You’ve written the defining work of your academic career – and now it’s time to defend it. The prospect of explaining your research and answering questions about it in front of a committee of experts can certainly be daunting. Fortunately, you know the subject matter deeply, so success is mostly a matter of presentation and preparation.
With that in mind, here are eight of the top things to do when preparing for your dissertation defense – from the beginning of your program to the day of your defense.
Attend other people’s defenses: Within the first year or two of your program, start attending the dissertation defenses of other students.[i] This will help you better understand what to expect.
Read your department’s guidelines: Every department has slightly different guidelines for the timeline and preparation of a thesis defense. Read yours early and often, and discuss them with your advisor.
Start your dissertation: This should take between three and four months to write, and you’ll want to submit a completed draft a month before your defense. This means you should start writing your thesis at least five months ahead of time.
Schedule your defense: You should coordinate the date, time and place of your defense as soon as possible, long before your dissertation is completed.[ii]
Submit dissertation and any required paperwork: About a month before your defense, you should submit the final draft of your dissertation for faculty to read.[iii] Your committee members will need time to fully read it and come up with questions.
Research committee members: Talk to other people whose committees they’ve served on, and ask what types of questions they tend to ask, and what their experiences were like.[iv] Read members’ feedback to get an idea of possible questions.
Attend a pre-defense meeting: At the meeting, raise any issues or concerns you have, and ask what questions and issues might be raised during the defense.[v]
Prepare your presentation: Prepare a 15-30 minute PowerPoint presentation, and make it as polished and professional as possible.[vi] Practice giving the presentation, including to friends and family if possible.
Select comfortable, professional clothes: Select your outfit – including accessories – a couple of weeks in advance. You don’t want to worry about what to wear the day before your presentation.
Organize a small reception: If it’s considered appropriate in your department, organize a small celebration following your defense for committee members, friends and family.[vii]
Take a break for a few days: You’re an expert, and you’re prepared. Psychologists believe taking a short break can enhance memory, creativity and problem solving.[viii]
Review everything one last time: The day before your defense, go through your information one last time, and practice your presentation again.
Defend, and amend: Remember, you are an expert presenting your research findings. You likely know more about your topic at this point than the committee members. Do your requested revisions the next day.[ix]
[i] http://www.proquest.com/researchers/graduate-student/expert-advice-thesisdissertation/Defending-your-Dissertation.html
[ii] http://www.proquest.com/researchers/graduate-student/expert-advice-thesisdissertation/Defending-your-Dissertation.html
[iii] http://asq.org/edu/2010/01/career-development/preparing-for-the-oral-defense-of-a-dissertation.pdf
[iv] https://graduate.asu.edu/sites/default/files/dissertation-defense.pdf
[v] http://www.proquest.com/researchers/graduate-student/expert-advice-thesisdissertation/Defending-your-Dissertation.html
[vi] https://graduate.asu.edu/sites/default/files/dissertation-defense.pdf
[vii] http://www.proquest.com/researchers/graduate-student/expert-advice-thesisdissertation/Defending-your-Dissertation.html
[viii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3990058/
[ix] https://graduate.asu.edu/sites/default/files/dissertation-defense.pdf
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