Dot the 'i's' and cross the ‘t’s’ using our language rules and writing tips for your thesis

Do you doubt whether your thesis is written flawlessly? Are you looking for general writing tips to help you get your research down on paper in the best way? We will help you get it right and ensure that you avoid common mistakes. Below you will find all our articles on language rules and writing tips. Click on the links for detailed explanations.

Avoid common spelling mistakes in your thesis with this helpful overview. Here are the main points of interest at a glance:

• Don't fall into the trap of common mix-ups.
• Check where you should or should not use a capital letter.
• Do not use "forbidden words" in your thesis, such as "I" and "you" (except in the preface and afterword), or "of course".
• Use words like 'because' only in a sentence. Don't put them at the beginning of a sentence.
• Check when you should and should not write out numbers. For example, do not write out numbers like '15' in running text.

Also, avoid the grammar mistakes many Dutch people make. This handy overview will help you do just that.

A few grammar tips:

• Check whether a word is masculine or feminine and therefore whether you refer to it as 'his' or 'her'.
• Make sure you use the correct reference words ('which', 'that', ‘whom’, etc.).
• Make sure you use the correct verb tenses in each chapter.
• Use 'there' and 'their' appropriately.
• Look carefully to see whether you are dealing with singular or plural in sentences.

Use the colon, semicolon and comma correctly in your thesis. In practice, even though it is not proper to do so, these three are still often used interchangeably. Read our article on punctuation for tips on how to use punctuation correctly.

It is important that your thesis is written formally and impersonally. Be specific in your wording. Use the academic writing style. This is different from how you would write in emails, for example.

Check out our tips for word usage in academic writing. Find out which words to use, and which not to use.

Your thesis reads pleasantly if you ensure coherence and consistency in your language and style. To achieve this, you can use linking and referring words. Check our overview of linking words and reference words and their different functions. This will help you be sure that your sentence connections are clear.

Make sure your thesis not only has a clear chapter layout, but also a logical structure in the form of paragraphs and subparagraphs. Read our tips for how to produce a logical paragraph and section layout.

Are you writing your thesis in English? Then we would also like to give you some practical writing tips. Check out our writing tips for academic English, and our overview of common mistakes in English. This way, you won't have to make those mistakes yourself.