1. Some practical tips for writing your PhD
Both Good and Original
Some practical tips for writing your PhD

2. "Your manuscript is both good and original
"Your manuscript is both good and original. But the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good." (Attributed to Samuel Johnson.)

3. The Problem with the PhD
“The average PhD thesis is nothing but a transference of bones from one graveyard to another.”
J. Frank Dobie

4. What’s in a thesis? It should: be substantial and ground-breaking
define a hypothesis
provide arguments to substantiate or refute that hypothesis
make a difference
have 2 -3 key research ideas
be something you can be proud of

5. The Writing-Up Stage Problems Things take longer than you expect
Shaping and refining the thesis or argument is difficult
Sorting out chapters, sections and sub-sections is time-consuming
Integrating and responding to comments requires further thinking and re-writing
Editing and proofreading require time and energy

6. Ten tips for writing your thesis
Plan your argument
Write one sentence for each of the following:
Introduction
The problem
What the literature says
My approach to this problem
My response/solution/observations
The result/outcome

7. Ten tips for writing your thesis
Plan your thesis
Use your argument as a basis for a chapter outline
Start a binder or box file for each chapter
Be prepared to change your mind

8. Writing your thesis outline
Aim for a respectable number of chapters Five chapters is probably too little 8 or more would be very ambitious 6/7 chapters is the average

9. Writing your thesis outline – fill in the standard chapters first
Thesis Outline 1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Methodology Conclusions

10. Make up titles for the ‘meat’ chapters
1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Methodology 4. (That stuff you did in your first year) 5. (Stuff you’re supposed to be doing now) 6. (Make stuff up) 7. Conclusions PhD Comics

11. Ten top tips for writing your thesis
3. Make the most of your reading Write a summary of the ideas Write your own response to these ideas Keep a citation record

12. Ten tips for writing your theses
4. Write summaries of the various sections and chapters Submit these to colleagues and other PhD students in your area

13. Ten tips for writing your thesis
5. You don’t have to start at the beginning
You could start with the Methodology
Leave the Abstract until last

14. Ten tips for writing your thesis
6. Consider how you present your material Logical order Clarity Develop your argument

15. Ten tips for writing your thesis
7. Maintain pace by working on different tasks Draft Edit Research

16. Ten tips for writing your thesis
Form a work group with other PhD students
Exchange ideas
Conduct peer reviews
Provide feedback and support

17. Ten tips for writing your thesis
Develop a writing routine
Start writing from the beginning
Write on a daily basis
Write in the same place

18. On the value of writing ...
“I write to keep me from going mad from the contradictions I find among mankind – and to work some of these contradictions out for myself.”
Michel de Montaigne

19. Ten tips for writing your thesis
Set realistic and manageable goals
200 words a day
1,400 words a week
5,600 words a month
50,000 words in 9 months!

20. Questions to ask yourself
Why will your work change the world? What would you do differently if you had the chance? How will you know when you’ve finished? How do you measure success?

21. Words of wisdom
“A man may write at any time, if he will set himself doggedly to it.” Samuel Johnson