Brown University Thesis Formatting Guide

Completing your thesis at Brown University requires careful attention to formatting standards that ensure consistency, professionalism, and academic integrity. This comprehensive guide walks you through all essential formatting requirements for your dissertation or thesis submission.

Understanding Brown University’s Formatting Requirements

Brown University maintains specific formatting standards outlined in the Graduate School’s official thesis guidelines. These requirements cover page setup, margins, font specifications, spacing, page numbering, and citation formats. Meeting these standards is crucial for thesis acceptance and demonstrates your commitment to academic rigor.

The Graduate School at Brown expects all theses to follow consistent formatting that reflects institutional standards. Whether you’re pursuing a PhD in engineering, a master’s in humanities, or a doctoral degree in sciences, these formatting principles apply across all disciplines.

Page Setup and Margins

Your thesis must follow these margin requirements:

• Top margin: 1.25 inches
• Bottom margin: 1.25 inches
• Left margin: 1.5 inches
• Right margin: 1 inch

These margins provide space for binding and allow advisors to add comments during review. The larger left margin accommodates binding without affecting text readability. Use these margins consistently throughout your document, including on the title page, abstract pages, and all body chapters.

Font and Typeface Standards

Brown University requires professional, readable fonts for all thesis content:

• Preferred fonts: Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial
• Font size: 12 point for body text
• Footnotes and endnotes: 10 point minimum
• Figure captions: 10 point minimum

Maintain consistent font usage throughout your thesis. Avoid decorative or script fonts in body text, though they may be acceptable for titles and headings. If your thesis includes mathematical symbols or specialized characters, ensure they display correctly in your chosen font.

Line Spacing and Text Formatting

Proper spacing makes your thesis more readable and professional:

• Body text: Double-spaced (2.0 line spacing)
• Quotations over four lines: Single-spaced, indented one inch from left margin
• Footnotes: Single-spaced internally, double-spaced between entries
• Bibliography: Single-spaced internally, double-spaced between entries

Justified text alignment is standard, though left-aligned text is acceptable. Ensure consistent formatting throughout chapters and maintain proper spacing before and after major sections.

Page Numbering and Headers

Implement page numbering according to these guidelines:

• Preliminary pages (title, abstract, table of contents): Use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii)
• Body and appendices: Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3)
• Page number placement: Bottom center or top right corner, at least one inch from edge

Don’t number the title page, though count it as page i. Begin numbering visible page numbers on the abstract or acknowledgments page. This numbering system helps readers navigate your extensive thesis documentation.

Title Page and Preliminary Matter

Your title page must include:

• Thesis title (centered, bold, 14-16 point font)
• Your name
• Graduation date
• Degree type and field of study
• University name and location

Follow the official Brown University thesis title page template available through the Graduate School. Include your advisor’s name and department information as specified in guidelines. The title page establishes the first impression of your scholarly work.

Chapter Headings and Subheadings

Establish a clear heading hierarchy:

• Chapter headings: 14-16 point, bold, centered
• First-level subheadings: 12 point, bold, left-aligned
• Second-level subheadings: 12 point, bold italic, left-aligned
• Third-level subheadings: 12 point, underlined, left-aligned

Consistent heading hierarchy helps readers understand your thesis structure and navigate between sections. Avoid using all capitals for headings unless required by your discipline’s conventions.

Citation and Bibliography Formatting

Brown University accepts multiple citation styles depending on your discipline:

• Sciences and social sciences: Often use APA or Chicago style
• Humanities: Often use MLA or Chicago style
• Engineering: May use IEEE or numbered citations

Consult with your advisor about your discipline’s preferred citation style. Once selected, apply it consistently throughout your entire thesis. All references must match your chosen format exactly, including punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviations.

Tables, Figures, and Appendices

Format visual elements professionally:

• Table titles: Above table, numbered consecutively (Table 1, Table 2)
• Figure captions: Below figure, numbered consecutively (Figure 1, Figure 2)
• Captions: 10-point font, single-spaced
• Appendices: Labeled A, B, C, etc., each starting on new page

Include a list of tables and figures after your table of contents. Number these lists separately from chapter figures and tables. Ensure all visual elements are referenced in your text and support your arguments effectively.

Using GenText for Thesis Formatting

GenText assists thesis writers by helping organize formatting elements, suggesting structural improvements, and ensuring consistency throughout lengthy documents. The platform can help maintain proper spacing, manage citation formats, and verify that all frontmatter follows institutional requirements.

GenText’s formatting review features identify inconsistencies in heading styles, font usage, and margins. This support proves invaluable when managing a thesis of 50-100+ pages with multiple chapters and complex elements. Utilize GenText’s organizational tools to streamline your formatting process and meet Brown’s requirements more efficiently.

Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid

Watch for these frequent errors:

• Inconsistent margins or page breaks
• Mixing citation styles within chapters
• Improper heading hierarchy
• Incorrect page numbering on preliminary pages
• Inconsistent font sizes or styles
• Missing or improperly formatted figure captions
• Improper table formatting or spacing

Regular formatting reviews catch these issues before final submission. Run through your entire document systematically, checking one formatting element at a time. This methodical approach ensures nothing escapes notice.

Final Formatting Verification

Before submitting your thesis:

1. Verify all margins meet specifications
2. Check page numbers on all pages
3. Confirm font consistency throughout
4. Review all citations for accuracy
5. Inspect all figures and tables for proper formatting
6. Check that all chapter headings follow hierarchy
7. Verify table of contents page numbers match actual pages

Submit your thesis to the Graduate School with confidence that it meets all formatting requirements. This preparation demonstrates your professionalism and respect for institutional standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use single spacing in my thesis? A: No, Brown University requires double spacing for body text. Single spacing is only permitted for quotations over four lines, footnotes, and bibliography entries.

Q: What if my thesis contains extensive mathematical equations? A: Equations may be formatted according to your discipline’s standards. Ensure equations are numbered consistently and referenced in your text. Maintain readable font sizes for all mathematical content.

Q: Do I need to format my appendices differently from body chapters? A: Appendices follow the same formatting rules as body chapters but are numbered separately with letter designations (Appendix A, B, C). Begin each appendix on a new page.

---

By following these comprehensive guidelines, you’ll create a professionally formatted Brown University thesis that meets all institutional requirements and presents your research effectively to academic audiences.