If you are a student, the first things that come to mind whenever you hear “dissertation presentation” are cold looks of committee members, long pauses between sentences, and the fear of saying something wrong. Why is it so? You have done seemingly a great job writing a dissertation, spend hours in libraries (okay, not in libraries, but on the Internet), read tons of articles, and sacrificed twelve dates. What else do they want? Now, one final step to get that desired diploma. All you have to do is to take the floor and give a speech in front of professors and students. Do not panic.
The dissertation presentations can seem intimidating, and they certainly are if you are unprepared. We are not going to let this happen. Try cheap dissertation writing service or keep these things in mind to present your paper at the highest level possible.
What Does the Presentation of Dissertation Mean?
Everything is simple, you are presenting yourself as a scholar in the discipline and an authority on your subject. You have to show the committee what you have to offer as a scholar. You will be expected to clearly and cogently explain your dissertation and how it fits with a certain discipline. Dissertation piece will be expected to make an original contribution to knowledge. So, basically, after the presentation, examiners should have a straight answer to one question, “Where is your place in this big conversation that is going on in your field?”
The purpose of the dissertation presentation is twofold. First of all, it provides the opportunity for academic conversation among researchers. You are expected to provide credible insight into previously contested issues. As an expert, you are more knowledgeable in the specific area you study than anyone else at the table. Remember that you kick the party off. Hence, you should be prepared to present information persuasively and articulately.
The dissertation presentation also allows you to promote your research findings formally. Remember that you are sharing valuable information on new scholarship that has the potential to contribute to the advancement of knowledge within your field.
So, what does a good dissertation presentation consist of?
- Contribution to knowledge;
- research as conducted and its outcome;
- overall understanding of a subject;
- document quality.
The Mechanics of the Dissertation Presentation
There are three phases of a dissertation defense: before, during, and after the presentation.
Before
When a dissertation is written, you have to check its format with a knowledgeable person. At this stage, you may hear such phrases as “Your table content does not actually line up with the page number in the text,” “Your margins are going to make this difficult to reproduce,” “You can’t use this font because people who are reading it will have to put on bifocals”. All of these things have to be settled before you send your dissertation off. Then, it is time for submitting a dissertation and arranging a time and place.
During
You will have approximately 20 minutes to present your research. At the end of the session, you will have to answer more than a couple of question. Whether you want it or not, defend of your dissertation consist of answering questions which are meant to probe your profound awareness of how you carried out the research. You aim to turn it from grilling to a conversation. Interact with the community in the room.
After
Now, you have done it all! Just wait for results. To cheep you up, according to statistics, only one in ten students fails in the dissertation presentation. So, relax, you are most likely going to pass this.
Preparation Tips from College Professors
First and foremost, keep in mind that dissertation presentation is not the Spanish Inquisition. The examiners are not out there to get you. Instead, they want to understand your motives and be engaged in your study as much as you do. Now, let’s look at some pre-defense preparation tips.
1. Good planning and organization are the keys that will give you a sense of control at the presentation. This will not completely eliminate stress but will reduce it greatly. Almost every presentation begins with a request to give an overview of your study. So, prepare an outline of the major points of your research. These include a description of why the problem was important and how it arose, what others have done, the methodology used, the results of your investigation, and the contribution to knowledge and any implications for the future.
2. If it is possible, check out the room or venue where the defense will be held. Acquaint yourself with the layout and the data equipment you will use for your presentation. Familiarity with the venue will alleviate any unnecessary anxiety.
3. Before the presentation, do touch base again with current studies underway and related to yours. It shows your continued interest in research.
4. Have a working copy of your thesis in a loose-leaf binder. Find labels for each chapter, tape the summary notes to each divider. Knowing you will be able to access the information quickly will help reduce stress.
5. Practice your presentation alone and in front of an audience. The clearer your presentation is, the more likely you will be asked fewer questions at the actual defense. Based on a clear and coherent presentation, any intelligent person should understand what you did, why it was important, what you found, and what your conclusions were.
6. At the defense, listen, respond, and zip it. After your 15-minutes presentation, questioning from the panel begins. You can generally expect questions in the wider field and the more specific questions in your research area. Frequently, leading questions may be asked to see your response. Do not be offended but assume a polite, friendly, and confident attitude. Take time to think about the question. In your enthusiasm, do not get led into elaborating your findings into generalizations your study.
So, if you ask us “What are the key elements of a killer dissertation presentation”, we would answer without hesitation: “Know the presentation requirements, organize your information, and answer the committee questions with confidence and professional attitude.”
During committee members talk to each other, disagree, or even challenge your ideas.
