Our Top Books for PhD Students

For building a writing habit. . .

For writing better. . .

We think you should pick up Stylish Academic Writing by Helen Sword.

A lesser known book, this has reached our list for its broad and creative approach.

Targeted at academics in general, Helen Sword dispels the myth that academic writing has to be dense and wordy. As she investigates the best academic writers across multiple disciplines, she looks at what makes their work stylish. Covering how to write interesting titles and engaging structure, this book will give you a range of techniques that could improve your writing style.

Also included are tips and anecdotes from a range of scholars across the Sciences, Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities.

To find motivation and build productivity. . .

Have a look at the increasingly popular The Dissertation Warrior by Guy E. White.

Guy E. White takes dissertation advice to the next level. Instead of teaching you how to write, The Dissertation Warrior will teach you how to become a person who finishes.

Whether you’re studying the Sciences, Humanities or anything in between, the biggest hurdle for PhD students is the final dissertation. Starting such a big task and maintaining a level of productivity can be extremely difficult. This book tackles the issue of motivation by looking at building passion and limiting procrastination. It also has chapters dedicated to tackling different parts of the dissertation, such as the introduction and methodology.

For more STEM-specific advice. . .

Pick up a copy of Writing Science: How to Write Papers that get Cited and Proposals that get Funded by Joshua Schimel.

It’s a common myth that those studying the Sciences don’t need to learn to write. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! So we’ve included a more specific option to show that skilful writing in STEM subjects is equally important.

Joshua Schimel’s popular guide details how to write clearly and engagingly for any professional audience. Diving deep into the importance of flow and structure, Schimel teaches you how to write papers, proposals and grants.

For passing the viva. . .

Take a look at The PhD Viva: How to Prepare for Your Oral Examination by Peter Smith.

There are lots of great books out there about the viva. However, Peter Smith’s extensive experience puts his at the top of our list. Having sat in over 100 viva examinations as a chair, examiner and supervisor in a range of subjects it’s safe to say that Smith knows what he’s talking about.

This well received book will help you understand what the viva is all about and how to prepare for it. The mix of useful advice, illustrative examples and activities for the reader should help instil you with confidence for the big day.

One final notable mention. . .

Not technically a book, but we recommend you check out the website PhD Comics.

This webcomic series is written by postgraduate students who document their incredibly relatable lives. If you’re looking to find a bit of solace and humour in some of the more challenging parts of PhD study, then you’ll find it here.