ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the importance of writing the thesis to not only give the examiners what they want, but also to establish some ownership over one's doctoral journey. The chapter discusses the ways in which one can develop a sense of ownership in the writing and knowledge development, including how to manage input and feedback from others, and how to know when he is finished. Some traditions value writing that is as straightforward and simple as possible; for others, the ideal of ‘plain language’ does not allow for the kind of precision and depth that might be necessary to communicate a complex idea. One of the most important ways in which one can develop a sense of ownership over his writing is to carefully observe and analyse the kind of academic writing one read and are expected to produce. Establishing ownership of one's work means learning how to assess the value and respond appropriately to different kinds of critical feedback.
