closing remarks for thesis defense

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How to write an excellent thesis conclusion [with examples]

Restate the thesis

Review or reiterate key points of your work, explain why your work is relevant, a take-away for the reader, more resources on writing thesis conclusions, frequently asked questions about writing an excellent thesis conclusion, related articles.

At this point in your writing, you have most likely finished your introduction and the body of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper . While this is a reason to celebrate, you should not underestimate the importance of your conclusion. The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see, so it should be memorable.

A good conclusion will review the key points of the thesis and explain to the reader why the information is relevant, applicable, or related to the world as a whole. Make sure to dedicate enough of your writing time to the conclusion and do not put it off until the very last minute.

This article provides an effective technique for writing a conclusion adapted from Erika Eby’s The College Student's Guide to Writing a Good Research Paper: 101 Easy Tips & Tricks to Make Your Work Stand Out .

While the thesis introduction starts out with broad statements about the topic, and then narrows it down to the thesis statement , a thesis conclusion does the same in the opposite order.

• Restate the thesis.
• Review or reiterate key points of your work.
• Explain why your work is relevant.
• Include a core take-away message for the reader.

Tip: Don’t just copy and paste your thesis into your conclusion. Restate it in different words.

The best way to start a conclusion is simply by restating the thesis statement. That does not mean just copying and pasting it from the introduction, but putting it into different words.

You will need to change the structure and wording of it to avoid sounding repetitive. Also, be firm in your conclusion just as you were in the introduction. Try to avoid sounding apologetic by using phrases like "This paper has tried to show..."

The conclusion should address all the same parts as the thesis while making it clear that the reader has reached the end. You are telling the reader that your research is finished and what your findings are.

I have argued throughout this work that the point of critical mass for biopolitical immunity occurred during the Romantic period because of that era's unique combination of post-revolutionary politics and innovations in smallpox prevention. In particular, I demonstrated that the French Revolution and the discovery of vaccination in the 1790s triggered a reconsideration of the relationship between bodies and the state.

Tip: Try to reiterate points from your introduction in your thesis conclusion.

The next step is to review the main points of the thesis as a whole. Look back at the body of of your project and make a note of the key ideas. You can reword these ideas the same way you reworded your thesis statement and then incorporate that into the conclusion.

You can also repeat striking quotations or statistics, but do not use more than two. As the conclusion represents your own closing thoughts on the topic , it should mainly consist of your own words.

In addition, conclusions can contain recommendations to the reader or relevant questions that further the thesis. You should ask yourself:

• What you would ideally like to see your readers do in reaction to your paper?
• Do you want them to take a certain action or investigate further?
• Is there a bigger issue that your paper wants to draw attention to?

Also, try to reference your introduction in your conclusion. You have already taken a first step by restating your thesis. Now, check whether there are other key words, phrases or ideas that are mentioned in your introduction that fit into your conclusion. Connecting the introduction to the conclusion in this way will help readers feel satisfied.

I explored how Mary Wollstonecraft, in both her fiction and political writings, envisions an ideal medico-political state, and how other writers like William Wordsworth and Mary Shelley increasingly imagined the body politic literally, as an incorporated political collective made up of bodies whose immunity to political and medical ills was essential to a healthy state.

Tip: Make sure to explain why your thesis is relevant to your field of research.

Although you can encourage readers to question their opinions and reflect on your topic, do not leave loose ends. You should provide a sense of resolution and make sure your conclusion wraps up your argument. Make sure you explain why your thesis is relevant to your field of research and how your research intervenes within, or substantially revises, existing scholarly debates.

This project challenged conventional ideas about the relationship among Romanticism, medicine, and politics by reading the unfolding of Romantic literature and biopolitical immunity as mutual, co-productive processes. In doing so, this thesis revises the ways in which biopolitics has been theorized by insisting on the inherent connections between Romantic literature and the forms of biopower that characterize early modernity.

Tip: If you began your thesis with an anecdote or historical example, you may want to return to that in your conclusion.

End your conclusion with something memorable, such as:

• a call to action
• a recommendation
• a gesture towards future research
• a brief explanation of how the problem or idea you covered remains relevant

Ultimately, you want readers to feel more informed, or ready to act, as they read your conclusion.

Yet, the Romantic period is only the beginning of modern thought on immunity and biopolitics. Victorian writers, doctors, and politicians upheld the Romantic idea that a "healthy state" was a literal condition that could be achieved by combining politics and medicine, but augmented that idea through legislation and widespread public health measures. While many nineteenth-century efforts to improve citizens' health were successful, the fight against disease ultimately changed course in the twentieth century as global immunological threats such as SARS occupied public consciousness. Indeed, as subsequent public health events make apparent, biopolitical immunity persists as a viable concept for thinking about the relationship between medicine and politics in modernity.

Need more advice? Read our 5 additional tips on how to write a good thesis conclusion.

The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see, so it should be memorable. To write a great thesis conclusion you should:

The basic content of a conclusion is to review the main points from the paper. This part represents your own closing thoughts on the topic. It should mainly consist of the outcome of the research in your own words.

The length of the conclusion will depend on the length of the whole thesis. Usually, a conclusion should be around 5-7% of the overall word count.

End your conclusion with something memorable, such as a question, warning, or call to action. Depending on the topic, you can also end with a recommendation.

In Open Access: Theses and Dissertations you can find thousands of completed works. Take a look at any of the theses or dissertations for real-life examples of conclusions that were already approved.

Speeches HQ

15 Thesis Defense Introduction Sample Speeches

Defending a thesis can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences in a student’s academic journey. It’s the moment when years of hard work, research, and dedication come together in a single presentation. The introduction sets the tone for the entire defense, making it crucial to start strong and capture the committee’s attention from the get-go.

This article presents 15 sample speeches for thesis defense introductions. Each example offers a unique approach, catering to different styles, subjects, and presentation lengths.

Whether you prefer a brief and punchy opener or a more detailed introduction, you’ll find inspiration to help you craft the perfect start to your thesis defense.

1. The Brief and Impactful Introduction

“Good morning, respected committee members. Today, I stand before you to present my research on the effects of social media on teenage mental health. Over the past three years, I’ve surveyed over 5,000 teenagers, analyzed countless studies, and collaborated with leading psychologists to uncover the hidden impacts of our increasingly connected world. What I’ve found might surprise you and change how we view the role of technology in young lives.”

— END OF SPEECH —

Commentary: This short introduction quickly grabs attention by hinting at surprising findings. It’s ideal for presentations where time is limited or when you want to leave more room for the main content.

2. The Personal Journey

“Hello everyone. Six years ago, I watched my grandmother struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her battle inspired me to dedicate my life to understanding and combating this devastating condition. My thesis explores a novel approach to early Alzheimer’s detection using artificial intelligence and brain imaging. This research has been a deeply personal journey, and I’m excited to share my findings with you today.”

Commentary: This medium-length introduction uses a personal story to connect emotionally with the audience. It works well for research topics with a human impact, especially in medical or social sciences.

3. The Historical Context Setter

“Distinguished committee members, esteemed colleagues. The search for extraterrestrial life has captivated humanity for centuries. From ancient stargazers to modern SETI programs, we’ve peered into the cosmos, hoping to find signs that we’re not alone.

My thesis builds on this rich history, proposing a new method for detecting biosignatures on exoplanets. By combining spectroscopy with machine learning, we may finally be on the brink of answering one of humanity’s oldest questions: Are we alone in the universe?”

Commentary: This longer introduction sets the historical context for the research. It’s suitable for topics that benefit from a broader perspective, especially in fields like astronomy, history, or evolutionary biology.

4. The Problem-Solution Opener

“Thank you all for being here today. Our world faces an unprecedented challenge: feeding a growing population while combating climate change. Traditional agriculture struggles to meet these dual demands.

My thesis presents a solution: vertical farming powered by renewable energy. This innovative approach could revolutionize food production, reduce water usage by 95%, and slash carbon emissions. Today, I’ll walk you through the technology, economics, and potential global impact of this game-changing concept.”

Commentary: This medium-length introduction clearly states a problem and immediately presents the thesis as a solution. It’s effective for research that addresses pressing real-world issues, particularly in fields like environmental science, engineering, or urban planning.

5. The Interdisciplinary Approach

“Good afternoon, respected committee. The boundaries between academic disciplines are blurring, and my research sits at one such intersection. By combining principles from cognitive psychology, computer science, and linguistics, I’ve developed a new framework for natural language processing in AI. This interdisciplinary approach has led to breakthroughs in machine comprehension of context and subtext, potentially transforming how we interact with artificial intelligence.”

Commentary: This introduction highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the research. It’s particularly suitable for theses that bridge multiple fields or apply techniques from one discipline to solve problems in another.

6. The Controversy Addresser

“Respected committee members, I appreciate your time today. Gene editing is a topic that sparks heated debate and ethical concerns. My thesis dives into this controversy, examining the potential of CRISPR technology to eliminate hereditary diseases.

Through extensive laboratory work and ethical consultations, I’ve developed a framework for responsible gene editing that balances scientific progress with moral considerations. Today, I’ll present my findings and propose guidelines for the future of this powerful technology.”

Commentary: This longer introduction acknowledges the controversial nature of the research topic. It’s suitable for theses dealing with ethically complex subjects, showing awareness of broader implications while asserting the value of the research.

7. The Data-Driven Hook

“Hello everyone. Did you know that we produce 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day? Yet only 0.5% of that data is ever analyzed. My thesis tackles this big data challenge, presenting a new algorithm for real-time data processing and analysis.

By testing this algorithm on massive datasets from social media, IoT devices, and financial markets, I’ve demonstrated its potential to uncover hidden patterns and predict trends with unprecedented accuracy.”

Commentary: This introduction uses a striking statistic to grab attention before explaining the thesis. It’s effective for data-heavy research, especially in fields like computer science, data science, or quantitative finance.

8. The Practical Application Emphasis

“Good morning, distinguished committee. In emergency situations, every second counts. My thesis focuses on optimizing emergency response systems using machine learning and real-time traffic data.

By analyzing patterns from past emergencies and current road conditions, this system can reduce response times by up to 30%. Today, I’ll demonstrate how this technology works and share results from pilot programs in three major cities.”

Commentary: This medium-length introduction emphasizes the practical, real-world application of the research. It’s ideal for applied research in fields like engineering, urban planning, or public health.

9. The Grand Challenge Approach

“Esteemed committee members, thank you for your presence. Climate change threatens our planet’s future, and addressing it requires innovative solutions. My thesis contributes to this crucial effort by introducing a new method for carbon capture and storage.

Using a combination of novel materials and process engineering, this approach could sequester carbon dioxide at a fraction of the current cost. Today, I’ll walk you through the science, the scalability, and the potential global impact of this technology.”

Commentary: This introduction frames the research within the context of a major global challenge. It’s suitable for theses addressing big-picture issues, particularly in environmental science, energy technology, or related fields.

10. The Paradigm Shift Proposition

“Distinguished committee, colleagues, and guests. For decades, we’ve approached artificial intelligence from a computational perspective. My thesis challenges this paradigm, drawing inspiration from neurobiology to create AI systems that mimic the brain’s plasticity and adaptability.

This bio-inspired approach has led to AI models that can learn and adapt in ways previously thought impossible. Today, I’ll present the theory behind this new paradigm, demonstrate its practical applications, and discuss its implications for the future of AI and cognitive science.”

Commentary: This lengthy introduction proposes a fundamental shift in thinking about the research field. It’s appropriate for groundbreaking research that challenges established theories or methodologies, particularly in rapidly evolving fields like AI, biotechnology, or theoretical physics.

11. The Technological Evolution Perspective

“Good morning, esteemed committee. From the first stone tools to modern smartphones, technology has shaped human evolution. My thesis explores the next frontier: brain-computer interfaces.

By studying the integration of neural implants with the human brain, I’ve uncovered new possibilities for treating neurological disorders and enhancing cognitive abilities. Today, I’ll present my findings on the long-term effects of these interfaces and discuss the ethical considerations of this emerging technology.”

Commentary: This introduction places the research in the context of human technological progress. It’s suitable for theses in neuroscience, bioengineering, or related fields that explore cutting-edge technologies with far-reaching implications.

12. The Local Impact Focus

“Hello, respected committee members. While global issues often dominate headlines, local challenges can have profound effects on communities. My thesis examines the impact of gentrification on low-income neighborhoods in our city.

Through extensive fieldwork, interviews, and data analysis, I’ve tracked changes in housing prices, local businesses, and community demographics over the past decade. My research reveals surprising patterns and offers policy recommendations to promote equitable urban development.”

Commentary: This medium-length introduction focuses on a local issue with broader implications. It’s ideal for research in urban studies, sociology, or public policy that examines specific communities or regions.

13. The Philosophical Quandary

“Distinguished committee, thank you for being here. Since Descartes pondered the nature of consciousness, philosophers and scientists have grappled with the concept of self-awareness. My thesis bridges philosophy and neuroscience, proposing a new framework for understanding consciousness based on information integration theory.

By combining philosophical reasoning with cutting-edge brain imaging techniques, I’ve developed a testable model of conscious experience that could reshape our understanding of the mind.”

Commentary: This introduction frames the research as an exploration of a long-standing philosophical question. It’s suitable for interdisciplinary work that combines humanities and sciences, particularly in fields like cognitive science or philosophy of mind.

14. The Economic Paradigm Challenger

“Good afternoon, respected committee. Classical economic theory assumes rational actors making optimal decisions. Yet, reality often deviates from this ideal. My thesis challenges traditional models by incorporating insights from behavioral psychology and neuroscience.

Using a combination of laboratory experiments and real-world data, I’ve developed a new economic model that better predicts consumer behavior and market trends. This research has significant implications for policy-making, marketing, and our understanding of human decision-making.”

Commentary: This introduction challenges established theories in a field. It’s appropriate for research that brings new perspectives to traditional disciplines, especially in economics, psychology, or related social sciences.

15. The Artistic Innovation Showcase

“Hello everyone. Art has always pushed the boundaries of human expression, and digital technology is opening new frontiers. My thesis explores the intersection of virtual reality and interactive storytelling. I’ve developed a new platform that allows users to step inside stories, influencing narratives through their actions and emotions.

This technology blends elements of gaming, cinema, and literature to create a truly immersive storytelling experience. Today, I’ll demonstrate this platform and discuss its potential impact on entertainment, education, and therapy.”

Commentary: This introduction highlights innovation in a creative field. It’s suitable for theses in digital arts, interactive media, or related areas that combine technology with creative expression.

These sample speeches offer a variety of approaches to introducing your thesis defense. The key is to choose an opening that fits your research, your style, and your audience. Remember, your introduction sets the stage for your entire presentation, so make it count.

As you prepare for your defense, practice your introduction until it feels natural and confident. Your opening words should convey your passion for the subject and the significance of your research. With the right introduction, you’ll capture your committee’s attention and set yourself up for a successful defense.

Good luck with your thesis defense! Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this moment. Now’s your chance to shine and share your valuable contributions with the academic community.

Closing Remarks for Presentations (in 2024) with Tips & Examples

Last updated on February 25th, 2024

Two aspects of a speech or presentation hold immense importance to ensure that you are able to leave a lasting impact on your audience, i.e. the opening and closing remarks. Using the right words can help you leave on a high note and needless to say, failing to do so can make your presentation forgettable and in some cases, regrettable.

How to End a Speech? Sample Closing Remarks and Tips for Presentations

The type of closing remarks you add to your presentation will depend upon the environment, the topic of the speech and the kind of audience you are addressing to. Let’s take a look at some sample closing remarks that you can use, along with some basic tips for concluding your presentation in an appropriate manner. You can use these examples below for inspiration, to learn how to end a speech.

Example of Formal Closing Remarks

You might want to end your presentation formally with comments like these:

• It’s been a pleasure being with all of you today, thank you.
• Thank you all for your patience, I wish you all a very good evening. Good Bye.
• It’s been an honor to be among such accomplished individuals and to be able to present my perspective before you all, thank you and good evening/day.
• Thank you all for being here today and taking the time to patiently listen to what I had to say, I wish you all a blessed day.

Below is an example of a formal closing remark by Bill Gates at the Harvard Commencement.

FREE PowerPoint Templates for Presentations Download presentation templates with attractive designs, layouts and styles. Thousands of slides & templates to choose from.

Funny Closing Remarks

You can also add a touch of humor to make things more interesting with a closing remark like these:

• “It is finally time to end the excruciating pain I have all given you, time to get some caffeine! Thank you!”
• “It’s been a pleasure torturing you all with convoluted statistics and wordy speeches, have a great day!”
• “Now that we have that out of the way, time for me to get back home before my parents ground me!”
• “I hope you were all unable to understand anything I said! Confused? Good! Have a good day”

Note: Such a closing remark might be suitable where you have been able to keep your audience laughing throughout the presentation session and the audience might be in the right mood to receive such a remark in a lighthearted manner.

Even when you crack a joke, make sure to follow it up with a formal comment like ‘Thank You’, ‘Good Bye’, ‘Good Evening’ or ‘Have a Great Day’. Say it with a smile, to make sure you don’t look rude or the audience does not misunderstand you in anyway.

While the below comment by Will Ferrell wasn’t a closing remark but it serves as a good example as to how you can end your presentation with some humor.

The presenter can support the close of the presentation with some visual slides. The thank you slides provided by SlideModel for example can be a good fit for this purpose. Read the full review from fixthephoto.com.

Tips for Adding Closing Remarks to Your Presentations

There are a number of ways by which you can add closing remarks to your presentations. Below are some methods you can use for leaving a major impact on the hearts and souls of your audience.

1. Adding closing remarks with the conclusion

This can be done to closely knit your conclusion with a closing remark which might inspire your audience. Crafting a compelling conclusion is an art in itself; understanding how to conclude a project effectively can be essential for creating a lasting impact. This tip is especially useful when drafting an effective conclusion for project.

2. Keeping the closing remarks separate from the conclusion

Sometimes it’s best to keep your closing remarks aside from the conclusion to avoid confusing the audience. This might be suitable when your closing remarks are meant to stand out apart from your conclusion. For example, your conclusion might be neutral but your closing remarks might provide your perspective on the topic and what you think is the best course of action.

3. Closing remarks and a summary of your presentation

When your closing remarks are closely tied to your conclusion/summary, you can use this method. Summarizing information can help the audience gather their thoughts and be reminded of essential aspects of your presentation, followed by a closing remark which resonates with the summarized content. You can effectively summarize your presentation by utilizing an online summarizer. A text summarizer can help to encompass the main points of your presentation and tie your closing remarks.

4. Using amazing facts to inspire your audience

This can be a very handy approach, i.e. to use a mind boggling fact to inspire the audience and to direct them towards your preferred opinion.

5. Call to action

Almost every type of presentation has a call to action. It is unlikely that a presenter in some way or the other will not be encouraging the audience to act, be it a sales presentation, motivational speech or a presentation about social issues. It could be as simple as adding a QR Code that links to your  digital business card , thereby giving them an opportunity to contact you.

6. Reiterate Your Main Message

Your closing remarks should reinforce the main message or takeaway from your presentation. This helps in embedding the core idea in your audience’s mind, reminding them of what you want them to remember most.

7. Create an Emotional Connection

Closing remarks that tap into emotions can leave a lasting impression. A touching story, an inspiring quote, or a call to personal action can help create this emotional resonance, making your presentation more memorable.

8. Ensure Clarity and Brevity

While crafting your closing remarks, remember to keep them concise and clear. Avoid using jargon or complex sentences, and aim for straightforward language that your audience can easily comprehend.

9. End with a Call to Action

If applicable, give your audience something to do after your presentation. Whether it’s visiting a website, reading a book, or making a change in their life, a call to action gives your audience a practical next step. You can use the Call-To-Action to end your speech. Pro Tip: Do not forget to add your phone number and business email address as a part of your call to action.

10. Thank Your Audience

It’s always polite and effective to thank your audience in your closing remarks. Showing appreciation for their time and attention helps to foster a positive relationship and leaves a favorable impression. Use Thank you slides when you end your presentation.

11. Use Visual Aids

To enhance your closing remarks, consider using visual aids such as slides or infographics. These can summarize your main points, reinforce your message, and make your remarks more engaging and impactful.

12. Practice Delivery

Your closing remarks aren’t just about what you say, but also how you say it. Practice your slideshow and the presentation delivery to ensure you convey your message with confidence and clarity. Consider your tone, pace, and body language, as these can significantly affect your audience’s perception of your remarks. You can use tools like the Presentation Coach to rehearse your presentation.

Final words

We hope it will help you deliver a memorable presentation by ending it with proper closing remarks. Make sure that your audience feels satisfied after hearing the end of your speech. Ending on an optimistic note may leave a lasting impression on them, which is what matters the most in such professional events like interviews and presentations.

About Farshad

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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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