LibGuides: Theses and Dissertations Deposit Guide: Formatting Guidelines

Alt text Required for Images

Images in submitted theses or dissertations must have alt text supplied by the author.

Alternative text (“alt text”) is a machine-readable description of an image useful for when an image cannot be displayed or when a screen reader is being used to access the content.

Writing alt text for images:

The recommended number of characters for alt text is 125 characters or less for compatibility with popular screen readers.
All alt text should end with a period punctuation mark, so that the screen reader will pause after reading.
If the image contains text, write it out verbatim, as character limits allow.

Alt-text for Graphs or Charts:

Begin by describing what the graph provides at a basic level, for example alt="Graph of yearly tropical storm activity" and add more detailed information as character limits allow.

Adding alternative text in Word and other MS products
Add alternative text to a shape, picture, chart, SmartArt graphic, or other object

Arrangement of Contents

I. Preliminaries

A. Title page (required)

B. Copyright Notice (optional)

D. Dedication and/or Acknowledgments (optional)

E. Table of Contents (required)

F. List of Tables and/or Figures (if applicable)

G. Abstract (required, not to exceed 300 words)

II. Body of Text

III. Reference Materials

A. Appendices (if any)

B. Citation of Sources

C. Bibliography

IV. Vita (optional) (no more than 250 words) Brief biographical information about the author, including educational and employment history, and bibliography of publications, if any.

Pagination

SUGGESTED PAGINATION SEQUENCE
Title page:	counted as Roman numeral, but not numbered
Copyright notice (if any):	counted as Roman numeral, but not numbered
Acknowledgements (if any):	small Roman numerals
Table of Contents:	small Roman numerals
List of Tables/Figures (if any):	small Roman numerals
Abstract:	small Roman numerals
Text:	Arabic numerals; count, but omit number from first page
Appendix (if any):	Arabic numerals
References/Bibliography:	Arabic numerals
Vita:	Arabic numerals

**note that signed Certificates of Approval, Availability Agreements, and any copyright documentation are uploaded to Digital Commons by students as supplemental files and will remain hidden.