7 secrets to acing your viva (most students miss these)

The little-known strategy for a stand-out PhD defence

Successful PhD student. Image generated with Midjourney.

Yes, you’ve guessed it. I’ve posted about these before:

I’ll never forget the day I overheard two examiners discussing a recent dissertation defence. “It was technically correct,” one said, “but it lacked… a strong argument.” The other nodded knowingly. “It’ll pass but it didn’t have that spark we’re looking for.” That conversation haunted me. What was this elusive “spark?” What were these hidden criteria that could set you back from passing with distinction to just passing (or possibly even failing)?

This experience ignited my quest to uncover the expectations of PhD examiners (as you know, I have a ​whole guide about the PhD defence​). After some search on the web, I found the posted table in ​Hodgson, D. (2020). Helping doctoral students understand PhD thesis examination expectations: A framework and a tool for supervision​.) I’ve distilled these insights into a comprehensive guide for you below that will help you not just pass your defence but also impress the hell out of your committee.

Let’s dive in.

Submitting your PhD thesis is not the finish line! Nope. It’s like thinking you’ve won the Tour de France because you made it to the base of Alpe d’Huez.

The real battle is the viva (or for those of you not in the UK, your thesis defence). That’s your intellectual Thunderdome where you have to fight like Mad Max to defend your feral intellectual orphans.

But since you’ve got this ticket to the PhD party, you might as well prove you’re not just another nerd doing the science macarena.

The million-dollar question is: What are these academic Dumbledores looking for? Knowing their criteria is the difference between a vault dweller and a wastelander. And trust me, that’s a clan worth getting into. So, let’s have sip of that Nuka Cola, {{ subscriber.first_name | strip | default: “buddy” }}.

1. Mastery/Command

Examiners expect you to demonstrate extensive and exhaustive treatment of relevant literature. This isn’t just quantity. You must show understanding of quality and depth. Show that you have a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundations, key debates, and latest developments in your field. Examiners want to see that you have the skills and knowledge to engage with, critique, and build upon the existing scholarship.

Action step: Create a “literature matrix” where you map out key theories, empirical findings, and methodological approaches in your field. Identify gaps and connections that others have missed.

2. Argument

You may treat your dissertation as the ultimate mixtape, each fact a killer track that drops the mic on your grand thesis. But hey, it’s an argument, too. More like a rock concert in a phone booth. Examiners want to see clear connections between your introduction, conclusions, and everything in between. Nail this by having a sharp research question and a solid argument that stitches together your key insights, analysis, and killer conclusions in a coherent, persuasive flow. Examiners crave a thesis that grips them from the start (like the beginning riff in AC/DC’s Thunderstruck), lays a narrative so clear and logical it drags them kicking and screaming toward the insights you are presenting.

Action step: Write a one-page “argument summary” that clearly states your main claim, supporting evidence, and potential counterarguments. Consider this your blueprint for the whole dissertation.

3. Coherence

Your ideas, concepts, and terminology must mesh seamlessly. A fortress of logic if you will. Examiners are looking for systematic and complete discussions that flow logically from start to finish. That means you need to nail the big picture, as well as the intricate details. Smash out the chorus like Axl and the solos like Slash. Make your presentation flow seamlessly. Guide readers effortlessly through your argument. Cut out tangents, redundancies, and unexplained leaps in logic. You want a skeleton in your dissertation closet. That’s how you master meticulous planning and organization.

Action step: Create a “concept map” that visually represents the relationships between your key ideas. Get your argument to flow with clear, logical precision.

4. Independence

Examiners want to see you flexing those intellectual muscles, not just parroting what’s already out there. As a doctoral student, you’re the trailblazer, the one who’s going to carve out new paths in the vastness of knowledge. You’re Neil Armstrong and this is your moon landing. Show them you can tackle problems head-on, dissect prior research with surgical precision, and birth your own groundbreaking theories and methods. Your dissertation should be a triple threat.

Pack a punch with (1) new theories, (2) innovative methods, and (3) jaw-dropping empirical findings. Make it perfectly transparent in your defence presentation how you’ve shaken up the field and forged new frontiers. Be the hero of your research story.

Action step: For each major claim in your dissertation, ask yourself: “What’s my unique contribution here?” If you can’t identify it, dig deeper or reconsider the point.

5. Criticality

Don’t just accept existing theories at face value; challenge them like Maximus challenged Commodus. Examiners expect you to interrogate and critique knowledge, ideas, theories, and concepts in your field. Identify the limitations, gaps, and contradictions in prior research. Is a theory overrated? Dated? Misapplied? Uncover truths. Question everything.

Showing this proves your critical thinking, sparks academic dialogue, and pushes the frontiers of knowledge. Examiners want to see that you can engage in rigorous, impartial analysis, and that you’re able to identify areas for further research and improvement in your field.

Action step: Create a “critique table” where you list key theories or findings in your field, along with their strengths, weaknesses, and your assessment of their validity.

6. Depth/Breadth

Your dissertation must blend wide-ranging literature coverage with deep dives into pivotal concepts. Broad knowledge puts your work in the academic context, while deep mastery shows your expertise. Think of it as a tree: the wide-spreading branches are your broad knowledge, giving you a presence in the academic forest, throwing some much needed shade on those other trees, while the deep roots signify your mastery, anchoring you firmly in your field. Bring it, Twisters.

Action step: Use the “T-shaped” approach. Go broad in your literature review to show comprehensive knowledge, then dive deep into your specific research question. Have references ready when asked.

7. Clarity/Accuracy

Ensure your presentation is clear, precise, and error-free. Present and interpret your data accurately. This is where you want to be Spock, not Captain Kirk. Examiners seek confidence, clarity, and precision in your communication. During the oral defence, respond to questions and critiques calmly and coherently, like an unruffled black swan gliding across a still pond. Beforehand, practice explaining your work to various audiences. Remember that nobody puts baby in a corner.

Action step: Create a “jargon glossary” for your dissertation. Nail down each technical term and stick to them like glue throughout your presentation.

The “So What?” Test for Every Chapter

For each chapter of your dissertation, ask yourself: “So what?” Why does this matter for your overall argument? How does it contribute to your field?

If you can’t answer these questions clearly, neither will your examiners. And that’s a recipe for disaster. So, be able to explain this for every part of your thesis.

And with that, my friends, the show is over. The mic drops, the stage lights fade, and the crowd roars. No encores. Until next time. Good luck with that thesis defence and if you need a bit more help, ​get our thesis webinar​. Lots more in there.

P.S.: If you’re not bored of me yet, why not get my webinars and courses: ​Grant writing, ​Thesis writing​, ​Paper writing​, ​Writing with AI Tools​.

P.P.S.: If you want to get smart about AI in Research, join ​Razia’s newsletter “Era of the Research Bots.”​ She rigorously tests AI tools and LLMs, and shares proven workflows and tool recommendations to save you time and enhance your research.

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