Frequently Asked Questions

We support .docx files only (Microsoft Word format). Files must be under 10MB. If you're working in Google Docs, you can download your document as .docx before uploading. See our full list of checks to learn what we analyze.

The 26 free checks — covering formatting, structure, citation density, and more — complete in seconds. Pro checks take 3–7 minutes depending on chapter length, as each AI check is processed individually for accuracy.

The 26 free checks use instant pattern-matching to catch abbreviation consistency, source concentration, paragraph structure, citation density, first-person usage, citation format errors, APA formatting issues, and more. Pro adds 29 AI-powered checks that analyze paragraph development, argument logic, synthesis quality, evidence strength, and more—the deeper issues that cause committee revision requests.

For free users, your file is processed, your report is generated, and then the document is immediately deleted from our servers. Pro users' files are retained for 24 hours to enable Word comment export, then permanently deleted. We never read or share your dissertation content. Your privacy is our top priority.

You can check any chapter using four modes: Literature Review (Chapter 2), Methodology (Chapter 3), General (any chapter), and Full Dissertation (all chapters at once). The Literature Review mode is the most popular.

It was built by a dissertation chair who wrote thousands of revision comments across hundreds of dissertations. Now covering 55 checks, every check reflects what real committees actually flag—not generic grammar rules.

The 26 instant checks are completely free—no account required. Pro is $12/month and includes 29+ AI-powered deep analysis checks, Word export with inline comments, and priority processing.

Tokens are the units used to process text for AI Deep Analysis. A 30-page chapter uses about 145,000 tokens per review session. With 1,500,000 tokens/month, you can run approximately 10 full deep reviews.

You’ll still have full access to the 26 free instant checks. AI Deep Analysis requires tokens, while Citation Checker has a separate limit of 20 checks/month. Both reset at your next billing cycle.

Yes! You can cancel your subscription at any time. You’ll retain access to Pro features until the end of your current billing period. No cancellation fees, no long-term commitments.

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A literature review is a comprehensive survey and synthesis of existing research on your topic. In most dissertations, it’s Chapter 2. The goal isn’t just to summarize sources—it’s to synthesize them into themes that establish a gap your study addresses.

Most dissertation committees expect 50–100+ sources for a literature review, with the majority published within the last 5 years. The exact number depends on your field and university requirements.

A dissertation is typically a doctoral-level original research project (PhD or EdD), while a thesis is usually a master’s-level research project. Dissertations are longer (150–300+ pages), require original contribution to the field, and involve a committee defense.

Most dissertations are 150–300 pages, though this varies by field and university. Chapter 2 (Literature Review) is typically 40–80 pages. Chapter 3 (Methodology) runs 20–40 pages.

Committees evaluate argument logic, source quality, APA formatting, synthesis (not just summary), alignment between problem statement and methodology, and clear writing. The most common feedback involves citation integration, synthesis quality, and vague language. Our tool checks for exactly these issues.

Run your chapter through our checker first. If you’re getting mostly "Could Fix" issues (minor suggestions) rather than "Must Fix" issues (serious problems), you’re in good shape. When your report is mostly clean, your chair can focus on the substance of your argument rather than catching formatting issues.