Resources for Dissertation Writers

Dissertations (from UNC - Chapel Hill)
Provides practical advice on starting, drafting, and completing a dissertation 

Theses & Dissertations (from Penn State Univ.)
For students in engineering and science, it provides chapter templates and samples. 

Completing Your Dissertation Without Tears (From Columbia Univ.)
Tips and advice on dissertation writing

Use  Dissertation Calculator to plan a timeline for your dissertation journey:


Note: a screenshot from University of Minnesota Library

Stages of Dissertation Writing (from U. of Minnesota)
Read the narrative from Univ. of Minnesota. Each stage contains practical tips for dissertators.
1: Understanding expectations
2: Identifying your research questions
3: Developing a methodology or methodological framework
4: Surveying literature to position your research in your field
5: Establishing a dissertation committee
6: Writing a dissertation proposal
7: Creating a work plan
8: Creating a dissertation support network
9: Conducting research
10: Conducting a comprehensive literature review
11: Outlining and drafting chapters
12: Taking care of visual details (illustrations, tables, figures, graphics, etc.)
13: Reviewing, revising, and submitting your text for comment and initial approval
14: Creating defense draft and defending dissertation
15: Writing the abstract
16: Finalizing revisions
17: Submitting dissertation  
18: Getting closure