The acknowledgments section of your thesis or dissertation offers a distinct opportunity to convey your sincere gratitude to those who have supported you professionally and personally throughout your academic journey.
Unlike the more formal tone required in the main body of your work, this section allows for a more personal and expressive style. Situated between your title page and abstract, the acknowledgments are not considered part of the core academic content, granting you the freedom to use first-person language and a less rigid writing approach.
Who to Thank in Your Acknowledgements
Generally, there are two main categories to consider when crafting your acknowledgments: professional and personal.
As a first step, reviewing your university’s specific guidelines is advisable. They may have rules or preferences regarding the acknowledgments section’s order, phrasing, or layout. Some institutions may even prefer a strictly professional approach.
Regardless of the specific requirements, organizing your acknowledgments with the professional ones is typically recommended first, followed by any personal ones. Within each category, you can rank the individuals you wish to thank from the most formal to the least.
Example: Acknowledgement Order
- Mentors, advisors, or academic guides
- Sponsors or grant providers
- Collaborators or fellow researchers
- Reviewers or critics
- Technical support or data contributors
- Loved ones, friends, or supportive companions
It is generally only necessary to mention those who directly supported you during your thesis or dissertation process. However, if you feel that someone, such as a past teacher, was a significant inspiration on your academic journey, you are also welcome to include them.
Professional Acknowledgements
Ensuring you do not overlook anyone who contributed to your work professionally is crucial. Generally, anyone who directly assisted you throughout the research process, from refining your topic to the final proofreading, should be acknowledged.
A few key considerations:
- Even if you feel your chair’s involvement was minimal, it is still appropriate to thank them first to adhere to academic conventions.
- Use full names and appropriate titles when acknowledging individuals.
- You can refer to the collective name if multiple group or organization members aided you.
- Be mindful of ethical considerations around anonymized data, and use only first names or generic identifiers if necessary to protect privacy.
Personal Acknowledgements
You don’t have to list every family or friend circle member. Instead, focus on those who were exceptionally inspiring or supportive. This typically includes parents, partners, children, friends, or even pets—anyone who provided moral support, encouragement, or tangible assistance.
Occasionally, students may dedicate their dissertation to a deceased individual who profoundly influenced their personal life. In such instances, mentioning them first is appropriate, preceding any professional acknowledgments.
How to Write Acknowledgements
Composing the acknowledgments section for your thesis is a deeply personal task, allowing you to express genuine gratitude toward those who supported you throughout your academic journey. Begin the writing process by reflecting on the individuals who contributed, offered invaluable advice, or provided significant assistance.
Major Thanks
In this section, offer your most sincere appreciation to those who have had a long-lasting impact on your project and your development as a student. These are typically individuals like advisors or mentors whose invaluable guidance and advice were crucial to completing your thesis.
- Advisors/Mentors: Acknowledge your advisor or mentor, emphasizing the substantial support and inspiration they have provided.
- Funding Bodies: If you received scholarships or grants, thanking the sponsoring organizations can reflect their significant impact on your work.
Big Thanks
Here, you can express your sincere gratitude towards those who supported your dissertation journey, even if they were not directly involved in the day-to-day research.
- Faculty Members: Extend your thanks to other professors and academic staff who have contributed.
- Colleagues: Include peers and lab partners who assisted you in your efforts to advance your academic goals.
Minor Thanks
Finally, recognize those who provided miscellaneous help, indirect assistance, or occasional guidance. This concise section lets you acknowledge everyone who contributed in smaller but meaningful ways.
- Family and Friends: Express appreciation for their moral support and patience.
- Participants: If your research involves participants, acknowledge their valuable contributions.
- Support Staff: Thank technical staff, librarians, and others who participated.
How to Phrase Your Acknowledgements
When composing the acknowledgments section of your thesis or dissertation, it is important to maintain a professional yet genuinely heartfelt tone to express your gratitude. Start your acknowledgments with sentence starters that set a respectful and emotive tone, such as:
- “I would like to express my deepest appreciation to…”
- “I am immensely grateful to…”
- “My sincere thanks go to…”
Sentence Starters:
| Expression | Purpose |
| I wish to acknowledge | Introducing your acknowledgments |
| I owe a debt of gratitude to | Emphasizing significant assistance |
| My heartfelt thanks to | Emphasizing significant assistance |
Provide the full names and titles of the individuals you acknowledge. This demonstrates professionalism and ensures you give appropriate tribute.
For example:
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Professor Jane Smith, whose guidance was invaluable…”
When drafting your acknowledgments, recall the specific contributions made by each person and articulate your thanks accordingly. This underscores your phrases with authenticity.
For instance:
I thank my committee members, Dr. John Doe, Professor Emily White, and Dr. Mark Black, for their critical feedback and constant encouragement.
Keep your acknowledgments concise but comprehensive, covering all necessary parties without delving into excessive detail. Your aim should be to acknowledge those who have significantly impacted your academic journey – from academic mentors to family and friends who provided support.
Acknowledgements Section Example
When composing your thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgments section offers an opportunity to express gratitude to those who supported your academic journey.
Typically positioned after the abstract and preceding the table of contents, this section maintains a professional tone while allowing for a less rigid structure than other components, such as the literature review.
Here is an illustrative example:
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Dr. Jane Smith, whose guidance and insightful feedback were invaluable throughout the research process. Her expertise in the literature was crucial for structuring my arguments and shaping my analytical framework. I also thank my committee members, Professor John Doe, and Dr. Emily Johnson, for their rigorous review and constructive challenges that motivated me to refine my work further. My peers, Mark Bennett, and Lisa White, deserve special thanks for their camaraderie and sharp critiques during our writing workshops. Their suggestions were often incorporated into the early drafts and helped in honing the final manuscript. Lastly, I acknowledge the financial support provided by the ABC Scholarship, which enabled me to pursue this ambitious project. Their belief in my potential has been a constant source of encouragement.
Note: Your acknowledgments should reflect sincerity and professional courtesy and be a polished preface to the scholarly effort presented in the following pages.
Acknowledgements Dos and Don’ts
| DOs | Don’ts |
| Write in a first-person, professional tone | Use informal language or slang |
| Thank your professional contacts and academic supporters first | Exceed one page in length |
| Include full names, titles, and roles for your professional acknowledgments | Mention people who had only a peripheral or minor impact on your work |
| Recognize personal or intangible supporters, such as friends, family members, or even pets | |
| Mention funding bodies and specify what they supported | |
| Appropriately anonymize or group research participants or non-individual acknowledgments |