I once asked a young dissertation writer whether her suddenly greying hair was due to ill health or personal tragedy; she answered: “It was the footnotes.”
Joanna Russ
As a graduate student, you know that research, writing, and formatting can be a real challenge. But fear not, because in 2023, there are more dissertation apps than ever before to help you perfect your academic writing.
Here are 10 of the best dissertation apps to make your writing process more efficient, less stressful….and, yes, even enjoyable.
1. Grammarly – This app is a must-have for anyone working on a dissertation. It checks for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors and (best of all!) suggests improvements to your writing style. The paid, low-cost version of the app helps you identify issues with your writing and try new structures that increase clarity and coherence. Grammarly is your ultimate writing companion. Its AI-powered algorithm ensures that your content is error-free and professional.
2. Evernote – This note-taking app is ideal for helping you organize your research notes and ideas. It’s great for creating to-do lists and setting reminders. The app also allows you to scan documents and save them as PDFs, making it easier to access your research materials. With Evernote, you no longer have to worry about losing important notes or forgetting ideas.
3. Zotero – This reference manager is a must-have for academic writers who need to keep track of their research sources. It helps you collect, organize, and cite sources in a variety of styles. Zotero will automatically generate a bibliography in your desired style. It’s a game-changer for those who struggle with citation formatting.
4. Mendeley – Another reference manager, Mendeley is particularly useful for academic writers in the sciences. It helps you manage and share research papers, create bibliographies, and collaborate with colleagues. Many of my clients love this app!
5. EndNote – This reference manager is a popular choice for academic writers who are tackling large research projects. It’s particularly useful for those in the social sciences and humanities.
6. Scrivener – This app is a favorite among writers of all kinds, including academic writers. It helps you organize your writing projects, research, and notes in one place, and is particularly useful for long-form writing projects. (Yes, the dissertation definitely fits into that category!)
7. If you’re struggling with procrastination, Pomodoro Timer is the app for you. This app uses the Pomodoro Technique to help you focus and manage your time effectively. The technique involves working for 20 or 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break, then repeating the cycle. With this app, you can set a timer and track your progress, making it easier to stay on track and complete your work on time. This app has been around for a while, but many grad students still find it incredibly useful.
8. Hemingway – This app helps you improve your writing style by highlighting common mistakes and providing suggestions for improvement. It’s particularly useful for academic writers who need to write in a clear and concise style.
9. Notion – This is a powerful all-in-one workspace that helps you manage your writing projects, research, and notes in one place. It’s particularly useful for collaborative projects.
10. Trello – If you’re looking for a great tool to streamline project management, Trello is the answer. It helps you keep track of tasks, deadlines, and progress. It’s another app that works well for group-oriented projects.
In conclusion, these 10 dissertation apps are essential tools for any academic writer in 2023. From reference managers to note-taking apps to powerful writing tools, these apps will help you write more efficiently, effectively, and professionally. Let’s get that DISSERTATION DONE!