Steve Tippins warns dissertation authors against vague language, casual phrasing, and jokes in thank-you notes to committee members. Keep it professional, skip the negativity, and don't skip the note itself. These gestures shape long-term relationships.
If you're going to do this, avoid some pitfalls. Don't be vague. "Hey, thanks for being on my committee." Don't try to be overly casual. This is a formal thank you. Don't make jokes about how painful the process was. Keep it professional. Don't say, "God, you were a jerk, and thank God you finally got on board." And don't skip the note because you're tired. This can matter in the long run. If you're struggling with a thank you note or any other part of your dissertation, you don't have to do this alone. Join our free dissertation help community.
