Advice for writing a thesis (based on what examiners do)

What should thesis students do to write for their examiners? In this article, I fill the gap.

Advice for writing a thesis (based on what examiners do)

The advice for thesis students is: first, treat your examiners as friends who want you to pass, and write calmly without agonising about getting it perfect. Aim to make your thesis reader-friendly, and do a thorough proofread to remove distracting errors. Identify the field(s) you will contribute to, and make your thesis interesting and convincing for examiners from this field. Write a draft, get feedback and use this to improve your thesis. Help your examiners to follow your train of thought: explain what you are doing and why, especially if your thesis differs from what they would expect. Convince your examiners that you have a sound interpretation of the literature, an important topic and an appropriate method, and that your conclusions make a significant, publishable contribution to your field. When you have submitted, expect lots of examiner comments, most of which can help you improve.

1. Examiners expect a thesis to pass

2. Examiners tend to be broadly consistent in their practices and recommendations

3. Examiners judge a thesis by the end of the first or second chapter

4. Examiners read a thesis as an academic reader and as a normal reader

5. Examiners are irritated and distracted by presention erors

6. Examiners favour a coherent thesis

7. Examiners favour a thesis that engages with the literature

8. Examiners favour a thesis with a convincing approach

9. Examiners favour a thesis that engages with the findings

10. Examiners require a thesis to be publishable

11. Examiners give summative and formative feedback

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