The following questions were posed by DHI students in fall 2020.

Can I actually write a thesis?!

Yes! Yes, you can. I know you can because 1) you have made it this far in the DHI, which means you are prepared for this moment and capable of writing a thesis, and 2) you are as capable and motivated as students whom I have seen finish in previous years. If past DHI students could do this, you can too.

Will I survive?

Yes. In fact, if you do the course right—if you pick a topic you are passionate about and if you keep a schedule in which you research and write regularly—you will thrive. You will learn more and grow more personally than in perhaps any other course you take in college.

What is going to happen in HONS 340?

Workshopping your writing! In most classes, we will discuss drafts of student writing. So, in preparation for most classes, you will either distribute a partial draft of your thesis or you will write down feedback on other students’ work. We will also read chapters of Lipson’s How to Write a BA Thesis.

How long does the paper have to be?

Your paper must be long enough to fully answer your question. Ultimately, the length of your paper must meet your advisor’s expectations.

What citation format do we use for our paper?

This varies by discipline and is ultimately up to your advisor.

When do we find out if our thesis topic is approved?

Part of your course work in HONS 330 is submitting a thesis proposal or prospectus. These are filed with the DHI office. This, along with the signature of your thesis advisor, serves as an approval process for your project.

Where will I present my thesis?

DHI students present their theses on campus at either the fall DHI Thesis Symposium or spring Scholarship and Arts Symposium. DHI students also have the opportunity to present at the Northeast Regional Honors Conference held in the spring. Students are encouraged to pursue other opportunities to present regionally or nationally.

What does my presentation have to be like?

Presentations should be fifteen minutes long, with another five minutes allotted for questions. Presentations may incorporate multimedia and audience participation. Be creative. Transform your thesis into a compelling story for the audience.