Annotating your thesis as part of viva prep is useful: it creates a better resource to be consulted during the viva and also focusses your attention while getting ready. You have to engage again and again to add value by underlining, highlighting and making notes in the margin. There’s plenty of space to add details but it helps to be concise and clear.
A specific, short idea for today then. Write a little list at the start of each chapter; five bullet points to capture something of the pages that follow:
- A one-sentence summary.
- The key takeaway of the chapter.
- A reference that really supports the work.
- A question to remember or reflect on.
- Something you learned while doing the research.
A micro-review of each chapter will help sharpen your thinking while you get ready for the viva and continue to support you when you meet your examiners. Invest a little time in some little lists.
