This article explores the key purpose of epigraphs and how they can be used in a PhD thesis. Read till the end to find out about the benefits, examples and best formatting guidelines for using epigraphs!
When embarking on a PhD journey, scholars often focus intensely on research questions, methodology, literature reviews, and conclusions.
However, they sometimes forget that the presentation of the thesis also plays a critical role. Among various stylistic choices available, an epigraph is one elegant yet underutilised literary device.
An epigraph can be used to enrich the tone and depth of a thesis. Thus, it provides an opportunity to connect the research with timeless wisdom and cultural beliefs.
But what exactly is an epigraph? And how can you effectively include one in your thesis without overstepping academic conventions?
In this article, we shall find out the answer to these burning questions that occupy the minds of PhD thesis writers. We shall also cover the purpose, examples, benefits, formatting rules, and best practices related to epigraphs for PhD students.
Let’s get into the details.
What is an Epigraph?
As per Jericho Writers, an epigraph is a short quotation or phrase that usually makes an appearance at the beginning of a document, chapter, or section. It is not part of the main text, but it serves a thematic, philosophical, or poetic purpose.
The quote is typically supposed to come from a different author and is placed before the introduction or first chapter of a book, thesis, or paper.
The best thing about an epigraph is that it adds literary or reflective value, which is often drawn from a well-known author, philosopher, poet, or influential figure.
In many cases, it is used for highlighting the central question, belief system, or emotional undertone that is further driven by the research.
Unlike quotes included in the body of your literature review or discussion, an epigraph stands alone and it is not explained or analysed in the text.
Thus, we can conclude that the main power of a thesis epigraph lies in its subtle influence which also gently shapes how readers are going to approach your work.
Characteristics of an Epigraph:
- It is brief (usually one to three lines).
- It is placed before the main body of the text.
- It includes the author’s name (and sometimes the work’s title).
- It offers thematic relevance, philosophical depth, or emotional resonance.
Example:
“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” (Albert Einstein)
This quote is particularly suitable for a thesis that explores the intersection of science and ethics or spirituality. Students sometimes struggle with the best usage of epigraphs when writing a PhD thesis.
If you are also facing the same issues, you can seek timely support from an expert thesis writing service online in the UK. The experienced writers of such companies can help in the best usage of such elements in one’s paper.
Historical Use of Epigraphs
The tradition of using epigraphs dates back centuries. Many classic authors, including Fyodor Dostoevsky, T.S. Eliot, and Ernest Hemingway, also employ epigraphs in their novels. Mostly, it was done in order to introduce ideas or evoke emotions.
In academic writing, however, the epigraph still remains as a subtle stylistic device that is used by researchers who want to set the tone for their work.
While more common in the humanities and social sciences, epigraphs can also be used effectively in scientific and technical theses as well. However, students must keep in mind that such usage is mostly dependent on the context.
Why Use an Epigraph in a PhD Thesis?
Although not a formal academic requirement, if you still include an epigraph in your PhD thesis, it can serve multiple functions.
It’s a nuanced touch that has the capacity to add intellectual depth, creativity, or even a personal voice to your thesis. In the section given below, we have also added some compelling reasons to consider adding one to your thesis:
1. Thematic Introduction
An epigraph can offer a preview of the central theme or theory. If you add it, it shall act like a lens through which readers might easily interpret your research.
2. Emotional or Philosophical Depth
Some researchers use epigraphs to evoke a sense of purpose, struggle, or curiosity, which are further considered some common feelings in the doctoral journey. These quotes can provide the readers with a sense of philosophical depth.
3. Tribute to Intellectual Influences
If your thesis is heavily inspired by a particular thinker, philosopher, or writer, an epigraph can be used to acknowledge that influence in a meaningful way. This way, it shall become easier for you to pay homage to your intellectual influences.
4. Creative Engagement
Academic work can sometimes feel rigid. In such cases, using an epigraph can set the tone for your work. It shall allow you to infuse a touch of literary elegance without having to compromise the scholarly integrity of your work.
Types of Epigraphs Suitable for a PhD Thesis
Students must know that it is important to pick the right kind of epigraph. The choice depends on your research area, writing style, and academic norms. Here, we have mentioned a few types for you to consider when working on your papers:
1. Philosophical Quotes
Useful for theses and dissertations that delve into abstract ideas, ethics, or conceptual frameworks. They add further meaning to the work that you are already researching about and referring to in your PhD thesis.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” (Socrates)
2. Literary References
This is considered ideal for literature, cultural studies, or language-focused research. Mostly, in literary PhD thesis, the epigraphs are used quite consistently.
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” (J.K. Rowling)
3. Scientific or Technical Insights
These types are best for science or engineering disciplines, especially if it can connect the technical to the humanistic. However, in such cases, the epigraphs are less likely to be used.
“In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.”(Yogi Berra)
4. Personal or Cultural Sayings
In qualitative research or interdisciplinary studies, cultural proverbs or personal reflections can work well. It can also increase the impact of the rhetorical analysis essays that you reference in your papers. They can also add a sense of depth to your work.
“Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”(African Proverb)
Where to Place the Epigraph in a Thesis?
In most PhD theses, as per the American Psychological Association, an epigraph is placed in the following places:
- On a separate page, right after the title page and before the abstract or acknowledgements.
- At the beginning of a specific chapter, if it relates directly to the theme of that chapter.
- In the preface, if your thesis includes one.
Epigraph Page
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” (Aristotle)
This page is usually unnumbered or follows the formatting of preliminary pages in Roman numerals (i, ii, iii…).
Academic Guidelines and Considerations for Using Epigraphs
Before adding an epigraph to your thesis, you must consider it important to check the institutional and disciplinary guidelines. Here are some of the instructions that you must not miss:
1. Check University Formatting Rules
Some institutions have strict formatting templates that may not allow unstructured content like epigraphs. That is why you should make it your duty to check your university’s thesis guidelines or consult your supervisor. If you do not check the rules of the university first, do not make the mistake of using epigraph in your PhD thesis.
2. Use It Sparingly
An epigraph is a powerful tool, but like any stylistic device, overuse of it shall diminish its impact. You must keep in mind that one or two well-placed quotes are more effective than multiple scattered ones. If you keep using it in the places where it is not necessary, the readers are not going to have a positive impression of your papers.
3. Relevance is Key
With all of the points that we have discussed, you must ensure the quote is directly connected to your research theme. For that purpose, you must also avoid quotes that are too obscure, overly general, or cliché. If it does not fit in any place, be mindful enough to use it there. Keep in mind that you have to use it only where it feels relevant enough to be added.
4. Citation Style
While most style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) do not prescribe exact formats for epigraphs, you should still think it important to credit the author properly. Including the source in a footnote or reference list, if required, will be quite helpful in that manner.
How to Choose the Right Epigraph?
Most of the PhD students also struggle with choosing the right epigraph for their papers. It happens because they are not too familiar with the formats in which these quotes should be used at work. Here’s a step-by-step method to select an epigraph that can add depth to your thesis meaningfully:
Step 1: Reflect on Your Thesis Theme
Ask yourself: What is the core idea or emotional undertone of my research? Think about what message you want to communicate before the first word of the thesis you are working on. When you have thought enough about the theme of your thesis, you will be better able to find the best epigraph for your PhD thesis.
Step 2: Gather Possible Quotes
You must also search for quotations in books, speeches, poems, articles, or even conversations that have inspired your work. Tools like Goodreads, Wikiquote, or your literature review can act as your best bets. Other than that, you can also ask your colleagues or research buddies to suggest the best quotes.
Step 3: Test for Fit
Not only that, you must narrow down your choices by seeing how well the quote can complement your abstract or introduction. The best epigraph shall subtly echo your thesis aims. You must go for choosing multiple lines and see what works the best for you. The best choice should be used in your work.
Step 4: Verify Authenticity and Attribution
Apart from following all the steps, you must make sure the quote is correctly attributed to the original author. Misquoting or using anonymous sources will obviously weaken the credibility of your work. Not only that, it will raise questions about the authenticity of your PhD thesis in the minds of readers.
Examples of Epigraphs in Real Theses
Now, we are done with the discussion of epigraphs in real PhD theses and dissertations. It is time to get some examples of epigraphs from real doctoral theses. Here are the important examples that you can use:
- “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”(Nelson Mandela)
[This was used in a thesis on educational reform.]
- “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” (William Bruce Cameron)
[It was also used in a thesis on social research methods]
- “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”(Ludwig Wittgenstein)
[It was used in a thesis on linguistics and cross-cultural communication]
Potential Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Overly Personal or Emotional Quotes
Academic writing is professional and formal. Therefore, you must keep in mind to seldom use the emotional quotes in your work.
Also, don’t go for the things that sound overly personal or relate to you. Avoid quotes that are too sentimental or rooted in personal anecdotes unless your field (e.g., auto ethnography) is able to justify it.
2. Obscure References Without Explanation
If your quote is from an unfamiliar or niche source, make sure it’s still accessible and meaningful to your audience. Otherwise, if you are unable to get any clear references, you should not use them in your papers.
3. Using Long Passages
Keep your epigraph concise. It shall make your readers understand your perspectives in a much clearer way. If you keep the length of your paragraphs short, you will be able to get your message across in a much clearer manner. Anything longer than three lines might end up distracting the readers or losing its punch.
Can I Start My Dissertation With a Quote?
Yes, you can start your dissertation with a quote, but keep in mind that it should be done carefully and in accordance with your institution’s formatting guidelines, as reported by edit911.
If your department or university has permitted stylistic flexibility, a well-chosen quote can serve as an epigraph and provide the readers with a compelling introduction.
When you start with a quote, it can reflect your intellectual inspiration. Not only that, you can also use it for establishing context or conveying the emotional or cultural lens through which you conducted your research. However, it’s important to keep the following things in mind:
- Ensure the quote is relevant to your thesis theme.
- Attribute it correctly with the author’s name (and source if required).
- Avoid clichés or quotes that may be considered too generic or disconnected from your research.
- If allowed, place the quote on a separate page after the title page, keeping it brief (one to three lines).
What Is an Example of an Epigraph?
If you want an example of an epigraph that is suitable for a thesis which is further focused on educational development, you can review the following examples:
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”(William Butler Yeats)
This quote would work well at the beginning of a dissertation that explores student engagement, innovative teaching methods, or learning psychology. We also have another example for a thesis in psychology or behavioural studies. Here is the description of that quotation:
“Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems.”(Epictetus)
As you can see, both examples have captured an intellectual or philosophical theme without directly stating what the thesis is about. This can spark both thought and reflection in the minds of the readers of your PhD thesis.
What Is the Purpose of an Epigraph?
The purpose of an epigraph is to set the tone and foreshadow the theme of the work. Not only that, but it can also offer insight into the mindset behind the research.
It can be used for providing a literary, emotional, or philosophical context that helps the reader engage with the material on a deeper level. Furthermore, it can also pay tribute to the scholars, authors, or cultural ideas that have shaped your thinking.
In essence, an epigraph also serves as a quiet guidepost for the reader. Hence, you can call it a small but meaningful signal of the intellectual or emotional journey that you will experience ahead in your dissertation.
Conclusion
As you must have seen by now, an epigraph, though a small component, can also offer a strong yet memorable opening to your PhD thesis.
So, if you need a philosophical anchor or a nod to your intellectual influences, you must use epigraphs in your work. It will serve as a creative spark that adds voice and humanity to your academic writing.
Some students are not good at locating good quotes relevant to their work and placing them in papers. They can contact professional PhD thesis writing agencies in the UK in this regard. The professionals have the experience and skills to help the PhD students.
Lastly, as long as you have thoughtfully chosen and appropriately placed your epigraph, it can elevate the quality of your thesis and also leave a lasting impression on your readers. Deciding the place and nature of your epigraph is your job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use More Than One Epigraph In My Thesis?
Yes, but it will be better if you use it sparingly. One for the entire thesis and an occasional one at the start of a chapter is also acceptable. In all cases, you should avoid the overuse of such phrases and texts. However, if you think that it is best to use an epigraph in your thesis, you should feel free to use it at that place.
Should I Include The Source Of The Quote In My References?
If the quote is from a published source, it will be best to cite it in your reference list or as a footnote. The placement of the source quote shall actually depend on your style guide.
The general advice is that you should not take the quote from the source that cannot be verified. Take only the credible things, and you will be good to go.
Are Religious Quotes Appropriate For An Epigraph?
Yes, provided they are contextually relevant to your thesis and you maintain academic neutrality, it will be considered okay if you use religious quotes in your papers.
These are quite commonly used by the writers. However, if you think that using a religious quote in your PhD thesis is not mandatory, then you should avoid using it in your work.
Can I Write My Own Epigraph?
Generally, epigraphs are quotations from others. If you are writing your own, consider presenting it as a preface or a part of the introduction rather than in the form of an epigraph.
It is because your words are not going to carry the weight that the words of old writers do. Hence, you must be careful in choosing the right epigraph for yourself.
Author Bio
Lola Wilson is an experienced thesis writer with nine years of teaching college students under her belt. She is quite passionate about helping students succeed and is also dedicated to guiding them through their academic journeys.
She has helped over 500 students reach the peak of their academic potential. When she’s not immersed in writing, you can see her exploring vibrant cities and soaking up new experiences. Travelling is her favourite hobby to gain experience about new places.
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