Ask any experienced dissertation advisor about the first step of writing a dissertation. Guess what he/she will answer. Definitely, a good advisor will tell you that you should begin your work with past dissertations.
 
This is really the best answer and advice that can be given for those who start writing their big project. This project is unknown and a bit mysterious for you. Past dissertations are just what you need to get the first impression of this work. Perhaps, you will have a look at the past dissertations and will realize that this work is not for you. Or on the contrary, past dissertations will urge you to your own investigation.
 
Anyway, past dissertations should be your first step on the way to degree. Before using past dissertations, we advise you to make a list of those questions and unclear points that you have about writing this work. Thus, you will not miss something important about the dissertation writing process.
 
So, what are those points that you should pay attention to while looking through the past dissertations?

• First of all, you should pay attention to the general organization of the past dissertations. This is exactly what you will need to do with your dissertation. Mind the sequence of the dissertation parts, note down what parts that are optional and which ones should necessarily be present and so on.

• Focus on some specific aspects of past dissertations. Follow up the logical connections between the chapters, the extent of logical presentation of the information in the chapters.
• Pay attention to the sources used for writing past dissertations: their necessary amount, relevance and modernity.
• If the past dissertations found are similar to yours on the topic, this is the best example of how such a topic should be disclosed, what methods to be used and what the outcomes of the work you should get.

Thus, past dissertations are your first advisor and instructions for writing this challenging and big project.