A Complete Guide to Chinese Legal Dissertation Format

Overview

Writing a Chinese legal dissertation can be a challenging task for many students. In addition to careful research and clear thinking, students need to follow specific formatting requirements. This article aims to provide a detailed guide on Chinese legal dissertation formatting to help readers easily understand and effectively write their papers.

Dissertation Structure

Before delving into the specifics of Chinese legal dissertation formatting, let’s first understand the basic structure of a dissertation. Typically, a Chinese legal dissertation may include the following sections:

1. Title Page: The title page should include the Chinese title, English title, author’s name, school/institution name, major/field, date, and other information.
2. Abstract: The abstract should briefly summarize the main content of the dissertation and outline key points and conclusions. The abstract should have a logical structure, including background, purpose, method, results, and conclusions.
3. Table of Contents: The table of contents lists the titles and page numbers of each chapter to help readers navigate quickly.
4. Introduction: The introduction should clearly state the purpose and importance of the research, provide background information, and spark reader interest.
5. Literature Review: The literature review is a retrospective and evaluation of relevant research in the current legal field. This section should provide sufficient information to demonstrate the innovation and necessity of the research.
6. Methodology: This chapter describes the methods and methodology you adopted in your research. You need to explain your data collection, analysis, and interpretation processes.
7. Results: The results section presents your research findings through tables, charts, and clear descriptions.
8. Discussion: The discussion section analyzes and interprets your research results, comparing and discussing them with existing literature. You need to clarify the contribution and impact of your findings on the current field.
9. Conclusion: The conclusion is a summary of your entire research. You need to re-emphasize your main findings and suggest possible directions for further research.
10. References: The references list the literature cited in the dissertation. You need to correctly list each citation according to the specified citation format.

Details of Chinese Legal Dissertation Format

Font and Font Size

In Chinese legal dissertations, Song typeface is usually used as the body font, with a font size of small four (12pt). Headings can use Heiti typeface, with different font sizes selected according to the level.

Margins and Line Spacing

Margins and line spacing are important parts of Chinese legal dissertation formatting. The following settings are usually recommended:

• Top margin: 2.5 cm
• Bottom margin: 2.5 cm
• Left margin: 3 cm
• Right margin: 2.5 cm

Line spacing is generally 1.5 times or double spacing.

Chapter Headings

Chapter headings at various levels should use the corresponding standard heading format in Chinese legal dissertations:

• First-level heading: Size 3 Heiti bold, centered
• Second-level heading: Size 4 Heiti bold, left-aligned
• Third-level heading: Small size 4 Heiti bold, left-aligned
• Fourth-level heading: Small size 4 Heiti, left-aligned

Tables and Charts

In Chinese legal dissertations, tables and charts are often used to present research results. When writing your dissertation, please note the following points:

• Tables and charts should have clear titles, numbers, and source descriptions.
• Text in tables should use small size 5 Song typeface.
• Charts should have appropriate labels and be properly explained when referenced.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What citation format should I use?

In Chinese legal dissertations, the citation format generally follows “Work Title” (Author’s Last Name, Year). Ensure that citations in the text are consistent with the citation format in the reference list.

2. How should I allocate word count among various sections?

The word count allocation for each section should depend on the specific requirements of the dissertation and the focus of the research. The introduction and conclusion are usually shorter, while the methodology, results, and discussion sections may take up more word count. Please refer to the dissertation guidelines or communicate with your instructor for more specific guidance.

3. Are there any additional requirements to note?

There may be some additional requirements, such as the need to include the school logo on the dissertation cover. Make sure to carefully read the dissertation guidelines and follow the specified formatting requirements.

Conclusion

This article provides a comprehensive guide to Chinese legal dissertation formatting. By following the formatting requirements introduced in this article, you can better organize and present your research results. Remember to use the correct font, margins, and line spacing when writing your dissertation, and follow the specified citation format. We hope this article helps you write a standardized Chinese legal dissertation.