Defense Preparation Suggestions text description
Defense Preparation Suggestions
Remember: you are the strongest expert in that room in the area of your thesis research.
Seven suggestions are provided on cue cards that read left to right, top to bottom.
Before your defense
Try to attend at least one or two defenses before your own. If possible, attend a defense where your supervisor and/or committee members are taking part to observe the types of questions they ask and what you might expect from them in this setting.
Reread, anticipate
Read through your thesis to re-familiarize yourself with its contents and arguments. Try to look at it through the lens of each of your committee members, trying to anticipate what they might ask in light of their own research, theoretical orientation, and area of expertise.
Try to remain calm
The defense can be stressful for students, in part because of the unknown and high-stakes outcomes. Remain calm. Bring a pen and paper to write questions down, and feel free to repeat and rephrase questions back to ensure your understanding and give yourself time to formulate an answer.
The presentation
The 15 to 20 minute presentation at the beginning of your defense should be prepared in advance. Some choose to use a PowerPoint, however you should not rely on your notes (or do so minimally). This is the portion of the proceedings that is most within your ability to control.
Do not be defensive
When offered feedback at the defense, do not be defensive. Accept suggestions or say that you will consider them. You can diplomatically and politely “defend” your work without being aggressively defensive.
Keep on task
Sometimes the conversation may drift into areas outside of your own knowledge or expertise. If this happens, politely acknowledge their expertise and suggest that you will take it into consideration. To steer the conversation back into more familiar territory, suggest the conversation be continued after the defense.
Success
Ultimately, the defense turns into a conversation between you and your committee members; it is more than just a question and answer period directed at you. You should feel at ease that everything is going well, and let the dialogue go where it will.
