript is submitted. No handwritten corrections, or insertions or interlineations are permitted. The use of any correction fluid is not acceptable. Copies that have dark shading, lines or any other marks caused by the copying process are unacceptable as well as off-centered, unevenly copied pages. Print only on one side of each page.
Fonts
All typing must be done on a word processor with typeface of 10 to 12 point type sizes. Examples of acceptable typefaces are: Times, Times New Roman, and New Century Schoolbook. Script or other ornate typefaces are not acceptable.
Do not use bold face or Italics for the core manuscript text. Italics may be used--in lieu of underlining--for scientific names of biological organisms, when typing foreign words, or in those portions of the manuscript where underlining or capitalization of titles would normally be used for purpose of emphasis.
Typing of entire manuscript must be done on the same word processor and with the same typeface. Charts, figures and long tables may be typed in a different typeface if necessary.
Printers
The manuscript must be printed on a laser printer, or on a printer which produces the same letter-quality. The print must be letter-quality with consistently clear, dark, and black characters. Check toner frequently. The candidate may bring a sample of the printing to the University Graduate School, if he/she has any questions about its quality.
Non-typed Material
Signatures on the committee approval page (page ii) and other non-typed matter, such as line drawings, handwritten symbols, formulae, and diacritical marks, should be in black ink for clear reproduction. Hand-written insertions are acceptable only when a computer program cannot make the symbols or when the hand-written symbols are superior in quality.
Spacing
The text of the manuscript must be double-spaced throughout, but long tables and long quotations may be single-spaced. References and notes should be single-spaced with double spacing between entries. Text within a chapter should be continuous. No short pages are acceptable unless it is the last page of the chapter or if there is a table or figure in it.
There are special spacing requirements for some of the preliminary pages. (See sample pages for the thesis in Appendices 6 - 17 at http://www.fiu.edu/ugs/thesis_dissertation_manual.html). The layout for these pages must be followed carefully as departures from the standard format are not acceptable.
Margins
Copy machines enlarge type size. When typing the original manuscript, stay well within the margin guides.
Left: 1 1/2 inches (This margin is wider because of binding requirements.)
Top: 1 inch
Right: 1 inch
Bottom: 1 1/4 inches
With the exception of page numbers, all other manuscript material must fit within these margin requirements. This includes tables, figures, graphs, and appendices. When oversized pages are used, the same margin measurements are maintained. (See Materials and Oversize Material, sections A and C in this chapter).
Page Numbers
Page numbers must always be centered at the bottom of the text. Place the number no lower than 1/2 inch above the page bottom and no higher than 3/4 inch above the page bottom. No dashes, periods, underlining or other marks may appear before, after, or under the page number. Page numbers must appear at the same height throughout the document. When using landscape mode to print charts or tables, the page number may be placed on the center of the right margin.
bottom of text (1&1/4" from bottom of page)
page number ( 1/2" from bottom of page)
page bottom
Pagination
Every sheet of paper in the manuscript must be numbered except for one: the title page. This includes references, appendices, and vita (if applicable). The title page is counted but not numbered.
Roman numerals are used for the preliminary pages (from title page to the last list of figures page), but since the title page is counted but not numbered, "ii" is the first number used and appears on the committee approval page.
Arabic numerals are used for all other manuscript pages. Every single remaining sheet of nonpreliminary material (including references, appendices, and vita) submitted as part of the manuscript must be numbered. The next sheet of paper following the last preliminary page, no matter what is printed there, is numbered "1" and then so on to the last manuscript sheet. Letter suffixes (e.g., 10a, 10b, etc.) must not be used. Correct pagination--no missing pages, no duplicate numbers or pages, no blank pages--is required for the manuscript to be acceptable.
C. Oversize Material
FIU margin requirements (see section B in this chapter) are to be observed for all oversize, illustrative, and special material described in the following paragraphs, unless an exception is noted. For further directions on materials not described in the following paragraphs, the candidates should contact the University Graduate School.
Landscape Mode
Where computer output, tables, or other illustrative materials need to be printed in landscape mode, they must still fit within required margins. The top of the material belongs at the 1 1/2inch margin. Placement of the page number is always no lower than 1/2 inch from the bottom of the page.
Reducing Oversize to Standard Required Margins
A copy of page that has been reduced on photocopying machines to fit within required margins for the 8 x 11 inches page must be legible. Usually, the easiest method is to reduce the material to the appropriate size, trim the page, and mount it on a separate page to fit within the required margins. Use this "pasted up" version to make copies on the bond paper which will serve as originals.
Oversize Material to be Folded
Some oversize materials are not reducible to standard-page margin requirements, and must be submitted on a larger-than-standard page. Bond paper measuring 11 x 17 inches may be included in the manuscript by converting the page to manuscript size with pleat-like folds. With these pages, the left (11 inches) edge will have a 1 1/2inch margin, the top (17 inches) edge will have a 1 inch margin, the right (11 inches) edge will have a 1 inch margin, and the bottom edge will have a 1 1/4inch margin. The page number is placed no lower than 1/2 inch from the bottom edge of the page, and about 4 inches from the right-side paper edge.
The folds of the 17 inches wide paper must be at least 1 ½ inches from the edges of the page to assure that the illustration is not cut when the edge of the page is trimmed in the binding process. When the oversize page is properly folded, the page number will appear in the position where it appears on the standard-size page. When submitted, the oversize page must be one continuous sheet, with nothing glued or taped.
"Pocket" Oversize Material
Oversize material larger than 11 x 17 inches is either bound at the end of the manuscript or folded by the bindery for insertion into a special pocket that will be supplied when the manuscript is bound. The oversize page is filmed in segments at the end of the microfilm. The candidate's name is to be typed or neatly block lettered within the text area (not in the margins) in the lower right-hand portion of the oversize page. Such material is to be referred to in the text, and noted in the Table of Contents or List of Figures or Tables, e.g., "Plates 1 through 7 in pocket."
D. Illustrative and Special Material Color in Maps, Photographs and Illustrations
Although copies of maps, photographs and other illustrative materials may be submitted in color, the use of color is discouraged, as it does not reproduce well in the black and white microfilm process. Color variations alone must therefore not be used to identify specific information in the illustration but rather color should be identified by labels, symbols, or by the use of a specific control key. Shaded areas--such as countries on a map--will have better contrast if cross-hatching is used instead of color.
If, in light of these disadvantages, the use of color is still desired, it is permissible. The illustration to be photocopied in color may be mounted on white paper within required margins and the photocopy made from this page. Color illustrations must conform to requirements for margins and page number placement, as must all illustrative material.
Reproduced Published Material
Photocopy reproduction of previously published material must be legible and conform to margin and page numbering requirements (see section B in this chapter.) When published material is included in the thesis , it is essential that the candidate follow instructions for permission to reproduce copyrighted material (see Chapter III, sections C, D, E, and F).
Part 1: The Manuscript
A. Format
The manuscript consists of three main parts: the preliminary pages, the text, and the reference section. The student, in consultation with his or her major professor, determines the internal arrangement within the text and reference sections. The candidate is advised to consult with his or her major professor regarding an acceptable style before preparing the final copy of the thesis.
Manuals of style are superseded by the regulations for thesis preparation in this manual if there is a conflict in the instructions regarding format.
B. Arrangement
Each preliminary page after the committee approval page (ii) is to be arranged in the sequence described below and is to be numbered with lower case Roman numerals. The text immediately following the preliminary pages is numbered with Arabic numerals.
If the student appends a reference section to the end of each chapter or section in the manuscript, the third section of the manuscript may contain only the Appendices and Addenda, or, if there are neither, there may be no third section.
The manuscript is arranged in the following sequence:
The Preliminary Pages
1. Title page (counted but not numbered)
2. Committee approval page (page ii, the first page on which a number appears)
3. Copyright page (optional) (counted and numbered)
4. Dedication page (optional) (counted and numbered)
5. Acknowledgments (optional) (counted and numbered)
6. Abstract (counted and numbered)
7. Table of Contents (counted and numbered)
8. List of Tables (if 5or more) (counted and numbered)
9. List of Figures (if 5 or more) (counted and numbered)
10. List of Symbols (if applicable) (counted and numbered)
11. List of Acronyms (if applicable) (counted and numbered)
12. List of Plates (if applicable) (counted and numbered)
The Text
The first page following the last page of preliminary pages is the first page of the text and is numbered with an Arabic number 1.
1. Preface or introduction, if any (Arabic number 1)
2. Text of body or thesis (Arabic number)
(divided into chapters or sections)
The Reference Section
1. Bibliography or List of References (counted and numbered)
2. Appendices (if any) (counted and numbered)
C. Preliminary Pages
The information on the preliminary pages and the format for these pages are standardized and students must follow the samples and instructions presented in this manual. (See sample pages in Appendices 6 - 17). Most matters of format for the preliminary pages are identical for both the honors thesis and the master's thesis. Sample pages are provided for the master's thesis. The candidate will need to read both this general instruction section and the appropriate sample page section.
The committee approval page is always numbered "ii" and the page number will be no lower than 1/2 inch, no higher than 3Ú4 inch from the bottom of the page.
Please note that the general format for capitalization and spacing is to be followed for all preliminary pages for which a sample is provided (e.g., where groups of lines are double-spaced on the sample pages, be sure to double-space). Distribute the spaces between groups of lines to present a balanced appearance.
There must be consistency among approval sheets and all preliminary pages with respect to the candidate's name, major field, major professor and committee members, title of thesis and year the degree is awarded.
Title Page
(See sample pages in Appendices 6 - 7)
1. THE HONORS COLLEGE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY appears in full capital letters at the top of the page; Miami, Florida in upper and lower case characters. Follow the spacing on the sample page.
Formulae, symbols, superscripts, Greek letters, acronyms, and abbreviated forms in general are to be spelled out (e.g., K3 Mn(CN)6 is written Potassium Manganicyanide; MMPI is written Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory; TESL is written Teaching English as a Second Language).
2. The candidate's name must be the name under which he or she is registered at FIU and must match the name that appears on the approval forms, copyright page (if the copyright is being registered), committee approval page, and abstract. If the student wishes to change the name of record, an appropriate petition must be filed in the Office of the Registrar.
The date at the bottom of the title page is the year in which the degree is awarded.
There is no page number on the title page. The title page is counted as the first preliminary page but not numbered. For architecture manuscripts with an oversize volume, see also section E in Chapter I.
Committee Approval Page
(See sample pages in Appendices 8 - 9.)
The committee approval page is always page ii of the manuscript, and it is the first page on which a number appears (ii appears no lower than 1/2 inch from the bottom of the page). Every page after this page is numbered. The preliminary pages in Roman numerals and the text in Arabic numerals.
The candidate's name as recorded by the FIU Office of Registration and Records appears on the committee approval page. The name should be the same as that which appears on the first page of the abstract, the title page, copyright page (if the copyright is being registered), and the Final Approval of Thesis.
The name of the major professor and of each signing committee member is to be typed under the appropriate signature. The name of the Faculty Mentor should be listed last. On the committee approval page, the title "Major Professor" follows that individual’s name. Adjust the spacing between listed names according to how many committee members there are leaving enough space for the signatures. Signatures should be in black ink for best reproduction. If a member signs in blue ink, obtain the clearest copy possible.
The date in which the oral defense took place is typed after the signature of the Major Professor. The last signature on the page is that of the Dean of the Honors College. The date at the bottom of the page is the year in which the degree is awarded, and is the same as the year on the title page and the abstract.
For architecture manuscripts with an oversize volume, see also section E in Chapter I.
Copyright Page
(See sample page in Appendix 10.)
Copyrighting is optional for doctoral and master's candidates. If a thesis is to be copyrighted, a page is inserted immediately after the committee approval page and assigned number iii. The following information must appear centered (vertically and horizontally) on the copyright page:
© Copyright 1998 by Jennifer Anne Garcia
All rights reserved.
To be consistent, use name as it appears in title page, committee approval page, and abstract. This page is counted and numbered. The format for the copyright page is the same for the master's thesis. If the copyright has already been registered, insert the registration number after the author's name, the year the copyright was obtained in place of the year the degree was awarded, and follow further instructions in Chapter III at the time of filing. If the candidate does not wish to copyright his/her thesis, do not include a copyright page and adjust the page numbering accordingly.
For architecture manuscripts with an oversize volume, see also section E in Chapter I.
Dedication Page
(See sample page in Appendix 11.)
This page is optional, but if included it will always be numbered and is to be typed double-spaced.
Acknowledgments
(See sample page in Appendix 12.)
This page is to thank those who have helped in the process of obtaining the graduate degree. Acknowledgments are optional, except when the candidate is listing permissions to quote copyrighted material. The candidate is responsible for acknowledging each permission to reproduce in accordance with the wishes of those granting permission (See Chapter III). Acknowledgments are to be typed double-spaced under the heading ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (centered, all capital letters, no underlining, no italics).
Abstract
(See sample pages in Appendices 13 - 14.)
The words ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS appear in capital letters beneath the top margin. Follow the sample page spacing. The title, candidate's name, year of degree, and name of the major professor must match the versions used on other preliminary pages and the approval forms.
The title "Professor" precedes the name of the major professor (no matter what the individual's normal title is). The title "Major Professor" follows the name. (Note: This style does not match the committee approval page.)
The abstract must include the following components:
• purpose of the research,
• methods,
• findings/results, and
• conclusion.
The abstract is published without further editing or revisions; therefore, special care must be taken in its preparation. The abstract for the thesis is not to exceed 150 words.
Table of Contents
(See sample page in Appendix 15.)
The table of contents should have a heading of TABLE OF CONTENTS in capital letters, centered below the top margin. Right after the main heading, the subheadings CHAPTER and PAGE should be typed as illustrated in the sample page. The contents should begin with the first chapter title (e.g. Preface, Introduction, Chapter I) and continue until the last chapter of the manuscript is listed. This includes the list of references, appendices and vita (where applicable). Do not include preliminary pages in the table of contents. In addition, do not list all the appendices, but include the page number where they start. Page numbers must be given for each item listed.
Lists of Tables, Figures, Symbols, Acronyms, and Plates
(See sample pages in Appendices 16 and 17.)
The lists of tables, figures, symbols, acronyms, and plates should have a heading of LIST OF TABLES (FIGURES, etc.) in capital letters, centered below the top margin. In the lists of tables and figures, the subheadings TABLE (FIGURE) and PAGE should be typed double-space below the main heading. Table and figure titles should be single-spaced with double spacing between entries. Page numbers must be given for each table and figure listed. The titles should be listed word-for-word as they appear in the text. Include a list of tables or list of figures if there are five or more tables or figures in the manuscript. The list of tables and list of figures should not be combined into one list.
Note: The last page of the table of contents or the lists of tables, figures, symbols, acronyms, and plates (if any) is the last page of the preliminary pages and the last page numbered with Roman numerals. Any other item in a manuscript that has not been specifically listed and discussed above must not be included in the preliminary pages.
D. Text
The candidate should consult with his or her major professor and committee members to determine the preferred textual arrangement and style, including footnote style and the manner in which references are cited. Style manuals are available for purchase at the FIU Bookstore. As to format, the regulations included here supersede any style manual instructions. Paper, spacing, fonts, and page numbering requirements as well as techniques for managing reproduction of oversize, illustrative and special material are described in Chapter I. Regulations regarding use of published and other special material which may require special permission or acknowledgment are presented in Chapter III.
E. The Reference Section
List of References or Bibliography
The list of references or bibliography should go after the end of the main text. References should be single-spaced with double spacing between entries. On occasion, especially in the sciences, references are needed at the end of each chapter; this format is acceptable. The candidate should consult with the Major Professor and the committee members to discuss the manner in which references are cited.
Appendices
Appendix material should be supporting documentation. Information central to your research should be placed in the main text. All appendices follow the list of references or bibliography. All appendices must meet the margin requirements and have a page number. Material may be reduced to fit margins requirements (See Chapter I, section C). Every page must be clear and legible.
F. Binding of Thesis
As previously mentioned in this chapter, students should bring 2 copies of the printed thesis to the SRAI office by Thursday, April 16th. Students are responsible for the cost of binding personal copies of the thesis.