Getting started with your ETDR
As you begin using Word to write your thesis, dissertation, or report, note these important points.
- Study the Graduate School guidelines. Requirements cover formatting, margins, page numbering, and more.
- Contact the IT Help Desk (785-532-7722, helpdesk@k-state.edu). ETDR consultants are available to meet, help you get started, and answer specific questions.
Microsoft Word users
- Use the ETDR templates. Although not required, they have many benefits that save you time. Download the master's or doctoral template and use it with all current versions of Word for Mac and PC.
- Learn about Word styles. This powerful feature makes it much easier to work with long documents (see Word 2003, Mac 2004, Word 2007, and Mac 2008 styles instructions).
- Use K-State's Word instructions for ETDRs. These how-tos cover more than a dozen tasks, including adding new chapters, inserting captions, fixing page numbers, and converting to PDF.
LaTeX users
- A LaTeX template and brief instructions are available for download, although the template is not required.
- Each component of your ETDR (abstract, chapter 1, chapter 2, etc.) is handled as a separate file in LaTeX. However, many students prefer to write their ETDR as a single file.
- The LaTeX template compiles only with PDF LaTeX. It uses BibTeX to organize citations and references.