Basic Do's And Don'ts Of Writing An MBA Dissertation

So you made it through your MBA program and you’re ready to start the work on your dissertation? Brilliant. However, many students realize that this is the hardest part of the entire program, and the one that counts the most towards your final grade.

Professors expect in-depth research, quality writing and a suitable design for presenting your ideas. Therefore proper preparation and planning are key before sitting down and doing the actual writing work.

This article will help you gain a perspective on the most important aspects of the MBA thesis, and teach you which mistakes to avoid at all cost.

The Basic Do’s of your MBA dissertation

1. Have a single driving question

Like a good novel, your thesis should follow a guiding thread. Therefore it’s recommended to follow one single driving question–one that is focused and workable. It goes without saying that this questions is best to be discussed with your supervisor before starting the work.

2. Find a standard structure and stick with it

Up to 80% of your grade depends on your presentation and the structure of your content. Your ideas might be great, but if the reader can’t follow your presentation even the best ideas are useless. Try to find a proven structure and stick with it. It’s best practice to start with an Executive Summary.

3. Omit needless words

Try aiming for zero needless words in your final copy. This way, every word you present counts and you don’t loose your reader by hiding behind fillers and empty phrases.

4. Write in a way that comes natural to you

Find your own style of writing and use the words that seem natural to you. Writing your thesis is not about finding fancy words or creating complicated sentences; it’s about presenting a difficult topic in the most reader-friendly way.

The Basic Don’ts of your MBA dissertation

1. Assume the reader knows what you are talking about

Don’t be afraid to tell the reader something he already knows. Make sure to explain every single concept and idea you present, even the ones you deem well-known.

2. Work on a topic on which you can’t gather credible data

Make sure you’re able to find credible, quotable data for all your claims. Especially with new trends and topics this might become a real difficulty. It’s easier to find usable data when working on a topic of ongoing interest to your chosen field.

3. Present too many ideas at once

Make sure to never lose your reader by overwhelming her with too many ideas at once. Present only one idea per sentence, paragraph, chapter, etc.. Don’t offer your reader an exit from your main stream of argument.

4. Overstate

To avoid your readers being on guard against your ideas it’s important to not overstate. Once you overstate, readers will be more likely to doubt the preceding statements as well as every other statement that will follow. A single overstatement has the power to diminish your entire credibility.