Thesis Self-Checklist: 30 Items to Check Before Submission

What this page helps you do first

• 30 systematic check items
• Format and content coverage
• Avoid losing points on minor errors

Why self-check before submission

First impression matters in thesis review. Reviewers usually scan overall format first, then read content in detail. Non-standard format is directly judged as "attitude problem," directly affecting grades.

Many students write thesis carefully but overlook minor errors before submission like typos, inconsistent formatting, citation format errors, causing unnecessary point deductions.

Format check items (10 items)

• Is school name, major name, student name correct on cover page
• Is table of contents auto-generated, page numbers continuous
• Are main text font, size, line spacing compliant with requirements
• Are paragraph first-line indents uniform (usually 2 characters)
• Are headers and footers set according to requirements
• Are Chinese and English punctuation clearly distinguished
• Are numbers and letters using correct fonts
• Are three-line table formats standard
• Are footnote and endnote formats uniform
• Are reference formats consistent

Content check items (10 items)

• Does abstract completely include background, purpose, methods, conclusions
• Are research questions responded to in conclusions
• Does literature review cover main related research
• Is research method description detailed enough to replicate
• Do data results have sufficient figure and table support
• Do conclusions echo previous analysis rather than coming from nowhere
• Are innovation points clearly stated
• Are research limitations honestly acknowledged
• Is language expression smooth, any typos
• Are paragraph transitions natural

Citation check items (5 items)

• Are all cited literature listed in references
• Are references arranged in required format (alphabetical or citation order)
• Are direct quotes in quotes and page numbers cited
• Are indirect citations correctly marked with author year
• Is there over-citation (single source proportion too high)

Final checks before submission (5 items)

• Use Word/WPS spell-check for typos
• Read aloud to check if sentences are smooth
• Check document properties, ensure no personal info leakage
• After PDF conversion, check if format is correct
• Before emailing, check if attachments are complete

Frequently asked questions

How long does self-check take?

Recommended to reserve 2-3 days for self-check and revision. First pass for logic, second pass for format checklist, third pass for typos and expressions.

Can I ask others to help check?

Yes, strongly recommended. Having advisor or classmates read it often discovers overlooked issues. Fresh perspective finds problems more easily.

Will minor format issues cause immediate rejection?

Graduation thesis usually not immediately rejected, but points deducted in review. For journal submission, non-compliant format may cause immediate rejection for resubmission.