What is a Dedication Page in Academic Papers?

A dedication is an optional section in an academic paper where you can show your appreciation to the individual(s) who have given you support or inspiration throughout your work. This is one of the shortest parts of an academic paper.

In this post, we will take a quick look at this very special part when it comes to writing your academic papers. And by the time you finish reading, you will understand what dedication is, where it goes, what it means, who to include, and some best practices.

What is a dedication page in academic papers?

With a dedication page, you can honor the individual in the process of researching and writing your paper. It’s an act of gratitude to all those persons in your life who have a role in the academic journey. And a dedication for a paper is a personal note of thanks to the ones that may or may not have even been involved in your work, but played a special role to make it happen.

Why should I write a dedication in my writing?

Dedication is not a required section in most academic writing.

However, by showing appreciation to the individuals or even the higher power who meant the most to you, you attach meaning to your work beyond the academic level.

For instance, a song is just a song. But if you dedicate a song to someone special to you, you inject new meanings into the song. And takes your writing to the next level by connecting your work with the people who mean the most to you.

The same goes for your academic writing. Do you agree?

Who should I include in the dedication page?

You can include individual(s) who have inspired you or emotionally support you on a personal level throughout your work. 

They may or may not involve in your research work. So you may include:

• God or the higher power
• Spouse
• Partners
• Family
• Friends

The people you mention in your dedication are usually your personal influences as opposed to your academic or professional ones like your supervisors, professors, or TAs.

Where does the dedication appear in a paper?

The dedication page should appear before the main body of a thesis or dissertation.

But every institution has its own requirements. You should always check the formatting guidelines provided by your school, faculty or department.

How long is a dedication page?

A dedication page can be as short as one sentence, if not in a few short paragraphs.

Phrases to begin your dedication:

“This paper is dedicated to…….”

Example:

This paper is dedicated to my institution mentors under whose constant guidance I have completed this dissertation. They not only enlightened me with the academic knowledge but also gave me valuable advice whenever I needed it the most.

“My paper is a dedication to my…”

Example:

My paper is a dedication to my respectful parents and beloved wife without whose constant support this thesis paper was not possible. They always inspire me. At the same time, my thanks also go to my caring siblings whose advice really worked for this thesis paper.

“I dedicate this paper to…“

Example:
I dedicate this thesis to my father and my mother, who with love and effort have accompanied me in this process, without hesitating at any moment of seeing my dreams come true, which are also their dreams.

Also read: 11 Examples of Well-Written Dedication Section

Dedication best practices

While there is no set format or requirements for writing a dedication in an academic paper, you may want to follow these general rules to start:

1. Always check the style guides provided by your school, faculty, or department. Every institution has its own requirements.
2. Use the same font as in the rest of your paper.
3. Align the page in the center.
4. No image is needed.
5. Capitalize the title as “DEDICATION”
6. The dedication page should not count towards the body text and should be paginated with small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, v, etc.).

Check out the guide below to start writing your dedication: