Williams College Thesis Format
Original type
The archival copy of the thesis should be an original from a word processor using a letter-quality printer. Photocopies cannot be accepted.
Paper
Many types of paper can be highly acidic, and will yellow and deteriorate over the years. Therefore the thesis must be produced on college seal bond paper or other high-quality archival paper such as 100% rag, perma-dur or other acid free paper. College seal bond may be obtained at Office Services in Weston, Monday through Friday, 7am - 4:30pm. (Please note that Office Services is closed Memorial Day and other major holidays.)
Illustrations
Illustrations must be printed from scanned images or, if they are original photographs, be tipped into the thesis using gummed corners. (Pastes, glues and tapes deteriorate rapidly and will permanently discolor your illustrations.) Oversize illustrations, such as maps, should be able to be folded to a size less than 8.5"x11" so that they can be placed in a back cover pocket when the thesis is bound.
If you are using images that are copyright protected, please review Using copyrighted material in your thesis.
Music scores & non-print media
Please speak with the Archivist as soon as possible if the thesis comprises, in whole or in part, musical scores or non-print media. Non-print media include audio, video, artwork, computer files, etc. Due to archiving concerns the following file types are usually preferred: WAV, TIFF, JPEG2000, MPEG2, MPEG4.
If your thesis is comprised entirely of non-print media, you must still submit a title page with your work. If appropriate also include a page with system requirements, and/or label your discs, tapes, or work with your name, the title of your thesis and date (i.e. year).
Title page & margins
The left-hand margin of the text must be 1.5" or more. This will facilitate the binding of the thesis. The title page should be in an approved form (see a word or pdf example). Other margin sizes and formatting proportions are usually determined by each department. Students may examine older theses produced by department majors by reviewing e-theses, or hardcopy theses in the College Archives or the Schow Science Library.
Double-sided vs. single-sided printing
Feel free to print your thesis double-sided if you do not have dark/dense illustrations that can 'bleed through' to the reverse of the page. (Instructions for formatting theses printed on two sides are available.)
Questions -- If you have questions concerning thesis submission deadlines, please contact your thesis advisor or the Dean's Office. Questions regarding the physical preparation of your thesis can be directed to Sylvia Kennick Brown, College Archivist
(tel: x2596).
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