How to write an archaeology dissertation
To ask, ‘How to write an archaeology dissertation,’ is to open a Pandora’s box. Spilling forth will arrive opinion unfettered, opinion voluminous. Try a cursory google search and swathes of information will be presented. Some claim the hard and fast rules on how to write an archaeology dissertation. Others, the cheats and tricks. Most will identify some general ideas and point to the unsurprising notion that it is through a great deal of hard work that your archaeology dissertation will get written. Opinions being the preserve of no one, it is quite possible that there may be as many opinions on how to write your archaeology dissertation as there are supposed to be words within it. It is crucial to know which to follow.
Thinking about it.
An archaeology dissertation is first but an idea. It is paramount that you choose a subject that you have more than a mere passing interest in. Archaeology dissertations, at least the good ones, can not be created overnight, you will spend much time on the subject, you may live, breath and eat it. Spending months on a subject you hate is analogous to being stuck in a lift with someone you hate, make sure your archaeology dissertation is on a subject you enjoy. Familiarity, far from breeding contempt, is essential. If you know the subject of your archaeology dissertation, time on research can be saved and it is far better to start from a position of knowledge than of ignorance. Scope is an issue. Too broad a subject should be avoided. Remember, you should not be concerned with notoriety, publication or reinventing the archaeological wheel, your archaeology dissertation should aim to get a good mark, nothing more and certainly nothing less. “The best dissertations are analyses of modest scope done well rather than broad ones done poorly. ..: 'There is no question too small for a dissertation' (as long as you look in enough depth).” You should have an archaeology dissertation supervisor, or at least access to people who have served in such capacities. To not consult is not only detrimental to your archaeology dissertation but foolhardy too – you should use every tool at your disposal, including people. Having consulted, and bearing the above in mind, a topic, a subject, an idea should materialise. It is then time to research your archaeology dissertation.
Researching it.
Reading is your first task. Familiar with your subject you may be, but to write a good archaeology dissertation you should aim to become an expert. Take advice on what to read and where to find it, your supervisor should have ideas. See what others have written. Whilst never stealing (at least without quoting), your archaeology dissertation can and should be influenced by what has come before. Your research here should form the basis of your literature review. With an idea, a topic and proposal in hand, and with reading completed, research should be undertaken. First and foremost, you need to identify which research methodology best suits your archaeology dissertation. This is an individual task as each archaeology dissertation is different. Close consultation with your supervisors and other knowledgeable people is highly recommended here. Focussing specifically is also a good plan. If your topic is still too broad, rephrase and reframe your archaeology dissertation question. Remember, deadlines are like brick walls, you want to stop before you hit them. Setting research limits is key.
Writing it.
The great pyramid at Giza has stood straining from the burnt yellow sand for thousands of years. The reason, because it was constructed out of precisely dressed, shaped and carefully arranged pieces. So too should your archaeology dissertation be constructed. Time management, when writing your archaeology dissertation, is paramount. Armed, as you should be by this point, with research notes and perhaps fieldwork write ups, the most sensible way to attempt to type your archaeology dissertation is in minimal chunks – like dressed cut stones. Most archaeology dissertations have a minimum word limit and these can seem unfeasibly high. Panic not. Twelve thousand words is only twelve sections of one thousand words each. Breaking your write up into chunks makes the whole process much more manageable. The culmination, as it is, of your many years of academic study, your archaeology dissertation should be riven throughout with your own personal writing style. Let it flow however it is you flow. Do not get bogged down in what you may perceive to be the expectations of others on your archaeology dissertation. Write how you write, comfort is important. Covering every angle, or at least as many as time allows, is of course important. But try not to lose sight of the overall argument. Remember an argument should appear in your archaeology dissertation. From introduction to conclusion, your question should be addressed and then answered, conclusively, one way or another. Tangents may bulk the word count, but do try and consider what is of most importance to your archaeology dissertation, the word count or the argument.
‘How to write an archaeology dissertation.’ These are some of the rules. Some of the hints, tricks, cheats and tips. All are useful. All. And therein lies the problem. As an individual you and you alone have to decide which of the above notions are prerequisite when writing your archaeology dissertation. You may ask how, and I your guide have only this to say. The message is all. Your research helps create the argument. Your argument is your message. ‘The lord is my Shepard.’. Whether you concur or not with the sentiment is irrelevant, the message is clear, the argument unmistakable. Whatever advice you take whe writing your archaeology dissertation, make sure it serves your message.
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