{"id":1082,"date":"2026-07-03T09:19:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T09:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/?p=1082"},"modified":"2026-07-19T18:04:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T12:34:41","slug":"dissertation-acknowledgments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write the Acknowledgements Section of a Dissertation: Examples and Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Key Takeaways<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Acknowledgements sit between the title page and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-write-an-abstract-for-a-dissertation-examples-and-tips\/\">abstract<\/a>, and should generally stay within one page.<\/li><li>Thank professional contacts first, such as your supervisor, committee, and funders, before moving on to personal thanks.<\/li><li>Use warm, first-person language, but keep it organized: group people by how significant their contribution was.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#What_Is_the_Acknowledgements_Section_of_a_Dissertation\" >What Is the Acknowledgements Section of a Dissertation?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Where_Do_Acknowledgements_Go_in_a_Dissertation\" >Where Do Acknowledgements Go in a Dissertation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#How_Long_Should_Dissertation_Acknowledgements_Be\" >How Long Should Dissertation Acknowledgements Be?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Who_Should_You_Thank_in_Your_Dissertation_Acknowledgements\" >Who Should You Thank in Your Dissertation Acknowledgements?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Professional_Acknowledgements\" >Professional Acknowledgements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Personal_Acknowledgements\" >Personal Acknowledgements<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#How_to_Write_Dissertation_Acknowledgements_A_Step_by_Step_Approach\" >How to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements: A Step by Step Approach<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#What_Sentence_Starters_Can_You_Use_for_Each_Tier\" >What Sentence Starters Can You Use for Each Tier?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Dissertation_Acknowledgements_Examples\" >Dissertation Acknowledgements Examples<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Example_1_Traditional_and_Formal\" >Example 1: Traditional and Formal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Example_2_Short_and_Concise\" >Example 2: Short and Concise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Example_3_Personal_and_Warm\" >Example 3: Personal and Warm<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Example_4_STEM_and_Lab_Based\" >Example 4: STEM and Lab Based<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#What_Tone_and_Style_Should_You_Use_in_Your_Acknowledgements\" >What Tone and Style Should You Use in Your Acknowledgements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Common_Mistakes_to_Avoid_in_Dissertation_Acknowledgements\" >Common Mistakes to Avoid in Dissertation Acknowledgements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Acknowledgements_Checklist\" >Acknowledgements Checklist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Dissertation_Acknowledgements\" >Frequently Asked Questions About Dissertation Acknowledgements<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Do_I_have_to_thank_my_supervisor_in_my_dissertation_acknowledgements\" >Do I have to thank my supervisor in my dissertation acknowledgements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Can_I_thank_God_or_my_faith_in_my_dissertation_acknowledgements\" >Can I thank God or my faith in my dissertation acknowledgements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#How_many_people_should_I_thank_in_my_dissertation_acknowledgements\" >How many people should I thank in my dissertation acknowledgements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Is_it_okay_to_use_first_person_pronouns_in_dissertation_acknowledgements\" >Is it okay to use first person pronouns in dissertation acknowledgements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Should_I_mention_my_funding_source_in_the_acknowledgements_section\" >Should I mention my funding source in the acknowledgements section?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Can_I_include_a_joke_or_informal_comment_in_my_dissertation_acknowledgements\" >Can I include a joke or informal comment in my dissertation acknowledgements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#What_is_the_difference_between_acknowledgements_and_a_dedication_in_a_dissertation\" >What is the difference between acknowledgements and a dedication in a dissertation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/#Do_acknowledgements_count_toward_my_dissertation_word_count\" >Do acknowledgements count toward my dissertation word count?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Acknowledgements_Section_of_a_Dissertation\"><\/span>What Is the Acknowledgements Section of a Dissertation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The acknowledgements section is a short, personal page where you thank the people, institutions, and organizations that supported you during your research. Unlike the rest of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-a-dissertation-best-practices\/\">dissertation<\/a>, it does not need to follow strict academic conventions: it is your space to express genuine gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is separate from the dedication, which is typically a single line honoring one person, and from the abstract, which summarizes your research rather than your relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_Do_Acknowledgements_Go_in_a_Dissertation\"><\/span>Where Do Acknowledgements Go in a Dissertation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Acknowledgements are placed right after the title page and before the abstract. This order is standard across most universities, though it is worth checking your institution&#8217;s formatting guidelines, since some place acknowledgements after the abstract or table of contents instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Should_Dissertation_Acknowledgements_Be\"><\/span>How Long Should Dissertation Acknowledgements Be?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most acknowledgements sections run between 200 and 500 words and should not exceed one page. There is no required minimum: a few warm, well-chosen sentences are perfectly acceptable, and brevity is often more effective than a long list of names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Should_You_Thank_in_Your_Dissertation_Acknowledgements\"><\/span>Who Should You Thank in Your Dissertation Acknowledgements?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two broad categories: professional and personal. Most guidance recommends placing professional acknowledgements first, followed by personal ones, then ranking each group from most to least significant contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Professional_Acknowledgements\"><\/span>Professional Acknowledgements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These cover anyone who contributed directly to your research or academic progress. As a rule, avoid skipping anyone who helped you formally, since omissions can read as a snub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Your supervisor, advisor, or chair, even if you feel their input was limited<\/li><li>Your defense or dissertation committee members, by full name and title<\/li><li>Funding bodies, grants, fellowships, or scholarships that supported your work<\/li><li>Collaborators, co-authors, or colleagues from your cohort or department<\/li><li>Librarians, lab technicians, research assistants, or study participants, named individually or as a group<\/li><li>Editors or proofreaders who polished the final manuscript<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Personal_Acknowledgements\"><\/span>Personal Acknowledgements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You do not need to thank every relative or friend. Reserve this space for people who offered meaningful encouragement, patience, or practical help during the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Parents, partners, children, or siblings who provided emotional or practical support<\/li><li>Friends who read drafts, listened to frustrations, or kept you motivated<\/li><li>Pets, mentioned briefly and lightly, if they genuinely kept your spirits up<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you wish to honor someone who has passed away, many students name them first, even before professional acknowledgements, or use a separate dedication line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Suggested order of thanking:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Who to Thank<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Typical Tone<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Supervisor, chair, or defense committee<\/td><td>Formal, specific<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Funding bodies and grants<\/td><td>Formal, names the grant<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Colleagues, cohort members, collaborators<\/td><td>Warm, professional<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Editors, proofreaders, librarians, research assistants<\/td><td>Appreciative<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Family, friends, and pets<\/td><td>Personal, informal<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Write_Dissertation_Acknowledgements_A_Step_by_Step_Approach\"><\/span>How to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements: A Step by Step Approach<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\"><li>List everyone who supported you, professionally and personally, without worrying about order yet.<\/li><li>Sort the list into three tiers: major thanks, big thanks, and minor thanks, based on the size of their contribution.<\/li><li>Draft one to three sentences per person or group, naming what they specifically did for you.<\/li><li>Arrange the tiers from major to minor, with professional acknowledgements first and personal ones last.<\/li><li>Read the draft aloud to check that the tone feels genuine rather than mechanical, and trim anything that feels excessive.<\/li><li>Proofread carefully: this page is often the first thing a committee member or external examiner reads.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Sentence_Starters_Can_You_Use_for_Each_Tier\"><\/span>What Sentence Starters Can You Use for Each Tier?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Varying your opening phrases keeps the section from sounding repetitive; the table below groups common starters by how significant the contribution was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Major Thanks<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Big Thanks<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Minor Thanks<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>I am deeply indebted to<\/td><td>Many thanks to<\/td><td>I would like to acknowledge<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>I would like to express my deepest gratitude to<\/td><td>Special thanks to<\/td><td>I&#8217;d like to recognize<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>This work would not have been possible without<\/td><td>I am also grateful to<\/td><td>I had the pleasure of working with<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Words cannot express my gratitude to<\/td><td>Thanks should also go to<\/td><td>I would be remiss not to mention<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your draft is complete, it helps to have a language expert review the wording for tone and clarity. Services such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/services\/english-editing\/dissertation-editing-and-proofreading-services\">Editage&#8217;s Dissertation Editing and Proofreading Service<\/a> can refine grammar, flow, and formatting across your entire dissertation, including the acknowledgements page, so the very first impression your readers get is a polished one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dissertation_Acknowledgements_Examples\"><\/span>Dissertation Acknowledgements Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are four examples in different styles. Use them as templates, adapting names, titles, and specific contributions to your own experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Example_1_Traditional_and_Formal\"><\/span>Example 1: Traditional and Formal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Words cannot express my gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Jane Caldwell, for her invaluable patience, feedback, and mentorship throughout this project. I am also deeply indebted to my dissertation committee, Dr. Michael Reyes and Dr. Amara Singh, who generously provided their expertise at every stage. This research would not have been possible without the financial support of the National Science Foundation, grant number 2021045, which funded my fieldwork.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I am also grateful to my colleagues in the Department of Sociology, especially my cohort, for their feedback during seminars. Thanks should also go to the staff at the university library for their assistance in locating archival materials.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Lastly, I would be remiss not to mention my parents and my partner, whose unwavering belief in me kept my spirits high during this long process.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Example_2_Short_and_Concise\"><\/span>Example 2: Short and Concise<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Thomas Reed, for his guidance and constructive criticism throughout this project, and my committee members for their thoughtful feedback. I am grateful to the University Graduate Fellowship for funding this research. Finally, thank you to my family and friends for their patience and encouragement.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Example_3_Personal_and_Warm\"><\/span>Example 3: Personal and Warm<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This dissertation is dedicated to my late grandmother, who always believed I would finish what I started. I am deeply indebted to my supervisor, Professor Elena Vasquez, for her endless patience and sharp feedback, even at midnight before deadlines. I could not have undertaken this journey without my partner, who kept the household running while I disappeared into data analysis, and my children, who learned to whisper when the office door was closed. I would also like to thank my dog, Biscuit, for the many necessary walking breaks.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Example_4_STEM_and_Lab_Based\"><\/span>Example 4: STEM and Lab Based<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I am extremely grateful to my principal investigator, Dr. Sarah Whitfield, for her mentorship and for trusting me with this project from its earliest stages. Special thanks to the members of the Whitfield Lab, particularly the postdoctoral researchers who trained me on instrumentation and troubleshooting. This research was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, award number R01GM123456. I would also like to recognize the participants in this study, whose time and openness made this work possible.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Tone_and_Style_Should_You_Use_in_Your_Acknowledgements\"><\/span>What Tone and Style Should You Use in Your Acknowledgements?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Acknowledgements allow a more informal style than the rest of your dissertation, including first-person pronouns and conversational phrasing. Even so, professional thanks should remain polished and specific, while personal thanks can be warmer and more casual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Write in the first person, using I and we where appropriate<\/li><li>Use full names and titles for professional acknowledgements<\/li><li>Name what each person or body specifically contributed, rather than a generic thank you<\/li><li>Anonymize study participants appropriately, such as referring to them as the interviewees<\/li><li>Keep humor light and avoid slang, inside jokes, or anything that might not age well<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Mistakes_to_Avoid_in_Dissertation_Acknowledgements\"><\/span>Common Mistakes to Avoid in Dissertation Acknowledgements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Don&#8217;t<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Thank your supervisor, even briefly, to avoid appearing to snub them<\/td><td>Skip your supervisor or committee, even if their involvement felt minimal<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Name funding bodies and the grant or award they provided<\/td><td>Forget to mention financial or institutional support<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Keep the page to roughly one side, organized by tier<\/td><td>Let the section run several pages with excessive detail<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Proofread closely, since this is often the first page a reader sees<\/td><td>Submit with typos, inconsistent titles, or misspelled names<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Because this page sets the tone for the entire dissertation, many students choose to have it checked alongside the rest of their manuscript through a professional editing partner. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/services\/english-editing\/dissertation-editing-and-proofreading-services\">Editage&#8217;s dissertation editing service<\/a> pairs subject matter editors with academic writing specialists, which helps catch tone mismatches, missing names, and formatting inconsistencies before submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Acknowledgements_Checklist\"><\/span>Acknowledgements Checklist<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>I checked my university&#8217;s formatting guidelines for acknowledgements<\/li><li>I thanked my supervisor and committee members by full name and title<\/li><li>I named funding bodies and what they supported<\/li><li>I included colleagues, librarians, or research assistants who helped directly<\/li><li>I added personal thanks for family, friends, or pets, without an exhaustive list<\/li><li>My section is no longer than one page<\/li><li>I proofread the page for names, titles, and tone<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Dissertation_Acknowledgements\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions About Dissertation Acknowledgements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_have_to_thank_my_supervisor_in_my_dissertation_acknowledgements\"><\/span>Do I have to thank my supervisor in my dissertation acknowledgements?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, it is standard practice to thank your supervisor, even briefly, since omitting them can be seen as a snub regardless of how much direct help they provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_thank_God_or_my_faith_in_my_dissertation_acknowledgements\"><\/span>Can I thank God or my faith in my dissertation acknowledgements?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, many students choose to acknowledge their faith or a higher power, as long as this is followed by thanks to academic, family, and professional supporters as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_people_should_I_thank_in_my_dissertation_acknowledgements\"><\/span>How many people should I thank in my dissertation acknowledgements?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no fixed number, but most sections name between five and fifteen people or groups, organized from professional to personal, while staying within one page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_okay_to_use_first_person_pronouns_in_dissertation_acknowledgements\"><\/span>Is it okay to use first person pronouns in dissertation acknowledgements?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/first-person-vs-third-person-academic-writing\/\">first person<\/a> pronouns such as I and we are expected here, even though they are usually avoided elsewhere in formal academic writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_mention_my_funding_source_in_the_acknowledgements_section\"><\/span>Should I mention my funding source in the acknowledgements section?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, naming your funding body, grant number, or fellowship is considered standard practice and is sometimes required by the funder&#8217;s own terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_include_a_joke_or_informal_comment_in_my_dissertation_acknowledgements\"><\/span>Can I include a joke or informal comment in my dissertation acknowledgements?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Light humor is acceptable, especially in personal thanks, but it is best kept brief and tasteful, since the page becomes a permanent part of the published record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_acknowledgements_and_a_dedication_in_a_dissertation\"><\/span>What is the difference between acknowledgements and a dedication in a dissertation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A dedication is usually a single line honoring one person, while acknowledgements are a longer page thanking everyone who supported the research, both professionally and personally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_acknowledgements_count_toward_my_dissertation_word_count\"><\/span>Do acknowledgements count toward my dissertation word count?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most universities exclude front matter, including acknowledgements, from the official word count, but it is worth confirming this in your institution&#8217;s specific guidelines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key Takeaways Acknowledgements sit between the title page and the abstract, and should generally stay within one page. Thank professional contacts first, such as your supervisor, committee, and funders, before moving on to personal thanks. Use warm, first-person language, but keep it organized: group people by how significant their contribution was. What Is the Acknowledgements [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_ayudawp_aiss_exclude":false,"_ayudawp_aiss_summary":"Services such as Editage's Dissertation Editing and Proofreading Service can refine grammar, flow, and formatting across your entire dissertation, including the acknowledgements page, so the very first impression your readers get is a polished one. Acknowledgements allow a more informal style than the rest of your dissertation, including first-person pronouns and conversational phrasing. Do I have to thank my supervisor in my dissertation acknowledgements?.","_ayudawp_aiss_summary_provider":"extractive","_ayudawp_aiss_summary_hash":"1d20aae07078c04d536bea370356405b200111d1"},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Write the Acknowledgements Section of a Dissertation: Examples and Tips - Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Practical guidelines for dissertations on whom to acknowledge, in what order, word limits, and structure of acknowledgements section.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/dissertation-acknowledgments\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Write the Acknowledgements Section of a Dissertation: Examples and Tips - 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