Cornell University Thesis Format Guide

Cornell University maintains comprehensive formatting standards for all graduate research theses and dissertations. This guide covers Cornell’s specific formatting requirements across all colleges.

Page Setup and Margins

Cornell’s margin specifications accommodate binding and ensure professional presentation.

Left Margin: 1.25 inches - Provides space for binding.

Right Margin: 1 inch - Standard margin.

Top Margin: 1 inch - Applied consistently across all pages.

Bottom Margin: 1 inch - Ensures proper spacing for page numbers.

Paper Size: Standard letter size (8.5” x 11”) is required.

Page Orientation: Portrait (vertical) orientation is standard.

Setting Margins in Word: Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins (left: 1.25”, right: 1”, top: 1”, bottom: 1”).

Font Requirements

Cornell maintains clear font specifications for thesis preparation.

Body Text Font: Times New Roman in 12-point size is standard.

Line Spacing: Double-spacing (2.0) is required for all body text.

Footnotes and Endnotes: May be single-spaced in 10-point font.

Font Consistency: Use the same font throughout body text.

Headings: Chapter headings in 14-point bold, section headings in 12-point bold, subsection headings in 12-point bold italic.

Tables and Figures: May use fonts as small as 10-point if necessary.

Title Page Format

Your title page must include:

Required Elements:

• Thesis title
• Author name
• Degree (e.g., Doctor of Philosophy)
• Field/College
• Cornell University
• Date of submission

Layout: Center all elements with balanced spacing.

Page Numbering: Not numbered but counts as page i.

Line Spacing: Single-spacing for title page.

Abstract Requirements

Length: 150-350 words for most Cornell theses.

Content: Summarize your research problem, methodology, findings, and significance.

Page Placement: On its own page following the title page.

Title: Center “ABSTRACT” in capitals.

Formatting: Double-spaced, same font as body text.

Table of Contents

Format: Include chapter titles and major sections with page numbers.

Title: Center “TABLE OF CONTENTS” in capitals.

Formatting: Double-spaced with dot leaders.

Automatic Generation: Use Word’s References > Table of Contents.

Heading Styles and Hierarchy

Chapter Headings (Level 1): 14-point bold, centered, begin on new page.

Section Headings (Level 2): 12-point bold, left-aligned.

Subsection Headings (Level 3): 12-point bold italic, left-aligned.

Paragraph Headings (Level 4): 12-point bold, run-in style.

Consistency: Use Word’s Styles gallery for all headings.

Page Numbering

Front Matter: Use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii).

Body Text: Begin Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) with introduction.

Appendices: Continue Arabic numerals.

Page Number Location: Upper right corner or centered at bottom.

Implementation: Use Insert > Page Numbers with Section Breaks.

Citation Style Requirements

Cornell permits different citation styles by college and field.

Engineering: IEEE style is typical.

Sciences: APA or CSE is common.

Humanities: Chicago Manual of Style is typical.

Social Sciences: APA or Harvard is acceptable.

Verification: Check with your college for specific requirements.

Using GenText: GenText supports IEEE, APA, Chicago, CSE, Harvard, and other major formats.

Figure and Table Formatting

Table Titles: Above tables in 12-point font.

Figure Captions: Below figures.

Source Citations: Include sources for all data.

Integration: Embed in text near references.

Lists: Include if you have more than 5 figures or tables.

Bibliography and References

Organization: Alphabetical by author’s last name.

Title: Center “BIBLIOGRAPHY” or “REFERENCES” in capitals.

Formatting: Use hanging indentation, double-spaced.

Appendices

Labeling: Label as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” etc.

Page Numbering: Continue from main text.

Content: Include supplementary materials.

Electronic Submission Requirements

File Format: Submit as PDF with embedded fonts through ProQuest.

File Naming: Follow Cornell conventions.

Submission Deadline: Check the Graduate School for deadlines.

Common Formatting Issues and Solutions

Issue: Inconsistent Heading Styles Solution: Use Word’s Styles gallery exclusively for headings. Define custom styles before writing and apply them uniformly throughout.

Issue: Page Numbering Errors Solution: Insert Section Breaks (not page breaks) between front matter and body text. Configure page numbering separately for each section.

Issue: Margin Inconsistencies Solution: Select all text and apply margins to ensure uniform application. Use Section Breaks for sections needing different margins.

Issue: Incorrect Table of Contents Solution: Update your table of contents after editing by right-clicking and selecting “Update Field.”

Tips for Formatting in Microsoft Word

Define Styles Early: Create custom styles for body text and all heading levels before writing. Access via Home > Styles > Styles Pane.

Use Section Breaks: Separate front matter from body text with Section Breaks to enable different page numbering. Go to Page Layout > Breaks.

Generate Table of Contents: Use References > Table of Contents for automatic generation and updating.

Verify Margins: Check all margins via Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins before submission.

Save Frequently: Save every 15-30 minutes and maintain backup copies.

Formatting Checklist

• Margins: 1.25” left, 1” right/top/bottom
• Body text: Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced
• All headings via Styles gallery
• Page numbering: Roman numerals for front matter, Arabic for body
• Abstract: 150-350 words
• All tables/figures have titles with sources
• Bibliography: Alphabetical, complete, properly formatted
• Title page: All required elements, centered
• Table of contents: Complete and accurate
• PDF: Fonts embedded, properly named
• No errors or inconsistencies

Related Resources and Tools

GenText Citation Generator: Supports IEEE, APA, Chicago, CSE, Harvard, and other formats.

Word Formatting Tutorials:

• How to Format a Thesis in Word
• How to Create and Update a Table of Contents
• How to Use Section Breaks for Different Page Numbering
• How to Create Custom Heading Styles

Conclusion

Proper thesis formatting at Cornell demonstrates professionalism and academic integrity. Using Word’s tools effectively and creating custom styles before writing makes the process straightforward and ensures consistent formatting.

For the most current information on Cornell thesis requirements, consult the Graduate School website. College-specific requirements may vary, so verify with your advisor.

With careful attention to these requirements, your thesis will meet all Cornell standards and present your research professionally.