How to Write Your First Thesis Submission and Impress Your Supervisor

How to Write Your First Thesis Submission and Impress Your Supervisor

Writing the first piece of formal work for your thesis or dissertation supervisor is a defining early milestone in postgraduate research. It signals the beginning of your scholarly partnership and sets the tone for your future communication, academic progress and collaborative workflow. Although there is no universal rule for when this initial submission should occur or what form it should take, almost all supervisors view this early stage as critically important.

For many students—especially those who have never worked closely with a supervisor before—this moment can feel intimidating. You might worry about not meeting expectations, misunderstanding instructions or revealing weaknesses in your writing or research skills. These feelings are normal, but they can be significantly eased by approaching the task with clarity, organisation and professionalism. With the right preparation, your first submission becomes an excellent opportunity to impress your supervisor, clarify expectations and begin a productive, trusting relationship.

This extended article offers detailed guidance on how to prepare your first piece of writing, how to interpret your supervisor’s expectations, how to communicate effectively and how to navigate early feedback. Following these principles will help you begin your postgraduate journey with confidence and set the foundation for successful supervision throughout your entire thesis or dissertation process.

1. Why Your First Submission Matters So Much

Your supervisor does not expect perfection, but they do expect care, effort and seriousness. This first piece of writing allows them to assess:

• your current academic writing level,
• your understanding of your research area,
• your ability to follow instructions,
• your communication style,
• how ready you are to begin long-form scholarly writing.

Equally importantly, it helps your supervisor identify any early issues that may create difficulties later—such as structural weaknesses, unclear thinking, language problems or gaps in foundational knowledge. Addressing these issues early can save months of difficulty later in the thesis process.

This first piece of writing also shapes how your supervisor perceives your reliability. A carefully prepared, proofread and well-structured document signals that you are committed and organised. Conversely, submitting rushed or unclear work may raise concerns about your future progress.

2. Follow Instructions Precisely

Different supervisors have different preferences, and your first responsibility is to follow their instructions exactly. They might ask for:

• a summary of your research interests;
• a preliminary literature review;
• a short methodology outline;
• a reflection on key theories in your field;
• a draft introduction or chapter section;
• a sample essay or previous assignment.

Even if you are unsure why a particular task is requested, complete it thoroughly. Supervisors often use specific tasks to assess thinking skills, discipline-specific vocabulary, comprehension and writing structure.

If instructions are unclear, do not guess—ask. Clarifying expectations at the start shows professional communication and prevents unnecessary rework.

3. Provide Your Best Writing—Even If It Is a Draft

You only get one opportunity to make a strong first impression. Even if your supervisor says the draft does not need to be perfect, you should still aim to produce polished, coherent and well-organised writing.

Before submitting:

• read through your work carefully to check for clarity and logic;
• ensure each paragraph has a clear purpose and topic sentence;
• check that your argument flows logically from one section to the next;
• make sure any references and citations are correctly formatted according to the required style;
• avoid overly casual language or unsupported claims.

Many supervisors use your first submission to assess whether you may need extra writing support, such as writing workshops, language assistance or professional editorial help later in the process. Investing time now in producing your best possible draft signals that you are serious about your work.

4. What Your Supervisor May Want to See

Supervisors request different kinds of first submissions depending on the discipline, stage of study and their mentoring style. Understanding the purpose behind each request helps you produce work that is useful, relevant and impressive.

4.1 A Statement of Research Ideas

When your supervisor asks for a short outline of your intended project, they are assessing more than just your topic choice. They want to see how you think, how you structure ideas and how well you can articulate a research direction. This is your chance to introduce the intellectual motivations behind your project.

A strong statement should identify the central problem or question, explain why it matters and show evidence of initial reading. Even if your ideas are still developing, communicate them clearly and honestly. Supervisors value curiosity, self-awareness and willingness to refine your focus.

4.2 A Preliminary Literature Review

A preliminary literature review demonstrates your ability to engage critically with scholarship in your field. It shows whether you understand major debates, influential theories and gaps in existing research. Instead of summarising sources mechanically, aim to synthesise them by highlighting patterns, tensions, contradictions and unresolved questions.

Supervisors use this submission to judge whether you are ready to position your own work within a broader academic landscape. A well-written review signals early maturity as a researcher and helps your supervisor identify areas where further reading or conceptual refinement is needed.

4.3 A Methodology Outline

Sometimes supervisors ask for a brief outline of your planned methodology before a full chapter is drafted. This allows them to assess whether your planned approach is feasible, ethical and logically connected to your research questions. It also helps them identify potential problems early—such as unrealistic sample sizes, inappropriate instruments or unclear analytical strategies.

When you write a methodology outline, be as specific as you can about what you intend to do. If you are considering several alternative approaches, explain the advantages and limitations of each. Doing so allows your supervisor to guide you toward the most appropriate design and prevent avoidable problems later.

4.4 A Sample Chapter or Introduction

When supervisors request a draft of a chapter—often the introduction or literature review—they are evaluating both content and academic writing ability. They will look at how you structure arguments, integrate sources, avoid plagiarism and maintain academic style. This early sample becomes a basis for setting consistent formatting conventions, including citation style, heading structure and tone.

This kind of submission also gives you a valuable starting point for your thesis. Rather than treating it as an isolated exercise, see it as the first building block of your final document. The feedback you receive will not only improve this chapter but will also guide your writing in future chapters.

5. Formatting and Style: Start Correctly from the Beginning

Academic formatting is not a cosmetic detail—it is part of scholarly professionalism. Examiners and supervisors expect adherence to your department’s chosen style guide from your very first submission. Whether your discipline uses APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard or another format, learning it early will save you countless hours later.

Consistent formatting demonstrates discipline and attention to detail. Even if you find formatting tedious, remember that compliance communicates professionalism. For your first submission, apply correct headings, citations and reference-list formatting. If you are unsure which style to use, ask your supervisor immediately; formatting errors can distract from your ideas and weaken the impact of your writing.

6. Your First Meeting After Submitting Your Work

Submitting your first piece of writing is only half of the process—the follow-up meeting with your supervisor is equally important. This meeting is where expectations are clarified, misunderstandings resolved and your working relationship begins to take shape.

Approach it as a structured professional conversation. Before the meeting, review your supervisor’s comments and prepare notes. Identify areas where you need clarification, questions about how to proceed and concerns you may have about your project. Taking initiative in this way shows intellectual maturity and respect for your supervisor’s time.

During the meeting, adopt a collaborative mindset. Your goal is to learn how your supervisor works: their communication style, their pace, the level of detail they expect and how they prefer drafts to be submitted. Establishing this early avoids unnecessary friction later. This meeting sets the rhythm for your future interactions, so approach it thoughtfully and professionally.

7. How to Discuss Feedback Productively

Receiving feedback—especially for the first time—can be stressful. However, learning to engage with feedback is one of the most important postgraduate skills you will develop.

Begin by separating your identity from your writing. Comments on your draft are not comments on your worth as a scholar; they are tools for improvement. When supervisors offer corrections or suggestions, they are investing in your development.

During discussions:

• ask clarifying questions to ensure you correctly understand each point;
• summarise feedback in your own words to confirm accuracy;
• distinguish immediate issues (structure, argument, research focus) from secondary ones (style, phrasing, minor formatting);
• avoid becoming defensive; curiosity is more productive than resistance;
• make a plan for how you will address the main points in your next draft.

Taking feedback seriously demonstrates professionalism and commitment. Supervisors appreciate students who revise carefully and show evidence of growth between drafts.

8. Establishing Expectations and Communication Style

Every supervisor–student relationship is unique, shaped by personalities, academic traditions and disciplinary norms. Early on, you must learn how your supervisor prefers to work. Some supervisors give detailed line-by-line feedback, while others offer high-level conceptual direction. Some respond quickly; others need more time.

Use early meetings to clarify:

• how frequently you should submit drafts;
• preferred communication channels (email, shared documents, scheduled meetings);
• expectations for meeting preparation;
• feedback turnaround times;
• how polished each draft should be before submission.

Clear expectations reduce anxiety and prevent miscommunication. Establishing boundaries and routines early supports a smoother thesis-writing experience for both of you.

9. Balancing Initiative with Guidance

Supervisors value students who demonstrate independence but also respect guidance. Striking this balance shows that you are capable yet collaborative—an essential trait for researchers.

Show initiative by:

• reading broadly beyond the minimum requirements;
• proposing ideas for structure, methods or areas of literature;
• bringing potential solutions—not only problems—to meetings;
• working consistently between meetings, even when deadlines are distant.

At the same time, remain open to direction. Supervisors have deep experience in research design, academic writing and disciplinary norms. Their suggestions often prevent you from pursuing unproductive paths. A healthy balance of independence and responsiveness builds trust and encourages your supervisor to invest more in your development.

10. Using AI Responsibly When Preparing Your First Submission

10.1 When AI Can Help

AI tools can support certain aspects of your writing process, but they must never replace your own analysis, argument or voice. Used cautiously, they can help you manage the practical side of writing without generating or rephrasing content for you.

For example, AI can be useful for brainstorming possible structures for a chapter or section. You might ask it to suggest different ways of organising an introduction, a literature review or a methodology outline, and then critically evaluate those suggestions using your own judgement and disciplinary knowledge. In this way, AI functions as a planning aid rather than a writing assistant.

AI can also help you create checklists or timelines for your work. You might, for instance, ask for a breakdown of the typical stages involved in drafting a thesis chapter, then adapt that outline to your own needs and deadlines. This can make large tasks feel more manageable and support better time management.

Some students also find AI helpful for identifying which sections of their draft might need more explanation or evidence by asking high-level questions about coherence (for example, “Does this outline clearly show how I move from background to research questions?”). Even here, AI should only be used to prompt your own thinking—you must decide what changes to make and how to make them.

For language accuracy, nuance and discipline-specific style, however, it is safer to rely on human support, such as supervisors, university writing centres or professional dissertation proofreading. Human experts can respond to your intentions, your field’s conventions and your examiners’ expectations in ways AI currently cannot.

10.2 Risks of Relying Too Much on AI

• AI may introduce inaccuracies or invented content;
• AI output may increase similarity scores by echoing common phrasing patterns;
• AI can weaken your academic voice if you allow it to dominate your style;
• supervisors can often recognise generic, non-specialist text produced by AI;
• your institution may have strict policies governing AI use in assessed work.

Use AI, if at all, as a minor support tool—not as a content generator. Your critical thinking, disciplinary understanding and original writing remain at the heart of your thesis.

Conclusion

Your first piece of writing for your thesis or dissertation supervisor is more than an administrative requirement—it is a key academic opportunity. It allows you to demonstrate commitment, analytical ability and writing skill while establishing a productive supervisory relationship.

By following instructions carefully, producing polished work, engaging openly with feedback, clarifying expectations early and using AI cautiously and ethically, you set the foundation for a smooth and successful research journey. Treat this stage seriously, and it will reward you for the entire duration of your thesis or dissertation.