I have this fantasy I have been engaging in recently. When I am feeling overwhelmed--like all these mounds of drafts and notes and diagrams are never going to come together as a dissertation--I try to envision the dedication and acknowledgement sections of my dissertation...
How will I phrase my thank-you's to my committee members? Should I save my advisor for last or thank him first? For the other members, should I go in alphabetical order? Should I call them "Dr." So-and-so even though I am never so formal with them when addressing them face to face? And what family members should I include? Should I say something cute-sy about my daughters' "help" or keep the overall tone serious and scholarly, even in these preliminary pages?
This may sound a tad like putting the cart before the horse. But a few moments of thinking about such dilemmas, and I am back to thinking of my project as do-able--actually, as complete, even.
But the other day it occurred to me: Why limit these sections to the usual suspects of committee members, friends, and family? Why not open up my acknowledgements and thanks to all? So, here is your chance to help me with my fantasy: Who (or what) should I thank in the opening pages of my dissertation, and why? Feel free to nominate yourself, abstract notions, celebs, whatever. I will take under serious consideration any and all suggestions!
Posted by perry032 at August 1, 2006 11:35 AM