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Writing Your Thesis or Dissertation in LaTeX

Master the art of thesis and dissertation writing with LaTeX. This comprehensive guide covers everything from initial setup to final submission, including university-specific requirements and best practices.
Quick start: LaTeX Cloud Studio provides thesis templates for major universities. Select your institution’s template when creating a new project, or use our universal template that meets most requirements.Why LaTeX for your thesis? Professional typography, automatic numbering, perfect bibliography management, and stress-free formatting that lets you focus on content.

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Why Choose LaTeX for Your Thesis?

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Benefits Over Word Processors

Stable Formatting

No more broken layouts or shifted images when you add a paragraph

Reference Management

Seamless integration with citation managers and automatic bibliography

Version Control

Track changes, collaborate with advisors, maintain backup versions

Mathematical Precision

Perfect rendering of equations, theorems, and scientific notation

Automatic Numbering

Chapters, sections, figures, tables, equations - all numbered automatically

Professional Output

Publication-ready PDFs that meet all university requirements

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Universal Thesis Template

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Complete Template Structure

\documentclass[12pt,a4paper,oneside]{book}
% Use 'twoside' for double-sided printing

% Essential packages
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{lmodern}
\usepackage[english]{babel}
\usepackage{csquotes}

% Page layout
\usepackage[
    top=2.5cm,
    bottom=2.5cm,
    left=3.5cm,
    right=2.5cm,
    headsep=10mm,
    footskip=12mm
]{geometry}

% Graphics and figures
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{subcaption}
\usepackage{float}
\usepackage{rotating}

% Tables
\usepackage{booktabs}
\usepackage{multirow}
\usepackage{longtable}
\usepackage{array}
\newcolumntype{L}[1]{>{\raggedright\arraybackslash}p{#1}}
\newcolumntype{C}[1]{>{\centering\arraybackslash}p{#1}}
\newcolumntype{R}[1]{>{\raggedleft\arraybackslash}p{#1}}

% Mathematics
\usepackage{amsmath,amssymb,amsthm}
\usepackage{mathtools}

% Bibliography
\usepackage[
    backend=biber,
    style=authoryear,
    sorting=nyt,
    natbib=true,
    maxbibnames=99,
    maxcitenames=2,
    uniquelist=false,
    doi=true,
    isbn=false,
    url=false
]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{references.bib}

% Cross-references
\usepackage{hyperref}
\hypersetup{
    colorlinks=true,
    linkcolor=blue,
    citecolor=blue,
    urlcolor=blue,
    pdftitle={Your Thesis Title},
    pdfauthor={Your Name},
    pdfkeywords={keyword1, keyword2, keyword3}
}
\usepackage{cleveref}

% Headers and footers
\usepackage{fancyhdr}
\pagestyle{fancy}
\fancyhf{}
\fancyhead[R]{\nouppercase{\leftmark}}
\fancyfoot[C]{\thepage}
\renewcommand{\headrulewidth}{0.4pt}

% Chapter style
\usepackage{titlesec}
\titleformat{\chapter}[display]
{\normalfont\huge\bfseries}{\chaptertitlename\ \thechapter}{20pt}{\Huge}
\titlespacing*{\chapter}{0pt}{0pt}{40pt}

% Line spacing
\usepackage{setspace}
\onehalfspacing % or \doublespacing for double

% Custom commands
\newcommand{\university}{Your University Name}
\newcommand{\degree}{Doctor of Philosophy}
\newcommand{\department}{Department of Your Field}
\newcommand{\supervisor}{Prof. Supervisor Name}

% Theorem environments
\theoremstyle{definition}
\newtheorem{definition}{Definition}[chapter]
\newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}[chapter]
\newtheorem{lemma}[theorem]{Lemma}
\newtheorem{proposition}[theorem]{Proposition}
\newtheorem{corollary}[theorem]{Corollary}

\theoremstyle{remark}
\newtheorem{remark}{Remark}[chapter]
\newtheorem{example}{Example}[chapter]

% Document begins
\begin{document}

% Front matter
\frontmatter

% Title page
\input{frontmatter/titlepage}

% Abstract
\input{frontmatter/abstract}

% Dedication (optional)
\input{frontmatter/dedication}

% Acknowledgments
\input{frontmatter/acknowledgments}

% Table of contents
\tableofcontents
\clearpage

% List of figures
\listoffigures
\clearpage

% List of tables
\listoftables
\clearpage

% List of abbreviations (optional)
\input{frontmatter/abbreviations}

% Main matter
\mainmatter

% Chapters
\input{chapters/introduction}
\input{chapters/literature-review}
\input{chapters/methodology}
\input{chapters/results}
\input{chapters/discussion}
\input{chapters/conclusion}

% Back matter
\backmatter

% Bibliography
\printbibliography[heading=bibintoc,title={References}]

% Appendices
\appendix
\input{appendices/appendix-a}
\input{appendices/appendix-b}

\end{document}

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Title Page Template

\begin{titlepage}
\centering
\vspace*{2cm}

% University logo (optional)
\includegraphics[width=0.3\textwidth]{university-logo.png}\\[1cm]

% University name
{\scshape\LARGE \university \par}
\vspace{0.5cm}
{\scshape\Large \department \par}
\vspace{2cm}

% Thesis title
{\huge\bfseries Your Thesis Title: \par}
{\huge\bfseries A Comprehensive Study of Something Important \par}
\vspace{2cm}

% Author name
{\Large\itshape Your Full Name \par}
\vfill

% Thesis type
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements\par
for the degree of \degree \par
\vspace{1cm}

% Supervisor
Supervised by:\par
\supervisor \par
\vspace{1cm}

% Date
{\large \today\par}

\end{titlepage}

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Abstract Template

\chapter*{Abstract}
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{Abstract}

This thesis investigates [your research topic]. The primary objective is to 
[state your main goal]. 

The research employs [methodology] to examine [what you're examining]. 
Data was collected from [sources] and analyzed using [methods].

Key findings include:
\begin{itemize}
\item First major finding with brief explanation
\item Second significant result and its importance
\item Third contribution to the field
\end{itemize}

The results demonstrate that [main conclusion]. This work contributes to 
[field] by [specific contribution]. Future research directions include 
[suggestions].

\vspace{1cm}
\noindent\textbf{Keywords:} keyword1, keyword2, keyword3, keyword4, keyword5

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Chapter Organization

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Standard Chapter Structure

\chapter{Chapter Title}
\label{chap:chapter-label}

% Chapter abstract (optional)
\begin{abstract}
Brief summary of what this chapter covers, main findings, and how it 
relates to the overall thesis narrative.
\end{abstract}

\section{Introduction}
\label{sec:chapter-intro}

Introduce the specific focus of this chapter and its objectives. Explain 
how it builds on previous chapters and contributes to your thesis.

\section{Background}
\label{sec:chapter-background}

Provide necessary context specific to this chapter's content. Reference 
relevant literature using \textcite{author2023} or \parencite{author2023}.

\section{Methodology}
\label{sec:chapter-method}

Describe methods specific to this chapter's work. Use subsections for clarity:

\subsection{Data Collection}
Details about how data was gathered...

\subsection{Analysis Approach}
Explanation of analytical methods...

\section{Results}
\label{sec:chapter-results}

Present your findings clearly with appropriate figures and tables:

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.8\textwidth]{figures/result-plot.pdf}
\caption{Descriptive caption explaining what the figure shows.}
\label{fig:result-plot}
\end{figure}

As shown in \cref{fig:result-plot}, the results indicate...

\begin{table}[htbp]
\centering
\caption{Summary of experimental results}
\label{tab:results-summary}
\begin{tabular}{lccr}
\toprule
Parameter & Method A & Method B & Improvement \\
\midrule
Accuracy & 0.85 & 0.92 & +8.2\% \\
Speed & 120ms & 95ms & -20.8\% \\
Memory & 512MB & 480MB & -6.3\% \\
\bottomrule
\end{tabular}
\end{table}

\section{Discussion}
\label{sec:chapter-discussion}

Interpret your results in the context of existing knowledge. Address:
\begin{itemize}
\item How findings relate to your hypotheses
\item Comparison with previous work
\item Limitations and their impact
\item Implications for the field
\end{itemize}

\section{Conclusion}
\label{sec:chapter-conclusion}

Summarize the chapter's key contributions and link to the next chapter.

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Literature Review Chapter

\chapter{Literature Review}
\label{chap:lit-review}

\section{Introduction}
This chapter critically examines existing research in [field], identifying 
gaps that this thesis addresses.

\section{Theoretical Foundations}
\subsection{Classical Theories}
Early work by \textcite{pioneer1950} established... Subsequently, 
\textcite{researcher1970} expanded this framework...

\subsection{Modern Developments}
Recent advances include:
\begin{itemize}
\item \textcite{author2020} demonstrated...
\item The work of \textcite{team2021} showed...
\item \textcite{group2022} challenged existing assumptions...
\end{itemize}

\section{Current State of Research}
\subsection{Approach A: Traditional Methods}
Several studies \parencite{study1,study2,study3} have used traditional 
approaches...

\subsection{Approach B: Novel Techniques}
Emerging methods include:

\begin{table}[htbp]
\centering
\caption{Comparison of methodological approaches}
\begin{tabular}{L{3cm}L{4cm}L{4cm}}
\toprule
Method & Advantages & Limitations \\
\midrule
Traditional & Well-established, Validated & Limited scalability \\
Machine Learning & Adaptive, Scalable & Requires large datasets \\
Hybrid & Best of both & Complex implementation \\
\bottomrule
\end{tabular}
\end{table}

\section{Research Gaps}
Despite extensive research, several gaps remain:
\begin{enumerate}
\item Limited understanding of...
\item No comprehensive framework for...
\item Lack of empirical evidence regarding...
\end{enumerate}

\section{Summary}
This review reveals that while significant progress has been made, 
opportunities exist for contributions in [specific areas]. This thesis 
addresses these gaps by...

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Managing Large Documents

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File Organization

thesis/
├── thesis-main.tex          # Main document
├── references.bib           # Bibliography database
├── thesis.pdf              # Output PDF
│
├── frontmatter/
│   ├── titlepage.tex
│   ├── abstract.tex
│   ├── dedication.tex
│   ├── acknowledgments.tex
│   └── abbreviations.tex
│
├── chapters/
│   ├── introduction.tex
│   ├── literature-review.tex
│   ├── methodology.tex
│   ├── results.tex
│   ├── discussion.tex
│   └── conclusion.tex
│
├── figures/
│   ├── chapter1/
│   ├── chapter2/
│   └── ...
│
├── tables/
│   └── data/
│
└── appendices/
    ├── appendix-a.tex
    └── appendix-b.tex

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Using \include and \input

% Main differences:
% \include{} - Starts new page, allows \includeonly
% \input{} - Inserts content inline, no page break

% For chapters (always starts new page anyway)
\include{chapters/introduction}
\include{chapters/methodology}

% For sections within chapters
\chapter{Results}
\input{chapters/results/experiment1}
\input{chapters/results/experiment2}

% Compile only specific chapters during writing
\includeonly{chapters/methodology,chapters/results}

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Build Performance Optimization

% Use draft mode while writing
\documentclass[12pt,draft]{book}
% Shows boxes for bad spacing, loads figures as boxes

% Conditional compilation for figures
\newif\iffigures
\figurestrue % Set to \figuresfalse to skip figures

\iffigures
  \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{complex-figure.pdf}
\else
  \framebox[\textwidth]{\rule{0pt}{5cm}Figure: complex-figure.pdf}
\fi

% Externalize TikZ figures
\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{external}
\tikzexternalize[prefix=tikz-cache/]

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Bibliography Management

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Setting Up Your Bibliography

% Modern approach with BibLaTeX
\usepackage[
    backend=biber,              % Modern backend
    style=authoryear,           % Or numeric, apa, ieee
    sorting=nyt,                % Name-year-title
    natbib=true,               % Support natbib commands
    maxbibnames=99,            % Show all authors in bibliography
    maxcitenames=2,            % Use et al. after 2 in text
    uniquelist=false,          % Don't expand author lists
    doi=true,                  % Show DOIs
    isbn=false,                % Hide ISBNs
    url=false,                 % Hide URLs when DOI present
    eprint=false               % Hide arXiv info
]{biblatex}

% Multiple bibliography files
\addbibresource{references/primary.bib}
\addbibresource{references/secondary.bib}
\addbibresource{references/software.bib}

% Print bibliography by type
\printbibliography[type=article,title={Journal Articles}]
\printbibliography[type=book,title={Books}]
\printbibliography[type=inproceedings,title={Conference Papers}]

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Citation Best Practices

% Text citations
According to \textcite{smith2020}, the results show...
\textcite{jones2021} demonstrated that...

% Parenthetical citations
Recent studies \parencite{brown2019,wilson2020} indicate...
This finding \parencite[see][p.~45]{taylor2021} suggests...

% Multiple citations
Several researchers \parencite{study1,study2,study3} agree...

% Page numbers and notes
As noted by \textcite[p.~123]{author2020}...
This contradicts earlier work \parencite[cf.][]{previous2018}...

% Citing specific parts
\textcite[chap.~3]{book2019} discusses...
See \textcite[eq.~2.5]{paper2020} for details...

% Author only or year only
\citeauthor{reference2021} showed in \citeyear{reference2021} that...

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Figures and Tables

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Advanced Figure Handling

% Subfigures
\begin{figure}[htbp]
\centering
\begin{subfigure}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{experiment-setup.pdf}
    \caption{Experimental setup}
    \label{fig:exp-setup}
\end{subfigure}
\hfill
\begin{subfigure}[b]{0.45\textwidth}
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{apparatus.pdf}
    \caption{Measurement apparatus}
    \label{fig:apparatus}
\end{subfigure}
\caption{Overview of experimental configuration showing (a) the complete 
setup and (b) detailed view of measurement apparatus.}
\label{fig:experiment-overview}
\end{figure}

% Wide figure spanning both columns (if using two-column)
\begin{figure*}[htbp]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{timeline.pdf}
\caption{Project timeline showing all phases}
\label{fig:timeline}
\end{figure*}

% Rotated figure for landscape orientation
\begin{sidewaysfigure}
\centering
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{large-diagram.pdf}
\caption{Complex system diagram (rotated for clarity)}
\label{fig:rotated}
\end{sidewaysfigure}

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Publication-Quality Tables

% Professional table with booktabs
\begin{table}[htbp]
\centering
\caption{Comparison of algorithmic approaches}
\label{tab:algorithm-comparison}
\begin{tabular}{@{}lcccc@{}}
\toprule
Algorithm & Time & Space & Accuracy & Scalability \\
         & Complexity & Complexity & (\%) & Rating \\
\midrule
Baseline & $O(n^2)$ & $O(n)$ & 78.3 & Low \\
Improved & $O(n\log n)$ & $O(n)$ & 85.7 & Medium \\
Proposed & $O(n)$ & $O(1)$ & 91.2 & High \\
\bottomrule
\end{tabular}
\end{table}

% Long table spanning multiple pages
\begin{longtable}{@{}llr@{}}
\caption{Comprehensive dataset characteristics} 
\label{tab:dataset} \\
\toprule
Dataset & Description & Size \\
\midrule
\endfirsthead
\multicolumn{3}{c}{\tablename\ \thetable{} -- continued from previous page} \\
\toprule
Dataset & Description & Size \\
\midrule
\endhead
\midrule
\multicolumn{3}{r}{Continued on next page} \\
\endfoot
\bottomrule
\endlastfoot
% Table content
Dataset A & Training data for model 1 & 10,000 \\
Dataset B & Validation set & 2,000 \\
Dataset C & Test set for evaluation & 2,500 \\
% ... many more rows ...
\end{longtable}

​
Equations and Mathematics

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Theorem Environments

% Define theorem styles
\theoremstyle{plain} % Italic body
\newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}[chapter]
\newtheorem{lemma}[theorem]{Lemma}
\newtheorem{proposition}[theorem]{Proposition}
\newtheorem{corollary}[theorem]{Corollary}

\theoremstyle{definition} % Roman body
\newtheorem{definition}[theorem]{Definition}
\newtheorem{example}[theorem]{Example}
\newtheorem{assumption}[theorem]{Assumption}

\theoremstyle{remark} % Roman body, no emphasis
\newtheorem{remark}[theorem]{Remark}
\newtheorem{note}[theorem]{Note}

% Usage with proof environment
\begin{theorem}[Convergence of Algorithm]
\label{thm:convergence}
Given assumptions A1-A3, the proposed algorithm converges to the global 
optimum with probability 1 as $t \to \infty$.
\end{theorem}

\begin{proof}
Let $X_t$ denote the state at iteration $t$. We show that 
$\{X_t\}_{t=1}^{\infty}$ forms a Cauchy sequence.

First, observe that:
\begin{equation}
\|X_{t+1} - X_t\| \leq \gamma_t \|G_t\|
\end{equation}
where $\gamma_t$ is the step size and $G_t$ is the gradient.

[... proof continues ...]

Therefore, the sequence converges, completing the proof.
\end{proof}

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Complex Equations

% Multi-line equation with alignment
\begin{align}
\mathcal{L}(\theta) &= \sum_{i=1}^{N} \log p(y_i | x_i, \theta) \\
                    &= \sum_{i=1}^{N} \left[ y_i \log h_\theta(x_i) + 
                       (1-y_i)\log(1-h_\theta(x_i)) \right] \\
                    &= -\frac{1}{N} \sum_{i=1}^{N} \mathcal{L}_i(\theta)
\end{align}

% System of equations
\begin{equation}
\begin{cases}
\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 2x + y \\
\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = x + 2y \\
\nabla^2 f = 4 > 0
\end{cases}
\end{equation}

% Matrix equation
\begin{equation}
\mathbf{A} = \begin{bmatrix}
a_{11} & a_{12} & \cdots & a_{1n} \\
a_{21} & a_{22} & \cdots & a_{2n} \\
\vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\
a_{m1} & a_{m2} & \cdots & a_{mn}
\end{bmatrix}_{m \times n}
\end{equation}

% Equation with conditions
\begin{equation}
f(x) = \begin{cases}
x^2 & \text{if } x \geq 0 \\
-x^2 & \text{if } x < 0
\end{cases}
\end{equation}

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University-Specific Requirements

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Common Formatting Requirements

% Margins (check your university's requirements)
\usepackage[
    top=1in,        % Often 1-1.5 inches
    bottom=1in,     
    left=1.5in,     % Left often larger for binding
    right=1in,
    bindingoffset=0.5in  % Extra space for binding
]{geometry}

% Line spacing
\usepackage{setspace}
\doublespacing  % Many universities require double spacing
% \onehalfspacing  % Some allow 1.5 spacing
% \singlespacing   % Usually only for quotes/references

% Font requirements
\usepackage{times}  % Times New Roman if required
% \usepackage{arial}  % Arial if required
% Default LaTeX fonts are usually acceptable

% Page numbering
\pagenumbering{roman}  % i, ii, iii for front matter
\pagenumbering{arabic} % 1, 2, 3 for main matter

% Header/footer requirements
\pagestyle{plain}  % Only page numbers
% Some universities require chapter/section in headers
\pagestyle{fancy}
\fancyhf{}
\fancyhead[R]{\thepage}
\fancyhead[L]{\leftmark}

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Creating University-Specific Templates

% myuniversity.cls
\NeedsTeXFormat{LaTeX2e}
\ProvidesClass{myuniversity}[2024/01/01 My University Thesis Class]

% Base on book class
\LoadClass[12pt,oneside]{book}

% University-specific packages and settings
\RequirePackage[margin=1in,left=1.5in]{geometry}
\RequirePackage{setspace}
\doublespacing

% Custom title page command
\newcommand{\makethesistitle}{%
  \begin{titlepage}
    \centering
    % University specific title page layout
    \vspace*{2cm}
    {\LARGE UNIVERSITY NAME \par}
    \vspace{4cm}
    {\huge\bfseries \@title \par}
    \vspace{2cm}
    {\Large \@author \par}
    \vfill
    A thesis submitted for the degree of\\
    Doctor of Philosophy\\
    \vspace{1cm}
    {\large \@date \par}
  \end{titlepage}
}

% Custom environments
\newenvironment{abstract}{%
  \chapter*{Abstract}
  \addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{Abstract}
}{}

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Writing and Productivity Tips

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Version Control with Git

# Initialize repository
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial thesis structure"

# Create branches for chapters
git checkout -b chapter-methodology
# Work on chapter...
git add chapters/methodology.tex
git commit -m "Add methodology introduction"

# Create tags for milestones
git tag -a v1.0-first-draft -m "First complete draft"
git tag -a v2.0-post-feedback -m "After supervisor feedback"

# Useful .gitignore for LaTeX
cat > .gitignore << EOF
*.aux
*.bbl
*.bcf
*.blg
*.fdb_latexmk
*.fls
*.log
*.out
*.run.xml
*.synctex.gz
*.toc
*.lof
*.lot
thesis.pdf
EOF

​
Writing Tools and Packages

% Track changes and comments
\usepackage{changes}
\definechangesauthor[color=blue]{YN}{Your Name}
\definechangesauthor[color=red]{SV}{Supervisor}

% Add comments
\added[id=YN]{New text added after review}
\deleted[id=SV]{Text removed per supervisor feedback}
\replaced[id=YN]{new text}{old text}

% Todo notes
\usepackage{todonotes}
\todo{Expand this section}
\todo[color=red]{Critical: Add citation}
\missingfigure{Add diagram of experimental setup}

% Draft watermark
\usepackage{draftwatermark}
\SetWatermarkText{DRAFT}
\SetWatermarkScale{1}
\SetWatermarkColor[gray]{0.9}

% Line numbers for review
\usepackage{lineno}
\linenumbers  % For supervisor review

​
Productivity Macros

% Quick referencing
\newcommand{\secref}[1]{Section~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\chapref}[1]{Chapter~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\figref}[1]{Figure~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\tabref}[1]{Table~\ref{#1}}
\newcommand{\eqref}[1]{Equation~(\ref{#1})}

% Common abbreviations
\newcommand{\ie}{i.e.,\ }
\newcommand{\eg}{e.g.,\ }
\newcommand{\cf}{cf.\ }
\newcommand{\etal}{et al.\ }
\newcommand{\vs}{vs.\ }

% Math shortcuts
\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb{R}}
\newcommand{\N}{\mathbb{N}}
\newcommand{\E}{\mathbb{E}}
\newcommand{\Var}{\mathrm{Var}}
\newcommand{\Cov}{\mathrm{Cov}}

% Consistent terminology
\newcommand{\ourmethod}{ProposedMethod}
\newcommand{\baseline}{BaselineApproach}

​
Submission and Final Checks

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Pre-Submission Checklist

​
Creating PDF/A Compliant Files

% For PDF/A compliance
\usepackage[a-1b]{pdfx}
\hypersetup{pdfstartview=}

% Metadata
\begin{filecontents*}{\jobname.xmpdata}
\Title{Your Thesis Title}
\Author{Your Name}
\Subject{PhD Thesis}
\Keywords{keyword1\sep keyword2\sep keyword3}
\Publisher{Your University}
\end{filecontents*}

% Compile with:
% pdflatex thesis
% biber thesis  
% pdflatex thesis
% pdflatex thesis

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

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Resources and Templates

University Templates

Browse thesis templates for major universities

Citation Styles

Master bibliography management

Figure Guide

Advanced figure positioning techniques

Math Guide

Mathematical typesetting reference
Pro tip: Start writing your thesis in LaTeX from day one. Keep your bibliography updated as you read papers, and use a consistent file naming scheme for figures. Your future self will thank you!
Ready to start your thesis? Use our thesis template in LaTeX Cloud Studio and focus on your research, not formatting!