The Australian Association of Writing Programs

Hi Robyn

I am trying to post on here but the text goes outside the width of the column so I might send it in reply email or install my reply here in 'three easy posts'?

Bear with me - don't toss it in.

Ayana

“Life is unpredictable and does not follow the bend of the plot.” – Nelson Algren

Of course it is worth it. You just need to stand back for a moment and remove the personal response and rejection feeling.

You have three examiners who do not agree (and a supervisor who had misgivings, and a editor supervisor who said it would pass).

I hear five opinions (and of course yours).

It is possible that what would have passed well when this type of Exegesis/thesis was first examined would not now pass. the academic standards expected have now solidified and formal components needed have also become de rigeur. Perhaps some of these academics are coming at it from an 'older' perspective and some with the new expectations.

Also the responses will be contingent upon discipline and familiarity with genre and content of both Artefact and Exegesis.

If I were you, I would take Month's break... do the bottom drawer thing, then come back with a clear head and fresh eyes.  6 years is a standard completion time for part-time (remember full time timely completion is four years for any Doctorate).

Once I am back.

I would do a list for each examiners report. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis if you like.

Firstly get a clear list of the strengths as idenitified by everybody. Are there common thoughts?

Then look at the weaknesses? Any common threads there or disagreements?

If there are disagreements I would conceptualise these as OPPORTUNITIES... and opportunity for you to engage in the debate positioning your perspective as dominant whilst arguming why the counter belief is less valid in this context... thus eliminating the weakness. It becomes a strength in that it is standard academic defence of thesis. Maybe that's what was lacking all along, a mention of and countering off opposing theories/methodologies/epistemologies?

Then look at where ther threats are... this is easy, as it then takes away any sense of being set up to fail.

No academic, especially supervisors can risk (be threatened with) having their candidate fail. It does not assist their career, their reputation or their self-image as a professional mentor and teacher. THEY ALL WANT YOU TO PASS (even he examiners) but at a standard that reflects well on them AND YOU!

You are too invested at this stage (as we all are... it is our baby after all). But like most parents our kids are not geniuses, and flawless beauties. They are normal humans with skills and flaws, (as is our creative works). That is what makes them unique and valuable. The PhDs are not templates and cardboard cut outs of each other. Each goes somewhere new and adds to the following candidates exposure to the emerging practice and theoretical debates... you have to go there. To give up now is doing yourself a disservice.

Your family are only responding like this because they see your frustration and hurt and are trying to sound supportive. Could it be that they are also harbouring slight resentment that this THING has taken your focus for the last six years and they have felt relagated to secondary importance? If so, how wrong was that? Isn't a supportive family one that allows everybody their own space and needs which change over time?

Relax, enjoy the time off and come back to the work. Fix what you can. Identify with both your supervisors the discrepancies evident in the assesments and then together brain storm how this can be appeased (usually with a fourth examiner or two, usually paid for by the Uni... check it out with your Dean of Research or your Head of Faculty). Next if proof editing or structural editing is required, yep you pay for it (although some Unis do).. after all it will be you reaping the financial rewards for having completed the PhD. You could be hired as a level B academic as opposed to a level A,  and that's quite a salary differential. If you are not interested in the Academy, simply see it as the logical fiscal investment in your last six years work.

Good luck.

Robyn, take a break, take Carol's advice word for word - she's more than good. According to Hemingway, only the first draft is any fun (and nobody else sees it).

Every best wish.

BME

Thank you for your timely advice. I have decided to keep going.

Just by standing back from the results for a few days has helped clear my head and some of that emotion and ego surrounding the thesis ("baby"!).

I am glad to have been given another chance and six months to complete it. I am going to mull over how and where to get the required writing support in the next month and clarity about what I really need to do to get it passed. My family are now accepting the idea too,so I have discovered a new way they love me and I how love them for this attitude of support.

I am so glad to have found this network of people such as yourself, who are inspiring new research to be brought forth rather than left on the shelf.

Thanks again,

Moving Eyes.

What great replies!