Using LaTeX to Write a Thesis

The links and files given below provide a framework for writing a thesis at the University of Maine which comes close to satisfying the Graduate School's thesis format requirements. LaTeX is a free technical typesetting system which allows you to concentrate on the content of your thesis, while it takes care of the bulk of the formatting.

Installing Latex:

Linux

Your system distribution or vendor has almost certainly provided a TeX system (including LaTeX and a LaTeX aware editor). Check your usual software source for a TeX/LaTeX package. You can use any text editor to write your LaTeX document. If you'd like an integrated development environment customized to the LaTeX environment, kile is a popular choice.

Windows

Try installing the proTeXt environment, which includes MikTeX (the TeX/LaTeX implementation) and TeXnicCenter (an integrated development environment for LaTeX).

MacOS X

Download and install MacTeX

Download the UMaine Thesis Template here:

The template provides a collection of files which can be compiled (using LaTeX) to give a thesis-format document which illustrates many of the constructs that you're likely to need in writing your thesis (like this). A second document class file is also provided to compile your thesis into a reasonable looking report (totally ignoring the graduate-school format requirements, like this).

By viewing the compiled document along with the source files that created it, you should be able to get your thesis off and running.

Get Help When You Need it:

Here are a few resources:

• The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX2e
• The LaTeX project home page provideds some links to FAQs, Tutorials, etc.
• Online tutorial from the Indian LaTeX Users Group
• Google for "latex help" (of course)