Keyword Questions

A short viva prep exercise.

Think of three keywords related directly to your research. Write them down on a sheet of paper and leave some space around the words for further writing.

For each keyword write one or more sentences that responds to each of the following questions:

• Why is this keyword important?
• What’s one question you’ve been asked related to this keyword before?
• What’s one question you would like to be asked related to this keyword?
• How does this keyword connect to the others?

When you’ve written your responses fold the paper up and leave it alone for a day or two.

When you open it up glance over it and consider: what stands out to you? Do you need to make any additions to the notes you’ve already made?

And what, if anything, do you need to do to help you become more prepared for your viva?