Establishing a cohesive narrative

The narrative of a thesis refers to the broad enquiry that develops through and connects the more data-focused parts of the thesis, which can include publications.

The narrative typically includes the thesis introduction and thesis discussion/conclusion, as well as the text that introduces and reflects on the data chapters.

Establishing an effective narrative can help you:

  • Transition between ideas smoothly
  • Create a unified whole for your thesis
  • Emphasise aspects of a publication to both differentiate and connect it to the thesis
  • Resolve gaps, repetitions or tensions between publications or other thesis components
  • Address issues that publications don’t accommodate but which are key to thesis examination, such as a detailed exploration of ethical challenges or your journey of learning and development as a researcher
  • Develop new publication ideas, which may emerge from a comprehensive view of the whole thesis.

Engaging in crafting the narrative throughout your candidature can strengthen both your work and your researcher identity.

Overarching argument

Use the table of contents to place your publications in the thesis and gauge whether you can see a clear argument across all thesis components. The following example demonstrates how publications sit alongside chapters written for the thesis as equal components making up a whole.

While acknowledgement of a publication should be made, it’s important to integrate it into the thesis and avoid over-emphasising the role of publications to the extent that they may undermine any non-publication material.

Example table of contents that indicates publications being combined with chapters written for the thesis to make a cohesive narrative
Example table of contents showing overarching narrative (Mody, 2018, p. vi)

Examine example narratives

Work through the following examples of thesis narratives and complete the associated activities to find out more about the features of an effective narrative. Some critical language has been bolded to help with your observations.

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Final tip

Reflect on the role of your publications, whether completed or intended, throughout the planning and writing of your thesis. This helps you to approach both your publications and your thesis proactively, and build strong research outputs and skills as a researcher-writer.

For more information and support in your writing,Explore: Academic Skills Graduate Research services

  • The “exegesis” in PhD by publication

  • Arundel, J. (2015). The spatio-temporal distribution of honey bees and floral resources in Australia [PhD thesis, University of Melbourne]. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/59612

    Bibb, J. (2016). Musical recovery: The role of group singing in regaining healthy relationships with music to promote mental health recovery [PhD thesis, University of Melbourne]. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/124271

    Mody, F. (2018). Doctors down under: European medical migrants in Victoria (Australia), 1930-60 [PhD thesis, University of Melbourne]. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/221550

    Nygaard, L., & Solli, K. (2021). Strategies for writing a thesis by publication in the social sciences and humanities. Routledge.