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Discussion Chapter Template

Our proven discussion template, interpret your findings. Free to use. Instant access.

Developed by Grad Coach's Doctoral-Qualified Team15 Million Downloads · Used by 500+ Universities

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What it covers

This template covers everything examiners expect from the discussion chapter (or section) of a dissertation or thesis, the same components we’ve coached 10,000+ students through:

The opening/overview section
Overview of key findings
Interpretation of the findings
Concluding summary

Each section comes with plain-language instructions and a worked example.

The Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.

Frequently asked questions

Which dissertations or theses can this be used for?

Any formal academic research project. Check your university’s own requirements before you finalize your structure.

Is this for undergrad, Master or PhD-level work?

Any level of study. A doctoral discussion chapter usually interprets findings in more depth, but the structure stays the same.

How long should the discussion chapter be?

This varies more than most chapters, depending on your level of study, field and university requirements, and the source template itself doesn’t give a number either. What’s consistent is the shape: your Interpretation of Findings section will almost always be the longest part of the chapter, while the opening and closing sections should each stay to a paragraph or two. If you need an actual page count, a recently completed dissertation from your own program is a more reliable source than any general rule.

Can I share this template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template in its original format (no editing allowed). If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, please reference this page as your source.

What format is the template (DOC, PDF, PPT, etc.)?

The dissertation discussion chapter template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

Do you have templates for the other chapters?

Yes, we do. You can find our full collection of templates here.

Can Grad Coach help me with my discussion/analysis?

Yes, we can provide coaching-based assistance with your discussion chapter (or any other chapter). If you’re interested, get in touch to discuss our private coaching services.

Does this ever get merged with another chapter?

Sometimes. Some universities merge the discussion into the conclusion chapter, and it’s common for qualitative studies to combine results and discussion into one. Check your own program’s structure before assuming this template’s four-section split applies as-is.