Dear team,

I am currently in my first year (PhD) student. We have agreed with my supervisor that this year literature review (which will have 3 chapters/sections) should all be done and completed this year. I have tried my level best and already submitted one draft for chapter 2, however, the feedback from my supervisor is that " Your work is not yet on PhD level" I feel like i did my best for my first draft. Any idea or guidance? I feel like the difficultness of PhD has now commenced! :)

Tell your supervisor you are only in your first year and it will likely improve with time and practice.

You can also take the initiative and go to writing classes that your university may provide, google writing tips or see if your university provides one to one writing support where someone else can give you a second opinion on the quality of your writing.

@TreeofLife, thank you for your comments. The issue is not writing skills. My supervisor's comments is based on the level of discussion for the first draft i submitted. He said my first draft is not yet on PhD level, meaning that, my literature review discussion is not "matured enough" if i can so! Anyway, tomorrow i will be having a skype conference call with him for more advise and guidance.

All is well. I had a skype conference with my supervisor. He main concern was level of discussion i provided. Hence, more literature review and engagement on discussion is the area that i need to improve on various sections. For example, his views is that giving only one definition in a certain concept is not enough, at least citing 4-5 various scholars' definitions is a good start.

For those who are still at early stages of writing literature review try to cite as many as possible articles, journal, books etc. Don't go with only one cited concept, explore what others have researched or said on the same concept.

I hope i will do better when i submit my second draft to my supervisor.

Dear Lewlyn, Why the secrecy? Why can't you offer your advice on the forum where everyone can see and benefit from it?

Amuttaa, glad you got further clarification from your supervisor. That is what I was going to suggest! Specific feedback is much more helpful. All the best!

Thank you @ Lewlyn, Tudor_Queen and TheNerdy......... your advise is much appreciated. I am still in my first year - PhD, English being my second language etc.... I don't expect things will be easy at all. I just keep pushing......but i always enjoy the comments from this great forum.

Guys,

I am bringing my feedback so that we all learn from something. As i reported earlier...my supervisor commented on my draft " your literature review is not up to PhD level". For the first time i thought i am stupid and i should quit ( in my first year), though to quit was not my options but i was thinking that i cannot get it right. Thank you all for your advise. My second draft has no major corrections to make, just to add some figure, tables, expand discussion etc. The lesson learnt is " whatever any language your professor write or comment on your paper/thesis draft, take it easy. Relax, ask friends/colleague, seek advise from your supervisor etc................ you will one day get it right. I am expecting to commence my second chapter, i hope this time i will improve my draft. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVISE

This is excellent news. Congratulations.
It can be difficult to have someone tell you that your work is below the level it needs to be at.
Not taking that personally and simply focussing on what is required to improve yourself is part and parcel of not just getting a PhD but maturing as a successful adult.