ABSTRACT
This chapter provides suggestions for how to structure thesis and dissertation abstracts and acknowledgements. Examples of abstracts and acknowledgements are included for students to analyse. K. Hyland points out that there are typically three stages in acknowledgements sections, a reflecting move which makes some introspective comment on the writer’s research experience, and an announcing move which accepts responsibility for any flaws or errors and dedicates the thesis to an individual or individual/s. The abstract and acknowledgements sections are, thus, short, but important parts of students' text. Like the table of contents, the abstract and acknowledgements sections are often the last thing students write, but among the first things an examiner reads. It is important to remember that first impressions last in the examination process. Clear and well-written abstracts and acknowledgements sections can help make that first impression a good one.
