• Different Styles of Doctoral Thesis Presentations


    After months and years of working on a doctoral thesis, doctoral candidates have to be ready to present their paper. There are many different presentation styles that are used for presenting and defending the argument. Students have to demonstrate their research process and the contribution to a body of knowledge. Likewise, the presentation has to show that the student has developed a mastery of a body of knowledge.


    The Basic Format for Presentations

    Although each student may present their thesis slightly differently, there is one general format that most students follow. After introducing the topic, they generally go through the research problem and hypotheses or thesis. Additionally, they discuss current research on the topic and the methods used to collect any data. Following this, students present the results of their research or the supporting information for their findings. At the end, they conclude the topic and describe its place in the body of knowledge previously mentioned.


    Before Presenting

    Most doctoral programs around the world require students to present and defend their thesis paper. Due to this, students have to be prepared to defend their ideas and research. Since doctoral thesis papers take years to write, some of the information, research quality and data may be forgotten over the process. Before presenting, students should take some time to sit down and reread the entirety of their essay. In addition, the sources and research used should be skimmed through. Any relevant information should be written down so that the student can review it again minutes before the presentation.


    Avoid Too Much Information

    Knowing everything about a topic is far different than presenting everything. Individuals should make sure that they deliver a concise presentation that focuses only on relevant facts. Too often, students devolve into tangents and give information that is not relevant to the argument. In addition to being frustrating to listen to, it also makes for a poor presentation.


    Explain the Problem and Thesis Clearly

    With nervous energy and a strong knowledge of the topic, doctoral candidates often dive into the topic without explaining the thesis. Listeners have to understand what the problem is and the individual's thesis. This allows them to anchor the following research to the topic and understand how the student developed their conclusion. Additionally, students have to conclude the topic. A strong conclusion helps the student to demonstrate how the research makes a difference and what it means in a larger context.

    Even with the best laid out plan, students may still have problems on the day of their presentation. To make it easier, doctoral candidates should practice presenting in front of a mirror or friends before the big day. Other doctoral candidates can also provide insight into the quality of the presentation and research.

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