An Imperfect Thesis
“Submitted is perfect” was a piece of thesis writing advice that jumped out to me on Twitter a few weeks ago. I wish I could remember where I saw it, though I imagine the person sharing it was not unique...
Daily viva help for PhDs
“Submitted is perfect” was a piece of thesis writing advice that jumped out to me on Twitter a few weeks ago. I wish I could remember where I saw it, though I imagine the person sharing it was not unique...
The most common typo I had to correct after my viva were the places I had not noticed “the the”. This was also the most annoying correction I had to make! I didn’t spot the ten or twelve instances I...
Most PhD candidates are asked to complete corrections as a result of their viva. They’re not a mark against the candidate. Corrections result from the fact that writing is hard and writing a book is very hard. Most candidates get...
There are three general viva outcomes. Minor corrections are minor: correcting typos, editing for clarity and amending diagrams. Most candidates are asked to complete minor corrections as a result of the viva. Major corrections are unlikely: they account for very...
Corrections. Amendments. Changes. They’re called lots of things, but the requests for alterations to your thesis after the viva really are just the very last, final tweaks to make your thesis the best it can reasonably be. The vast majority...
I have to turn off the captions for myself when I deliver a webinar. It might help some participants to see an AI-generated track of my words, but I can’t see them on my screen. For the most part they’re...
“No corrections” is a possible outcome for candidates at their viva. Not for many: it seems to be the case for around 10% of UK PhDs. You can hope you get this outcome, but that’s about it. “No corrections” is...
After submission it’s likely that your thesis will have flaws. It’s possible that your thesis may have problems too. Both of these have the potential to be talked about in the viva and have consequences for corrections afterwards. Flaws are...
Your thesis is not written only to pass the viva, or only to live up to your examiners’ expectations. That’s worth keeping in mind as you write it, but also as you prepare for your viva. To share your contribution...
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Do every little thing to help yourself. These are not contradictions when applied to the viva and viva prep. When you find a typo after submission, you could underline it or add it to...