research companion > writing a paper > composition

• A title page that mentions the title of the piece, the date of submission and the name, address (and eventually the phone number) and the student number of the author;
• A table of contents stating the page numbers corresponding with the contents of the piece;
• An introduction. The introduction of an academic work must, aside from a research question, include the following. First, an overview/orientation of the research question. This orientation serves as an introduction to the research question. The author describes that what the reader needs to understand the research question. Second, the introduction must include an explanation of why the piece is of value. The author describes why his/her research is important to academics. In many cases this can be shown by way of stating the current academic discussion in the field (status questionis). Finally, the introduction must include a description of the method used, as well as an explanation why that particular method is of value to the subject;
• A body. The text is divided into chapters, paragraphs and sentences;
• A conclusion. The conclusion of an academic piece must answer the questions formulated in the research question presented in the introduction, as well as the subquestions presented in the body of the piece. These answers are merely a summary of the body's findings and therefore do not contain new facts. Furthermore, the conclusion places the answers in a broader historical or theoretical framework. The conclusion also clearly states the ways in which the research adds to the solution of, or the debate about, the research question. A summary alone is therefore not sufficient!
• Any eventual annexes;
• A list of numbered footnotes at the bottom of each page, or endnotes at the end of the text;
• An alphabetically ordered bibliography.

Technically a thesis must have an interlinie of 1.5, and a 1 inch (: 2.5cm) margin.Use a 12cpi lettertype. Every new chapter must start on a fresh page.