dissertation ppt presentation

PhD Dissertation Defense Slides Design: Start

• Tips for designing the slides
• Presentation checklist
• Example slides
• Additional Resources

Purpose of the Guide

This guide was created to help ph.d. students in engineering fields to design dissertation defense presentations. the guide provides 1) tips on how to effectively communicate research, and 2) full presentation examples from ph.d. graduates. the tips on designing effective slides are not restricted to dissertation defense presentations; they can be used in designing other types of presentations such as conference talks, qualification and proposal exams, and technical seminars., the tips and examples are used to help students to design effective presentation. the technical contents in all examples are subject to copyright, please do not replicate. , if you need help in designing your presentation, please contact julie chen ([email protected]) for individual consultation. .

• Example Slides Repository
• Defense slides examples Link to examples dissertation defense slides.

Useful Links

• CIT Thesis and dissertation standards
• Dissertations and Theses @ Carnegie Mellon This link opens in a new window Covers 1920-present. Full text of some dissertations may be available 1997-present. Citations and abstracts of dissertations and theses CMU graduate students have published through UMI Dissertation Publishing. In addition to citations and abstracts, the service provides free access to 24 page previews and the full text in PDF format, when available. In most cases, this will be works published in 1997 forward.
• Communicate your research data Data visualization is very important in communicating your data effectively. Check out these do's and don'ts for designing figures.

Power Point Template and other Resources

• CEE Powerpoint Slide Presentation Template 1
• CEE Powerpoint Slide Presentation Template 2

Source: CEE Department Resources https://www.cmu.edu/cee/resources/index.html

• CMU Powerpoint Slide Template

Source: CMU Marketing and Communications

https://www.cmu.edu/marcom/brand-standards/downloads/index.html

• Use of CMU logos, marks, and Unitmarks

Email me for questions and schedule an appointment

Top 7 tips for your defense presentation

1. show why your study is important, remember, your audience is your committee members, researchers in other fields, and even the general public. you want to convince all of them why you deserve a ph.d. degree. you need to talk about why your study is important to the world. in the engineering field, you also need to talk about how your study is useful. try to discuss why current practice is problematic or not good enough, what needs to be solved, and what the potential benefits will be. , see how dr. posen and dr. malings explained the importance of their studies..

• Carl Malings Defense Slides with Notes
• I. Daniel Posen Defense Slides with Notes

2. Emphasize YOUR contribution 

Having a ph.d. means that you have made some novel contributions to the grand field. this is about you and your research. you need to keep emphasizing your contributions throughout your presentation. after talking about what needs to be solved, try to focus on emphasizing the novelty of your work. what problems can be solved using your research outcomes what breakthroughs have you made to the field why are your methods and outcomes outstanding you need to incorporate answers to these questions in your presentation. , be clear what your contributions are in the introduction section; separate what was done by others and what was done by you. , 3. connect your projects into a whole piece of work, you might have been doing multiple projects that are not strongly connected. to figure out how to connect them into a whole piece, use visualizations such as flow charts to convince your audience. the two slides below are two examples. in the first slide, which was presented in the introduction section, the presenter used a flow diagram to show the connection between the three projects. in the second slide, the presenter used key figures and a unique color for each project to show the connection..

• Xiaoju Chen Defense Slides with Notes

4. Tell a good story 

The committee members do not necessarily have the same background knowledge as you. plus, there could be researchers from other fields and even the general public in the room. you want to make sure all of your audience can understand as much as possible. focus on the big picture rather than technical details; make sure you use simple language to explain your methods and results. your committee has read your dissertation before your defense, but others have not. , dr. cook and dr. velibeyoglu did a good job explaining their research to everyone. the introduction sessions in their presentations are well designed for this purpose. .

• Laren M. Cook Defense Slides with Notes
• Irem Velibeyoglu Defense with Notes

5. Transition, transition, transition

Use transition slides to connect projects , it's a long presentation with different research projects. you want to use some sort of transition to remind your audience what you have been talking about and what is next. you may use a slide that is designed for this purpose throughout your presentation. , below are two examples. these slides were presented after the introduction section. the presenters used the same slides and highlighted the items for project one to indicate that they were moving on to the first project. throughout the presentation, they used these slides and highlighted different sections to indicate how these projects fit into the whole dissertation. .

You can also use some other indications on your slides, but remember not to make your slides too busy.  Below are two examples. In the first example, the presenter used chapter numbers to indicate what he was talking about. In the second example, the presenter used a progress bar with keywords for each chapter as the indicator. 

Use transition sentences to connect slides 

Remember transition sentences are also important; use them to summarize what you have said and tell your audience what they will expect next. if you keep forgetting the transition sentence, write a note on your presentation. you can either write down a full sentence of what you want to say or some keywords., 6. be brief, put details in backup slides , you won't have time to explain all of the details. if your defense presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes, you can only spend around 10 minutes for each project - that's shorter than a normal research conference presentation focus on the big picture and leave details behind. you can put the details in your backup slides, so you might find them useful when your committee (and other members of the audience) ask questions regarding these details., 7. show your presentation to your advisor and colleagues, make sure to ask your advisor(s) for their comments. they might have a different view on what should be emphasized and what should be elaborated. , you also want to practice at least once in front of your colleagues. they can be your lab mates, people who work in your research group, and/or your friends. they do not have to be experts in your field. ask them to give you some feedback - their comments can be extremely helpful to improve your presentation. , below are some other tips and resources to design your defense presentation. .

• Tips for designing your defense presentation

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Example dissertation powerpoint presentation slide

Download and craft this example dissertation PowerPoint presentation slide to make your proposal convincing and appealing. This is one of the best process PPT designs to plan, research and write down the things in a sequence. A professional dissertation PPT template accumulate all the ideas, notes and scribbles to draw up new plans or give a detailed breakdown of the specific chapter. This dissertation Presentation icon offer a layout working on effective planning which is a continuous process and intensify while writing of your dissertation and not something which fades into the background. A user can design a clear question that dissertation hunts to answer. This professionally crafted template plan is helpful to impose order on unmanageable processes. Example dissertation PPT design is one of the indicative structures helping its people with the initial plan. User needs to refer to module guidelines and address the assessment criteria in this editable dissertation PowerPoint Presentation slide. Confound your critics with our Example Dissertation Powerpoint Presentation Slide. Force them to amend their impression.

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Content of this Powerpoint Presentation

'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.'-Leonardo da Vinci. 

This timeless message from one of the greatest global artists encapsulates the essence of presentability and art. The same goes for a dissertation. You have toiled for months or even years on your research and have come up with something exciting. Now, you are all set to present it to the analysts. The only thing you need? A powerful dissertation presentation that crafts a narrative to capture the essence of your research. 

A well-crafted dissertation presentation serves as the bridge between your work and its audience. It connects viewers at the conscious and subconscious levels to help them understand critical parts of research. 

But how exactly do you do that? 

A dissertation proposal timeline helps you draw up a solid plan on how to go about the research. Get best-in-class PPT Templates on dissertation proposal timelines here.  

Well, our team has prepared this dissertation template to serve that purpose. You can use it to turn your detailed research into a compelling story that your audience will love!

Now, let's take a look at some of the most vital slides of this template. 

Every slide in this template is adorned with icons, tables, charts, and bars that are 100% customizable. Thus, you can tailor the template to suit your research.

The planning process is critical to a good dissertation and clearing critical questions and reviews. Access these templates on planning process dissertations here.  

Let’s explore the products!

Template #1: Literature Review

This slide presents a crisp and structured layout that showcases the theories related to your research. The monochromatic backdrop is highlighted by a magnifying glass image showcasing the review's analytical nature. Five color-coded bullet points allow for a clear differentiation between theories. It ensures that each point is identifiable and stands by the audience. The simple and effective color palette with eye-grabbing icons maintains focus on the content and makes it fully functional and visually appealing for viewers.

Template #2: Purpose Statement

This slide is the cornerstone of your presentation. It succinctly conveys the essence of your entire research. With a confident handshake icon that symbolizes commitment and objectives, it grabs the attention of the audience to the greatest degree. The best part? It's framed against a bold yellow that stands out against a subdued, professional backdrop. This aesthetic color choice grabs the viewer's attention to the crux of your investigation. Here, you articulate the central question your research addresses and set the stage for the value and direction of your scholarly work. This slide is where your study's intent and potential impact are highlighted.

Template #3: Hypothesis

This slide introduces the pivotal propositions of your research. Numbered circular icons guide the viewer through a sequence of hypotheses. Each one of those hypotheses is circled in dashed lines. These lines indicate the iterative nature of scientific enquiry. The backdrop is an array of books that showcase the importance of knowledge and the comprehensive research underpinning your assumptions. The color coding—vivid gold to teal—provides a visual hierarchy. Why? Such color coding helps the audience distinguish and follow each proposed idea.

Template #4: Methods 

This template marks the blueprint for your in-depth research. It's divided into three primary sections: 'State Study Design,' 'Define Groups,' and 'Participant Demographics.' Each section is segregated with bold color blocks and dashed lines that guide the audience through the systematic approach of your study. The mustard, forest green, and teal color scheme looks visually harmonious but delineates each methodological step. In 'Participant Demographics,' precise age, height, and weight placeholders are also provided. Such attention to detail indicates the depth of your sample's characteristics.

Template #5: Statistical Analysis 

This slide displays the depth of quantitative validation in your research. It presents a table formatted to showcase the statistical comparisons between conditions of your study. The bold header row in a commanding shade of orange draws attention to the key metrics: Mean differences, standard errors, significance levels, and confidence intervals—you name it! The well-structured layout offers a clear, easy-to-follow matrix that expresses the relationships and variances within your data.

Template #6: Results

This slide showcases the outcomes of your research in a clear and impactful manner. Each result is showcased with the help of a donut chart! This offers a visual qualification to your findings. The color scheme changes as you go from one result to the next — subdued gold, teal, and blue. Such a color code differentiates each result and maintains the cohesive aesthetic of the presentation. The simplicity of the design ensures that the focus remains on the significance of the results themselves. Result? The audience can grasp the success metrics or key takeaways of your study. This slide highlights the achievements of your research without overwhelming you with details.

Template #7: Discussion

Your research is done, and your results are out, so now what? Well, the next step is to take a deep dive into the implications of your research results. This slide focuses on this. It includes three distinct segments that guide the presentation through key discussion points. This structure provides an organized framework for interpreting the data, exploring the significance of the findings, and considering their impact on the field. The background image sets the stage for an intellectual exchange. It reflects the collaborative and often communal nature of knowledge development. This slide is a platform for critical analysis and promotes thoughtful discussions.

Template #8: Conclusion/Findings

The slide is where the essence of your research is crystallized into key takeaways. It is meant to guide your audience through a sequence of significant revelations. It's segmented into four distinct parts and each one represents a cornerstone of your study's outcomes. The layout facilitates a concise summary of your most impactful results. This leads to a definitive statement of what your work contributes to the field. This slide sums up your presentation, and it is where your research narrative reaches its peak and presents a clear, decisive statement of your findings.

Template #9: Implication for Future Research

Research is a never-ending field. You reach one conclusion, and multiple potential research can stem from that study. This slide is designed to deal with these research opportunities. It offers six focal areas that highlight where subsequent research can expand upon your work. The slide is organized to prompt consideration of where the academic community can take the insights you've provided. Each segment invites researchers to delve deeper, challenge, or build upon their findings. This ensures the continued evolution of scholarly research in your field.

Template #10: References

This slide is a scholarly nod to the foundational work you have done for your research. It's a testament to the academic integrity and thoroughness of your study. It lists the sources that support your hypotheses, methodology, and conclusions. This slide acts as the final, crucial link in your research chain. It acknowledges the contributions of others and situates your work within the larger context of existing knowledge.

Charting New Horizons

Dissertation is the essence of your entire research and hard work. It can help you get across the myriads of academic scrutiny. A well-crafted dissertation shares your story through data, theories, and hard-won insights. This template acts as a stepping stone towards that end—articulate, precise, and engaging. Now, it's your turn to take this template and cast your story into the world. 

PS A 10-week dissertation report timeline helps you be in time and meet deadlines for research submission. Get these slides here.

Example dissertation powerpoint presentation slide with all 60 slides:

Move towards the center of action with our Example Dissertation Powerpoint Presentation Slide. They help you break away from the fringes.

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How to Create an Effective Dissertation Presentation

For many students, the task of writing a lengthy dissertation is so daunting that they forget about the need for Dissertation Presentation! Amidst all the hard work of researching and writing, students in some courses still need to prepare for a high-quality presentation that will help them earn top marks. This article will help you prepare and give you some essential tips for success.

The Purpose of Dissertation Presentation

There are two main types of Dissertation Presentation that are normally encountered in UK universities:

Mid-Research Presentations

Students will often be asked to present their dissertation work at a mid-point in their research. These presentations are usually made to a panel comprised of various faculty members from your department. In addition, they are sometimes structured as a postgraduate seminar, in which fellow students also attend. Both faculty and students can pose questions. The purpose of these Mid-Research Dissertation presentations is to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their progress and identify any weak areas that need to be addressed.

Assessment Presentations

Students are also sometimes required to make a Dissertation Presentation as part of their overall assessment . This is a much more formal presentation than the Mid-Research one, and it is usually open only to the student, examiners and the research supervisor. During an Assessment Dissertation Presentation, the student is required to present a summary of their research and results. They will then be asked questions by the examiners in a somewhat lengthy oral examination. The purpose of this Dissertation Presentation is to assess the student’s original research project and test its scholarly validity.

Differences in Undergraduate and Masters Presentations

Dissertation Presentations may be required at both Undergraduate (Bachelors) and Postgraduate (Masters) levels. The key difference between these levels is the length and degree of originality expected. Postgraduate Dissertation Presentations will normally be longer than Undergraduate Presentations, and they will demonstrate a greater degree of critical engagement with the subject matter. They will also demonstrate some degree of original thinking. By contrast, most Bachelors Dissertation Presentations will be shorter in length and will only require a thorough knowledge of the topic rather than an original scholarly contribution of any kind.

What to Include

• Broad subject area – What subject area of your discipline does your work fall into?
• Narrow topic area – Within this subject area, what is your specific topic? (This may be simply an expanded discussion of your research title).
• Relevant Existing Studies – What studies have already been done on your specific topic? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How does your work fit among them?
• Methodology and Philosophy – What methodology have you chosen to conduct your research? Is there a specific philosophical context? Why is this a good approach?
• Project Resources – If this is a Mid-Research Presentation, what resources do you require to complete the project? Furthermore, have you identified likely sources of funding, or do you need any difficult-to-acquire materials?
• Case Studies – If you’ve conducted practical fieldwork or lab research, why did you choose these cases or projects? How are they the best choices for researching your topic?
• Research Results – If this is a Dissertation Presentation for Assessment, note the results of your research in detail. Relate these back to your theoretical framework and discuss how the results support or contradict existing studies.

How to Prepare for your Dissertation Presentation

The best way to prepare for your Dissertation Presentation is to review your work carefully. Take notes of the key decisions you have made throughout your research and the scholarly literature that supports these choices. Make sure that you have a thorough understanding of the scholarly context of your research, which should have been achieved in your early research stages.

Once your content has been written, you should create a PowerPoint presentation to use during your talk. Don’t forget the slides should be informative but not wordy – keep bullet points concise and use pictures sparingly. Make sure that you rehearse your presentation several times.

What Sort of Questions to Prepare For Dissertation Presentation

The questions you will face in a Dissertation Presentation are designed to test your knowledge of the subject area and your awareness of the context of your work. You will be asked questions to determine how well you understand the potential criticisms of your project, and how well you are able to defend this. Therefore, remember to reference established scholars and existing research.

You might be asked about the specific choices you’re made with regard to methodology and case studies, and how you accounted for any possible inaccuracies in your resulting data. Similarly, examiners frequently ask students what they would do differently if they were starting the same project again.

You should also be prepared to answer questions about the ways your research might be applied within your field, and how it might be supplemented in future. This is an effective way for examiners to assess the originality of your research, and consider its potential impact on your subject area.

How to Earn a High Mark

Much of your dissertation mark will come from the written work and the research project it represents. However, a good Dissertation Presentation will help make a strong case for a good overall mark, whereas a weak Presentation will confirm any doubts in the examiners’ minds. As such, here are a few key areas for success:

• Good Presentation Skills. As with any Presentation, it is important to speak clearly and concisely. Stand still and look your audience in the eye, and try not to rely too much on notes. Be sure to keep breathing and don’t rush your words!
• Knowledge of the Topic. If you truly have a good understanding of your topic you will be likely to do very well. Remember, much of the Dissertation Presentation is designed simply to test your knowledge. If you’ve kept pace with your reading assignments and practical work you should have no problem answering any questions that are posed to you.
• Professional Behaviour. Stay calm and focused during your Presentation, and answer any questions with objectivity and professionalism. Don’t be drawn into debates, but instead offer references to other scholars whose work supports your own agenda.
• Take Your Time . Many students make the mistake of rushing through their material and answering questions too quickly. This doesn’t give the audience a chance to thoroughly understand the quality of your work. Furthermore, it risks leaving out essential information and neglecting to demonstrate the depth of your research.

Home PowerPoint Templates Dissertation

Dissertation PowerPoint Templates

Optimize the process of presenting dissertation findings by using our Dissertation PowerPoint & Google Slides templates . These dissertation PPT templates are structured to help you articulate your research process in a detailed format, highlighting your findings and conclusions in an impactful manner, so the audience understands and appreciates your hard work. Download and customize them now!

Academic Defense PowerPoint Template

Master Thesis PowerPoint Template

Thesis Presentation PowerPoint Template

PhD Dissertation PowerPoint Template

Our PowerPoint dissertation templates are vital for presenting research in a digestible format. Each template is meticulously crafted to help users articulate their speech, with sections for the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions. This framework allows the presenter to preserve a logical flow while engaging the audience.

The dissertation PPTs are not only useful for academic purposes. They are invaluable in professional contexts as business professionals can present in-depth research and analysis related to market trends, product development, or strategic planning. The clean layout of these dissertation PowerPoint templates ensures your presentation looks polished, and showcases authority in the topic, enhancing your credibility as a speaker.

Advantages of Using Dissertation PowerPoint Templates

For PhD candidates and researchers, meeting deadlines is crucial. Our dissertation PPT templates help keep your presentation preparation on track. With a predefined structure, you can focus more on refining your content rather than worrying about slide design. This can be particularly helpful during the stressful periods leading to dissertation defense or major project presentations. Modify colors, fonts, layout elements and add your own graphics to match your institution’s requirements or personal preferences.

The cohesive structure of these dissertation presentation PPT slides helps the presentation look consistent and professional. You can mix and match slides from different slide decks for a broad range of tools, and customize their PowerPoint theme to preserve the aesthetics. The visual components included in the templates aid in illustrating complex data and statistical information, making your presentation more informative and engaging.

What is a Dissertation Presentation Template?

A dissertation presentation template is a pre-designed PowerPoint slide or slide deck tailored for presenting a dissertation’s research findings, methodologies, and conclusions. These templates typically feature various layouts to facilitate the inclusion of charts and visuals, making complex data easier to understand.

How do you Present a Dissertation in PowerPoint?

Start by outlining the main sections of your research so you can assign one topic per slide – more slides if required. Use visuals such as charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate data to support your findings.

What is the Format for the Presentation of a Dissertation?

Begin with an introduction that outlines the research question, objectives, and significance of the study. Next, you have to introduce the literature that contextualizes this research with existing studies if it applies. Present the methodology detailing research design, data collection, and analysis techniques. Then, disclose the results, highlighting the key findings and their implications. Conclude with a summary of the key points and potential future research directions, allowing room for a Q&A session.

How Many Slides Are in a Dissertation Presentation?

The number of slides in a dissertation presentation can vary, but it typically ranges between 15 and 30, depending on the complexity of the research and the requirements set by the academic institution or department.

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Master's Thesis

It seems that you like this template, master's thesis presentation, free google slides theme, powerpoint template, and canva presentation template.

The path to higher academic degrees is long, we know that, so get ready for your thesis defense and let us help you obtain that master’s that you’ve always wanted with this new template by Slidesgo.

We’re sure the first thing that you’ve noticed is the road-themed pictures in some of the slides. It’s the perfect visual metaphor for you to show how much you’ve gone through during your research. In a thesis defense, the clarity of your ideas is essential, so that’s why we’ve decided to include a simple background with no distracting elements whatsoever. The color palette combines greenish tones, synonym for confidence and personal growth, with some dynamic coral pink tones. The chosen typography provides you with a sans-serif font for the titles, giving them readability, and a slab font for body texts, giving them balance. Our theory is that you’ll achieve success with this template. What is yours?

Features of this template

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• Includes 1000+ icons divided into 11 different themes for customizing your slides
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How to Pull Off Your Thesis Defense With a Great Presentation

You’ve reached the home stretch in your journey toward your post-graduate degree. You’ve diligently studied, researched and performed for years, and all that’s left is your master thesis or doctorate dissertation. 

“ All that’s left,” however, might be the understatement of the century. There’s nothing simple about orally defending your thesis, and this final stage often means the difference between a degree and a program that remains incomplete.

Even after you’ve dedicated months filled with blood, sweat and tears defining your argument, researching your support and writing your defense, you aren’t ready to address the academic panel. You still have to design an effective visual presentation, and the slide deck can make or break your entire thesis.

Unsure how to design a stellar slide deck to visually present your thesis or dissertation? Check out the following tips to pull off your master thesis defense with a great presentation:

1.   Properly structure your slide deck

Every master thesis defense presentation is unique, but most effective slide decks will follow a similar structure, including:  

• Title - Just like a research paper, your thesis presentation must include a title slide. This should include the same information as any other title page: the title, your name, your academic institution, course name and the name of the academic advisor to your thesis or dissertation. That doesn’t mean your title slide needs to look like the start of any other Frankendeck . Instead, add your text atop a relative image, and adjust the brightness to ensure your text pops.
• Introduction - Your thesis presentation should also include an introduction slide, which details the topic of your thesis, the question your research will seek to answer and any additional objectives to your research, as well as the answer or solution you will be defending.
• Literature review - Following your thesis introduction, design one or more slides that review the literature you researched. This shouldn’t be a full bibliography (although that should be included in the accompanying written account of your research), but instead, the slides should list your most relevant research sources. If the information is featured on a slide, make sure you include its source. 
• Methodology - Your thesis presentation slide deck should also include a slide (or slides) detailing the methodology of your research and argument. Here you want to describe the type of study— whether it’s quantitative, qualitative or a combination of the two, as well as an explanation of why you chose the method or methods you used. If you conducted original research, you will want to detail the study population, sampling methods and other details pertinent to your studies, while you’ll also want to detail how you analyzed your data.
• Results - No thesis presentation slide deck is complete without dedicating slides to illustrate the results of your research. Be sure to include a description of any data you collected through your research, as well as the results of your analysis of the data. What were your most significant findings?
• Discussion - How do the results of your research support your overall thesis argument? Be sure to include slides that discuss your overall findings and how they relate to your original question.
• Conclusion - Concluding slides should restate your original research questions, represent the results of your research, suggest future research and make any final recommendations.
• Ending slide – Close your thesis presentation with a concluding slide that offers an interesting quote or trivia that makes your audience further ponder your topic, a GIF or animation that recaptures the audience’s attention or even a hypothetical question that opens additional discussion from the academic panel. This is your opportunity to make your presentation memorable.

Thesis Presentation vs. Dissertation

Thesis presentation and dissertation are two terms often used in academic settings related to upper education. While they are related, there are distinct differences between the two, which is important to understand as you begin to structure your thesis defense.

‍ A thesis presentation typically refers to the final oral presentation that a student gives to defend their thesis or research project. It is a formal presentation to explain their findings, methodology, and conclusions to a panel of faculty members or experts in the field. The purpose of a thesis defense presentation is to demonstrate the student's knowledge and understanding of the subject matter and to defend the validity of their research.

On the other hand, a dissertation refers to a lengthy and comprehensive research project that is typically required for the completion of a doctoral degree. It involves in-depth research, analysis, and the development of original ideas in a particular field of study. A dissertation is usually written over an extended period and is expected to contribute new knowledge or insights to the field. Unlike a thesis presentation, a dissertation is submitted in written form and is typically evaluated by a committee of faculty members or experts in the field.

2.   Choose which ideas to illustrate

Unless you have an hour to fill with your master thesis defense or doctorate dissertation, you won’t be able to include every idea from your overall research documentation in your slide show. Choose the most important ideas to illustrate on slides, while also keeping in mind what aspects of your research you’ll be able to visually represent.

3.   Define your presentation’s theme

A stellar thesis or dissertation presentation will be professional in appearance, and a cohesive design is an absolute must. Choose what types of typography and color schemes best support your topic. 

Instead of adjusting these settings on each individual slide— a tedious task at best— choose a PowerPoint-alternative presentation software like Beautiful.ai that allows you to customize a theme for your entire slide deck. Choose your fonts and other typography, your color palette, margins, footers, logos, transitions and more, and the cloud-based tool will automatically apply those design specifications to every slide you add to the master thesis defense presentation.

4.   Design simple and focused slides

You might have a lot of information to present, but when it comes to your thesis presentation— or almost any slide deck for that matter— less is more. Be sure every slide counts by focusing on your main points. 

Then, whatever you do, keep your slides simple. Not even an academic panel is going to dedicate much time deciphering a cluttered slide with all too many details. Try to avoid presenting more than one or two ideas on each slide.

5.   Include data visualizations

The whole point of your presentation is to illustrate the concepts included in your thesis. Humans are visual creatures and react strongly to imagery, and the panel evaluating your thesis or dissertation is no exception— regardless of how studious and formal the academics might seem. Illustrate the results of your research with colorful and engaging infographics . You don’t have to be a graphic designer to create them, either. 

Beautiful.ai users can choose from a host of smart slide templates with data visualizations — including favorites like bar graphs and pie charts , as well as less common options like scattergraphs , flow charts and pictograms . Just input your data and watch as our special brand of artificial intelligence creates the infographic for you.  

6.   Practice makes perfect

After spending months researching your thesis or dissertation, writing about your findings and designing a stellar master thesis defense presentation, you would hate to see all your hard work be for naught. That’s still a distinct possibility, however, if you don’t also practice your delivery. 

Practice, practice and practice some more until you know your master thesis defense like the back of your hand. No academic panel will be impressed by a graduate candidate who stumbles through their presentation or appears to be reading from their notes. Know the contents of every slide, as well as exactly what parts of your overall defense you want to deliver during its display. 

Things to keep in mind to help you nail your presentation

The golden rule of any presentation is to keep your audience engaged. You can ensure a more engaging presentation by maintaining eye contact, using appropriate gestures, and speaking clearly. You can also choose to include the audience in your presentation with interactive questions, polls, and slides.

To help boost audience retention, utilize storytelling. Studies show that when facts are presented in the form of a story, people are 22 times more likely to remember them. Talk about powerful.

Last but not least, plan for questions— and not simply by allowing time for them. Watch other thesis defenses delivered at your institution, and consider what types of questions the academic panel might ask, so you can prepare the best possible answer.

Extra credit:

Get started with our PhD Defense Thesis presentation template here .

Samantha Pratt Lile

Samantha is an independent journalist, editor, blogger and content manager. Examples of her published work can be found at sites including the Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and Buzzfeed.

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