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 | TrackBackWriting drafts of my acknowledgements section absolutely helped to get me through my dissertation - both because it encouraged me to imagine the thing being done and because it reminded me of how supported I actually was in doing it. Sometimes, I even read other people's acknowledgement sections on the UMI/digital dissertation website for creative inspiration.
Posted by: sara at August 2, 2006 12:39 PMthe acknowledgements are the first thing i read! i love to find out who someone was inspired and supported by. thinking about my own acknowledgements section really helps me imagine myself finishing. it also overwhelms me - sometimes to the point of tears - because i still can't quite believe that i might finish one day!
Posted by: anna at August 2, 2006 01:16 PMI have started a draft of my acknowledgments a while back and you're right - it does help me see the dissertation as a finished product.
Reading your post made me think that I am definitely indebted to many ABD and academic mothers who blog. The problem in my case would be revealing my status as a blog reader (and potentially writer) to my committee members.
I'll definitely thank family and everyone who helped me - particularly online.
The internet was such a valuable tool that I feel like thanking "it" and the most helpful sites (e.g. the library of congress - my research is heavily bibliographic).
Good question, definitely food for thought.
Posted by: Lilian at August 2, 2006 08:14 PMI fantasize about the acknowledgment and credits in my dissertation often. If fact, I have this draft in my mind that I go through often and I find it very motivating. This is a great exercise. I think you should start with whomever you feel like and let it flow from there. Leave the most important or meaningful for last. I think it will make a tremendous impact.
I too love reading other dissertations to see the acknowledgments and dedications. I often joke about who this dissertation is going to be dedicated to in the end.
What a great exercise. We should compile all of these nifty tidbits into a manual and sell it to grad students at orientation! Hee hee.
Posted by: Kevin at August 4, 2006 11:24 PMYou should keep it serious and scholarly for the most part, thanking advisors, colleagues etc. However I recommend ending on a light hearted note: 'I'd like to thank the folks at Nissin Foods'; or something a little more ambiguous 'I'd like to thank the Sultan of Brunei...he knows why.'
Posted by: Greg at August 5, 2006 12:58 PMIck, I have to do this too. I sort of shy away from sentimentality, so it will be hard for me.
Posted by: Clancy at August 5, 2006 01:58 PM"The Sultan of Brunei"--I love it, Greg! LOL!
Posted by: Yvette at August 8, 2006 09:33 PM