Overview of Front Matter: Title Page, Abstract,
Table of Contents, and List of Figures and List of Tables
What should the front matter include and what is the purpose of each item?
Objectives
Abstract
- To summarize the major points of your thesis.
- To cover the scope of your thesis.
- To maintain the organization and the tone of the thesis.
- To meet the length and development requirements stated in the thesis manual.
- To write a clear and coherent overview of the information contained in the thesis.
Title
- To create a title that identifies the purpose and scope of your thesis.
Table of Contents
- To preview specifically what your work contains and how it is organized.
List of Figures and List of Tables
- To list the title and page number of each visual contained in your document.
Reading and Resources
Remember to consult the Thesis Manual and the templates to help you create and format the front matter.
