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How do I Choose the Best Thesis Software?

T. Webster
T. Webster

When you are seeking the best thesis software, look for ease of use and features that help you organize your work. Software made specifically for thesis writing can offer features that go beyond traditional grammar and spell-checking features of traditional word processing software. This software can help you extract key information from your notes and offer organization tips or suggestions for possible thesis topics. Thesis writing software also can help you design a detailed outline, one of the key ingredients for writing a successful thesis.

Organization is important, because theses tend to be very long and detailed. The exact length of a thesis can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and whether it is at the master’s degree or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level. Some theses are as long as 60,000 words or more — roughly the length of a book.

Woman standing behind a stack of books
Woman standing behind a stack of books

With a document that long, it is important to use thesis software that helps with organization. One way to do this is through a feature that allows you to drop and drag files into a menu. This helps you organize your notes and can make it easier to write your thesis. Some of the more sophisticated thesis software even will scan the notes you put on your computer and make suggestions for a thesis topic.

At the very least, the thesis software you use should be able to correct grammar and spelling, detect passive verbs and calculate the grade level of your writing. Some software allows you to do all of this with a few mouse clicks. Others can require you to go through several drop-down menus to get the same information.

Another important feature of any thesis software is a plagiarism checker. This can help detect similar wording in other publications. The last thing you want in your thesis is accidental plagiarism, because this can destroy your credibility and possibly end your career in your chosen field.

When considering which thesis software to buy, try downloading a trial version, if one is available. That way, you can see how the software works and how easy it is to use. If the software seems tricky to use, consider how much time you might need to become proficient with it. Some websites that sell thesis software also offer online demonstrations of how the software works.

If your material already is well organized and you have your topic and feel confident about writing a lengthy document, software with strong grammar and spelling features might be all that you need. Before deciding on a thesis software program, however, make sure that it will allow you to design your document in a way that meets all of your requirements. Depending on your needs, the word processing software you already have on your computer might be enough.

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      Woman standing behind a stack of books