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WHAT IS DISSERTATION DEFENSE?
A thesis or dissertation defense is a chance to present your research study in front of academic experts who evaluate your academic work. Your dissertation defense can be an open/public seminar or closed examination or both (Roosevelt, 2017). Although a thesis defense occasionally resembles a cross-examination session, you can be confident in the thesis defense process if you are properly prepared.
20 TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR DISSERTATION DEFENSE
1. BEGIN MAKING PREPARATIONS EARLY
The thesis defense is not a three- or six-month-long activity including lots of dissertation help. Be sure to meet all of your research goals. Start preparing well in advance, and ensure that you are familiar with the details of your thesis and the rationale behind each research experiment you carried out.
2. ATTEND PRESENTATIONS BY OTHER CANDIDATES
Check your university’s schedule for open dissertation presentations. In reality, open dissertation presentations are held at other universities as well, This will show you that the thesis defense process is manageable.
3. GIVE THE SLIDES PLENTY OF TIME TO PREPARE.
The thesis submission process is easier than the dissertation defense process. Ideally, you could begin making the slides right after writing your thesis. Give the slide preparation more time. prepare abstract Without an all-encompassing abstract, it is almost impossible for readers to identify the uniqueness of your research (dissertationwritinghelp, 2021). To make your presentation flow logically, check that the data on the slides is accurate and reword your findings.
4. ORGANIZE YOUR PRESENTATION
Be careful when creating your presentation. Spend time crafting a well-structured presentation. Additionally, make impressive slides that will impress the committee members. Create slides that keep the audience’s interest.
5. EXERCISE BREATHING METHODS
If you watch a few TED talks, you’ll see that speakers and orators speak easily. You won’t even realize whether they’re breathing in or out. The only factor underlying such natural oratory ability is practice with breathing techniques.
6. CREATE AN IMPACTFUL INTRODUCTION
The crowd has high expectations of you. So make sure to captivate the audience with your initial statement. Additionally, the members should be affected by your thesis and enthralled by its presented method.
7. KEEP AN ONGOING LIST OF INQUIRIES
Make a list of all the questions you ask yourself while preparing for the presentation. Consider all of the questions from the perspective of the reader. Consider asking questions that would give you a deeper understanding of the subject while acting as though you are ignorant.
8. EXERCISE YOUR VOICE AND BODY LANGUAGE
Following a good practice session and slide preparation, you might focus on how you appear when delivering your thesis. This practice can help you understand your body language and, if necessary, relax rather than improve your appearance.
9. MAKE AN IMITATION PRESENTATION
It’s wise to provide a trial defense in advance. The most crucial aspect of the simulated defense is how closely it resembles your actual defense since it will give you practice and help you prepare for the real defense.
10. RECOGNIZE HOW TO DEAL WITH ERRORS
Everyone errs occasionally. But it’s crucial to keep going. Don’t let the errors affect how you defend your thesis. Breathe deeply, then go on to the next idea. Give chance to other to phd dissertation proofreading services to make your dissertation much better.
11. AVOID SPEED-RUNNING THE PRESENTATION
If you were feeling anxious, you would want to end the presentation as quickly as possible. But as a result of your worry, you’ll speak too quickly and leave out important details. You were Eventually making the defense of your dissertation a disaster.
12. GET LOTS OF SLEEP
This is a crucial dissertation defense preparation tip. Sleeping the night before a big event is undoubtedly challenging, but you must remain focused and get to bed early to receive the rest you need.
13. VISUALIZE YOURSELF DEFENDING YOUR THESIS
This straightforward activity will greatly impact your self-confidence. All you need to do each night before you go to sleep is picture yourself presenting a polished presentation. Imagine yourself addressing the audience while standing in front of them every day up until the day of your thesis defense.
14. UNDERSTAND THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR THESIS DEFENSE
The structure of a thesis defense differs depending on the nation. With one internal and one external examiner, my viva-voce defense—where I completed my studies in the UK—was simply an interview.
15. ANTICIPATE QUESTIONS AND PREPARE FOR THEM
As we’ve already indicated, you can prepare for most of the questions you’ll be asked. While you are reading your thesis, make a list of potential questions to ask. In addition, have a look at the committee members’ academic backgrounds now that you know who will be on it.
16. BE SUCCESSFUL-READY
The entire department or institution frequently attends your thesis defense. It signifies a crucial rite of passage for graduate students and instructors who have helped them through a protracted and difficult process.
17. DELEGATE
Giving someone the minor but equally significant tasks of your thesis defense well before the deadline might help you manage your tension before your defense. This dependable individual might be in charge of putting up the presentation equipment, preparing and distributing pamphlets, or setting up the room on the day of the defense.
18. HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN.
Technology has unexpected results, as is life. There are no assurances that your Powerpoint presentation will function properly or seem as intended on a large screen. All of us have been there. Be sure to prepare a backup plan for these scenarios.
19. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER
One of its most terrifying features is the possibility of being questioned in the defense. Although there are some questions you can anticipate, you can never predict with certainty what the committee will ask. Your knowledge will always be incomplete.
20. MANAGING YOUR ANXIETY
You’ll feel anxious. The good news is that your examiners will anticipate your anxiety. Being anxious is entirely normal. Being well-prepared can reduce your worry, but remember that your examiners have encountered this situation many times before and are happy to assist, such as by repeating questions if necessary.
CONCLUSION
If you have considered each of these ideas, your big day will go smoothly. You put in a lot of effort to earn your Ph.D., and you’ll do your absolute best in this last step.
REFERENCES
DWH, (2021). How to write a dissertation abstract. Online Available at < https://dissertationwritinghelp.uk/how-to-write-a-dissertation-abstract/> [Accessed on 28th December 2022]
Roosevelt, F. D. (2017). Dissertation Defense at Last.
