Creating Your Presentation
Creating Your Presentation
Description
Tips & Tricks
Replicate Existing Presentations
One of the easiest ways to create your presentation is to use a template or format that has already been successful. Ask a peer who has recently defended their dissertation or consult your advisor for an example of a previous presentation.
Keep It Concise
Remember that your committee will have already read your dissertation, so your presentation should be a summary of the key points. Avoid overloading your slides with too much text or detail.
Use Visuals
Incorporate charts, graphs, and images to help illustrate your findings and keep your audience engaged. Visuals can make complex data more accessible and your presentation more memorable.
Maintain Consistency
Ensure that your slides have a consistent style, including font, size, and color scheme. This helps maintain a professional appearance and keeps the focus on your content.
Practice Timing
Each slide should represent about 2-3 minutes of talk time. Practice your presentation to ensure it fits within the allotted time, usually 20-30 minutes.
Prepare for Questions
Anticipate potential questions from your committee and prepare thoughtful responses. This will help you handle the Q&A session with confidence.
Slide-by-Slide Outline
Slide 1: Title Slide
- Title of Your Dissertation
- Your Name
- Degree Program
- Date of Presentation
- Name of University
- Names of Committee Members
Slide 2: Introduction
- Purpose of the Study: Briefly state what you studied and why.
- mportance of the Research: Highlight the significance of the topic.
- Research Questions/Hypotheses: List the questions or hypotheses that guided your research.
Slide 3: Background/Literature Review
- Context: Provide background information and current understanding of the topic.
- Gap in Research: Define the gap in the literature that your research aims to fill.
Slide 4: Methodology
- Research Design: Describe the type of research design you used.
- Participants/Samples: Detail who or what was studied.
- Instruments/Tools: Mention the tools or instruments used for data collection.
- Data Collection Procedures: Outline how data was collected.
- Data Analysis Methods: Explain how the data was analyzed.
Slide 5: Results
- Major Findings: Highlight key findings with the help of graphs, charts, and tables.
- Statistical Analysis: Provide a brief overview of the statistical tests used and their outcomes.
Slide 6: Discussion
- Interpretation of Results: Discuss what your findings mean in relation to your research questions or hypotheses.
- Comparison with Literature: Relate your findings back to the literature review.
Slide 7: Implications
- Theoretical Implications: Discuss how your findings impact the theories or concepts in your field.
- Practical Implications: Suggest how your findings can be applied in real-world settings.
Slide 8: Limitations and Future Research
- Limitations: Acknowledge any shortcomings of your study.
- Suggestions for Future Research: Propose areas for future investigation that could build on your findings.
Slide 9: Conclusion
- Summary of Findings: Recap the key points from your research.
- Final Thoughts: End with a strong statement or quote that reinforces the importance of your research.
Slide 10: Acknowledgements
- Thank You: Acknowledge your advisor, committee members, funding bodies, and anyone else who supported your research.
Slide 11:Questions
- Invite Questions: This slide should say "Thank You" and "Questions?" to invite queries from the committee.
Action Items
Ask for an Example
- Contact a peer or your advisor to request a copy of a successful dissertation presentation from your program.
- Use this as a template for creating your own presentation.
Create Your Slides
- Follow the slide-by-slide outline provided above to create your presentation.
- Ensure that each slide is concise and visually engaging.
Practice Your Presentation
- Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure it fits within the allotted time.
- Prepare for potential questions from your committee and practice your responses.
Tips for Creating Your PowerPoint Presentation
- Keep It Visual: Use visuals like charts, graphs, and diagrams to make your points clearer and keep the audience engaged.
- Be Concise: Each slide should be succinct, focusing on key points. Avoid cluttering slides with too much text.
- Consistent Style: Use a consistent font, size, and color scheme throughout the presentation to keep it professional.
- Practice Your Timing: Each slide should ideally represent about 2-3 minutes of talk time. Practice to ensure your entire presentation fits within the allotted time.
- Prepare for Questions: Anticipate potential questions and prepare your answers. This preparation can help you handle the Q&A session confidently.
Additional Resources
Creating Effective Academic Presentations
Graduate School Guide
Using Visuals in Your Dissertation Presentation
Academic Resource Center
Preparing for Your Dissertation Defense
University Writing Lab
Case Study
Emily’s Successful Dissertation Defense
This is an Add-on course, which is only Accessible in the Bundle.
Courses includes:
- Level Expert
- Duration 11h 20m
- Lessons 12
- Quizzes 145
- Certifications Yes