Table of Contents | List of Figures and List of Tables | List of Abbreviations |Preface | Acknowledgments | Dedication

Table of Contents

This section is required for all dissertations and theses. The title of this section is typed as a first-level heading, centered and all uppercase, approximately 1.5 inches from the top of the page, followed by a triple space. Include in the Table of Contents all sections that follow the Table of Contents (i.e., list of figures, list of tables, preface, acknowledgments, dedication, epigraph, the various chapters of the text, and the various references pages, such as appendices, glossary, list of abbreviations, bibliography, etc.).

The first page of the Table of Contents is the first page where numbering is shown. After counting previous pages, begin numbering at iv or v depending on the length of the abstract page. Lowercase Roman numeral pagination is used, centered and placed 0.75 inches from the bottom of the page (the top of the numbers should hit at 0.75 inches, and so the lower margin usually will be set at 0. or 0.65 inches). Pagination is continuous through the front matter from the first page of the Table of Contents.

Many styles are acceptable for the Table of Contents: Turabian (Figures A.3 & A.4, pp. 380-381) offers suitable examples. Whatever the style adopted, the following must be incorporated: Include at least the first three levels of headings; right-justify the page numbers (but not the entire line) for each included heading; on the lines bearing page numbers, the space between the last word of the heading and the page number may be left blank or may be occupied by ellipsis points (meaning, ellipses are optional, or may be used as the automatic table of contents feature places them), however follow the same style in the table of contents, the list of figures and the list of tables; double-space between headings, but single-space and indent any continuation lines of the same heading; and, text should not extend into the page number column.

A sample table of contents can be found in the following Word Document:

Sample Table of Contents

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List of Figures and List of Tables

One or both of these pages are required if any figures (illustrations) or tables are included in the document. The titles of these sections are typed as first-level headings, centered and all uppercase, approximately 1.5 inches from the top of the page, followed by a triple space. These lists are paginated with lowercase Roman numerals centered, and placed 0.75 inches from the bottom of the page.

If the legend of a figure or caption to a table is brief, then include the entire legend or caption in the list; if the legend or caption is long, then an abbreviated legend or caption is acceptable. Right-justify the page numbers for each figure and table. On the lines bearing page numbers, the space between the last word of the legend or caption and the page number may be left blank or may be occupied by ellipsis points (see Table of Contents section), however follow the same style in the table of contents, the list of figures, and the list of tables. Double-space between entries, but single-space and indent any continuation lines of the same heading. Text should not extend into the numbering column.

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List of Abbreviations

This page is optional (Turabian, A.2.2, p. 389-390.) The title of this section is typed as a first-level heading, centered and all uppercase, approximately 1.5 inches from the top of the page, followed by a triple space. It is paginated with lowercase Roman numerals centered, and placed 0.75 inches from the bottom of the page. The entries are single-spaced where the text is more than one line, with a double space between entries.

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Preface

This page is optional (Turabian, A.2.1, p. 389). If this page is included, the title is typed as a first-level heading, centered and all uppercase, approximately 1.5 inches from the top of the page, followed by a triple space. This page is paginated with lowercase Roman numerals centered and placed 0.75 inches from the bottom of the page.

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Acknowledgments (This is the preferred spelling.)

An acknowledgments section traditionally is included in all dissertations and theses. The title is typed as a first-level heading, centered and all uppercase, approximately 1.5 inches from the top of the page, followed by a triple space. This section is paginated with Roman numerals centered and placed 0.75 inches from the bottom of the page. This is the place for the author to acknowledge professionally the various sources of direction, assistance, funding, etc. that facilitated the project. See Turabian (A.2.1, p.389) for further clarification of remarks that are appropriate for inclusion. Use complete sentences throughout the acknowledgments.

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Dedication

This page is optional (Turabian, A.2.1, p. 386). If this page is included, it may or may not bear the title "Dedication." If the title is to be present, it is typed as a first-level heading, centered and all uppercase, approximately 1.5 inches from the top of the page. Typing begins approximately 3 inches below the top of the page. Generally, there is no ending punctuation. Numbering this page is optional, even though it is counted in pagination. If the page number is typed, it bears a lowercase Roman numeral centered and is placed 0.75 inches from the bottom of the page. Like all sections following the Table of Contents, the dedication is included in the table of contents.

A sample dedication can be found in the following Word Document:

Sample Dedication

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