What Umberto Eco’s How to Write a Thesis Taught Me About Research — and Myself

← back to writing · Apr 30, 2025 · 3 min read

What Umberto Eco’s How to Write a Thesis Taught Me About Research — and Myself

What does writing a thesis really mean? Umberto Eco’s classic book helped me answer it.

As I near the end of my PhD journey, I found myself wondering:

What does writing a thesis really mean to researchers?
Is it simply a rite of passage — or something much deeper?

Searching for answers, I turned to the book How to write a thesis by Umberto Eco (1932–2016) — the legendary Italian writer, philosopher, semiotician (scholar of signs and symbols), literary critic, and university professor. What I discovered surprised me, challenged me, and changed the way I see my own work.

Main Takeaways: Lessons That Stuck with Me

✅ Don’t fake your sources.

Never quote from indirect sources and pretend you’ve read the original.

This reminder hit home for me. In the rush of deadlines, I’ve sometimes cited articles based on other articles without checking the originals. Eco’s advice is simple but powerful — be responsible for your research.

✅ Organize your knowledge flexibly.

Eco used an index card system to build his personal knowledge base.

Surprisingly to me, it is quite similar to the Zettelkasten method (you can read more about the Zettelkasten method in the book How to Take Smart Notes by Sonke Ahrens) but is even more adaptable.

He used

Reading cards
Ideas cards
Bibliography cards
(and other types of cards as needed)

Unlike Zettelkasten’s stricter division, Eco allowed himself to write ideas, critiques, or suggestions on any card, flowing naturally with his thinking.

It’s a freeing, flexible system — and one I find inspiring for adjusting my own note-taking.

I have been using Zettelkasten method for note-taking in my research. Following its structure, I would only record my ideas and critiques on “Permanent Notes” (Zettelkasten typically uses 4 types of notes: fleeting notes, literature review notes, permanents notes and project notes).

The Note-Taking System That Made My PhD Research Easier
How I went from losing 90% of what I read to building an evolving knowledge system.

✅ Research experience matters more than the topic.

Eco’s advice is clear:

It’s not about finding the “perfect” research topic.

It’s about learning how to tackle problems methodically, manage information, structure arguments, and communicate clearly.

The process itself is the real reward.

✅ Manageability is key.

You’re not here to solve all the world’s problems.

You’re here to create a competent, meaningful piece of work — something you can finish within your available time and resources.

That reminder really lifted a weight off my shoulders.

Eco’s Philosophy on Thesis Writing

In short, Eco’s philosophy is simple:

Write the thesis you can actually write.

That means:

Choose a topic you have some experience or exposure to
Use materials you can access
Work with sources you can understand
Apply methods you can realistically learn

Simple. Grounded. Achievable.

What Principles Do You Follow In Your Research?
Have you ever stopped to think about what truly guides your research — beyond deadlines, funding, or pressure to…

How This Book Changed My Perspective

I originally picked up this book hoping to understand the deeper meaning of writing a thesis — especially how great researchers of the past approached their projects.

While some of my initial questions remain unanswered, I gained something more valuable: A realization that experience matters more than the topic itself.

Research is not just about what you study. It’s about who you become through the process.

It’s not the topic that shapes us — it’s the experience.

And that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me long after my dissertation is done.