Pointers in Format Preparation For Thesis Outline/Manuscript

DDC
Form and Style | 1
Benguet State University

College of Agriculture
POINTERS IN FORMAT PREPARATION FOR THESIS

OUTLINE/MANUSCRIPT
FOR THE TEXTUAL PRESENTATION:
1. Outline and manuscripts to be submitted when filling application for final exam
should be complete with Preliminary Pages:
a. Title Page
b. Declaration of Originality
c. Approval Sheet (CA Form 10))
d. Acknowledgement
e. Table of Contents
f. List of Tables
g. List of Figures
h. List of Appendices
i. Abstract
2. The Preliminary Pages should be included in the Table of Contents with

corresponding small Roman Numerals (i.e., i, ii, iii…) as page number.
3. Initial/First pages of the preliminary pages have imaginary page numbers.
4. In the Approval Page (CA Form 10), author, thesis titles, degree and major field
should be capitalized.
5. The main heading such as: INTRODUCTION; REVIEW OF LITERATURE;

MATERIALS and METHODS/METHODOLOGY; RESULTS and DISCUSSION;
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION; and LITERATURE
CITED, should all be capitalized and should have imaginary page numbers on
their first pages. These headings should be center alinged.
6. Page no 2. and the succeeding page numbers should be in its default margin
system (.5” in top margin and 1” in right margin) and should be written in small
Arabic numbers (i.e., 2, 3, 4…). Font style is Times New Roman and font size 12.
7. Maintain two (2) double spaces (same as 4 single spaces) between the main
heading (i.e, INTRODUCTION, REVIEW OF LITERATURE…) and the major
subsection.
8. Major subsection is placed at the left side of the page and is in title case (i.e.,
Decentralizing Filipino Films), and in inverted pyramid form when composed of
five or more words.
9. Maintain one (1) double space (same as 2 single spaces) between the major
subsection and the paragraph heading.
10. Paragraph heading should be indented or tabbed (single tab) to the right and is in
sentence case (i.e.,This is an example of sentence case). It is also italicized. The
paragraph immediately follows after a space.
11. If possible, maintain only 2 levels of subsections (major subsection and

paragraph headings).
DDC Form and Style | 2
12. Always use double spaces in the text. Single space is allowed in tables and
figures.
13. Do not underscore when defining terms and for emphasizing ideas.
FOR THE TABULAR PRESENTATION:
1. Tables could be placed along with the text or could be in a separate page. If
placed with the text, the table is placed on the top part of the page. Maintain 2
double spaces between the bottom line of the table and the text.
2. Tables should be presented with double solid lines on its top and the bottom
parts.
3. Tables should not have side border lines.
4. First level heading should be all capitalized letters.
5. Second level heading should have first letter capitalized.
6. Third level heading should only have lowercase letters.
7. For tables continued on the next page, there is no need to indicate table title,
instead use Table_continued…. However, indicate table heading with double
solid lines at the top and the bottom part of the table.
8. Cut too many lines inside the tables, if possible only vertical lines to separate
headings.
9. Table title should be placed on top of the table and it should be 1 single space
before the double lines.
10. Tables should be presented after mentioning in the text but not in between texts.
FOR FIGURES PRESENTATION:
1. Figures are placed on the lower part of the page and should be clear and do not
contain unnecessary marks.
2. Figures should apply 1 point outline with no shadows.
3. Figure caption should be placed 1 single space after the figure is presented.
4. Figures should be presented after mentioning in the text but not in between texts.
5. Figures can be presented after it is mentioned in the text or could be placed as

appendix figures.
FOR LITERATURE CITED:
1. Strictly follow the CSE format. File at the end of the DDC Form and Style.
Benguet State University

College of Agriculture
Department of Development Communication
THESIS FORM AND STYLE (Social Research)
Prepared by: Randolf A. Sabado and Paul Joseph A. Nuval (Updated April 2020)
Paper Size
Ø Letter (8.5” x 11”)
Margin
Top Bottom Right Left
1” 1” 1” 1.5”

Font and Size
Ø Times New Roman, size 12.
Ø Do not use bold face.
General Spacing and Alignment

Ø Double space (2.0).
NOTE: Remove the spaces before and after paragraphs.
Ø Justified
How to remove before and after paragraph spaces

1. Select or highlight all (Ctrl + A).
2. Under the Home Tab, click the “Line and Paragraph Spacing” from the
Paragraph group.
3. Click either “Remove Space Before Paragraph” or “Remove Space After

Paragraph” whichever is applied. You can observe changes in the spacing.
NOTE: Copying and pasting text from another source (i.e., internet, website, pdf files) will
sometimes use source settings and this will “add” unnecessary spaces before and after your
copied texts. Therefore, it is advisable to “add” and then “remove” before and after paragraph
spaces after each time you edit your paper. Do the following steps to add and then remove
paragraph spaces.
3.1. Select all (Ctrl + A).

3.2. Click “Line and Paragraph Spacing”. You should see these options
since Microsoft Word will detect your initial setting.
3.3. Click “Add Space Before Paragraph”

3.4. Click again “Line and Paragraph Spacing”. You should now see
these options.
3.5. Click “Line and Paragraph Spacing” then click “Remove Space
Before Paragraph”.
3.6. Follow Steps 3.1 to 3.5 for Space After Paragraph.
TITLE PAGE
Ø FONT: Times New Roman

Use capital letters. No bold face.
Ø FONT SIZE: 12
Ø STRUCTURE: Inverted Pyramid
Ø SPACING: 1.0 (single). Adjust spaces between
components to show symmetry.
Ø Page number IS NOT shown. The title page is
considered as page “ i ”.
Title should follow the inverted pyramid format. Indigenous words

are italicized. Avoid hanging prepositions.
NAME: Given Name Middle Initial Last Name
For thesis outline, use:

A THESIS PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE,
BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY, IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE

Take note of the proper places of the commas. This is divided into
4 decks.
1” Date should be aligned with the bottom margin.

DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY
(Preliminary Page for Thesis Manuscript)
Two (2) double spaces
Page number is not shown. This is your page “ii”

CA FORM 3: THESIS OUTLINE APPROVAL SHEET
(Preliminary Page for Thesis Outline)
Ø Make sure that you are using the appropriate form. Hence,
CA-UR Form 10
Single space, center aligned
Ø Note: Comma is placed after the word “outline”
Double space
Ø Adjust spaces for signatures accordingly to show

symmetry.
Single space
Ø SIGNATORIES: Left Side: Panel Member 1

Right Side: Adviser
Single space, centered
Ø SIGNATORIES: 1st Center: Panel Member 2/Dept. Chairperson

2nd Center: Dean
1” Page number is not shown. This is your page “iii” in Thesis

Manuscript.
CA FORM 10: THESIS MANUSCRIPT APPROVAL SHEET
Ø Follow format of CA-UR Form 3 (page 7)

Ø Make sure that you are using the appropriate form. Hence,
CA-UR Form 10
Ø Comma is placed after the word “thesis.”
1”
Page number is not shown
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
(Preliminary Page for Manuscript)
Spelled as is (American English spelling)
RANDOLF A. SABADO
Page number is not shown in the initial page of ‘Acknowledgment’

but if it has multiple pages, the corresponding page number
should be placed at the bottom of the succeeding pages. Use
lower case numeral numbers (i.e. v, vi, vii, and so on). Font: Times
New Roman, size 12.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ø SPACING: 2.0 (double)
Two (2) double spaces between “TABLE OF CONTENTS” and

1.5” “Page”.
“Page” is aligned right.
Page numbers of the Preliminary Pages are in Roman numerals.

All page numbers are aligned right.
All dot leaders (the dotted lines) should be aligned right.
Note: ‘Table of Contents’, ‘List of Figure’, and ‘List of Tables’ should

have the same dot leader alignment.
Chapter titles (Introduction, Review of Literature, Methodology,

etc.) are aligned left.
First level titles under each chapter are tabbed by 0.5” (default
tab).
Page number is not shown in the initial page of ‘Table of

Contents’.
Include header “Page” in the succeeding pages of ‘Table of

Contents’.
Second level titles are tabbed 1” (twice tabbed).
If the titles are too long, use the appropriate number of decks. It
should follow the inverted pyramid format. Single spacing is used.
The page numbers are shown in the succeeding pages of ‘Table

of Contents’. Font: Times New Roman, size 12.
Include page number for “LITERATURE CITED”
Letter bullets are used with dots after the letters (i.e., A.; B.; C. and
so on)
The page numbers are shown in the succeeding pages of ‘Table

of Contents’. Font: Times New Roman, size 12.
LIST OF FIGURE/S
“Page” and page number/s are aligned right.
“Figure No.” and “Page” are lined together.
If the figure title is too long and reaches the center of the page,
use the appropriate number of decks. It should follow the inverted
pyramid format. Single spacing is used. Sentence case is used.
The first word (Map...) of the figure title is about 10 spaces away
from the figure number (1).
The figure number is lined with the letter “r” in the word Figure
Page number is not shown in the initial page of ‘List of Figure/s’.

But if it has multiple pages, the corresponding page number
New Roman, size 12.
LIST OF TABLE/S
“Table No.” and “Page” are lined together.
If the table title is too long and reaches the center of the page, use
the appropriate number of decks. It should follow the inverted
pyramid format. Single spacing is used. Sentence case is applied
The table titles start at about 10 spaces away from the table
numbers.
The table number/s are lined with the letter “e” in the word Table
Page number is not shown in the initial page of ‘List of Figure/s’.

New Roman, size 12.
ABSTRACT
Name starts with the last name. Name and month are in capital
letters. The title is underlined except for the period after the title.
Page number is not shown in the initial page of ‘Abstract’.

should be placed at the bottom of the succeeding pages.
Use lower case numeral numbers (i.e. v, vi, vii, and so on).
Font: Times New Roman, size 12.
The page numbers are shown in the succeeding pages of

‘Abstract’. Font: Times New Roman, size 12.
INTRODUCTION
Page number is not shown in the initial page of ‘Introduction’.

Page numbers are placed at the upper right hand corner starting
at this point.
Note: If the page number appears as it automatically include

page 1 in the Page Number, you can draw a text box, fill with
white color, and place ‘In Front of the Text’ to cover the page
number.
Two (2) double spaces between “INTRODUCTION” and “Rationale”
Note: The sample thesis used the APA style 6th edition for
citation. You should be using the Council of Science Editors
(CSE) 2016 style in citing your references.
Page number is shown in the succeeding pages of

‘Introduction’. Font is Times New Roman, size 12.
The numbers are lined with the default indent tab (0.5”)

The numbers are lined with the default tab (0.5”)

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Page number is NOT shown in the initial pages of the main

chapters. Page number is shown in the succeeding pages of
‘’Review of Literature. Font is Times New Roman, size 12.

number.
Two (2) double space.

Heading Styles
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
LEVEL FORMAT OUTCOME/EXAMPLE
INTRODUCTION
1
Center Heading Centered, All Caps, REVIEW OF LITERATURE
(Main
Not Bold METHODOLOGY etc.
Heading)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do
Centered, Title Case
2 Characteristics of Indigenous
eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Etiam tempor (Upper-Upper-case),
(Center Knowledge Systems
Not Bold, Underlined
Heading)
orci eu lobortis elementum nibh tellus molestie nunc. Cursus vitae congue
Left-aligned, Title
mauris rhoncus aenean. Eget nullam non nisi est sit amet facilisis magna 3 Case (Upper-Upper-
Types of Indigenous
(Side case), Not Bold,
etiam. Congue quisque egestas diam in arcu cursus euismod quis. Knowledge Systems
Heading) Underlined
Justify-aligned,
Indented, Sentence
Side Heading 4
Case (Upper-lower- Indigenous materials.
(Paragraph
case), Not Bold, Not Text begin on the same line.
Libero enim sed faucibus turpis in eu mi bibendum. Suspendisse Heading)
Underlined
ultrices gravida dictum fusce ut placerat orci nulla. Id faucibus nisl tincidunt
eget nullam non. Convallis posuere morbi leo urna molestie at.
Paragraph heading. Pharetra pharetra massa massa ultricies mi quis Two (2) double spaces
hendrerit dolor magna. Ac odio tempor orci dapibus ultrices in iaculis nunc
sed. Senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Quis eleifend Ø Center and side headings are in title case, underlined
quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus mattis. Ø Paragraph headings are in sentence case. Italicized
and not underlined.
Ø Only use center headings if you have three levels of

discussion.
General Note: Spaces between Main, Center, and Side Headings are
two (2) double spaces. Apply to all.
SIDE HEADING – Title case and underlined.
PARAGRAPH HEADING – Sentence case and italicized.
Under ‘Operational Definition of Terms’, use paragraph

headings as shown.
METHODOLOGY

at this point. Page number is shown in the succeeding pages of
‘Methodology’. Font is Times New Roman, size 12.

number.
Ø Research design is written after the Methodology Main

Heading.

METHODOLOGY
Ø The map of the locale of the study follows right after

the initial page of “METHODOLOGY” and when the
figure is discussed on the prior page. In the sample,
the figure of the Locale of the Study is discussed in
page 12 therefore the map should be page 13.
Map Formats
The map used to show the locale of the study should be a political
map that is clear. It should be enclosed by a border. The border
line is 1 pt. in size. No other effects (i.e., shadow, reflection, etc.)
Note: Specifications of Figures

Ø Resolution: 300dpi or should be clear at normal
reading/viewing practice. No blurred images.
Ø Picture Compression: Not stretched. Cropping should be at
the corners/edges of the figure.
Ø Border line: 1 pt. Black Color
Ø Effects: No artistic effects such as shadows, reflections
etc.
The distance between the border line of the map and the figure
title is double spaced. Use the sentence case format for the title
and there is no period at the end of the title.
The left border line should line up with the letter “F” of the word
Figure.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Heading Styles of the Results and Discussions

Note: Please refer to Page 21 for the Heading Styles
NO. OF WHAT TO USE OUTCOME

HEADINGS
2 1. Main RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Heading
2. Side Socio-demographic Profile
Heading of the Respondents

Heading
2. Side Socio-demographic Profile
Heading of the Respondents
3. Paragraph Age. In terms of age, 24 of the

Heading respondents belonged to…

Heading
Note: If 2. Center Socio-demographic Profile
you use Heading of the Respondents
this
heading The following are the socio-
style, it will demographic profiles of the community
be used all respondents and key informants
through
out the 3. Side Socio-demographic Profile of the
Result and Heading Community Respondents
Discussion
even if you 4. Paragraph Age. In terms of age, 24 of the
just have 2 Heading respondents belonged to…
and 3
Numbers Side Socio-demographic Profile
of Heading of the Key Informants
Headings.
Figure Formats
Figures are placed on the lower part of the page and should be clear
and do not contain unnecessary marks.
Note: Specifications of Figures

Ø Resolution: 300dpi or should be clear at normal
reading/viewing practice. No blurred images.
Ø Picture Compression: Not stretched. Cropping should be at
the corners/edges of the figure.
Ø Border line: 1 pt. Black Color
Ø Effects: No artistic effects such as shadows, reflections
etc.
Figures are always placed at the bottom of the page right

after the figure number was mentioned.
Two (2) double spaces between last line of discussion and

top border line of figure.
Use double space between the bottom borderline of figure

and the figure title. Again, make sure that the letter “F” is in
line with the left border line.
Use the sentence case format for the title and there is no
period at the end of the title.
If the title of the figure reaches 2 decks, hanging indention is

applied.
Table Formats
Tables are always placed at the top of the page. The table should
have been discussed on the preceding page.
In the case of our sample, the table is in page 42 but the
discussion of the table (where the table number was also
mentioned) is in page 41.
Ø The table number and title is above the table itself.

The title is in sentence case.
Ø The space between the title and the top border line of
the table is double space.
Ø The top and bottom borderlines of the table uses
double lines, 1 point.
Ø The horizontal lines inside the table are single line 1
point.
Ø If there is a legend, it is placed below the table and is
single spaced.
There should be two (2) double spaces between the bottom

border line of the table and the continuation of the discussion.
Legend is right below the table and is single spaced.
There should be two (2) double spaces between the last line of
the legend and the continuation of the discussion.
For multiple responses, use the format shown

Quotation Formats
Direct Quotations: These are used when data gathered are quoted in
verbatim. Data are usually quoted directly if we do not want to
lose the embedded meaning.
NUMBER OF FORMAT OUTCOME

WORDS
QUOTED
Less than 40 Cited in the She added: “____________.”
words sentences with or
quotation marks “____________________,” said Lad-
ey.
More than 40 Block She added:

words quotations with
no quotation Kung titignan mo sa
1” 1” marks Cabiten, haan nga isu da
didyay grabe nga
maibibusan ti kanen da…
For long quotes or block quotations, it is single spaced and

is compressed 1 inch from both right and left margins.
Indirect Quotations: These are information from interviews that are

processed, synthesized, and rephrased.
Example: Lakay Anno stated that the effects of….

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

‘Summary…’. Font is Times New Roman, size 12.

number.

The numbers should line with the default tab (0.5”). Apply
to conclusions and recommendations numbering.

LITERATURE CITED

‘Literature Cited’. Font is Times New Roman, size 12.

number.
Ø Use CSE 2016 citation style. You can use this link for
the guide:
https://www.augustana.edu/files/2019-
02/CSEcite2019.pdf
Ø In alphabetical order
Ø Hanging indention
APPENDICES
Ø Do not use bold fonts anywhere in your appendices.

each ‘Appendix’. Font is Times New Roman, size 12.
Appendix Title is written all caps. Center aligned.

Not bold nor underlined.

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DDC

Form and Style | 1

Benguet State University

POINTERS IN FORMAT PREPARATION FOR THESIS

2. The Preliminary Pages should be included in the Table of Contents with

3. Initial/First pages of the preliminary pages have imaginary page numbers.

5. The main heading such as: INTRODUCTION; REVIEW OF LITERATURE;

11. If possible, maintain only 2 levels of subsections (major subsection and

FOR THE TABULAR PRESENTATION:

3. Tables should not have side border lines.

4. First level heading should be all capitalized letters.

5. Second level heading should have first letter capitalized.

6. Third level heading should only have lowercase letters.

FOR FIGURES PRESENTATION:

2. Figures should apply 1 point outline with no shadows.

5. Figures can be presented after it is mentioned in the text or could be placed as

FOR LITERATURE CITED:

Benguet State University

General Spacing and Alignment

How to remove before and after paragraph spaces

3. Click either “Remove Space Before Paragraph” or “Remove Space After

3.1. Select all (Ctrl + A).

3.3. Click “Add Space Before Paragraph”

Ø FONT: Times New Roman

Title should follow the inverted pyramid format. Indigenous words

NAME: Given Name Middle Initial Last Name

For thesis outline, use:

1” Date should be aligned with the bottom margin.

Two (2) double spaces

Two (2) double spaces

Page number is not shown. This is your page “ii”

Ø Note: Comma is placed after the word “outline”

Ø Adjust spaces for signatures accordingly to show

Ø SIGNATORIES: Left Side: Panel Member 1

Single space, centered

Ø SIGNATORIES: 1st Center: Panel Member 2/Dept. Chairperson

1” Page number is not shown. This is your page “iii” in Thesis

Ø Follow format of CA-UR Form 3 (page 7)

Spelled as is (American English spelling)

Two (2) double spaces

Page number is not shown in the initial page of ‘Acknowledgment’

Ø SPACING: 2.0 (double)

Two (2) double spaces between “TABLE OF CONTENTS” and

“Page” is aligned right.

Page numbers of the Preliminary Pages are in Roman numerals.

Two (2) double spaces

All dot leaders (the dotted lines) should be aligned right.

Note: ‘Table of Contents’, ‘List of Figure’, and ‘List of Tables’ should

Chapter titles (Introduction, Review of Literature, Methodology,

Page number is not shown in the initial page of ‘Table of

Include header “Page” in the succeeding pages of ‘Table of

Second level titles are tabbed 1” (twice tabbed).

The page numbers are shown in the succeeding pages of ‘Table

Include page number for “LITERATURE CITED”

The page numbers are shown in the succeeding pages of ‘Table

Two (2) double spaces

“Page” and page number/s are aligned right.

“Figure No.” and “Page” are lined together.