Goals for today:

GOAL 1: Go through chapter 6 noting the gaps and where I need to write bridging sentences between sections, etc.

GOAL 2: Fill in said gaps and write bridging sentences.

GOAL 3: Make notes on my Conclusion.

GOAL 4 - the most important one today - go and VOTE! Don't forget, people! (up)

GOAL 5 - Draft the introduction of my conclusion (if that make sense).

Hi! I'm a part-time student trying to finish within my six years, so I'm at a similar stage and understand the pain of the long, hard slog. I have just about 4 1/2 months to go although I want to have it pretty much done before my supervisor goes away for the summer in June. I have reasonable drafts of everything now and it suddenly looks a bit like a thesis but it still needs a lot of work.

Anyway, back to work on a Bank Holiday: the realities of writing-up! Will definitely see you around for company and solidarity!

I have to write about 3000 words by tonight. :(

But first goal is to fill in the gaps of Section 3 (about 1000 words, I think) before mid-afternoon.

Just to second the last two posts. I think the difference is that you are in a humanities field. I'm in history and the prospect of being 'scooped' or having your ideas stolen just isn't as pressing as it might be in the sciences. Presumably you have given conference papers so your name is already publically associated with your topic, etc. If you want to be a little bit cautious, don't send the paper immediately out of the blue. Send them an e-mail about some detail or with a question about something and then say something like 'I'm writing an article about this at the moment, would you be willing to have a look at it?'

My last article acknowledged about four or five people who had commented on it in addition to my supervisors. Not only do their comments make the article better, being able to acknowledge super-super people who know about your area makes you look connected too. People start sitting up and taking notice of you, I've found!

Co-authorship can happen (and is rising, I think) in the arts and humanities but it is true co-authorship with equal input into ideas and writing, etc. Reading and commenting on a paper or informal intellectual exchange would merit an acknowledgement but not authorship. We're just different from the scientists!

======= Date Modified 28 Apr 2010 11:12:00 =======
My goal for today is to write the last main section of Chapter 5. If I even get two-thirds of the way through I will consider the day a success!

Goal 1 done - finally! Took a lot longer than I thought it would but have a very good framework for writing tomorrow now. I think this chapter might actually make some sense now!

Next goal: chase up a few references. Then have a cup of tea!

======= Date Modified 27 Apr 2010 18:35:36 =======
My mum and dad read my most recent article - with some difficulty, I think, but they did try. My dad went through it with a dictionary and wrote the meanings of words in the margin so that my mum could read it without the dictionary! This was very sweet of them, but I wouldn't be upset that your parents haven't, although I completely understand the frustration. My article was in history, and although it had to discuss some complicated philosophical stuff, in some sections it is very accessible. I think it is harder if you are doing something much more technical in the sciences or something like linguistics, and there are even elements of my work in history that I wouldn't subject my parents to.

I think it is important to just realise that your parents are obviously proud just to see your name in print and that whether or not they really understand what you do is irrelevant really. My dad does a very technical job in the finance industry, neither do I really understand what he does! It works both ways - I wouldn't be able (or want) to read one of the reports he writes in the course of his job, but I still respect his knowledge and achievements.

GOAL 1: Write out bare bones plan for last section of Chapter 5, and gather all the references for key points.

I'm at paid work today from 12.30-8pm (ugh), so only have one PhD related goal today:

GOAL: Get ready and go to the Uni library to pick up reserved book before they put it back on the open shelves.

Even this is a struggle!

Hey, this is working! One goal at a time!

GOAL 2: done already! Lots of redrafting to do, but at least I know where I stand.

Next: lunch with my mum and then GOAL 3 - write 300 words analysing a particular source.

Good luck with your goals everyone.

Goal 1 - DONE! My flat won't be winning any cleaning awards but it's much better than it was an hour or two ago!

GOAL 2 - Go through Chapter 5 and work out what bits need redrating and what can stay as it is.

Can I join in?

GOAL 1 is to tidy/clean the flat so that that I can actually sit and work in it without feeling sick!

Just re-read your post Emaa as I think I misunderstood you and just wanted to stress that neither should it ever be expected that you would give them a gift, other than perhaps something token at the end. You should never feel that you should HAVE to get them anything and they certainly won't think any less of you for not giving them things, of course!

I don't think it's that unusual, Emaa, if you get on well. I've have turned up for supervisions bearing cake before now. And cheese! (one of my supes is French!) It would be weird if you were making heart-shaped cookies and leaving them by the door every day, but if it's just a random thing I'm sure it's fine. If you don't have a friendly/chatty type of relationship, then I wouldn't do it - but I've been to their houses for dinner, they have often given me books with handwritten messages, etc. As long as you're not showering them with gifts or obviously making them feel uncomfortable, I wouldn't worry.

======= Date Modified 22 Apr 2010 21:12:16 =======
I've not finished yet, but I agree with Bilbo... a very personal message (not TOO personal, though!!) goes a long way. I've just had something published in a pretty big journal (smug!) and I gave my supervisor a copy with a handwritten note on it that said something like 'I wouldn't have got this far without your patience and encouragement. I really do appreciate all the help that you have given me.' He nearly choked up when he read it, bless him. So I think a bound copy of the thesis with a message and a nice bottle of wine or something is fine. It doesn't have to be a big expensive gesture, and I actually think the smaller and more heartfelt the better.