Tips on writing, presenting, and publishing your thesis

General tips on writing

Grammar corner

Wordprocessing tips

Basic tips

Advanced tips

  • Tips on using styles and other advanced features.
  • Privacy and security - Many people do not realize that Microsoft Word (and probably other programs) inserts hidden information into documents. This information can easily be uncovered showing information such as who owned or registered the program, the author's real name, etc. Here is an article on how to avoid revealing this information. The flip side to this is that you can find out lots of information about a document by looking at the metadata.

Backup your information

  • Back up your text and other electronic information Unfortunately, it is a rule of nature that *every* computer will eventually fail. Losing the contents of your computer will always be a painful experience, and it will happen to you, because it happens to all of us. To protect yourself and minimize the pain, you should make regular copies of the things that you write (once each day is a good practice). Decide on a file naming pattern (like "mythesis_20061013.doc") that includes the date that you make the copy. Put the copies on a memory stick, or another computer, or in an account somewhere on the Web. That way, when something happens to your computer, you will suffer a minimum of stress. Some backup options include:
    • Emailing the document to yourself and keeping it in your online inbox. Yahoo, hotmail, or gmail are good places.
    • Save the information (my documents folder and all subfolders in many cases) onto a disk, memory stick, or even an mp3 player.
  • Syncback has a free version that you can set to automatically backup your folders. If you have two hard drives, use a memory stick, or have other storage media this is an easy way to have daily (or more often) backups created.

Presentations

If you use powerpoint (or open office impress) here are some basic tips:

Practicing your Presentation Skills

Finding information you can legally use in presentations (creative commons)

Publishing

Once you have finished your thesis/dissertation you might want to get it published.

  • School Publication
The school has a yearly publication called the Annual of LL.M. Program for Professionals and LL.M. (Comparative Law) Program (collection of research papers) 高度専門人養成コース研究教育年報』（リサーチペーパー集）原稿提出要綱. See here for details. Publication here is normally on recommendation from your supervising professor. You might make your professor aware of your interest in including your paper in this publication.

  • International Journals
Exceptional papers can be published in international journals. Getting published is a lengthy and difficult process. Check the requirements of individual journals through their homepages. Each one has details about submission requirements.

CALE has published student works in the past. Check with CALE for details.

LULU is a relatively new system for publishing. It is a "print on demand" service. Essentially you submit your book, cover artwork, and pick your price. Readers order from lulu and get their books through the mail. You retain complete control over the copyright, price, and other important details. Lulu keeps 20% of the royalties and you get to keep 80%. In addition to paper book formats you can have downloads, video, audio, and other formats. Lulu can be a good way to get a few book copies of your paper for you and your family.


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