Thesis Acknowledgments Writing Guide | Acknowledgments Templates and Format Standards

What this page helps you do first

• Selection criteria and ordering for acknowledgment objects (advisors, sponsors, collaborators)
• Language style differences between academic and emotional acknowledgments
• Format standards and common mistake analysis

The essence and function of acknowledgments

Acknowledgments are the final formal chapter of a thesis, expressing gratitude to institutions and individuals who provided assistance during the research. Beyond courtesy, acknowledgments reflect academic integrity by crediting others' contributions—an important part of academic standards.

Unlike the main text, acknowledgments may use first-person perspective to express more personal feelings. Additionally, acknowledgments give reviewers rare insight into the author's academic network, making a sincere and appropriate acknowledgment demonstrate the author's scholarly cultivation.

Selection criteria and ordering for acknowledgment objects

• Advisor: Usually the first in acknowledgments, thanking the advisor's academic guidance and mentorship. Should specifically state in which areas the advisor provided help
• Funding agencies: For projects funded by National Natural Science Foundation, provincial grants, or corporate collaborations, project numbers must be clearly noted
• Collaborators: Fellow researchers or collaborators who helped design experiments, provided data, or participated in discussions, ordered by contribution level
• Family: Support and understanding on the academic path, especially during research periods (such as caring for family)
• Other acknowledgments: Lab technical staff, paper editing services, data providers, etc.

Acknowledgment language style and examples

• Academic acknowledgments: formal wording, avoid excessive emotional language. Example: "I thank Professor Zhang for his meticulous guidance during the research design phase"
• Emotional acknowledgments: for family, some emotional expression is acceptable. Example: "I thank my parents for their unwavering support and selfless dedication throughout my academic journey"
• Funding acknowledgments: must include complete information. Example: "This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No.: XXXX)"
• Avoid empty formulas: phrases like "I thank all who helped me" should be specific about who and why
• Concise language: acknowledgments typically 300-800 words, should not be too long

Acknowledgment format standards

• Position: acknowledgments usually come after references and before appendix; some schools require it on the last page
• Title: use "Acknowledgements" in English version
• Layout: consistent with main text, usually same font and line spacing
• Personal information: avoid revealing specific defense dates and locations
• Bilingual: some schools require Chinese and English acknowledgments; English version should correspond to Chinese content

Common acknowledgment mistakes and corrections

• Mistake 1: Missing important sponsors → Forgetting to note funding project numbers may affect subsequent reimbursement and achievement reporting
• Mistake 2: Too many acknowledgment objects → Acknowledgments are not a "favor list"; focus on objects with substantial research contributions
• Mistake 3: Language too personal → Even thanking family should maintain basic academic seriousness
• Mistake 4: Unproofread name errors → Names in acknowledgments must be confirmed with the individuals to avoid typos
• Mistake 5: Using internet slang → Avoid "666," "yyds" and other internet language; maintain academic style

Frequently asked questions

Can I thank my girlfriend/boyfriend in acknowledgments?

Yes, but maintain appropriateness. For romantic partners, write briefly as "I thank my partner XXX for support and understanding during the research period," avoiding overly personal expressions. Some reviewers hold reservations about excessively emotional acknowledgments.

Should I write funding acknowledgments if I received no funding?

If no funding was received, funding acknowledgments can be omitted. However, if using lab support or platform resources, mention them in acknowledgments, such as "I thank the XX Laboratory for equipment support."

Is it reasonable for my advisor to require his/her name first in acknowledgments?

Advisors typically are first in acknowledgments anyway. But if the advisor explicitly requires their name first, confirm whether this complies with disciplinary customs and funding agency requirements (e.g., NSFC requires funding acknowledgment first).

Do acknowledgments participate in similarity checking?

Acknowledgments usually participate in similarity checking, but citations and gratitude expressions are mostly personalized content with extremely low repetition rates. However, if using others' exact phrasing (such as acknowledgment templates), it may still be flagged as duplicated.

Can I write acknowledgments in English for a Chinese thesis?

No. Chinese thesis acknowledgments must be in Chinese, including names of acknowledged persons in their official Chinese names. If bilingual acknowledgments are needed, an English version can follow the Chinese chapter.