How To Do a Proper Thesis Defense Using

the Right PowerPoint Presentation

July 12th, 2018 • Presentation Tips

Writing a thesis is stressful but preparing an oral defense can be even more painful.
But it doesn’t have to be, with proper preparation and a good presentation you will be able to
better equip yourself come time to present your thesis defense.

But what makes a good thesis defense?

A proper presentation helps you with your thesis defense because it helps you to capture the
panels attention and give you cues and reminders on what to say as well.

It also helps keep your data organized, while visually looking good and provides a flow structure
for the rest of your presentation.

In today’s article we will be giving you The Right PowerPoint Templates for Your Thesis
Defense and a powerful outline composed of best practices and layouts are specifically designed
to help you defend your thesis in both written and oral presentation.

On the next segments of this article, we’ll walk you through the most feasible process on how to
ace this kind of presentation.

Let’s dive into the outline of what makes a great thesis defense.

1. Thesis Defense Overview

2. Thesis and Dissertation Distinguished
o Similarities
o Type of Degree
o Purpose
o Thesis and Dissertation Distinction Varies on Location
3. Three Most Common Thesis Defense Myths
4. Structure and Slides Content
o Title Page
o Introduction
o Literature Review
o Methodology
o Results
o Discussion
o Conclusion
5. Tips During Your Oral Defense
6. More Quick Tips on How to Present!
Thesis Defense Overview
A thesis defense is composed of two parts – a thesis and a defense.

Thesis, according to Grad School Hub, represents a student’s collective understanding of his or
her program and major.

Universities often include a thesis in every course as one of the final requirements to earn a
particular graduate or postgraduate degree.

Thesis, however, isn’t just a mere requirement.

It helps the students to grow out of their shell from their respective discipline and give them the
opportunity to present all their findings of their study.

Moreover, some people think a thesis is just a long essay but it’s not. Unlike an essay, a thesis
needs to assert something.

This can be considered as one of the most crucial research documents which a student makes
during their academic schooling.

On the other hand, a defense is the presentation of the pieces of evidence to support and prove
your research.

It’s the most essential part of the thesis process.

Your presentation has to be prepared to answer question from members of the committee and
any other panel present, and it’s your job to convince them and defend your thesis with ample
proof.

Prior to presenting you have to carefully determine what appropriate evidence should be
presented before the panel depending on what thesis you have to defend.

Thesis and Dissertation Distinguished

A thesis or dissertation is usually required to complete a particular graduate degree. And these
two words are often used interchangeably by most students when referring to research studies.

But while being almost similar in format or structure, it’s worth to note that they have significant
differences that set them apart from each other.

Similarities

The very reason why thesis and dissertation are treated the same is that these two are both
extensive papers. Not just merely long essays like what others are claiming.
Both of these papers are extensive. Which is why students are given ample time, usually the
entire last semester at the last year of study, to complete all the requirements and finally acquire
their degree.

With regards to structure, both papers are very similar with few differences.

Differences Between Thesis and Dissertation

One of the significant differences of the two is to whom the paper is assigned. A thesis is usually
required for those students earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree. While a dissertation is for
those who want to obtain a doctorate degree.

However, not all students taking a master’s degree are required to make a thesis. Prior to their
enrollment, they have been given a choice whether they’ll go for a non-thesis program or with a
thesis.

Those who have a plan to escalate their degree to doctorate, eventually should take the path of
with thesis. This is to prepare themselves for a more extensive dissertation requirement as
doctorate students. Otherwise, they will be only limited to earn a master’s degree.

Purpose

But above all, the most significant difference between the two papers is the purpose for which it
is written.
A thesis, like what has been mentioned above, is being done by students obtaining a bachelor’s
or master’s degree and has the purpose of testing their understanding of the discipline they’re
engaged with.

A thesis is focused on obtaining technical expertise.

On the other hand, a dissertation is made for students to come up with an original study that
hasn’t already been studied by other researchers.

Thesis and Dissertation Distinction Varies on Location

USA: In the United States of America, they consider thesis as shorter than a dissertation. In fact,
aside from being a requirement to graduate in college, a thesis is now also inculcated in master’s
degree programs. And since dissertation is more extensive, the thesis is treated as preliminary in
gaining a doctorate degree.

Europe: The distinction between the two papers is almost opposite to that of the USA. In
Europe, a dissertation is only a broader research study from a post-graduate program and not the
making of original research. Instead, educational systems in the said continent treat the doctoral
thesis as a more elaborate paper writing.
The difference between a thesis and a dissertation might not seem that big, but it’s important that
we know what makes them different.

Three Most Common Thesis Defense Myths

If your upcoming defense gives you pressure and uneasiness, it could be cause you are not sure
what to expect. Today we will dispel three common thesis defense myths that will help you be
more confident in your presentation.

Myth #1

“Answer all the questions correctly. Otherwise, you’re thesis won’t get approved.”

You are expected to have a focus on your research.

That being said, you have to study each part of your thesis, every detail, and even your sources.

You have to study and practice how to effectively deliver your presentation.

But don’t overthink to the extent that you’re stressing yourself to know everything perfectly.

Don’t overstress if can’t answer one of the questions, this doesn’t necessarily mean the
committee won’t approve your thesis.
You should know that research is a continuous study.

So you should expect that your committee will always be able to find a gap in your study to fill
in the future related researches.

So in times you don’t exactly know the answer, admit it and you’ll learn as they give their sides
or suggestions.

Making up an answer will only displease your committee, so it’s be to be upfront, honest and
transparent.

Myth #2

“The committee is just there to find holes in your study. They don’t care about you.”

One of the typical descriptions students have of the committee, is that they are just there to poke
holes in your thesis.

Going in with this perspective makes standing before them a nerve-wracking experience.

Relax.

They’re not your enemy.

In fact, they are there to help you polish your study.

They might challenge you with difficult suggestions and tricky questions.

In the end, they will walk you through the process to come up with better results that won’t only
benefit you but also your research.

They care about you and your study, and they’re ultimately there to make your thesis and the
research better. Seperate yourself from your work and look at it objectively and don’t take their
comments personal.

Myth #3

“If your thesis defense isn’t successful, you have to start your thesis all over again”

An unsuccessful defense is one of the worst case fears most students have.

One thing that you should be aware of is when you aren’t able to please your committee, you
don’t need to start a new thesis again or go back at square one with your existing paper.

It’s unusual that your committee will ask you to change your topic and start from scratch again.
The fact that you’ve been permitted to defend your study that means your research is almost
complete.

They might suggest further details or ask you for minor revisions and that’s normal.

But overall, you need to go into this defense thinking that your presentation will be successful,
otherwise you are already setting yourself up for failure with the wrong mindset.

Remember that positive thoughts attract positive results.

Looking For A Beautiful Premade Thesis PowerPoint Template?

Check Our Thesis Templates From SlideModel.com Below

Presentation Structure and Slides Content

1 – Title Page

This slide should contain the information that is provided on the title page of your hard copy

 The title of your research paper

 Your name
 Where you are studying
  Name and details of your course
 Name of Adviser

2 – Introduction

Your introduction slide should provide the committee an idea of the following:

 What is the topic area that you are investigating?

 What are the specific research questions that you set out to answer?
 Why is this question important to answer?
 What were the objectives of your research?

3 – Literature review

It’s not necessary to cover everything that’s currently understood in the available literature. You
may want to present the following:
  Relevant current research that is close to your topic
 Different theories that may apply to your specific area of research
 Areas of weakness that are currently highlighted

4 – Methodology

Make sure to touch the factors below within your process:

  The type of study you have conducted: qualitative, quantitative, or mixed
 The methods that you chose and why
 Details of the population, sampling methods, and other information
 Provide information regarding how you have analyzed the data that you have collected

5 – Results

This part should give the committee / audience a good understanding of what you’ve discovered
during your research. It should cover the following:
  An overall description of the data that you collected during your research
 The results of the analysis that you have done on that data
 What were the most significant findings from your data

6 – Discussion

Highlight here the meaning of the findings in relation to your discipline program and the
research that you have done:
  What are the major findings and what do they mean with regard to your research
 How do these findings relate to what others have found in the past
 How can you explain any unusual or surprising result

7 – Conclusions

You have to end your presentation with a conclusion summarizing all that you have found within
your research. You need to:
  Restate your research questions
 Show how your results answer these questions
 Show what contribution you have made
 State any limitations to the work you have done
 Suggest future research
 Make any recommendations

See Also: How to Create a Great Investors Pitch Deck and Close the Deal

Tips During Your Oral Defense!

Review Your Materials

Even if you already feel confident with your upcoming presentation, you still need to review
your materials.

You can bring the hard copy of your thesis with you during the defense, but you don’t want to
get lost with your presentation when you forgot some specific details and have to scan your
papers.

You should know your paper in and out.

Rehearse Your Presentation

It’s not wrong if it will sound like a script when you speak in your oral defense. It’s expected and
understandable.

You need to practice your presentation especially when there’s a time restriction given to every
presenter.

You only need to prepare enough number of slides that would fit your time limit. A hundred
slides aren’t suitable for a 15 to 20-minute presentation nor 10 slides for an hour of defense.

Your rehearsal will be more effective if you practice it in front of an audience.

Note: You will experience a complete silence in the defense room. You might feel awkward
because most of the time, you’re the only one speaking out loud. This is completely fine and it’s
something you should practice in rehearsal should you be afraid.

Narrow the Presentation of Ideas

Regarding your slides, you don’t have to include everything that’s in your paper. You should
narrow down your ideas to the main points and the most important details such as the statistics
and findings.

If the members of your committee think you lack details or they want to hear a further
explanation, they won’t hesitate to ask you.

Prepare for the Unexpected Questions

The panel tends to challenge the presenters usually through some hard questions.

Its aim is how well do you you have done your research, and how prepared you are.

But as long as you know the ins and outs of your paper, you shouldn’t lose your confidence
regardless of which questions they ask.

Just keep in mind that what you’re saying in your oral defense is not in conflict with what is
written on the hardcopy you provided them.

What To Do When You Don’t Know the Answer

If the committee asked you a question and you don’t know the answer, don’t make up a baseless
answer.

Baseless means out of context answers, or something without proof or backup.

How To Deal With The Nervousness

The committee is expecting you to be nervous. Of course, it’s normal.

However, one effect of being nervous is the changes in your behavior.

There’s a tendency you’ll talk fast that which will make it hard for the committee to understand
you.

It might also cause you to have a mental block.

So try to slow down. Take a deep breath.

Inhale, exhale. Remember to breath!

It’s OK to pause and it’s ok to take your time, it’s more important that the committee clearly
understand what you are trying to articulate.

More Quick Tips on How to Present!

 Introduce yourself at the beginning
 Introduce the title of the presentation
 Don’t read your notes if possible
 Don’t speak too fast
 Put an emphasis on what you’re saying, so you don’t sound like monotonous
 Look at your adviser once in a while for possible signs
 Stand on the right of the white screen if you are right-handed so you can easily refer to
the slide without giving your back to the committee
 Face the audience when you talk
 Keep an eye contact
 Make sure to keep attention to the reactions of the committee and don’t forget to react in
turn

We hoped you enjoyed this article on how to do a proper thesis defense, and how to best prepare
for one using proven tips and techniques to help you get through this. If you got value please
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