Prefatory Material

The prefatory material, also known as the prefatory pages, consists of the following sections:

• Title page
• Disquisition Approval page
• Abstract
• Acknowledgments
• Dedication
• Preface
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc.
• List of Abbreviations/Symbols
• List of Appendix Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc.

Except where noted, all prefatory material must adhere to the same general requirements as the rest of the disquisition, including font type, font size, and margin size. For more information, see General Requirements.

The Title page, Disquisition Approval page, Abstract, and Table of Contents are required for all disquisitions. The Lists of Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc. and their appendix counterparts are required if any of the corresponding items are present in the document. A List of Abbreviations, List of Symbols, or List of Equations may be included at your discretion if you have any of the corresponding items in your document. The Acknowledgements, Dedication, or Preface may be included at your discretion.

Title Page

The Title page must appear as the first page of the document. See the figure below for further information about each Title page section.

• Alignment – All content on the Title page must be center-aligned. Do not indent the center alignment.
• Font – The font on the Title page must use the same typeface and size as the rest of your disquisition. If you use bold font on the Title page, all content on the Title page must be bold.
• Page numbers – Do not include a page number on the Title page.
• Spacing – Some sections are single-spaced whereas others double-spaced, as diagrammed below. Four lines are used to separate sections (roughly 48 pts of line spacing).

Disquisition Approval Page

Two separate copies of the Disquisition Approval page must be completed. Copy 1 will have your student ID number and the original signatures of your committee and department chair; this copy is kept in the Graduate School files. Copy 1 must be submitted to the Graduate School before you submit your disquisition for review. Do not include Copy 1 in your disquisition. Conversely, Copy 2 is included in your disquisition right after the title page, and it will have the committee members’ names, department chair’s name, and the date of approval typed in. Copy 2 should never contain hand-signatures or your student ID – it is only meant to be a representation of the original.

Copy 1 (for Graduate School files)

After you have completed all of the revisions that are required from your Final Examination, the Copy 1 Approval Page can be found as a DocuSign form here, under “Disquisition Approval Page.” Do not include the Copy 1 Approval Page within your disquisition.

Copy 2 (within disquisition)

Copy 2 of the Disquisition Approval Page is included in the disquisition itself. It contains the same information as Copy 1, but do not include signatures or your student ID number on Copy 2. Instead, you must type the names of your committee members, the name of the department chair, and the date of approval in the appropriate fields.

After you have completed all the revisions that are required from your Final Examination, and after you have submitted Copy 1 of the Disquisition Approval page to the Graduate school, complete the following steps:

1. Download the Copy 2 version of the Disquisition Approval Page appropriate for your needs from the “Disquisition Approval Page – Copy 2” section of the online Format Guidelines.
   1. You may need to download a new version of Copy 2 even if you are using a Graduate School template, as the included Disquisition Approval page may not be suitable for you, such as if you have a co-chaired supervisory committee.
2. Type the required information into the appropriate fields, including the names of your committee members, the name of your department chair, and the date of approval.
3. Insert Copy 2 of the Disquisition Approval page into your disquisition as the second page, immediately after the Title page.

Formatting

• Font – The font you use to fill in the Disquisition Approval page must be the same type as the rest of your disquisition. Do not change the pre-formatted portions of the Disquisition Approval page.
• Page numbers – Do not include a page number on the Disquisition Approval page.

Abstract

The Abstract is a brief summary of the content of your disquisition, including your research question or argument and your conclusions. It should be written with brevity and clarity in mind. Your abstract may be read by people who are both inside and outside of your field of specialty, and they will use the abstract to determine if the rest of your disquisition is beneficial to them. Therefore, you should write the Abstract with a general audience in mind and use plain language (without jargon or unnecessary technical terms). It should summarize the main points of your disquisition, including the primary arguments that are made and the conclusions that are reached.

• Word count – Abstracts for doctoral dissertations must use 350 words or less. Abstracts for master’s papers or master’s theses must use 150 words or less.
• Heading – The Abstract must include the “ABSTRACT” major heading and must be formatted like other major headings in the disquisition. The Abstract should also be included in the Table of Contents, like the other prefatory material.
• Spacing – The line spacing and indentation of the Abstract’s paragraphs must be consistent with the rest of your disquisition.

Acknowledgments

This is an optional section.

The Acknowledgments section can give thanks to people who provided assistance or support while you researched or wrote the disquisition. If you received funding from an outside source, you can use this section to give credit to that source (when such a statement is required by the funding source).

Follow the General Requirements for font, spacing, and page numbers for prefatory materials. Special considerations include:

• Heading – The Acknowledgments must include the “ACKNOWLEDGMENTS” major heading, which must be formatted like other major headings in the disquisition, including the use or non-use of bold font.
• Spacing – The line spacing and indentation of the Acknowledgments section’s paragraphs must be consistent with the rest of your disquisition.

Dedication

This is an optional section.

The Dedication is often a brief note that dedicates the disquisition to one or more persons, groups, or causes as tribute to their support or influence. Follow the General Requirements for font and page numbers for prefatory material.

• Alignment – Body text in the Dedication should be center aligned and double-spaced.

Preface

This is an optional section.

The Preface can provide an autobiographical account of how the disquisition came to be or include a significant quote that drove your research. Follow the General Requirements for font, spacing, and page numbers for prefatory materials.

• Heading – The Preface must include the “PREFACE” major heading, which must be formatted like other major headings in the disquisition, including the use or non-use of bold font.
• Spacing – The line spacing and indentation of the Preface section’s paragraphs must be consistent with the rest of your disquisition.

Table of Contents

The Table of Contents is a required section that lists the headings that appear in the disquisition and the page number for finding them (Figure 4).

• Location – The Table of Contents appears after the Abstract (and Acknowledgments, Dedication, and Preface, if used), and before the List of Tables, List of Figures, etc. It must use the same font type, size, and margins as the rest of the disquisition. The Table of Contents is part of the prefatory material and must have lower-case Roman numeral page numbers.
• Bold and italics – In general, bold and italic fonts should not be used in the Table of Contents as a reflection of the style used in the main document headings and subheadings (in other words if your headings are set to use bold you should not also use bold in the Table of Contents entries). However, if a particular word in a heading is in italics (such as a scientific term) then you may set this word to also be in italics in the corresponding entry.
• Font – The font of the entries must be the same size and type as the text used in the body paragraphs, even if you used a larger font size for major headings.

• Entries – All major headings that appear in the disquisition must be included in the Table of Contents, except for the major heading “TABLE OF CONTENTS.” Do not include an entry for the Title page or the Disquisition Approval page.
  • Subheadings – You are not required to list subheadings in the Table of Contents; however, if you include a subheading of a particular level, then you must include all subheadings of that level and those superior to it. For example, if your Table of Contents includes any second-level subheadings, then it must include all the first-level subheadings and second-level subheadings in the entire disquisition.
  • Entries must match contents – The headings that are included in the Table of Contents must be identical to the headings that appear in the text. This includes wording, punctuation, and capitalization. If you use numbered headings in the text, the headings must also be numbered in the Table of Contents.
• Alignment and indentation – Entries for major headings must be aligned flush against the left margin and in ALL CAPS. Entries for subheadings must be indented according to their outline level; we recommend a 0.25" indentation per outline level.
• Consistency – Alignment and indentation must be consistent for all headings of the same level.
• Justification – To avoid awkward gaps between words, do not justify the alignment.
• Long entries – Headings should not extend into the page number column.
• Spacing – Set entries to be single spaced, with one line of space (12 pts) between each entry.
• Dot leaders – Use dot leaders to connect the last word of each heading with the page number where that heading appears.
• Automated Table of Contents – Microsoft Word can create an automated Table of Contents, and they are used within the NDSU disquisition templates. If you use an automated Table of Contents, you must still follow the guidelines that are listed here.

List of Tables, Figures, Schemes, Etc.

If you use tables, figures, schemes, or other non-text items in your disquisition chapters, then you must also include a list of those items in the prefatory material (Figure 3).

All tables, figures, schemes, and non-text elements that appear in the text must be included in their respective prefatory lists.

Do not combine multiple types of items into the same list. For example, if you use both tables and figures in your disquisition, then you must include a List of Tables and a List of Figures.

Note: If you use tables, figures, schemes, and non-text elements in the appendix or appendices, then you must create a List of Appendix Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc. as well, which identifies the items in the appendices. The List of Tables, List of Figures, etc. must list only the non-text items that appear in the chapters.

• Order – The Lists appear after the Table of Contents. The List of Tables always appears before the List of Figures, which appear before the List of Appendix Tables, and so on. For more information, see Required Order of Elements. As prefatory material, these pages will use lower-case Roman numerals.
• Column headings – Each prefatory list must include two column headings that appear under the major heading and above the entries in the List: the name of the items being listed (like “Table” or “Figure”), and the page numbers on which the items appear (“Page”). The item column must be flush against the left margin, and the “Page” column must be flush against the right margin of the page. Each column heading should be underlined. See Figure 5 for an example of these columns and layout.
• Alignment – Numbers for items must be aligned flush against the left margin and appear under the descriptive column heading. Page numbers must be aligned flush with the right margin, and appear under the “Page” column heading.
• Justification – To avoid awkward gaps between words, do not justify the alignment.
• Dot leaders – Use dot leaders to connect the last word of each title with the page number where that item appears.
• Entries – List entries must be identical to the titles that appear in the text. This includes wording, punctuation, and capitalization. However, when an item title consists of multiple sentences, and the first complete sentence provides a description of the entire item (not just a component), then the entry in the prefatory List can end after the first complete sentence.
  • No label –The label of an item (like “Figure” or “Table”) should not be included in the List entry, though the label must appear in the title of the item where it appears in the disquisition chapter.
  • Long entries – Do not allow entries to extend into the page number column. You might need to force a line break.
  • Subsequent lines – If the title for an entry is longer than one line, indent the subsequent lines to align with the first word of the title. Subsequent lines for an entry should not align with the number for that entry.
• Numbering – Item numbers that appear in the descriptive column (“Table”, “Figure”, etc.) must be identical to the item numbers that appear in the disquisition chapters. For example, if the first figure that appears in the disquisition chapters is named as Figure 1.1, then the item number for that entry in the List of Figures must be 1.1.
• Spacing – Set entries to be single spaced, with one line of space between each entry.
• Automated lists – Microsoft Word can create automated lists, and automated lists are included in the NDSU disquisition templates. If you use automated lists, make sure that you follow the guidelines that are listed here.

List of Abbreviations/Symbols

If you use many abbreviations or symbols, you should include a List of Abbreviations or List of Symbols (Figure 4).

This type of list identifies the abbreviations or symbols that are used in the body and appendices of the disquisition and provides a definition for each item. This is for the benefit of those who will read your disquisition and can eliminate the need for defining each term as it appears in-text.

Do not combine abbreviations and symbols into a single list. If you create a List of Abbreviations or List of Symbols, all abbreviations or symbols that are used in the text and appendices should be included.

• Order – The List of Abbreviations/Symbols must appear after the List of Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc., and before the List of Appendix Tables, Figures, etc. For more information, see Required Order of Elements. As prefatory material, number the page/s with lower-case Roman numerals.
• Alignment – Abbreviations and symbols must be aligned flush against the left margin. Definitions should be left-aligned approximately 2.5 inch from each abbreviation or symbol.
  • When the definition of an item is longer than one line, subsequent lines should be aligned with the first word in the definition.
• Justification – To avoid awkward gaps between words, do not justify the alignment.
• Dot leaders – Use dot leaders to connect the abbreviation or symbol with its definition.
• Spacing – Set entries to be single spaced, with one line of space between each entry.

List of Appendix Tables, Figures, Schemes, Etc.

If you include one or more appendices, and an appendix contains multiple tables, figures, schemes, and other non-text items, then you should create a List of Appendix Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc. (Figure 5). Note: if your appendix includes only one item it may not need to be included in a list. See the Appendices for further information.

Do not combine multiple types of items into the same list. For example, if you use both tables and figures in the appendices of your disquisition, then you must include a List of Appendix Tables and a List of Appendix Figures.

The List of Appendix Tables, List of Appendix Figures, etc. must contain only the items that appear in the appendices of the disquisition. Also, do not place entries for the appendix items into the Lists of Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc.

• Order – The lists of appendix material appear after the List of Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc., and after the List of Abbreviations or Symbols (if included). For more information, see Required Order of Elements. As prefatory material, these page numbers will use lower-case Roman numerals.
• Column headings – Each prefatory list must include two column headings that appear under the major heading and above the entries in the List: the name of the items being listed (like “Table” or “Figure”), and the page numbers on which the items appear (“Page”). The item column must be flush against the left margin, and the “Page” column must be flush against the right margin of the page. Each column heading should be underlined. Do not add “Appendix” to the column headings, as the major heading of the List is sufficiently descriptive. See Figure 5 for an example of these columns and layout.
• Alignment – Numbers for items must be aligned flush against the left margin, under the descriptor column. Page numbers must be aligned flush with the right margin, under the “Page” column.
• Justification – To avoid awkward gaps between words in the list, do not justify the alignment.
• Dot leaders – Use dot leaders to connect the last word of each title with the page number where that item appears.
• Entries – List entries must be identical to the titles that appear in the text. This includes wording, punctuation, and capitalization. However, when an item title consists of multiple sentences, and the first complete sentence provides a description of the entire item (not just a component), then the entry in the prefatory List can end after the first complete sentence.
  • No label –The label of an item (like “Figure” or “Table”) should not be included in the List entry, though the label must appear in the title of the item where it appears in the disquisition chapter.
  • Long entries – Do not allow entries to extend into the page number column. You might need to force a line break.
  • Subsequent lines – If the title for an entry is longer than one line, indent the subsequent lines to align with the first word of the title. Subsequent lines for an entry should not align with the number for that entry.
• Numbering – Item numbers that appear in the descriptive column (“Table”, “Figure”, etc.) must be identical to the item numbers that appear in the appendices. For example, if the first figure that appears in the first appendix is named as Figure A1, then the item number for that entry in the List of Appendix Figures must be A1.
  • If you use only one appendix, then non-text items should be numbered sequentially within the appendix and distinguished with the letter “A” that precedes the number (such as A1, A2, A3, and so on). For more information about using non-text item in an appendix, see Appendix/Appendices.
  • If you use multiple appendices, then use letters that correspond with the letter of the appendix where the item appears. For example, the first table that appears in Appendix B would be numbered “Table B1”. For more information about using non-text items in appendices, see Appendix/Appendices.
• Spacing – Set entries to be single spaced, with one line of space between each entry.
• Automated lists – Microsoft Word can create automated lists and they are included in the NDSU disquisition templates. If you do use automated lists, make sure that you follow the guidelines that are listed here.