Preface to Your Master's Thesis: A Guide

Writing the Preface to Your Master's Thesis

A preface in the master's thesis is an optional but important part. It offers the opportunity to share the personal background of your choice of topic and your experiences during writing. It is usually no longer than one page and is placed before the table of contents. You also have the opportunity to thank those who have supported you during this time.

In the preface of your master's thesis, you should consider the following points:

• Personal background: Explain why you chose this topic and what professional or academic experiences led you to this choice.
• Your experiences during writing: Share your challenges, special experiences, or learnings during the writing process.
• Acknowledgements: Thank everyone who helped you in your Master's thesis process supported - both professionally as also personally.
• Place, date and signature: These are at the end of the preface formal information.

Tips for a Convincing Preface

A well-written preface should be personal, yet professional and concise. Here are some helpful tips:

• Write the preface only when you have completely completed your master's thesis completed. This way you can take all experiences and fully consider acknowledgements.
• Stay personal, but professional: Take the opportunity to to give the readers a little insight into your motivation, without becoming too informal.
• Avoid quotations in the preface. It is a personal section in which formal quotations are not necessary are.
• Keep the preface short - one page is usually enough to cover all to cover relevant points.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in the Preface

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing the preface:

• Avoid citing literature or using excessive technical terms. Keep the tone informal and accessible.
• Make sure to use the first-person form professionally. While it is allowed in the preface, the tone should remain appropriate and respectful.
• Avoid confusing the preface with the introduction or abstract. A preface is optional and personal, while the introduction and abstract are factual and formal parts of the work.

Examples of Preface Formulations

Here are some formulation examples to give you an orientation on how to structure your preface: