Best Thesis Writing Tools

It’s gotten a bit easier to get a quality thesis these days, but there still isn’t a silver bullet solution. Google-able results can be useful, search engines generally have good tools for checking the pillars of a thesis that an Academic works on, and online sources for academic papers… unfortunately they all miss one crucial thing: With such a critical thesis or dissertation, you also need an effective tool for writing them. A good thesis writing tool will not only help you organize your ideas and points, it’ll also help you ensure your thesis is accurate.

1. Docear

If you’re like most graduate students, you’re probably drowning in paper. The struggle to keep this material organized within one streamlined and intelligible system can inhibit both your writing process and progress. Enter Docear. This unique literature management tool designed specifically for academics just might be your new best friend when it comes to discovering, organizing and ultimately creating academic literature.

Docear’s three-part solution comprises a single-section user-interface which lets you sort documents and annotations and simultaneously view multiple annotations of multiple documents; a “literature suite concept” containing a variety of tools — from pdf management to mind mapping — into a single application; and a recommender system which connects users with new literature tailored to their specific area of research.

The best part? Docear is free, open source, and available for a number of different platforms. One user described the tool as, “Exactly what I needed, incredible, really! Now I can have a clear global view of the literature and can work way faster than before. More of that, Docear is compatible with numerous other software. It’s an incredible timesaver.” Other words used in discussing Docear? “Genius,” “wonderful,” “extraordinary” and “revolutionary.”

2. SpellCheckPlus

We’re all familiar with some version of the proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” SpellCheckPlus applies the same concept to the writing process. Rather than simply correcting your mistakes, it summarizes them into distinct categories. Available in a free version as well as in an upgraded “Pro” option which includes additional features. SpellCheckPlus offers feedback which not only improves your current project, but your writing and grammar at large.

In other words, SpellCheckPlus is no mere editing tool; rather, it’s a teaching tool. And as even the very best writers know, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to how you deliver your message.

3. BibMe

Bibliographies are the bane of the existence of many a researcher. Now imagine a world in which generating citations and creating works cited pages was fully automated. Well, that world is completely in reach thanks to BibMe. Just select your choice of APA, MLA or Chicago/Turabian, search for your source from a database of millions, click “add,” and download when you’re finished. Voila! Building bibliographies has never been easier.

While the service provided by BibMe may sound priceless for academics mired by the intricacies of managing citations, this one-stop bibliography source is completely free.

4. MindMup

Have you ever had that lightbulb moment when everything suddenly made perfect sense to you only to revisit the subject later and be unable to recall that train of thought? Writing a thesis can be a bit like following a mysterious white rabbit down a dark hole. You may end up in all kinds of mind-opening places, but keeping track of them and how they fit together can be overwhelming. Heralded for its intuitiveness and user-friendliness, MindMup acts as an online mind-mapping canvas perfect for representing ideas and concepts visually. Want to share your thoughts with others? MindMup is also a terrific collaborative tool. 

5. iA Writer

Hailed by The Guardian as “beautiful and simple” and by The New York Times as “clever,” iA Writer provides a focused, writing-conducive environment free of “bells and whistles”-type distractions.

That’s not to say that this simple text editor lacks tools aimed at making the writing process both more enjoyable and efficient. In fact, iA Writer has been elegantly designed to do exactly that thanks to features like “focus mode,” version control, cloud support, and insightful metrics. 

With clarity, an overarching requirement of all advanced writing, iA writer keeps the focus where it should be: on the text itself. It’s hardly a surprise that this “joyously simplistic” tool is the brainchild of two Swiss designers.

Just because your thesis is largely a solitary endeavor doesn’t mean you have to do it all on your own. These five tools can help improve your research and writing processes — both for a better outcome as well as a more positive and productive experience along the way.

 Word Processing and Taking Notes

Although you may be used to Microsoft Word, the following free alternatives can be of much help for thesis writing:

1. LaTeX is a high-quality system equipped with special features for technical and scientific documentation. A great tool for thesis help due to its user-friendly interface and dozens of helpful features. For example, the tool automatically generates bibliographies and indexes.
2. LyX is a free document processor that emphasizes the importance of document structure.
3. Scrivener is a popular text-editing tool for Windows users. Use one of several templates to construct your document. There are also labeling options available during the working process.
4. XMind is an easy-to-use text-editing and mind-mapping tool. Develop essay maps with this paper editor you can use on an iPhone or iPad for creating, editing, and storing your files.
5. OpenOffice is free and intuitive editing software popular with students. Try this excellent writing tool you can easily use instead of Microsoft Word. It gives similar functions for typing, formatting, and revising.
6. AbiWord is a free word processing program similar to Microsoft Word and suitable for a wide range of academic tasks.
7. Jarte is a free word processor that is based on Windows WordPad and fully compatible with Windows Word.
8. Google Docs is Google’s awesome service that allows you to create, format, store, and share documents online.
9. ThinkFree is a free Java-based word processor that is fully compatible with Word.

10. Etherpad is an open source text editor that allows real-time collaborative editing online. You and your mentor can use this tool for online revision of your thesis.

 Knowledge Management

Here’s the kicker:

While doing research for your dissertation, you will need to dig through an incredible amount of literature. Maybe even look at some free college essays examples.Get your 100% original paper on any topic
done in as little as 3 hoursLearn More

Now:

To make your job easier without getting lost or wasting time, consider the following knowledge management tools — they are great for dissertation help.

11. KeepNote is a particularly effective note-taking application that can help you use full-text search and store your findings and notes.
12. TomBoy is a free and easy-to-use note-taking and mind-mapping application. When making an analysis of sources or gathering articles in one place, it’s easy to get lost in dozens of links. Tomboy allows you to store every link carefully and have access to them anytime from your desktop.
13. TiddlyWiki is a knowledge management app with a number of helpful features of much help for your thesis.
14. Mindnote is an effective mind-mapping tool that can help you organize your thoughts intuitively.
15. Mendeley is a tool that allows you to create your own easily searchable library of your research findings and accessible from any device.
16. VUE stands for Visual Understanding Environment. This tool can be used for structuring and sharing information.
17. EyePlorer is a convenient tool for creating charts and mind maps online. You can just drag in your thesis statement’s keywords and get the results.
18. Zotero is a valuable academic research and knowledge management tool that combines functionality of a citation maker and knowledge management.
19. Endnote can help you find, save, and share the information you need. You can work on a document with your team, see the history of changes, and get your sources cited in one of 6,000 styles.
20. Cam scanner is probably one of the easiest ways to save bibliographic information by simply “scanning” a resource with your phone or any other device.

Conclusion

I don’t know about you, but in my opinion, in order to write a good thesis there are some key features that are absolute must in order to get things right: seamless integration of your topics and concepts into paragraphs and through the whole document; pointing out the relevance of all resources used; having an overall structure and dedicated structure for each chapter; and most important of all: presenting everything with great care and attention to detail. These cardinal points might seem small but they cover a lot of bases. And these cover process, industry insight and general writing skills.